What’s Green in Northwest Arkansas?

... From Biz2Biz NWA May 2009

By Janie Pritchett-Clark

Taking green to the municipal level is an exciting endeavor of leaders from everywhere in the community– from patriots and politicians, to retired CEOs and our youth fervent about protecting the world they live in. Take time to participate in activities that educate, build and promote better community.

Sustaintainbility Spotlight Promotes “Live Green” • KNWA

If you haven’t seen the “Sustainability Spotlight” on KNWA, detour to their website at nwahomepage.com to catch up on at some incredible innovation right here at home.

The feature airs Tuesday at 10 p.m. and spotlights – with award-winning-caliber production– local, national, and global sustainable initiatives from Walmart and its vendor and supplier community.

“What we really enjoy talking about with these companies are the innovations. Every day a new idea is born that can grow into something that changes the way we look at the industry,” says Mike Vaughn, KNWA General Manager.

“One of the unique and amazing aspects of living in NWA is how many people in our community make decisions that have large environmental impact,” says Brook Thomas, KNWA News Anchor. “Something that can be seen through this series is how small steps can have big impact.
A decision about a few millimeters of plastic can equal tons of waste not winding up in a landfill.”

The ‘Sustainability Spotlight, presented by Walmart’ stemmed from the station’s ‘Live Green’ series that began April a year ago. According to Sarah Hickman, Innovative Projects Coordinator at KNWA, they wanted to help educate, advocate and activate viewers with information about how to do their part in taking care of the environment and live in greener, healthier communities. “As we contemplated the success of the program, we began to look for ways to extend the initiative,” says Hickman.

The ‘Sustainability Spotlight’ series serves to educate viewers on what local, national, and global companies are doing to live green; how even the smallest acts can achieve monumental results; and to bring corporations in a platform where we can use sustainability to educate, inform, and serve the community.

Go Green: Working to Produce a Five Star Environment • Names and Numbers

Recycling your outdated phone books is great way to participate in greening our community. Just take them to your city’s recycling center. Names and Numbers is an active participant in the recycle, reuse, reduce approach and partners with companies that also serve similar goals.

In creating their phone books, Names and Numbers uses low basis weight paper to reduce fiber consumption. They used recycled materials, including recycled paper and soy-based inks. They recycle their aluminum printing plates and use non-hazardous solutions and glues.

At Names and Numbers, plastic wrap and boxes are reused, as are office supplies that can find another life. The reduce their impact on the environment by proofing their job on-screen, eliminating paper use and ink, and print close to the market to help conserve fuel in transportation.

Conservation from Arkansas to Africa • The Nature Conservancy

You may not know their work, but you’ve been influence by it. The Nature Conservancy is the world’s largest non-profit conservation organization. It spans more than 50 states and 34 foreign countries, pulling together more than one million like-minded members.

Since its founding in 1951, the Conservancy has worked to create a sustainable planet where natural habitats and human communities coexist. Their drive is a world where natural resources are renewable, plentiful and secure.

Since opening an Arkansas office in 1982, the Conservancy and its supporters have helped protect more than 250,000 acres of natural lands and waters in the Natural State. Today the Arkansas program owns or manages 36 nature preserves of more 22,000 acres.

“The Nature Conservancy is committed to working with a wide array of partners in conserving the natural landscapes of Arkansas– places that provide habitat for plant and animal species and places that keep the environment healthy for people,” says Tim Snell, Associate State Director for Water Resources based in Fayetteville.

“In Northwest Arkansas, the Conservancy is particularly active to keep the streams of the Ozark Highlands clear, clean and healthy. The Conservancy has a team of experts in karst – or cave – conservation, which includes the protection of groundwater. These programs combined help keep the state's water clean for present and future generations.”

The Nature Conservancy is the organization responsible for what has become the Hobbs State Park-Conservation area, along with many other favorite spots throughout Northwest Arkansas. Take a look at nature at nature.org/arkansas