Degree Of Green is the first national building products ratings program designed to help homeowners and contractors make educated decisions regarding the green and health qualities of products they purchase for home building or improvement projects. Through merchandising materials and promotional activities, the system identifies participating retailers as green experts in their communities.
The Degree Of Green system is based on a library of data sheets that rate specific green building products based on their green, sustainable, and health attributes.

Your Green Home owner David Graetz says the Degree Of Green system is important in substantiating the value of green and healthy home improvement products for consumers who are new to such choices.

"They want substance, especially when they dabble in green," Graetz said. "Information from the Degree Of Green program will make it safe for them."

Rope the wind (and rain)

As summer winds down and the rains return to the Willamette Valley, Chemeketa Community College encourages you to consider utilizing a rain garden. This fall, CCC is offering a number of courses that will explore the environmental services that plants provide such as water filtration, carbon sequestration and stormwater management. Courses offered include a general view of how to use ecological horticulture in urban areas, as well as specific courses on how to plant a living wall, install and plant a green roof, and how to plant a rain garden. The courses will be held in the Educational Building, located near the gift shop, at the Oregon Garden in Silverton. Dress for weather and wear walking shoes. For more information about these courses or others offered by the Chemeketa's Department of Natural Resources visit Chemeketa or contact (503) 399-5139.

Explore the forest
Have you been too busy doing yard work this summer to spend time exploring the wilderness? Here is an opportunity to enjoy and learn about the woods without having to drive too far. On September 3, 10, and 17, from 1 - 4:30 p.m., Starker Forests offers guided bus tours where you can learn about Oregon's Coast Range geography, geology, and history. Discover the diversity that a multiple-use forest provides, from recreational opportunities to plant and animal habitats to forest products. Transportation and refreshments are provided. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Children are welcome.

Call Corvallis Tourism at (541) 757-1544 or (800) 334-8118 for details and reservations; seating is limited. Also visit starkerforests.com.

Oregon joins carbon-trade partnership
Oregon, six other Western states, and four Canadian provinces launched draft plans in late July for one of the world's largest carbon-trading systems, a comprehensive effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The North American program, like a similar market-based system in Europe, focuses on heavy polluters such as electric utilities, oil refineries, and large industrial and commercial facilities.

The plan is a key component of the Western Climate Initiative, a partnership formed in February 2007. Several other U.S. and Mexican states and Canadian provinces have joined as "observers." The plan calls for a regional cap-and-trade system to go into effect in 2012, with the goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. States separately established state-specific goals and some are much more aggressive. For example, Oregon established a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

With limits established on the amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted regionwide, individual states and provinces will receive a certain number of carbon allowances, and will decide on its own how to distribute them among polluting industries. There is also a provision allowing polluters to trade allowances.

WCI aims to fight climate change without stifling economic growth or sending consumer prices sky-high. Despite WCI's efforts, not everyone is convinced it will work; industry groups say the program lacks details and environmental groups question whether the plan will be strict enough on polluters. After considering these concerns and other public input, the WCI plans to release its final design recommendations in September.  

For more information visit westernclimateinitiative.org.