Saturday, August 28, 2010, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm – J.J. Pickle Campus in North Austin

Are you preparing to build, buy or remodel your home and you want to know how to maximize energy and water efficiency,  comfort, and low maintenance? Four times a year Austin Energy Green Building offers its acclaimed one-day workshop for only $35! While August may seem like a long time away, these workshops typically sell out in advance, so register now for Green by Design.

Sunday, July 18, 2010, 5:00 – 8:00 pm

The good folks at Barr Mansion are long-time supporters of Design~Build~Live, sustainable living and the local environmental community. Their beautiful Artisan Ballroom, venue for many Austin environmental events, was struck by lightening last month and burned down.

Please show your support and appreciation by attending an evening of celebration for the rebuilding of Barr Mansion, featuring artisan food and beverages from notable Austin restaurants and chefs. For details, or if you cannot attend but want to contribute, see the Bar(r)n Raising webpage.

A Design~Build~Live Monthly Presentation, with special co-host Texas Green Network

Wednesday, July 21, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Lance Armstrong Foundation, 2201 East 6^th Street, Austin, TX (Map)

While many of us have minimize or eliminated our lawn area in favor of less water- and energy-intensive native plants and/or edible landscapes, significant areas of lawn grass are likely to continue to be in demand. After all, most alternatives just can’t handle the foot traffic like lawn grass. But we can do many things to make lawns and lawn care more sustainable and in sync with today’s environmental and human health concerns. Modern sustainable lawns and lawn care consider an array of issues typically ignored in the conventional approach:

• Moderation – Using lawn grass only where necessary

• Biodiversity – Incorporating multiple species rather than a monoculture of one grass

• Plant and soil health – Minimizing ongoing resource inputs (water, fertilizer, herbicides)

• Toxicity – Avoiding chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides
  

• Air quality -Avoiding gasoline-powered maintenance equipment
  

• Noise pollution – Avoiding loud, annoying maintenance equipment
  

Our guest presenter, Gary White, will share with us sustainable and environmentally friendly ways his company, Austin Eco-Lawn, has chosen to deliver outstanding lawn care using practical solutions to manage your lawn the way you personally would choose to manage it. Learn how lawns can be cared in ecologically sensitive ways and with 100% human power.

Guest Presenter: Gary White, Austin Eco-Lawn

Refreshments by SesaTea, thanks to Texas Green Network!

This month’s presentation is being co-hosted by Texas Green Network (TGN), a community of Texas businesses, organizations and individuals committed to accelerating the adoption of sustainable best practices in the way we do business.  Design~Build~Live is a member of TGN, and we look forward to some great cross-pollination on the 21st.

This presentation is free and open to the public. No reservation required. For more information contact Scott through “Contact Us” or 512-689-1149.