The twelve best days of summer are here, in my opinion. The Minnesota State Fair is in full swing, with rides and barkers, livestock and everything-on-a-stick. Part of the fun of the fair, for me, has always been seeing what’s new.
This year’s Eco Experience delights me by showing not only what’s new in sustainable building, landscaping, energy and transportation, it brings it together at the community level. Solar energy for groups of neighbors, for example. Rainwater collection to service a group of homes. Whether you look at implementing some of these ideas on an individual or group basis, the Eco Experience gets you thinking.
I’ve been in that building more hours than most people spend walking the whole Fair. Hedberg helped build the Green Street display and our employees are staffing it from 9-5 every day to answer questions. It’s really fun to share our knowledge with folks who are curious about improving their impact on the environment. We installed the permeable paver walkways and the 1,000 gallon RainXchange rainwater harvesting display next to the raingarden display. We also pulled together a couple short videos that explain the technologies behind the beautiful landscape features. You can see them here if you’re not going to the great Minnesota get together. We also posted a collection of photos from the Fair here.
When you go to the Fair, look for someone in an orange Hedberg shirt - that’s us. Ask where the 1,000 gallons of stored water is hiding and how RainXchange, permeable paver and raingardens will save the planet. Check out the rest of Green Street, and the whole Eco Experience, too. I hope that in addition to your bucket of Sweet Martha cookies, pickle hat and stuffed whatever prize from the Midway, you’ll take home a few ideas for greening your lifestyle. I’d love to hear what you learned – leave a comment here and let me know.
By the way, that recycled rubber mulch that’s everywhere – you can buy it at Hedberg.
