As a way to push green forward in our community, Nolde Forest State Park in Cumru Township, Berks County, is hosting Green Rebuild: Renovating for a Healthy Environment, as a free workshop on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
( All photographs courtesy of Nolde Forest State Park )
The event will help those who attend to better understand the growing options available today in how to pursue renovations and remodeling projects with eco-friendly and more sustainably-geared products and approaches.
"The program was inspired by my own kitchen remodeling project and the time-consuming experience of researching, comparing, and choosing materials (and then finding them) while working with a limited budget," explains Eleanor Sweeney who serves as an environmental education specialist at the state park office.
Kurt and Joanne Reinhart who serve as members of Nolde Forest’s Sustainable Energy Committee (and new members are always welcome!) are building a new home, aiming for “net-zero” energy with a tight building envelope and very extensive use of recycled/re-purposed materials, Sweeney mentions.
The Reinharts will also be discussing their project's planning and budgeting and will have visuals to illustrate their efforts at the program this Saturday.
"After learning about their project, especially their extensive use of recycled items, I wished I had thought about these options as well," Sweeney says in reflecting on recently remodeling at her own home.
Sweeney knew, once she heard the Reinharts story, that the lessons learned would be great to expose to the local community.
"We agreed that it would be helpful to save people a certain amount of the basic research about what building greener means, how to go about it, and what’s available to work with," she says.
And since "greenwashing" is stirring into supply, department, and online stores more and more, it's important to understand what is truly more green and what is merely advertised as green in terms of products on shelves today.
"People who are planning remodeling or renovation projects (as well as new construction) can save energy and create a healthier indoor environment simply by their choice of construction and finish materials," Sweeney says.
With this in mind, she easily advocates how becoming more versed in this realm can bring advantages at the community level.
"Less toxic materials benefit people’s health by reducing chemical exposure and also environmental health by decreasing sources of pollution," she says. "Use of recycled and recyclable materials reduces overall waste, saves landfill space, and reduces demand for more 'new' things."
And then there's the other kind of green to push forward. "Energy efficiency results in lower demand on utilities and money savings for homeowners," she adds.
Gary Laity of A.G. Artisan Finishes in West Reading will offer insights from the perspective of a painting specialist. Laity will help workshop-goers to understand important aspects with indoor air quality and choices of materials that may minimize chemical exposure.
Jennifer Bryan, an independent realtor who specializes in green homes, will offer ideas that involve energy upgrades in renovations and their effect on market values, Sweeney notes.
Several products for comparison, like lighting choices and insulation samples, will be a part of the event, too.
The workshop's demonstrations and discussions will be in the C. H. McDonnell Environmental Educational Hall, reachable from Route 625 through GPS address 2910 New Holland Road, Reading, PA 19607, using the Park Office Lane entrance.
Anyone is welcome to attend, as the workshop is designed to benefit those from residential, nonprofit, and commercial backgrounds. To register for the free event, call Nolde Forest State Park at 610.796.3699, reach Sweeney at 610.796.3689, or email her at noldeforestprogramstaff@pa.gov.
