Happy Earth Day!
In honor of today’s holiday, “06880” shines a light on “On the Green.” Like many aspects of the green movement, it’s local, little-publicized — and potentially very important and impactful.
“On the Green” is a wiki — a collaborative, interactive website — where users share ideas, information and thoughts about sustainable environmentalism.
Nancy Kuhn-Clark — a Westport Public Library reference librarian — started “On the Green” in 2007. She and library director Maxine Bleiweis wanted to cover environmental issues locally, inclusive and creatively.
“We figured no one needed another boring list of books,” Nancy — a realistic librarian — says.
Find "green parenting" books on the wiki.
“On the Green” is anything but boring. Topics include organic gardening, green homes, green parenting (“green mothers,” there’s a blog for you!) and green pets (as in natural dog food).
There are links to green restaurants like Sugar & Olives, The Dressing Room and Le Farm; sections on farmers markets, green businesses, green products and green travel (who knew there is such a thing as a green RV?).
The “Green Gifts” section includes ideas like tree seedlings, eco-clothes and compact fluorescent light bulbs (“You’re so sweet — these bulbs are just what I wanted!”).
Westport-specific information includes “Westport Library Greener Than Ever,” the Green Village Initiative, and our plastic bag ban.
The wiki is a work in progress — the “Discussion” and “Video” pages are a bit thin — but there is plenty here to feast on (organically, of course).
Here's what a green RV looks like.
Nancy’s background is in English and education — not environmentalism — though in her hippie days she held build a log cabin in Nova Scotia, cooked on a wood-burning stove, and planted organic veggies long before green became the new black.
“On the Green” is mentioned on the Library’s home page, and appears in its newsletter. Mostly it’s marketed by word of mouth. It got a boost in 2008 when Wetpaint — the wiki’s software host — awarded it a Golden Paint Can as “Civic Superstar.”
Celebrate Earth Day by checking out “On the Green.” Nancy Kuhn-Clark thanks you — as does the planet.
