Dear Eartha, Megadrought in the West headlines are all over my newsfeed. Can you break it down for me? As I sit here and read the same headlines about drought in the West, I am literally and figuratively sweating. Summer temperatures are already breaking records here in Colorado and while the headlines might be starting […]
Dear Eartha, My goal this year is to reduce my carbon footprint by driving less, but it’s not always easy. What tips do you have? The level of convenience that cars provide can deter us from considering other transportation options. If you have access to a personal vehicle your brain is probably on auto-pilot to […]
Dear Eartha, I recently bought compost from SCRAP for my flower beds. Is it safe to put in my herb garden, too? What’s the environmental benefit of using this instead of commercially bought compost? Double kudos to you – first for giving your flowers an added boost, and second for going local. The High Country Compost […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve heard that to avoid the scariest impacts of climate change, we humans need to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Are we doing enough to get there? What would it take to hit that target? As we emerge from the Covid reality of the past year, it’s worth reflecting on the world we’re […]
Dear Eartha, I’m over winter. I can’t wait to get out to hammer some dirt. Is it OK if I hit the trails even if they’re muddy? The short answer is no. As much as we are all itching to hike and mountain bike now that the snow is melting, trekking or pedaling on muddy trails […]
Dear Eartha, I did so many house and closet cleaning projects during lockdown, now I am overrun with paint, electronics, and clothing – I just don’t know what to do! Are these all trash? Isn’t there usually an annual recycling event I can take these items to? Finished home projects and cleaner closets always feel great! […]
*For Food Scrap Program Participants Only* HC3, in partnership with the SCRAP, is offering FREE compost to food scrap participants! The food waste you’ve been collecting is combined with beetle-kill wood and biosolids to create high-quality compost right here in Summit County. High Country Compost can help you level up your garden and improve the quality of your soil. Bring your own bucket […]
Dear Eartha Steward, I would love to grow my own vegetable garden, but I don’t know much about gardening in the mountains. I feel like it would be really good for me to do this! How do you suggest I get started? Growing vegetables in our mountain climate is entirely possible … as long as […]
Dear Eartha, My neighbor keeps a bucket at the bottom of their tub while they shower to collect water that they use in their garden. Does that really make a big difference? You hear a lot about recycling from High Country Conservation Center. Summit County recycles aluminum cans, glass bottles, mattresses, and the list goes […]
Dear Eartha, I’m looking for some new ways to celebrate Earth Day this year. What actions can I take locally to support a sustainable Summit County? My favorite time of year – Earth Day. Across the globe, people commemorate this 51-year-old celebration by cleaning up their communities and taking action to create a healthier, more sustainable […]
Dear Eartha, I heard that plastic bags might get banned in Colorado. Is that true? What’s the timeline? Earlier this winter, the Dillon Town Council opted to ban plastic bags and foam takeout containers starting in August of 2021. Breckenridge and Frisco will ban single-use plastic bags starting in September. Additionally, state legislators introduced a bill […]
