US $4.99 Green Living AZ 13845 N Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254 September 2022 GREEN LIVING Inaugural Best of Arizona The votes are in and the winners announced! Arizona’s Pioneer Green City Tucson’s intense commitment to sustainability your conscious life greenlivingmag.com FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel Downtown art, amenities, and Spotlighthospitalityon Arcology The Cosanti Foundation’s new exhibition
ROOM, SUITE ROOM. Bite into delightful fare and craft cocktails at ZuZu before hitting the OH Pool and OHasis waters. Wake up revitalized after a session at the OH Spa. Make your way to this Scottsdale icon for retro chic vibes and undeniably good times. PICTURE PERFECT HOTELVALLEYHO.COM 855.429.0712SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Wander into paradise. Invigorate your body and competitive soul with a tee time at the fast and fun Short Course. Discover time-honored American cuisine and inventive cocktails at Hearth ’61. Bask in dramatic mountain views only Mountain Shadows can offer and head back into the world, feeling better than ever. DESERT SIGHTS MOUNTAINSHADOWS.COM 866.921.4687 PARADISE VALLEY, AZ
What is this new craze about Highly Dissolved Oxygenated (HDO) water all about? The system that produces HDO water is called Aqua Fuzion. Aqua Fuzion’s patented technology is capable of diffusing millions upon millions of tiny oxygen bubbles, known as Ultra-Fine Bubbles or Nano Bubbles, that are capable of staying in the water for weeks at a time. So, you might ask, doesn’t my water already have oxygen in it? Yes — yes it does; however, normal water only has about seven – eight parts per million of oxygen in it. The Aqua Fuzion, on the other hand, can raise the normal oxygen level in the water to as much as 150% to over 400% in some cases.
What’s the big deal about having more oxygen in the water? Good question! Oxygen is one of the most important elements to measuring healthful water in just about any body of water. That’s right — more oxygen in water provides healthier lakes and streams, healthier oceans, cleaner well water, much healthier and active aquatic life, healthier vegetation, easier processing for wastewater, greater aeration in soil, and healthier swimming environments. Will it sanitize my pool or spa water? Oxygen by itself is a mild oxidizer and sanitizer, but it’s unfortunately not strong enough to sanitize a pool by itself. A typical pool can utilize normal sanitizer at much lower levels while still gaining the benefits of being in UFB water. However, those who are super sensitive to the typical chlorine sanitizers can utilize ozone as a sanitizer instead of having to swim in chemicals. Aqua Fuzion utilizes both the oxygen and ozone together to provide one of the strongest sanitation systems in the world. Ozone is as much as 20-3,000 times stronger than chlorine and does a great job of keeping the pool crystal clear, safe, and healthy. Experience the wonderful benefits of swimming in a Highly Dissolved Oxygen/ Ozone-filled pool. Exceptional Water Systems is committed to providing “Healthy Water for Humanity”. If you would like to learn more about our oxygen or ozone treatment systems, please feel free to contact us at sales@exwsystems.com or check out our website at www.exwsystems.com or call us at 480-694-4709.
PoolOxygenatedHighlyWater
BY MICHAEL GEYER
Visit EXWSYSTEMS.COM to learn more! Call today at 480-694-4709 451 E Juanita Ave. Suite 20, Mesa, AZ 85204 Utilizing natural elements to balance water. We are committed to making water pure. Experience Chemical-FreeaSwimmingEnvironment
CONTENTS 20 Tucson Arizona’s Pioneer Green City 24 Inaugural Best Of Arizona The votes are in and the winners announced! We celebrate the many talented businesses and individuals who have made a conscious and sustainable impact on our community IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Publisher’s Letter 6 Contributors 8 On the Web 10 What's Hot 12 Cool Outrageous Stuff 62 Green Scenes HEALTH & WELLNESS 14 Ecospirituality Participation in natural environments can support mental health STYLE 16 Set In Stone Verde Valley Archaeology Center’s Ken Zoll’s journey of curiosity SAVOR 42 Wine & Soul Winemaker Chateau Tumbleweed lets nature do the talking 44 Recipe Grilled Peaches and Burrata for an end of summer treat TRAVEL 46 Rainforest Eco Retreat Carbon neutral Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa in Costa Rica DESIGN 48 Spotlight On Arcology The Cosanti Foundation’s new exhibit combines architecture and ecology 52 Creativity Redefined FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel offers art, amenities, and hospitality TECHNOLOGY 56 Getting Clean (Energy) The time is now to reverse climate change and protect Arizona(ns) 60 There’s An App For That Technology can help us make small changes necessary to improve life on Earth FEATURES 54 September 2022 About the cover: An aerial view of the University of Arizona’s 40-acre Biosphere 2 campus in Oracle, Arizona. Photo by Steven Meckler 4 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
6900 EAST CAMELBACK ROAD SUITE 400 SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85251 P 602 604 2001 F 480 874 7084 www.candelariadesign.com
TJ Keogh is the author of many short stories, articles, novellas, and novels. His love of storytelling was cemented at an early age, with writers such as Steinbeck and Asimov providing inspiration. TJ holds a degree in Social Sciences from Washington State University and is a member of the Society for Technical Communication. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, TJ now resides in North Carolina with his wife and two sons, where he splits his time between freelance writing and entrepreneurship.
PUBLISHER'S
Eco-consciously yours, Dorie PublisherMorales
Misty Milioto, writer
Misty Milioto is a New Orleans-based freelance writer and editor with more than 20 years of experience working with publications across the country. Most of her work has been with Modern Luxury’s suite of 85-plus regional magazines. She has also written for publications including Sunset Magazine and Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, and she has regular columns in New Orleans Magazine, New Orleans Homes, and New Orleans Bride Misty also oversees a luxury lifestyle blog at girlwilltravel.com. She loves everything from exotic destinations and luxury resorts to food and wine— and everything in between.
It is with abundant excitement that we release our first Best Of issue! This issue has been in the works for months. I am so grateful for our amazing Green Living team and thank them whole-heartedly for their hard work. This year’s Best Of issue nominees, runners-up, and winners are honestly the BEST.
Letter
Dorie /greenlivingmagaz@greenlivingaz@greenlivingaz@greenlivingmag Please connect with us on social media: We hope you will join us at the Best of Issue Party September 9, 2022 We love to hear from our readers. Please fill out our reader survey! 6 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
TJ Keogh, writer
This Best Of issue is dedicated to acknowledging these talented businesses and individuals who have made a conscious and sustainable impact on our community, voted for by YOU! Our state has grown tremendously in recent years, and so has the energy and vibrancy of these key individuals and companies.
Contributors
In addition to our inaugural Best Of feature, this issue is filled with informative and interesting articles on the sustainable aspects of Tucson, eco-spirituality, an eco-conscious retreat in Costa Rica, and so much more! I hope this September issue will provide you with insights to better yourself as well as to be a better steward of Earth.
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of the Best Of winners at our premier Best Of awards event and expo. The event, which takes place on Friday, Sept 9th at Arizona Fashion Source from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., will feature a tour of an on-demand cut and sew printer that creates oneof-a-kind designs with no waste — hello, sustainable fashion! There will also be electric cars, delectable food, wine, beer, cocktails, sustainable products, and much more. I am also pleased to share that Mayor Gallego will be joining us to speak about sustainability and leadership.
Green Living magazine is a monthly publication by Traditional Media Group, LLC. Periodical rate postage paid at Scotts dale, AZ. Publisher assumes no responsibility for contributed manuscripts, editorial content, claims, reviews, photographs, artwork or advertisements. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the company or official policies. Entire contents © 2020 Traditional Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Submissions will not be returned unless arranged to do so in writing. One print subscription is $25 per year or digital subscription is $12 per year. Canadian orders please add $13 per year for shipping and handling. International orders add $22 per year for shipping and handling. Bulk and/or corporate rates available. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is printed subject to errors and omissions. GreenLiving magazine is printed on recycled paper. Please this
GREEN LIVING your conscious life greenlivingmag.com
magazine CONTACT US AT: Subscriptions: hello@greenlivingmag.com Advertising: sales@greenlivingmag.com Editorial: 13845480.840.1589editor@greenlivingmag.com•www.greenlivingmag.comNScottsdaleRd,Ste.201,Scottsdale, AZ 85254 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! PUBLISHER Dorie Morales CONSULTING EDITOR Beth Weitzman ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Onna Young ART DIRECTION & DESIGN Sly Panda Design COPY EDITOR Erin Wilson Bhoomi Jain David M. Brown Anna TJAngelaDorlFairhurstKeogh Misty Milioto Dylan Naugle Alena StevenJutillaG.Zylestra ADVERTISING SALES Greg Gunawan - greg.g@greenlivingmag.com Michelle Bussey - michelle.b@greenliving.mag.com Dorie Morales - sales@greenlivingmag.com CONTRIBUTORS SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 7
recycle
The time is now to decrease our carbon footprint and transition to clean, renewable energy sources—such as lithium, graphite, nickel, and cobalt to power electric batteries. Steven G. Zylstra delves into this important topic in our online story.
TECHNOLOGY Is Lithium The Answer To A Better Energy Future?
ON THEWeb This month on greenlivingmag.com and social media. /greenlivingmagaz @greenlivingaz @greenlivingaz @greenlivingmag
INSTAGRAM Join Green Living to celebrate our inaugural Best of Issue. Mayor Gallego will be joining us to speak about sustainability and leadership. The events takes place on Friday, Sept 9th at Arizona Fashion Source 2507 W. Erie Dr. #103 Tempe, AZ 85282 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. FACEBOOK Indulge with this cocktail made with ROXX Vodka, Brazilian passion fruit, tantalizing mango, orange-forward Italian aperitif, and complemented with bright citrus and subtle pepper spice. Cheers!
TRAVEL Top Family Getaways With summer winding down and back to school gearing up, consider planning a family day or weekend trip to Northern Arizona, where you can kayak down a river, experience the wild, traipse through the wildflowers, do a little ghost hunting, or all of the above. Here are some ideas just a drive up I-17 from Phoenix.
GOOD How To Go Green with Your Finances Financial habits which save you money and can also help the environment? Absolutely! In this online exclusive, Humphrey Shin, Phoenix Market President, FirstBank brings you six easy money-saving tips that also happen to be beneficial to the environment.
8 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
BUFFALOCOLLECTION.COM EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURY, COMFORT & DESIGN Let us enrich your lifestyle by creating timeless custom furniture, décor, and original western art of the highest quality for your home. SPECIALIZING IN CUSTOM ORDERS • WORLDWIDE SHIPPING • MADE IN THE USA 7044 E. FIFTH AVENUE, SCOTTSDALE, AZ | 480.946.3903
The company’s goal is to help salons and spas go green, gain clients, save money, and build revenue. Green Circle Salons does that while ensuring their operations and practices are green and sustainable. They have been certified by B Corp to acknowledge that they meet the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility. To find a certified Sustainable Salon, visit the Green Circle Salons directory at www.greencirclesalons.com
PhotoSalonscourtesy of Pure Inventions
Pure Inventions Water Infusion Drops
GOOD Green Circle Salons
10 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Created by beauty industry leaders, Green Circle Salons' awardwinning program empowers salons and beauty professionals to offset their carbon emissions and recover up to 95% of their beauty waste. That includes previously unrecoverable materials and hard-to-recycle items like hair clippings, foils, excess hair color, aerosol cans, PPE, and color tubes.
Fleur Marché
Developed by nutritionists, Pure Inventions Water Infusion Drops are perfect travel companions—free of sugar, calories, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners—that transform water into tasty beverages. With an ongoing focus on developing “good for you” product solutions, the company works only with responsible wild crafters who harvest the highest quality ingredients, manufacture in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) facility, and are certified by the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) to have the highest safety Createdstandards.withsustainability and social responsibility in mind, each recyclable glass bottle provides for 30-60 servings—replacing at least 30 ready-to-drink beverages. The compact packaging also requires less warehousing, shipping and in-home storage, and aids in eliminating the use of plastic water bottles.
Hot
In addition to adding flavor to water and supporting hydration, Pure Invention Water Infusion Drops may help to boost immunity, improve sleep, and decrease stress. Popular flavors include Coconut Water, Vitamin C + Electrolytes, Lemon- Lime, and Watermelon. www.pureinventions.com
Shane Price, founder and CEO of Green Circle Salons. Photo courtesy of Green Circle
WHAT'S SAVOR
Photo courtesy of Fleur Marché
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Fleur Marché’s wellness patches make it easy to feel like your best self, no matter what kind of day you’re having. The plant-powered formulations leverage innovative, science-backed ingredients and transdermal technology to deliver a consistent and controlled experience for up to 12 hours, so you never have to worry about dosing or re-applying. The patches tackle each of the daily issues people struggle with most: focus, stress, sleep, and pain. Plus, they’re packaged in 100% biodegradable, compostable, plasticfree pouches. That’s a win! www.fleurmarche.com
BRING WELLNESS INTO THE DESIGN Livable Luxury that Enriches Your Healthy Lifestyle WELL Designed™ Interiors that Reflect Your Unique Style Discover what a WELL Designed ™ home looks like for you visit SesshuDesign.com or call 480.275.2968 Tanya Shively, ASID Owner & Principal Designer
Bogota 20L
STUFFCOOLOutrageous 321 3 1 12 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Smart Typewriter offers users a typewriter feel with the benefits of digital but without the distraction of the internet. The durable frame features a travel handle and universal keyboard that supports more than 30 languages. Digitally savable and shareable with the freedom to transfer your documents to another device. $649, typewriter-3rd-genwww.getfreewrite.com/products/freewrite-smartCotopaxi
Click & Grow Indoor Smart Garden Kit 9 with Grow Light
A great option to grow your own plants indoors, so no worries about the heat or monsoons wrecking your garden. Ideal for fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, or even lettuce. Pods are easy to replace, and plants can be re-grown once harvested. $229.95, www. clickandgrow.com/products/the-smart-garden-9
Freewrite
Freewrite
2
Smart Typewriter
Backpack, Del Dia
The Bogota 20L is a great all-purpose backpack for hauling books and supplies across campus! It includes an internal laptop sleeve that fits up to 15" laptops, adjustable chest and shoulder straps, an inside organizer pocket, two front zippered pockets (one with a key clip), and two water bottle pockets. Even better, this bag is part of Cotopaxi's Del Dia collection, meaning it's made from 100% recycled materials and repurposed fabrics. Using leftover fabric from other companies' larger production runs, each pack is a oneof-a-kind mix of colors, www.cotopaxi.com
PROVIDING A LEVEL OF CANCER CARE, GROUNDBREAKING THERAPIES AND SUPPORT THAT DEFIES THE EXPECTED At HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care Network, you’ll find: Meet with an HonorHealth provider — within 48 hours if you’d like. Call 1-855-485-4673. Locations are available across the Valley. 386530_0722 Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care Network è HonorHealth.com/cancer Advanced imaging diagnostics Largest gynecologic oncology and surgical breast oncology groups in the region Expert multidisciplinary teams treating colorectal, pancreatic, lung/esophagus, urologic and neuro oncologic disease Leukemia, hematology and blood disorder therapies Bone marrow transplant and CAR-T therapies Extensive clinical research trials Support services, dietitians, financial assistance and more
T HEALTH &Wellness
It depends on whom you ask.
The word “spiritual” comes from the Latin spiritus, which means “breath.” Originally, that which was spiritual was simply that which was breathtaking. From this perspective, a spiritual experience is anything that is awe-inspiring.
14 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Definitions of ecospirituality include ‘‘a manifestation of the spiritual connection between human beings and the environment’’ and ‘‘understanding the interrelationships between all living beings on earth and recognizing their interdependency while appreciating their value for maintaining ecobalance.” Others feel ecospirituality is the connectedness between the science of ecology and spirituality. Put simply, it is the personal experience of spirituality in nature. Although definitions may vary, all point to a sense of oneness with nature, and address our inherent need for reconnecting with the environment.
BY ADRIANA BACHMANN
Ecospirituality
How time spent in nature, participation in natural environments, and experiencing the awe of living can support your mental health.
People of all religions – or none at all – can equally experience awe-inspiring events. Spirituality doesn’t rely on a set system of teachings or dogmas; it is merely the joy of being present in the moment and experiencing the awe and wonder of living.
So what is ecospirituality?
What does ecospirituality look like in practice?
Although there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to ecospirituality, there are a few concepts that resonate throughout the practice. Things like feeling connected with the universe, knowing the risks involved in creating an imbalance in the ecosystem, preserving and conserving nature – and most importantly – perceiving a sense of “awe” in learning
The goal is to spend at least 120 minutes in nature every week. And remember to be mindful while participating in nature! key to ecospirituality to beautiful planet take breath
your
away. And how can you do that if you don’t stop to smell the roses? Let us design the perfect trip to help reduce yourfootprint.carbon greentravelqueen@gmail.com Book a trip and mention Green Living magazine get a free travel guide. 480-788-6832 SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 15
• Forest
The
• Visiting
•
Positive changes in social interactions
• Reducing
let our
•
Some ways that ecospirituality and participation in nature can positively affect your mental health include:
Once you have a solid gratitude practice in place, consider spending more time in nature. Studies show that something as simple as taking a mindful walk outdoors can both mediate stress and reduce rumination. Other ways to participate in nature include: bathing or hiking or horticulture therapy a break at work to spend some time in green space arts and crafts while surrounded by nature, or using natural materials a botanical garden with friends or family in a neighborhood cleanup at a local pet shelter
• Volunteering
is
about our environment and ecosystem are all encompassed by ecospirituality. Embracing a way of life that honors all living beings on our planet is what ecospirituality entails. With news breaking every day about the latest climate disaster, is it any wonder that calls to respect and preserve the environment have started to gain momentum? Thus, millions of people are turning to concepts like ecospirituality to help ease their anxiety and support their mental health. In fact, mental health professionals have been known to utilize concepts of ecospirituality and ecopsychology in treating their patients. Nature and participation in natural environments have markedly influenced healthcare, especially mental healthcare, for centuries.
Filling the fundamental human need to connect with other living organisms wellness via restoration of directed attention (aka mindfulness) stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms feelings of accomplishment
• Gardening
• Participating
• Promoting
• Promoting
Start with a daily gratitude practice, focusing on what you are grateful for in nature every day. This simple exercise will not only positively benefit your outlook on life, but it will also motivate you to take actionable steps in preserving Earth’s many gifts.
• Doing
• Taking
Though not an exhaustive list, you can see some of the many ways ecospirituality can benefit your mental health. At this point, you’re probably wondering what you can do to incorporate ecospirituality into your life. And the answer is simple!
Verde Valley Archaeology Center’s Executive Director Ken Zoll’s journey of curiosity.
When thinking of terms to describe an archaeologist, we might use such words as rugged, daring, and adventurous. The people who perform that sort of work are the stuff of legends, novels, and blockbuster movies: larger than life, colorful figures. And then there’s Ken Zoll, the Executive Director of the Verde Valley Archaeology Center, whose charming, unassuming manner reminds one more of Andy Taylor than Indiana Jones. Chatting with Ken about archaeology is like swapping recipes with a gourmet chef. The conversation flows, meanders, drifts into fascinating facts and obscure points of history. It is engaging and never dull. Ken is a man who simply loves his work. But essentially, he is not an archaeologist, per se. Ken Zoll is, in his own words, an “avocational archaeologist,” meaning that he holds no formal degree in archaeology. His background is in accounting and finance, but his passion from an early age was astronomy.
Site photos by Carol Kahn
O STYLERock Art
BY TJ KEOGH
Set in Stone
Over a thousand years ago, at a secluded and nondescript rock wall along Beaver Creek in the Arizona desert, someone began to carve into the stone. A succession of other artists followed. The resulting artwork grew, continuing for generations, and in time the beauty of the site overshadowed its original purpose. That purpose long remained elusive. Now one man has discovered the secret.
16 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Pearl’s
partners are respected names you know: ENERGY STAR, the Appraisal Institute, and the National Association of REALTORS® . Don’t leave your money on the table at resale. Sell your home for more with a Pearl CertificationPearl is one of the many tools that I use to help Sellers get better results when selling a home. Let’s talk about how to unlock the hidden value in your home Tammy www.BossProperties.comTammyBosse@BossProperties.com602.697.0003Bosse
Get the MAXIMUM VALUE for your homeAccording to an independent appraiser study... Pearl Certified homes can sell for up to 5% more. Proper documentation and marketing is key to getting maximum value for your home. Work with a Pearl Partner agent to properly market your home and bring more qualified buyers to your door.
Pearl
provides a high-performing home certification that can increase home value. Pearl identifies and certifies the efficiency and performance ratings of features like insulation, heating and cooling, lighting, appliances, smart home devices, and solar panels.
As of now, Ken is set to retire again in September 2022. But anyone who knows Ken Zoll is likely to suspect the truth: He’s just waiting to begin a third career.
More information on the V Bar V and other sites in the Verde Valley can be found at www.verdevalleyarchaeology.org Ken Zoll. Photo courtesy of Ken Zoll
What Ken had delved into is known in archaeological circles as “Archaeoastronomy”. It’s a rather obscure field, Ken admits, and one for which there are no university courses available. Practitioners of it are largely self-taught.
18 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Currently, Ken is working on another book—a presentation of his research and the history of the V Bar V site. It’s set to be titled “The Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site” and is due to be published in the fall of 2022. There’s much of the story left to be told, and Ken is just the man to tell it.
In the years since his discovery, Ken has continued to study the site, as well as others along Beaver Creek. He’s now considered an expert on them. His book Sinagua Sunwatchers: An Archaeoastronomy Survey of the V Bar V Heritage Site expands on his findings. “This is my “found” second career,” Ken says with a grin. The site at V Bar V is by no means isolated; it is merely the largest and most heavily studied. The Verde Valley is a veritable treasure trove of archaeology, with sites stretching all along Beaver Creek—well over 450 sites in total. The creek probably functioned as a kind of access corridor for the Sinagua people. “This was clearly a major highway,” Ken says.
The story of how Ken’s path came to be intertwined with the renowned V Bar V petroglyphs may seem an unlikely one on the surface, but when you dig deeper, the connections begin to Theemerge.history of the V Bar V archaeological site is a long and colorful one. It had been known since 1890, but until recently, very little scholarship had been devoted to it. Remarkably well preserved, the artwork was created over a 450-year period starting around the year 950. The creators of this remarkable assemblage of pictographs and petroglyphs (paintings and carvings) were the Sinagua people—the ancestors of today’s Hopi tribe. The Hopi eschew the Spanish term and instead refer to their forebears as “Hisatsinom,” the Hopi word for “Ancient Ones.” Whatever they were called, the fruits of their labor are nothing less than astounding. Meanwhile, hoping to indulge his love of astronomy with Arizona’s famed clear night skies, Ken Zoll retired to the Sedona area in 2004. He discovered that his house lay only fifteen minutes away from the V Bar V Heritage site, and he volunteered as a docent there. “I thought it would be fun to be outdoors and interacting with visitors,” Ken says. “My hobby had been astronomy, so this allowed me to combine the two.” But soon, he began noticing certain aspects of the site that others had missed. There were a series of concentric circles cut into the stone that looked like bullseye targets. “Father Sun” images, he calls them—the same sort of images used in calendar making with light and shadow. Starting in February of 2005, Ken watched the images, noting the interaction of shadows and light passing across them. The results were immediately striking—and obvious. “From there,” he says, “it was just a process of recording the effects on a regular basis.” The site slowly gave up its secrets. The sun interacting with two boulders cast shadows on the rock wall, especially apparent at certain times of the year. It was a calendar, and the Sinagua people used it to predict the change of seasons and the time of the year. On the night of the winter solstice, a shaft of light hits the center of the “Father Sun” petroglyph: Bullseye.
Call us for a 15-Minute exploratory call to diagnose if we can help you 480-240-2600 10210 N 92nd St, Suite 104 • Scottsdale, AZ 85258 www.arizonaadvancedmedicine.com Let Us HealingYourJump-StartHelpNaturalAbilities M. Grout MD, MD(H) ASK ABOUT OPTIONS FOR IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTING COVID-19 Testing Available FREE! • October 6 Doors open at 6:30 pm • Concert at 7 southmountaincc.edu/AutumnLeavespm SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 19
“Our city is getting greener every day thanks to residents and leaders who cherish open spaces, clear skies, and clean water and want to keep them around for at least another five or six million years,” explains Felipe Garcia, president and CEO of Visit Tucson, which promotes area tourism based on a master plan that envisions “sustainable tourism and sustainable development.” Water conservation, of course, is integral to the community vision and efforts. “As a desert community, we know how important clean, usable water is; that’s why we are a leading city in the development of water-saving technologies such as groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, and landscape restoration,” he says.
The Old Pueblo took an innovative path to sustainable thinking in Arizona decades ago, well before “green” was popularized in everything from light bulbs to cars to designer jeans. In fact, people have been living in the area for millennia. Green Living spoke with local government officials, tourism representatives, and business people about the city’s intense commitment to preserving its heritage of respect for our natural resources.
“For Tucson it has become more important than ever to protect our natural resources. Some people come to our community and ask why we don’t have more grass on medians or in parks, and the answer is simple. We inhabit a living desert, and grass is not natural to our region. We don’t want to damage our ecosystem just to look like something we are not,” he adds. “Visitors come to Tucson to experience
“A major reason for our dedication to the environment is that Tucsonans value partnerships. We’re able to work together for the common good and for the good of our community,” says Gina Murphy-Darling, founder of Mrs. Green’s World, a Tucson-based global education platform that discusses and finds solutions for sustainability and climate justice issues, and which encourages mindful living through training, podcasts, media, public speaking, and events.
Arizona’s Pioneer Green City BY DAVID M. BROWN
ucson
JW Marriott Starr Pass patio and fire pit. Phot courtesy of Starr Pass
T
20 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
“We have been pioneers in working to get electric vehicle infrastructure in place. We worked really hard as a community to become the first ever city in the United States to be designated as a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, attesting to our ability to feed ourselves with locally grown food. We really and truly support locally-owned businesses,” she adds.
our natural surroundings, and we want to make sure we continue to protect them, not only for our visitors, but also for all of those that are lucky to live here.”
Native Americans told the ethno-botanists who founded the program that the seeds their grandfathers had planted were no longer available, and by the 1970s family farms were disappearing. “People were getting older, and the skills and knowledge were not getting passed down. And, it was harder to make a living farming,” says Sheryl Joy, acting Seed Bank manager who has worked at Native Seeds for a decade in different roles. “This motivated the founders to start collecting, growing, and conserving these rare seed varieties.”
Particularly impressive is that everyone in the metropolitan area seems to be involved: tourism, government, businesses, hospitality, and individuals. “We acknowledge that we live in the land of ancestral tribes in Southern Arizona.
Rebranded as a climate action plan in accordance with the Calico lima beans. Photo courtesy of Native Seeds Saguaros in the lush Sonoran Desert. Photo courtesy of the City of Tucson
GOVERNMENT IN AGREEMENT
SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 21
AN AREA-WIDE PASSION
One well-known local nonprofit, Native Seeds/SEARCH, has been protecting and selling heirloom seeds for 40 years, especially those that are well adapted to our ecosystem, such as corn, beans, squash, melons, and amaranth.
“For the Native peoples, there is an increased interest in food security and food sovereignty,” Joy says. “This is a cultural re-anchoring to continue traditions like that of the O’Odham farming on the banks of the Santa Cruz for thousands of years.”
At the Pima County level, for example, Kathleen M. Chavez, P.E., is the Water Policy Manager for the Office of Sustainability, Conservation & Historic Preservation, which promotes “a sustainable and livable community and the conservation of Pima County’s natural and cultural resources.” These efforts encompass four areas: Conservation Science Division, Cultural Resources & Historic Preservation Division, Sustainability Programs Division, and the Water Resources Unit. Established in 2005, the Water Resources Unit works with other county departments and the community “to implement a cohesive water policy for surface water, groundwater, effluent, and reclaimed water to address drought management, environmental enhancement, water conservation, water reuse, and water asset Amongmanagement.”thegroup’smany accomplishments during the last two decades are the 2015 Comprehensive Plan AmendmentWater Resources Element - part of the Pima Prospers policyto mitigate impacts of proposed new developments on water supply in unincorporated Pima County. Her county associate, Sandra Rosales, manages the Sustainability Program for the Sustainable Action Plan County Operations. Since 2005, SAPCO has outlined goals, targets, and strategies to reduce carbon emissions and increase climate resiliency.
The Tohono O’Odham and Pascua Yaqui are the original inhabitants of our land, and they are also farming local products that are adapted to the desert,” Garcia says. “The Tohono O’Odham Co-Op farm grows beans, cholla buds, and other local ingredients; many of them that have been farmed in our region for 4,000 years.”
One exemplar of environmental concern is Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, a Somerton, Arizona, native who was elected in 2019. Romero’s areas of focus include climatechange initiatives for nature-based solutions, mitigation efforts, and a plan, expected by December 2022, that offers attainable citywide strategies for net zero status by 2030.
SAPCO continues the work that originated with the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) to balance the conservation and protection of cultural and natural resource heritage with the county’s efforts to maintain economic success and fiscal responsibility. And, the Conservation Lands System (CLS), integrated into Pima County’s Comprehensive Plan, identifies lands necessary to achieve SDCP biological goals.
MAYORAL COMMITMENTS
In September 2020, Romero led the adoption of a Climate Emergency Declaration which continues to guide the city’s investments in urban forestry, vehicle electrification, water stewardship, and waste reduction.
“We are using nature-based solutions and mitigation efforts to protect our frontline communities who are affected first and worst from the impacts of climate change,” says Romero.
The historic Hotel Congress in the heart of Downtown Tucson is the first hotel to receive Green Certification thanks, in part, to the EV onstationscharginginstalledtheirproperty.PhotoscourtesyoftheCityofTucson
Another mayor-led program, Tucson Million Trees, envisions one million trees planted by 2030 to increase the city’s green canopy and help mitigate the effects of climate change on heat-vulnerable communities.
A GREEN WELCOME TO TUCSON Tucson depends on its tourist income, and area hotels and guest ranches are proud of their efforts to be variously authentic, luxurious, and green.
22 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
passing of a new county climate resolution (2022-25) on May 2, 2022, and inspired by AR6 from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), current SAPCO efforts involve entering into a new phase of implementation through collaborations with the University of Arizona and other entities.
The historic Hotel Congress, built in 1919, is a downtown cultural landmark. Though renovated and updated, it celebrates its original historic ambience with iron bed frames, vintage radios, and a 1930s-style rotary phone that connects to a real switchboard still used at the front desk. Every year, the venue hosts Dillinger Days weekend (the notorious outlaw holed up here in 1930 before being captured by the good guys).
Dr. Joaquin Ruiz is the director of Biosphere 2 and vice president of Global Environmental Futures. “As far as we know, Tucson has thousands of years of human habitation, people knowing what to grow and how to collect water in a harsh environment,” he says. He adds that the city has been studied for this lifestyle for a long time. “A hundred years ago, the Carnegie Institution came to our desert outpost to conduct deep studies of how we have survived in the desert and lived here for so long. These two things — a long history here and a long history of respect for the desert lifestyle — have created the living green legacy of Tucson.
He adds that other efforts include a recycling program including batteries and stainless steel kitchen appliances.
Attractions and businesses that are beneficiaries of both tourist and local revenues are proud of Tucson’s legacy of living with the desert, not harming it. The 3.14-acre Biosphere 2 in nearby Oracle was built between 1987 and 1991 as an ecological laboratory with ocean, rainforest, and desert environments. Once managed by Columbia University and originally designed to prepare human for space environments, it is now owned by the University of Arizona in Tucson.
The 103-year-old building is hip. Jeaninne Kaufer, the marketing manager, notes that green features include a mini-split HVAC system, which saves energy by avoiding energy losses associated with ducted systems; solar-heated water, which created a 35–40% decrease in the energy bills; Eco Blue urinals, which have saved millions of gallons of water; EV charging stations; and composting. All of which helped the hotel become the first in Tucson to obtain Green Nearby,Certification. thefour-star
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa follows an extensive guide on sustainability, explains its director of sales and marketing, Dan Padilla. “For instance, we schedule the HVAC in our public meeting spaces to be on only during usage of the space, and we use a plate-and frame-free cooling system in place of the chillers during the colder days. This eliminates the use of the chillers by using the cold outside air. And, for our golf courses, there is a state-of-the-art irrigation system using reclaimed water.”
For the full story visit greenlivingmag.com The desert environment at Biosphere 2. Photo courtesy of Biosphere 2 SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 23
Other resources include Santa Cruz River Heritage Project Arizonawww.tucsonaz.gov/water/SCRHP;TrailAssociationaztrail.org/; Sustainable Tucson www.sustainabletucson.org/; 2018/04/04/sustainable-tucson-restaurants/.Groupsustainability_and_conservation/;webcms.pima.gov/government/WatershedManagementwww.watershedmg.org/;andwww.tucsonfoodie.com/
24 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
In our first Best Of issue, Green Living magazine is proud to acknowledge the individuals and businesses that have made a conscious and sustainable impact on the community—all as voted on by readers. Arizona has experienced substantial growth in recent years, and, as such, the focus on sustainability and living more healthful lives has also been in the spotlight. Here, we invite you to learn more about the movers and shakers in the green living space. Congratulations to our winners! OF ARIZONA MISTY MILIOTO
WRITING BY
INAUGRAL BEST
Lucid Motors www.lucidmotors.com courtesy of Nikola Corporation
ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY Nikola
Nikola Corporation has come a long way since its simple beginnings in 2015 when a group of visionaries came together in Salt Lake City to globally transform the transportation industry. Today, this Phoenixbased company is a leading designer and manufacturer of Class 8 battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-trucks and the energy infrastructure needed to support them. The company’s mission is to reduce the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions of the heavy-duty trucking sector, earning Nikola a spot in our Best Of feature. “The future of mobility is emission-free, and Nikola is working on the right solutions here and now to accomplish this vision of a sustainable future,” says Nikola Corporation Presiden, Michael Lohscheller. “Simply put, Nikola seeks to pioneer solutions for a zeroemissions world.” The company chose to base its manufacturing facility in Coolidge thanks to the outstanding industrial infrastructure within the region. “The decision was further solidified by the tireless support of state and local representatives, as well as access to key talent and the infrastructure available to scale with the ambitious plans and growth trajectory Nikola has set forth,” Lohscheller says. Part of the company’s sustainability practices include building a more comprehensive approach beyond emissions from the tailpipe. “Our approach also includes manufacturing and operating in a sustainable way,” says Nikola Global Head, Manufacturing, Mark Duchesne. “We are building programs to improve our energy efficiency and to move toward zero waste, and to ensure sustainable use of resources like water and raw materials.”
As a company, Nikola understands the impact of climate change and pollutants on every aspect of our lives. “This is what drives our employees and other stakeholders as we continue providing proof points that sustainability is good for the planet, our communities, and business,” Nikola Global Head, ESG, Elizabeth Fretheim says. “Activities like energy efficiency and zero -waste can drive lower costs and help implement mitigation strategies to help business longevity and Serialadaptability.”production for the Nikola Tre batteryelectric trucks began in April. Additionally, the validation and testing of the beta hydrogen fuel cell trucks has begun and is scheduled to progress through the first half of 2023, followed by the start of serial production planned in the second half of 2023. www.nikolamotor.comCorporationRunnerup:
SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 25
Photos
GREEN LEADER
Mayor Kate Gallego, who first moved to Phoenix to work for a group of candidates who were running for the Arizona Corporation Commission on a strong sustainability platform, fell in love with the city and hasn’t looked back since. “Phoenix is so welcoming to newcomers, and it’s a place where people’s success depends more on their hard work and dedication than who they are or where they grew up,” she says. “I also love the incredible parks and preserves, which make up the largest system of open space in any city in the country.
26 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Last year, Mayor Gallego’s office established the first publicly funded Office of Heat Response and Mitigation in the country. “This has been monumental in institutionalizing heat resilience as a whole-of-government approach,” she says. “Meanwhile, water has been a focus for my entire career and will continue to be a serious challenge for the foreseeable future. Phoenix has a strong legacy of water conservation, and we’ve reduced per capita consumption by 30 percent over the last few decades despite huge population and economic growth. We must continue to innovate new efficiency solutions.”
Today, Mayor Gallego focuses on several sustainability initiatives, including decarbonization, heat mitigation, and water conservation. “I’ve been proud to advocate for an expanded light rail system since I served on the City Council, and construction is underway that will add nearly 10 miles to the system,” she says. “Paired with expanding electric vehicle and active transportation infrastructure, we are building a much more multimodal city and ensuring better air quality.”
Mayor Kate Gallego
South Mountain is my go-to for hikes with my son, and I like to look out over the city and get a fresh perspective.”
Mayor Gallego is especially excited about an improved pedestrian corridor from 40th to Central and a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the Rio Salado—both of which will promote connectivity and help realize the vision of Rio Reimagined. “Rio Reimagined is an effort to channel development and environmental restoration in a way that centers the river that made our city possible as a community amenity,” she says. “Though the challenges we face are significant and urgent, this moment in which federal and local investments are both pointed in the right direction brings incredible opportunity to make transformational change.”
Runner up: Tim Sprague, Habitat Metro Photos courtesy of Mayor Kate Gallego
SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 27
“It is an important strategic perspective enabling us to better serve the health and wellbeing of our community,” says Ryan Kirane, assistant vice president of operations and a sustainability officer at the center. “HonorHealth is focused on reducing our environmental footprint with an emphasis in greening the supply chain, utilities management, waste-stream reduction, and food security. We also participate in Practice Greenhealth, a national consortium of healthcare providers, to learn about and adopt solutions.” Kirane cites an article by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, estimating that the healthcare industry contributes to 8.5 percent of total U.S. emissions. “The environmental challenges that we are facing seem daunting, and there is no singular fix,” he says. “Clean air, water, and land are essential requirements for a healthy community. As citizens, all small actions we take to minimize our resource consumption and waste add up over time and make a significant difference.”
HEALTH & WELLNESS COMPANY
As such, he has a deep admiration for the HonorHealth Sustainability Committee, which is facilitating a collaborative with colleagues from Arizona State University, the City of Phoenix, the City of Scottsdale, and the other Integrated Healthcare Networks within the market to share best practices and implement solutions. “For example, through this collaborative, we learned of a local business that repurposes styrofoam into construction building materials” Kirane says. “We will be implementing this program that keeps styrofoam out of the landfill starting this fall. This collaborative is an encouraging step forward to make a tangible positive impact locally.”
Runner up: Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine, www.arizonaadvancedmedicine.com
HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care Network is known for its innovation, research, and commitment to providing personalized cancer care. However, the center also places high importance on sustainability and the wise use of limited resources.
Kirane leaves us all with a positive message. “It is an exciting time to get involved with environmental sustainability,” he says. “Emerging solutions and greater collaboration are offering hope.”
HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care Network Photo courtesy of HonorHealth
Additionally, 85 percent of Aveda’s packaging contains 100 percent post-consumer recycled materials. The company also does a life-cycle analysis when developing packaging options; reduces the size, weight, and production processes of packaging wherever possible; and offers packaging that can be recycled whenever possible. Aveda also was the first prestige beauty company to combine post-consumer recycled material with plastic derived from plants.
A man before his time, when Rechelbacher started Aveda in 1978, it was to bring beauty professionals botanical products that would be good for them, their guests, the Earth, and its communities. Rooted in Ayurveda—the Indian healing tradition based on the knowledge of life and the interconnectedness of all things—the brand does just that.
Aveda supports climate action to meet the Paris Agreement. As such, the company encourages the development of renewable wind energy to help offset its carbon footprint over time. All of Aveda’s products are manufactured with 100 percent wind power through renewable energy credits and carbon offsets, balancing its electrical and natural gas usage.
Beauty brand Aveda has always been against animal testing, as evidenced by its vegan, cruelty-free hair, skin, and body products. And not only are the products themselves considered green, but so are many other aspects of the company. “Our mission at Aveda is to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society,” said Horst Rechelbacher, the brand’s late founder. “At Aveda, we strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the beauty world, but around the world.”
Runner up: Citrine Natural Beauty Bar, www.citrinenaturalskin.com
For starters, Aveda uses naturally derived ingredients whenever possible, and they are formulated without parabens, phthalates, or sodium lauryl sulfate. Aveda also aims for environmental and social responsibility, obtaining sustainable or renewable plant-based ingredients from different habitats around the world, without negatively impacting the ecosystems from which they are sourced.
Aveda
Photo courtesy of Aveda
28 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
BEAUTY PRODUCTS
“Every day presents every one of us with the opportunity to create positive effects,” Rechelbacher said. “Even the simplest, seemingly insignificant choices we make in our daily lives—what to eat, what to wear, what to use on our bodies and in our homes—have a ripple effect that reaches far beyond us personally.” www.aveda.com
Today, Siner has nine stores (and is always looking for more locations) that sell thousands of consigned items each day. Her criteria for accepting items to consign are: the items must retail for at least $75, be no more than five or six years old, and be clean and in likenew condition. Consignments are accepted without appointment every day.
Over the past three years, My Sister’s Closet has donated $1 million to the Arizona Humane Society. “We also presented a check for $52,600 to Fresh Start Women’s Foundation in June,” Siner says. www.mysisterscloset.com Closet
Runner up: Redemption Market www.redemptionmarket.com Photos courtesy of My Sister's Closet
Over the years, customers told Siner how much they loved the business operations when there was only My Sister’s Closet in 1991. “They suggested we open stores for men and home furnishings,” Siner says. “Well Suited started in 2001, and My Sister’s Attic started in 1998. Shopping resale has become bragging rights compared to when we first opened 31 years ago. People are proud of the money saved and the fact they are reusing items.”
In addition to up-cycling women’s and men’s clothing and home furnishings, Siner eliminated single-use plastic in her company and stores in 2014. “We also opened our own thrift store for unsold items where 100 percent of the net profits go back to other nonprofit groups that help homeless pets, women, and wildlife,” she says. “We try to keep anything from ending up in the landfill.”
UP-CYCLED FASHION My Sister’s
“Customers can expect the highest quality clothing and home furnishings at prices up to 90 percent below retail,” Siner says. “We put out thousands of new items every day, so there’s always something new. Customers also can expect a pleasant and convenient shopping experience. We are open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.”
When Ann Siner, founder and CEO of My Sister’s Closet, went on a resale shopping foray in Texas in 1990, she began to wonder about the retail resale options in Phoenix and Scottsdale. That’s when she realized the time was right to open a consignment store, along with her sisters (although Siner is now the sole owner).
“Realtors who go the extra mile to learn more about energy efficiency and healthy green features better serve their clients,” Bosse says. “These certifications— along with the many community and professional engagements over the years—help me add a layer of valuable insights to help buyers make smarter buying decisions, and home sellers better monetize their sustainable home improvements.”
GREEN REALTOR
Tammy Bosse, Realtor, broker and owner of Boss Properties, has worked in real estate in the Phoenix area since 2001. However, she has been interested in green living and offering eco-friendly services to her clients for as long as she can remember. “I started with my own research early on,” she says. “It just made sense to learn more about a more efficient, healthier home.” She sought out additional education, and she became a certified NAR Green Realtor in 2009; engaged with the local Green Chamber the same year; and studied for nine months to become a Certified Sustainable Business Advisor in 2012. She was then certified as an EcoBroker in 2017.
Her best advice is to work with a Realtor who has learned the ropes of green features and is at least a certified NAR Green Realtor. “Ask your Realtor to help you understand the MLS green features, and add some green features to your MLS search criteria,” she says.
In her free time, Bosse serves on the board of directors for the Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission, the Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce, Valley Leadership Impact Maker/Arizona Thrives, and the U.S. Green Building Council. She also participates in Arizona Forward, Pachamama Alliance Game Changer, and ongoing political campaigns with candidates who are environmentally friendly. www.bossproperties.com
Tammy Bosse
Runner up: Jan Green, www.gotgreen.info Photos courtesy of Tammy Bosse greenlivingmag.com
“Have an energy audit performed during the inspection period to check for duct leaks, insulation deficiencies, airflow gaps, ventilation shortfalls, and more.”
30 GREEN LIVING |
Coming from someone who knows, Bosse says that it’s important for homeowners to buy green homes both for energy efficiency and for monetary savings.
“People can also benefit from being healthier in a green home filled with non-toxic materials and cleaner air quality, which most people prefer to do if they have a choice,” she says.
Whether clients are renovating or custom-building, Shivley and her team of three start with a 20-minute design review phone call so they can understand their client’s vision and needs, where they are in the process, and what they need to move forward. From there, if appropriate, they will schedule a Design Playbook Consultation to develop the scope and preliminary concepts for the project. At this step, they help clients understand their interior design goals by studying tastes, preferences, and lifestyle needs. “Using our proprietary Ecoluxe Design Process, we guide you in creating a home that is even better than you imagined,” Shivley says. www.sesshudesign.com
Runner up: Earth and Images, www.earthandimages.com
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Photos courtesy of Sesshu Design SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 31
Tanya Shivley, founder of Sesshu Design, moved to Scottsdale in 1992, where she finished design school, graduating in 1997. After working part-time in the field beginning in 1993, she began working for a highend design studio the same year she graduated.
Shivley was introduced to sustainable design at an event in Scottsdale, where Edward Mazria spoke about his 2030 Project and the impact that the building industry has on the environment. “I had always had an interest in creating healthy homes, because of my dad’s health concerns where indoor air quality was a big factor,” she says. “When LEED was introduced, I studied for and achieved the LEED AP accreditation in early 2006.”
Sesshu Design
The previous year, in 2005, Shivley started Sesshu Design, following the philosophy of WELL Designed™. Her mission? To design the most healthy and beautiful homes possible. “We envision a world where ‘home’ not only means a space or building for people to live in, but also a sanctuary that enhances the wellness and well-being of all the occupants, as well as the planet,” she says. “We believe the world can be a better place; that we can have beautiful homes; and protect the environment and our health, too.”
WELL Designed homes are environmentally responsible and rooted in eco-conscious design, especially sustainability. “However, they do not compromise when it comes to luxury and livability,” Shivley says. “Your home should be as durable as it is comfortable and suited to your unique lifestyle.”
His mission today—one that hasn’t changed over the years—is to continue to provide sustainable solutions for generations. However, his client base, and his services, have increased. FOR Energy now also offers solar installations, insulation, windows, HVAC, duct sealing, and much more. “Most people do not know why they have uncomfortable areas of their home or why they have high bills,” McGraw says. “The natural tendency is to call an HVAC company, replace windows, or add more insulation. While those may be good solutions, the audit pinpoints exactly what needs to be done to achieve the desired outcome. The audit gives homeowners a roadmap to addressing high bills, indoor air quality, and comfort in their homes.”
Photos courtesy of FOR Energy 32 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
When Sean McGraw, owner at FOR Energy, started the company with the help of his father, Brian, it was to make a brighter future for the community. “My dad owned a construction company in Detroit until 2007, when I started at Arizona State University,” McGraw says. “I studied sustainability and solar at ASU, in the hopes of doing something that would make a difference and make the future brighter for our local and global communities.” At the start, FOR Energy (then known as Affordable Energy Solutions) installed solar panels and offered energy audits. Clients responded, and, since then, the company has helped many Arizona residents maximize the energy-efficiency of their homes.
HOME
McGraw also finds purpose in giving back to the community via the Phoenix 20-30 Club (an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable young people and empowering them by developing their leadership skills) and ASU’s GlobalResolve (a program that bridges the global divide with sustainable and collaborative solutions to help relieve the effects of poverty in the developing world). www.forenergy.com
McGraw, who admires Elon Musk for the impact he has had on industry, says that building science matters. “From the orientation to the space to the design, if thought through effectively, you can achieve amazing results,” he says. “Have an audit done; remove the guesswork and learn about your home.”
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
FOR Energy
Runner up: Organic Living, www.organiclivingaz.com
Habitat For Humanity Central Arizona
Habitat for Humanity, a nationwide organization dedicated to building homes, community, and hope, has a special chapter in Central Arizona. The local organization recently built its first 3D-printed home, designed by the world-renowned team at Candelaria Design.
“This kind of innovation does not happen without amazing partners, and we are extremely grateful to all of them,” says Dusty Parsons, chief marketing officer at HHCA. “It was only a year ago that this undertaking seemed impossible, and now it’s done. It’s indicative of what can happen when everyone involved is committed to giving their best. It’s also about what’s possible in the future.”
By building a 3D-printed home, HHCA is tackling one of Arizona’s most pressing issues: home affordability. “The idea of having a decent, affordable place to call home isn’t simply an American dream, it’s a universal one,” Parsons says. “Like every challenge we face, we know it will take creativity and collaboration to overcome this challenge.”
SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 33
In today’s climate of acute housing shortages, it is important for organizations like HHCA to consider more scalable and more affordable home-ownership solutions. “We are continuing to explore innovative ways to address this critical issue,” Parsons says. “We wanted to try something new; perhaps tech companies or commercial developers can run with this now, scale it, and make it more affordable and more Anothersustainable.”waytheorganization helps those in the local community is through its four Habitat ReStore locations. Part home-improvement store, part thrift store, and part home store, a Habitat ReStore has it all. “Each store carries a wide selection of items, from cabinets and appliances to home decor, furniture, flooring, and more,” Parsons says. “Habitat ReStores feature new and gently used items at a fraction of the retail cost. Last year we were able to keep four million pounds of unwanted goods out of local landfills by accepting donations from commercial and private donors looking to give back to the community.” HHCA also offers free deconstruction services to remove kitchen cabinets, appliances, bathroom fixtures, and doors before a remodel or renovation. Those interested in helping can shop at one of the Habitat Restores, donate directly, or sign up to volunteer. www.habitatcaz.org LIKELY
TO CHANGE THE WORLD
MOST
Runner up: Footprint, www.footprintcenter.com
SMALL/MEDIUM BUSINESS Desert
DBG also partners with other organizations on green initiatives, such as the Great Milkweed Grow Out (growing milkweeds for monarch butterfly conservation). www.dbg.org Botanical Garden
Over the course of Desert Botanical Garden’s 85year history, its mission "to advance excellence in education, research, exhibition, and conservation of desert plants" has never wavered. “The Garden was green before being green was cool,” says Kim McCue, chief science officer at DBG. “When I give tours focused on what the Garden does in regards to sustainability, I like to stop in the Garden, ask people to look around, and then I say, ‘Everything you see is what the Garden does for sustainability.’”
Runner up: Recycled City, www.recycledcity.com
GardenBotanicalDesertofcourtesyPhotos
34 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Specifically, DBG maintains 50,000 desert plants (many rare, threatened, or endangered) on 140 acres. “All of these plants provide habitat for a diverse array of animals, including road runners, great horned owls, round tailed ground squirrels, monarch and queen butterflies, and the occasional coyote and javelina,” McCue says. Other sustainable efforts include an array of solar panels on the roofs of three buildings, offsetting the power use of DBG’s horticulture facilities; smart irrigation that is installed in parts of the Garden (with more to come), conserving water by insuring plants are only watered when they really need it; and above-ground cisterns that capture and store several thousand gallons of rain water from the roofs of several buildings (this water is then used to water plants when Furthermore,needed).bio-retention basins in the parking-lot medians slow rain water down as it flows across the lot, allowing the water to percolate into the ground. The basins also help filter contaminants that build up on the parking lot. DBG also reuses materials (such as bricks) for renovation projects and recycles styrofoam that arrives as packing material in deliveries. Meanwhile, all parking-lot lights, exterior building lights, and landscape lighting have been transitioned to LED, using less energy and requiring less-frequent “Thereplacing,Garden partners with Gertrude's (the onsite restaurant) to collect food waste for composting (composting is done by Recycled City) and then used on farm plots in Phoenix to grow more food (farmto-table-to-farm),” McCue says. “[We] also worked to have the city bus service come to the Garden, and we encourage the use of public transportation, carpooling, and other means of trip reduction.”
Today, Napa Green is the leading sustainable winegrowing program providing comprehensive, systematic, soil-to-bottle certification for growers and vintners.
“We are one of only four programs nationwide that facilitates sustainability certification for vineyards and wineries, and the only program focused explicitly on climate action,” says Executive Director, Anna Brittain.
SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL COMPANY
Currently, there are 88 Napa Green-certified wineries, representing nearly 40 percent of all certified sustainable wineries in California. “We launched our new, cutting-edge Napa Green Vineyard certification standards in 2021, and more than 50 growers are either certified or in transition to certification, representing over 15 percent of Napa County's total vineyard acreage,” Brittain says.
“We are exploring how to expand our team and capacity to make this a reality,” Brittain says. “The goal of Napa Green is to set the highest bar for rigorous sustainability and climate action standards for the global wine industry. Our region and wines capture global attention, meaning our leadership can be an outsized force for change.” www.napagreen.org
Originally conceived by a collective of Napa County industry associations and environmental nonprofits, Napa Green is now an independent nonprofit program under the umbrella of the Napa Valley Vintners (the lead association for Napa County wineries). In 2021, Napa Green became the world’s first sustainable wine-growing program to redevelop completely its vineyard certification standards to focus specifically on critical issues like climate action, regenerative farming, and social equity and inclusion.
In order to become Napa Green-certified, vineyards must implement more than 100 standards across six core elements, while wineries must implement more than 120 sustainability and stewardship standards.
“Our members stand as leaders exemplifying that caring for nature and community elevates quality and experience for employees, customers, and community, now and in the future.”
Napa Green
Runner up: Ikea, www.ikea.com Napa
Green SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 35
Photos courtesy of
The Napa Green mission is threefold: to adopt the rigorous Napa Green Vineyard and Winery certification standards; to influence the adoption of leading sustainability and climate action practices in the global wine industry and beverage sector; and to measure and track ongoing performance for water and energy use, waste diversion, and Scope 1 and 2 emissions from vineyards to wineries.
While vineyards and wineries outside of Napa are ineligible for certification, there is demand for Napa Green to broaden its reach.
Visitors also can make a donation to Pledge for the Wild (a multi-mountain town platform defined by a shared set of common values, language, and tools to support responsible tourism in wild places), and pick up a free stow-and-go litter bag and fire-awareness sticker. “And, coming soon to the Flagstaff Visitor Center is a new sustainability exhibit,” Schmid says.
Ralph Schmid, creative services manager at Discover Flagstaff, urges visitors to stop by the Flagstaff Visitor Center (located on historic Route 66) to learn about sustainable volunteer opportunities during their stay.
“Flagstaff is a beautiful mountain town to discover again and again with amazing eco-conscious experiences supported by educating visitors to stay and play responsibly, inspired by a caring community that is motivated to protect and preserve the environment,” Schmid says. www.discoverflagstaff. com, www.flagstaffarizona.org
WEEKEND GETAWAY
Runner up: Cottonwood, www.visitcottonwoodaz.org
Flagstaff
Discover Flagstaff is committed to educating, inspiring, and motivating visitors to practice sustainable actions.
Photos courtesy of Visit Flagstaff 36 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Visitors (and locals) can assist the Flagstaff community in its cleanup efforts in numerous ways. For starters, check out www.flagstaff365.com for the latest community cleanup events and workshops. Another way is to volunteer with the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Community Stewards Program to help keep neighborhoods trails, parks, and streets litter- and graffiti-free. Those who are interested can also check for conservation events and workshop opportunities at the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Arboretum at Flagstaff, Willow Bend, Nature Conservancy, and Elden Pueblo. Locals can take the pledge at www. flagstafflocal.com to be environmentally friendly by recycling, conserving water and fuel, and making conscious choices that lessen environmental impact.
Other area attractions that practice sustainability with recycling, water conservation, and/or dark-sky protection include Lowell Observatory, the Museum of Northern Arizona, and area national monuments such as Walnut Canyon and Wupatki.
“While strolling in downtown Flagstaff, you will immediately notice multiple recycling bins, and light fixtures and business signage that are all dark-sky compliant,” Schmid says. “Dine in a local restaurant that has locally sourced ingredients or grass-fed beef, or grab a drink at a local brewery that practices water conservation and donates spent grain. Rent a bike or hike in Flagstaff’s open spaces at Picture Canyon, Observatory Mesa, or Buffalo Park.”
AFTERNOON GETAWAY
These types of sustainable farming practices are important to the winery, as seen in its wine label. The face of a man in a tree represents the living soul within the natural environment. “We strive for a symbiotic relationship between the land and the wine,” Brumley says. “If you don’t have good farming practices, you won’t have good wine.”
“The original owners ‘saw' Tuscany in the landscape and decided to buy the property to develop into a winery and vineyard, with some influence from other family members in the wine industry,” Brumley says. “We have a minerality in our soil from the basalt and limestone. The clay is great for some varietals because of the soil's richness.”
Alcantara Vineyards
Photos courtesy of Alcantara Vineyards
SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 37
Alcantara Vineyards, a winery that Property Manager, Ron Brumley, compares to the wine-growing regions of Tuscany and the Rhone Valley, was originally founded by Barbara and Bob Premore (they sold it to CCJB Holdings in 2019). While none of the founding family members are part of the winery today, it is Brumley who hand-crafts the wine and manages the 87-acre vineyard.
Runner up: Schnepf Farms, www.schnepffarms.com
Alcantara’s vineyard produces a variety of grapes— Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Sangiovese, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Primitivo, Charbono, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Marsanne, Rousanne, Pinot Noir, Orange Muscat, and Petite Verdot—all grown biodynamically.
“Soil regeneration efforts come from much of the solid waste coming from beer brewing, marijuanafarm biomass, tea from kombucha manufacturers, horse manure, mushrooms, worm farm castings, and exhausted garden plants from our farm-to-table garden that feeds our kitchen,” Brumley says. “We use the ‘tea' from our composting efforts to enhance our foliar applications, bringing organic nutrients to the grapevines. We also use it to control weeds and boost our cover-crop production in the winter. We plant barley in the winter, which increases moisture retention in the soils.”
For visitors who would like to stay overnight, Brumley suggests accommodations in downtown Camp Verde and Cottonwood. However, Alcantara will welcome a small hotel and casitas in the next few years. The property currently offers weddings at its chapel, horseback riding, kayaking along the Verde River, hayrides, electric bike tours, and free vineyard and winery tours (Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m.Noon). www.alcantaravineyard.com
Runner up: Fry’s, www.frysfood.com
FARMERS MARKET/GROCERY
Today, Arizona Community Farmers Markets consists of 11 total markets. The group’s mission is to provide venues where local, direct producers of farming and specialty foods can meet face-to-face with the public—encouraging buying local and using reusable bags. The group also acts as advocates for these kinds of markets, as intermediaries for its vendors and more traditional marketplaces, and as facilitators to educate both its vendors and regulatory agencies.
“Although the Heritage Square Farmers Market closed in 1998, the Roadrunner Park Farmers Market is now in its 32nd season, providing the surrounding community with local fresh crops and ethically raised beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and eggs,” says Dee Logan, Founder and Senior Coordinator, Arizona Community Farmers Markets. “It also hosts local food producers— some of whom have been with the market for two or three decades. In fact, families have grown up with this market, and we’re seeing two and three generations of customers who use this as their weekly market.”
The idea for the Arizona Community Farmers Markets originated in the office of the former Mayor of Phoenix (Terry Goddard) in 1988 and was soon approved by the Phoenix City Council. In March and April of 1989, a graduate student at ASU, Amy Zoravitch, put together a pilot market at Heritage Square as part of her master’s program. The Heritage Square Farmers Market officially launched in October 1989 with eight vendors. The next market to open in 1990 was the Roadrunner Park Farmers Market.
Another offering, the education series, is free to the public and has included chef demonstrations, especially focusing on how to use seasonal crops; healthy lifestyle demonstrations; specialty foods platforms; how to use and identify native or wild crops that can be foraged; and composting and water conservation techniques. The City of Scottsdale also has given away low-water-usage plants like mesquite trees over the past several years. Check the website for markets and www.arizonacommunityfarmersmarkets.comhours.
Photos courtesy of Arizona Community Farmers Markets 38 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
ArizonaFarmersCommunityMarkets
Arizona Community Farmers Markets vendors fit into one of three categories—agriculture, food and artisan (arts and crafts)—and must meet a couple of requirements. “Before entering the markets, vendors must have all health permits and licenses, (both city and state), and, for food and skincare products, they must have current product or business liability insurance,” Logan says. “Most all of the growers and farmers are certified as Organic or Naturally Grown, or they organize their growing areas around sustainable principles such as biodynamic farming. Our focus is to encourage our vendors and customers to buy locally especially from our farmers and growers.”
Runner up: Pomegranate Cafe, www.pomegranatecafe.com
SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 39
Picazzo's Healthy Italian Kitchen
Photos by Debby Wolvos
Picazzo’s takes a dual approach to sourcing ingredients. Not only does the restaurant look for allergens and cleanliness, but it also sources ingredients that are gluten-free and, when possible, also organic or nonGMO. “Our priority is always to provide gluten-free items first and foremost,” Disney says. “We also source 95 percent organic produce to bring the cleanest, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables to each plate. Our sauces and dressings are made from scratch using organic spices and non-GMO sunflower and imported olive oils. We work with local farmers and suppliers to bring fresh and healthy ingredients to our establishment, while trimming the carbon footprint.”
“We are dedicated to providing an exemplary dining experience to each of our guests—from the service to the food—and making sure that everyone feels comfortable ordering what they want, the way they want it,” Disney says. www.picazzos.com
VEGAN MENU
Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen, a family owned and operated restaurant with locations in Sedona, Scottsdale, Tempe/Chandler, Gilbert, Paradise Valley, and Arrowhead, has a simple mission: to connect guests through food and compassion. “We meet the need for quality, healthy dining options for individuals that may have dietary restrictions (as well as those who do not), and we can truly bring everyone together in the same dining experience,” says Picazzo's Managing Partner, Chris Disney. “Our menu continues to evolve into a plethora of dishes that are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly, as we continue our quest to source the cleanest, healthiest ingredients we can find.”
In addition to the vegan menu of salads, entrées, pasta, pizza, and dessert, Picazzo's also offers a more mainstream menu featuring sustainable, hormonefree, and American Humane Certified products.
Over the years, Tryst Cafe has earned many accolades including “Best of” Phoenix Magazine, “Best of” New Times and “Best of” West Valley. “We support our communities by supporting the schools and participating in large philanthropic events that support the Boys and Girls Clubs,” Khnanisho says.
Khnanisho’s mission is to serve naturally delicious food and drinks in an environment that has a contemporary and engaging vibe, and where the team is friendly and hospitable. Of course, sustainability practices also rank high on the list. “We do not offer straws, unless requested, and we purchase those that are highly biodegradable,” she says. “In addition, we use to-go boxes that are sustainable. As a business utilizing thousands of products, and being a member of the community, we have a responsibility to do our part to contribute to the environment.”
“We focus on organic ingredients from eggs to produce,” says owner Lisa Khnanisho. "Our protein is either antibiotic and/or hormone free. Depending on the type of seafood offered, it is either wild caught or meets rigorous sustainable practices. Some of our produce is sourced locally, and we have several local partnerships, including where we get our eggs, tortillas, bread, liquor, and more. If we are unable to source organic, we look at selecting items that are natural and where sustainable practices are utilized, as much as possible.”
Runner up: Moscato, www.moscatoazcom.com courtesy of Tryst Cafe LIVING
Photos
40 GREEN
| greenlivingmag.com
Tryst Cafe, a restaurant that focuses on organic and natural food, opened 13 years ago in Phoenix and now has a second location in Chandler that opened three years ago. Customers flock to Tryst Cafe for Chef Rosario Cortez’s menu of items like the breakfast burrito, the Thai shrimp lettuce wrap, the bison burger and, of course, the tacos and hemp seed tamales. Most of the menu either is, or can be, glutenfree. The most unexpected part though, is the live entertainment and extensive list of craft cocktails.
She is proud to be one of Green Living Magazine’s Best Of winners because of the magazine’s focus and commitment to seeking out sustainable practices in all industries. www.trystcafe.com
Tryst Cafe
RESTAURANT
As a Thank You, you’ll be entered to win: 1. One night stay as a VIP guest at the Hotel Valley Ho 2. 2 tickets to Sedona Winefest 3. Sustainable Travel & Living travel kit 4. $50 gift certificate to LDV winery for wine tasting or wine bottle. We Want Feedback!Your Fill out our quick reader survey to help us create more of the content you www.greenlivingmag.com/survey-2022love.
Utilizing minimally invasive and organic winemaking practices, Verde Valley Wine consortium member Chateau Tumbleweed lets nature do the talking.
Photos courtesy of Chateau Tumbleweed
42 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
To some, great wine has acquired a reputation for stuffiness, but those who would apply that label to all wineries have certainly never visited Chateau Tumbleweed.
Located in Clarksdale, Arizona, this fun and unconventional member of the Verde Valley Wine consortium has set out to break the mold and stamp out all those stuffy stereotypes to boot. According to Kris Pothier, co-owner of Chateau Tumbleweed, “We take our winemaking seriously, but we laugh at ourselves. We are building a business from a lot of love, and it attracts love to us.”
T Wine Wine and Soul
The history of Chateau Tumbleweed goes back to 2011, where the first vintage, a mere 75 cases, was released. The business side of the winery has grown markedly since then - now producing 5500 cases a year - but Kris and her husband, Joe Bechard, have never lost sight of the impetus behind it, nor of their origin story. Originally from Oregon, Kris and Joe were both hired by Page Springs Cellars (another member of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium) in 2008, where they ultimately met their future business partners. “The four of us saw the industry starting to grow and realized we had complementary skill sets and our own point of view, so we started work on a business plan.” The result was Chateau Tumbleweed. The next question is probably the most obvious one. Where did the name come from? And true to form, the answer here merits a chuckle. “We blew in and got stuck in the fence of AZ wine,” Kris says.
SAVOR
BY TJ KEOGH
“There is a special thing that happens with wine,” she says. “We bottle communication in nature, and it is an honor to be a steward of that.” Visit www.chateautumbleweed.com.for more information about Chateau Tumbleweed.
The Tumbleweed Wine Club is 600 members strong and growing. Once each month, the Chateau hosts Vibe Nights, featuring various music genres and a food truck. A lot of exhausting work goes into producing all that. “Making wine is a hard endeavor,” Kris admits. “It is expensive and labor intensive and not for the faint of heart. But we feel blessed to be in this industry, hard work and all.”
The Habitat for Humanity ReStores habitatcaz.org habitatcaz.org
If you’re in the mood for a completely low-key wine experience, pay Chateau Tumbleweed a visit. The wine is excellent, the people are fun, and the views of Sycamore Canyon are spectacular. It is a remarkable place with an equally remarkable story. For Kris Pothier, it’s been a labor of love.
The winery offers three wine flights—light, red blends, and deluxe. Each flight features four wines developed to complement each other. This is truly a busy, modern winery. The tasting room is open 7 days a week from noon to 7PM.
half-page ad Green Living June 2022.indd 1 5/13/22 7:53 AMSEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 43
Everything you need for your home improvement projects at a fraction of the cost. Flooring, furniture, appliances and more! Shop our valley locations today at
One glance at the eclectic wine labels (designed by Kris, herself) will tell you this is not your run-of-the-mill winery. But the real charm of Chateau Tumbleweed lies in its commitment to sustainability. While not normally thought of as a low-water use crop, a mature Arizona grapevine, according to Kris, requires less than a sixth as much water as many other crops. And Chateau Tumbleweed owns no vineyards of its own, instead sourcing the fruit from estates in Willcox and Cornville, AZ. “Wine is a great agricultural product for these times,” Kris explains. “Our winemaking practices are minimally invasive and organic. We let nature do the talking and keep a clean and tidy protocol, so we do not have to use additives.”
SAVORRecipe INGREDIENTS 2 peaches 1 container of burrata Honey Mint leaves for garnish Olive Oil
DIRECTIONS
44 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Cut peaches in half and remove pits. Cut peach halves into wedges. Coat with olive oil and place flesh side down on heated medium-high grill for 1-2 minutes (you can also use a grill pan on the stove). Turn over for another 1-2 minutes. Set peach wedges aside. Put a dollop of burrata on the plate and arrange peach wedges on top. Drizzle honey over peaches and burrata and garnish with mint leaves. If you like a savory kick, sprinkle a small pinch of sea salt. BY DON WWW.SHOOTWHATYOUEAT.COMCROSSALND
Grilled Peaches & Burrata RECIPE & PHOTO
Arizona Sands Club, Tucson’s premiere private Member business/social Club and unique event venue. Located in the UofA Football Stadium. Join us at our monthly Open Houses to learn more about the benefits of becoming a Member. Connect with our Membership Directors or Private Events team by calling 520-621-8300 RSVP to our next Open House Arizona Center for Cancer recognition.onCancerVirginiaourcongratulatesCarepartner,G.PiperCareNetwork,thiswelldeserved SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 45
Photo courtesy of Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
Rainforest Eco Retreat
THE ROOMS Reflecting and respecting the surrounding culture and area, the rooms feature artwork designed by Costa Rican artists and dark wood furnishings made from sustainable materials. The bathrooms have ample sized showers that peek through to the bedroom (should you so choose), as well as bathtubs in suites which to relax. The rainforest or garden views are
THE RESORT The carbon neutral Tabacon Thermal resort and spa in the northern region of the country is located near the Arenal Volcano and the small village of La Fortuna. The property’s 103 rooms and suites are located in the heart of the rainforest amongst lush vegetation, exotic flora, and animal life such as sloths, coatimundi, birds, lizards, and insects.
46 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Feel at one with nature at the carbon neutral Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa, situated in the heart of the rainforest in the northern region of Costa Rica.
C
BY ANGELA FAIRHURST Costa Rica is a small Central American country that is big on biodiversity. This little country — approximately twice the size of Massachusetts — is responsible for 6% of the world's diversity.
TRAVELRetreat
Tabacon has a green program encouraging guests and locals to conserve resources and aid in protecting Costa Rica. It’s another good reason to visit. www.tabacon.com Tabacon Spa waiting area. Photo courtesy of Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
THE THERMAL SPRINGS
SUSTAINABILITY
The resort has two bars for light bites and drinks, located at Shangri-La and the Arenal pool; two full service restaurants: del Paraiso for traditional Costa Rican cuisine and Los Tucanes for al la carte international fare; and Cana Brava for tapas and drinks in the lobby lounge. Guests can also request a private dinner in a candlelit open-air rainforest bungalow.
THE SPA
Use the code Best of Beet at checkout to receive 20% off your order. Pick Up the Beet! Boost Your Immunity • Curb Sugar Cravings Increase Mental Clarity Maximize Physical Performance gardengoddessferments.com Get 20% Off Signature Probiotic-Rich Tonic SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 47
designed to make guests feel at one with nature via glass doors and patios.
Local Costa Rican architect Jaime Mikowski discovered the thermal springs in 1991 while on a water bottling project. It was his brainchild to turn the property into the thermal springs experience it is today. The area is a maze of waterfalls, walkways, and 20 in-river pools that are 100% naturally heated by the volcano's magma. The Shangri-La Gardens is the secluded adults-only section at the top of the thermal springs. This area is reserved for hotel guests only and includes six natural pools, a full bar, and private cocoon shaped cabanas. Because of the atmosphere, it's perfectly acceptable to slip your bathrobe on and walk around the grounds.
FOOD AND DRINK
The spa is located next to the thermal springs. It has a central unisex relaxation area with comfortable lounge chairs surrounding a large jetted pool. The pre-spa ritual includes tea service, soothing cucumbers, and cooling cloths for the eyes. There is also a healthy snack and smoothie menu. All 11 of the treatment bungalows are hidden amongst the trees in complete privacy and have their own naturally heated Jacuzzi tubs with showers. Treatments run the gamut from massages, signature treatments, facials, mani-pedis, and salt baths.
onSpotlightArcology
BY MISTY MILIOTO
The famous Dome House, located in Cave Creek, Arizona, is a perfect example of using architecture in a way that also takes other organisms and the surroundings into account. In fact, there’s even a word for it: arcology, a combination of the words architecture and ecology. It’s a principle that offers an alternative to urban sprawl and a possible solution to modern climate and cultural crises alike.
T
Now, visitors to the Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix can explore these connections through a free exhibition, “The Architecture of Possibility,” organized by The Cosanti Foundation’s Assistant Curator, Noémie Despland-Lichtert.
The Cosanti Foundation’s new exhibition educates the public on how architecture and ecology combine.
HISTORY
The project that would become Dome House began in 1948 when East Coast heiress Leonora Woods purchased land in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. Her dream was to build a house where she could sleep under the stars. She initially asked Frank Lloyd Wright to design it, but he was unavailable to take on the project. Woods eventually hired architects Mark Mills and Paolo Solerim, both apprentices of Frank Lloyd Wright. The following year, in 1949, she and her daughter, Colly, and the two architects collaborated on Dome House while camping onsite. The house was completed in 1950, but, prior to the completion, Paolo and Colly, who had fallen in love while working on the house, married and moved to Italy. Woods continued to live in Dome House until 1984, and, since then, it has been occupied by architects and artists.
Photo courtesy of the Cosonti Foundation
DESIGNArchitecture
48 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
What makes Dome House so special, however, is that it was ahead of its time. “Dome House exhibits design values and techniques such as passive solar technology, the use of dome and apse shapes, creative reuse of industrial materials, incorporation of onsite natural materials and earth-casting techniques, responsiveness to geographical place (in this case, the Arizona desert), connection to both the sun and stars, and minimum disturbance to the surrounding ecology,” says Kate Bemesderfer, The Cosanti Foundation’s senior director of development and communication. These are all principles used at ever-increasing scales, first at Cosanti (Soleri’s residence until his death in 2013; now a gallery) and then at Arcosanti (an experimental town in central Arizona’s Yavapai County developed by The Cosanti Foundation showing arcology in action)—and they are just as applicable today, both in Arizona and around the world.
“The dome, itself, is composed of metal beams reclaimed from planes decommissioned after World War II,” DesplandLichtert says. “This is an example of elegant frugality— the idea of reusing, recycling, and repurposing objects and materials toward new uses. In the summer, the dome would also be covered with screens from military surplus.
Photo by Aimee Madsen Photo courtesy of the Cosanti Foundation
SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 49
While the actual dome is the most iconic aspect of Dome House, it is also the element that has been most transformed over the years. Originally, half of the dome could be opened and closed by pivoting and sliding along a track. However, the mechanism was hard to maneuver and was eventually disabled.
Dome House, which sits at an elevation of 2,500 feet, was designed to adapt to the extreme weather conditions of the Sonoran Desert. With cold nights and extremely high temperatures during the day, the house needed to adapt to the changing environment—all while offering a comfortable environment for its inhabitants. For starters, Dome House uses desert masonry, which is a combination of rock and concrete wall construction first developed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This cost-effective construction technique uses local rock directly derived from the site and a limited amount of concrete. “During construction, rocks are covered with paper and installed inside the formwork (the mold in which concrete is poured),” Despland-Lichtert says. “The rocks are then covered in concrete, and, once the wall has set, the formwork and the paper are removed to reveal the desert masonry wall.” Dome House also is composed of two spaces that function very differently. “The western portion of the building is a thick masonry wall and built semi-underground,” DesplandLichtert says. “The dome covering the eastern portion of the building allows light and heat into the space.”
THE ARCHITECTURE OF POSSIBILITY
According to Bemesderfer, this is an important exhibition for several reasons. “It’s the first local exhibition that The Cosanti Foundation, itself, has curated since our SMOCA exhibition in 2017-2018,” she says. “As an educational nonprofit, it’s important to The Cosanti Foundation that we reach broad and diverse audiences. By working in partnership with Phoenix Public Library, we are bringing the world of arcology to the public for free and as part of an important public institution that is accessible to millions of people.
One of the primary purposes of the exhibition is to reintroduce the public to The Cosanti Foundation and the idea of arcology. “We are looking back at the history of arcology in order to encourage more and more people to look forward to its future uses,” Bemesderfer says.
Dome House Exhibition at the Burton Barr Library in Phoenix. Photo by Seth Winslow for The Cosanti Foundation
“The Cosanti Foundation’s current focus is on building international academic partnerships, re-establishing our agriculture and farm-to-table program at Arcosanti, maintaining and restoring the iconic architecture of both Cosanti and Arcosanti, and investing in infrastructure improvements that will open the door to long-awaited new construction,” she says. “At Arcosanti, we also have a public cafe and hiking trails. It’s even possible to stay overnight, enjoying everything from our unique mesa-side pool to the same Milky Way views that Nora Woods enjoyed from her home at Dome House 70 years ago.”
50 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
“Dome House also is a private property (unlike Cosanti and Arcosanti, it is not owned by The Cosanti Foundation), so the only way most people are ever going to be able to see it is through exhibitions like this one, or by taking one of The Cosanti Foundation’s signature multi-week workshops,” Bemesderfer adds. "The story of arcology starts with Dome House, and it is our hope that this exhibition will ultimately be the first of a series that continues with exhibitions about Cosanti, Arcosanti, and the future of arcology.” Yet another element of the exhibition is one that was already in place and will remain so year-round. “Part of why the Arizona Room at the Burton Barr Central Library made sense as the location for this exhibition is because that space has, for decades, displayed large special assemblies of the bronze bells made by hand at Arcosanti and Cosanti,” Bemesderfer says. “Another reason Burton Barr made sense is that the library was designed by architect Will Bruder, an early alum of The Cosanti Foundation’s multi-week workshop Bemesderferprogram.”encourages visitors to check out the exhibition—and Cosanti and Arcosanti—in person.
“In later years, the updated dome would be shaded with a bamboo structure,” Despland-Lichtert continues. “The updated version of the dome also included the addition of an evaporative cooler system that allowed for more comfort during the hot summer days.”
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will learn more about Dome House and the interweaving of arcology in its construction. “The Architecture of Possibility” includes free-standing informational panels with photos, drawings and text explaining the design, construction and use of Dome House and its context within Arizona architecture and arcology; a laser-cut model of Dome House that was created for an exhibition at the Cave Creek Museum in 2013; two cases of archival news clippings and brochures from throughout Dome House’s history; and the library’s own collection of related books and materials, including the Act One Culture Pass for Arcosanti, which can be checked out by anyone with a Phoenix Library Card.
Despite the use of energy-efficient passive solar strategies, Dome House has not been immune to the effects of climate change. “Today, heaters are sometimes needed in the winter, and air conditioners in the summer, in order for the house to be livable,” Despland-Lichtert says. “In this sense, Dome House is similar to other houses of the region, although it only requires a fraction of the energy of its neighboring homes. Because of its small scale and design, the house invites inhabitants to be aware of the landscape and live in synergy with the seasons.”
You are welcome here! www.visitcottonwoodaz.org SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 51
Situated in the center of downtown Phoenix is FOUND:RE Hotel – a creative and sustainable masterpiece amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. A glance at its exterior and the bright six-story installation lit with images of local art on the building’s Southside gives visitors a sense of the brand’s creative spirit and imagination that awaits inside.
“FOUND:RE creates a sense of community and invokes a sense of wonder for every guest at FOUND:RE Phoenix,” said Chris Genung, the hotel’s general manager. He describes FOUND:RE as “an art boutique hotel with details, designs, public spaces, and amenities inspired by local contemporary art, culture, fashion, and music.”
The property’s uniquely creative vibe is well curated, from its name to its design and offerings. According to the hotel’s website, FOUND:RE takes its name from the word “found” and the abbreviation “re” (short for “in reference to”) merged together, while also sounding like the word “foundry” – a place of new ideas and metal work. The expertise and influence of designers and artists inform the creativity, ingenuity, and finery in every one of the 104 guest rooms.
S DESIGNPublic Art
BY ANNA DORL
Creativity Redefined 52 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel in downtown offers guests a sense of awe and wonder with its art, amenities, and hospitality. With an incredible eye to detail, even the room numbers are custom-designed!
BEST OF ISSUE BLAST‘22 RSVP greenlivingmag.com/best-of-party-2022 FRIDAYSEPTEMBER9,2022 5-8 PM ARIZONA FASHION SOURCE 2507 W. ERIE DR. #103 TEMPE, AZ 85282 Join Green Living magazine for a celebration of the Best of Issue! Experience a fun evening of sustainable fashion, electric cars, delectable food, wine, beer, cocktails, sustainable products and much more. SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 53
54 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Jordan Zurn, FOUND:RE’s art & culture curator, brings together creative elements and notable works to create a stunning visual experience for guests to enjoy.
“The entire hotel acts as a large gallery with multiple art spaces and experiences sprinkled throughout,” said Genung.
The latest sustainable exhibition at FOUND:RE Contemporary is “Talking Trash: A Junk Art Exhibition,” showcasing the beauty of transformation — taking trash and turning it into brilliant pieces of work. Running through October 1, 2022, the works of Shari Keith and Claire Ploppet Johnson take viewers on a visual journey into sustainability achieved through creative activity. Keith, known as “the Junk Lady,” creates art pieces from found objects, while Ploppet Johnson discovers broken items and gives them new life through her creations. Together, the two artists prove that art can be formed from just about anything.
Loft-like spaces evoke a sky's-the-limit feeling and are punctuated by bold chandeliers, neon lighting choices, and impressive interior composition.
Supporting Arizona is of the utmost importance to FOUND:RE Phoenix. “80% of everything in the hotel was made locally and with recycled textiles and metal works,” said Genung. This includes products from nearby businesses, the work of artists from the Grand Canyon State, culinary components including close-to-home ingredients, and much more. Visit www.foundrecontemporary.com and www.foundrehotels.com for more information.
“The guest rooms and suites offer an original blend of wellwrought design and welcoming gravitas; think concrete floors, exposed ceiling, and floating beds,” said Genung. “The hotel has unexpected amenities like custom-designed room numbers by local artist Cheryl Marine.” Strong iron components, bold colors, and accented lighting run throughout the hotel, invigorating guests and visitors.
Part of a three-year partnership with Valley creatives, the Embedded Art Program ensures a platform for local artists to showcase their work. Myriad forms of art are appreciated here - including film and fashion - highlighting the diversity of the Phoenix metro area and of Arizona.
The FOUND:RE Contemporary is the hotel’s ever-changing showcase space—“the soul of FOUND:RE Phoenix,” explains Genung - which, in partnership with Artlink, connects guests to the heart of Phoenix’s art scene. Located to the west of the hotel itself, the Contemporary sits within the lively art district of Roosevelt Row. “FOUND:RE Contemporary is a premier commercial gallery space in the heart of downtown Phoenix,” said Genung. Highlighting the work of both well-known and up-and-coming artists, the art found here is always evolving, matching the transient energy of guests coming and going from all walks of life.
Bi-monthly events draw in visitors to exhibitions, shows, and other happenings across the properties three galleries, event spaces, lounge, muraled walls, and more. Each four-month period brings a new selection of art.
Photos courtesy of FOUND:RE Phoenix HotelPlastic Assemblage by artist Shari Keith. Own Your Risk by Artist Claire Ploppet Johnson.
I rarely write recommendations for people, but Jan Green is special. Jan is personable and professional. She’s a good listener and communicator. Importantly, she understands the Arizona housing market exceedingly well.
602-620-2699 HomeSmart 8388 E Hartford Dr., Suite 100 | Scottsdale, AZ 85255
GotGreen.info
I have health issues, which complicated our real estate search. Yet, Jan was never daunted and hung in there with us even when it appeared we wouldn’t find anything that worked. Throughout, my husband and I felt that Jan always had our best interests at heart. Moreover, the aptly named Ms. Green is very knowledgeable about eco-friendly and health-friendly matters. If you’re looking for a realtor, both my husband and I would give Jan our highest endorsement.
The Jan Green Experience SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 55
Rob & Belinda
Jan Green has been an agent in Phoenix since 2003 and has earned the Master Certification for High Performance Homes, is a NAR GREEN designee and an EcoBroker since 2008; instructor for the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS®, and a volunteer for the US Green Building Council.
BY STEVEN G. ZYLSTRA
I TECHNOLOGYEnergy
These kinds of temperatures make heat exhaustion and heat stroke a risk to everyone, not just the elderly, young children, or people with chronic health problems who are already at risk. It’s no surprise that the number of heatrelated injuries and illnesses is rising, or that more than 300 people in Maricopa County alone died of heat-related causes in 2020.
Getting Clean (Energy)
56 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Rising temperatures and droughts are also driving increasingly dangerous wildfires that are raging across Arizona and the American West. This spring, wind whipped the Tunnel Fire across more than 21,000 acres of northern
RECORD WILDFIRES
BRUTAL HEAT
The time is now to reverse climate change and protect Arizona(ns)
Important clean-energy legislation has been stalled in Congress for months, even as climate change delivered another punishing summer to Arizona. We can start turning this problem around by working together to make long-overdue investments in clean energy that will create high-paying jobs and make our state a green technology leader. It’s time for our leaders to lead.
The past seven years have been the seven hottest on record, as heat waves become more frequent and intense. This year has been especially brutal. In June, for example, six days had temperatures of at least 110 degrees, with June 11 tying the record of 113 degrees for that date. Some days even recorded 100 degrees at 1 a.m. “Please protect yourself,” the National Weather Service office in Phoenix has pleaded. Even before summer, experts were warning that some states may not be able to meet spiked electricity demand due to heat. It’s an open question whether we have enough power to keep up. As one Tempe official puts it, "Arizona is 'Ground Zero’ for an extreme heat disaster."
TOGETHER, WE CAN REDUCE WILDFIRES. Join SRP, the U.S. Forest Service and Arizona municipalities to combat catastrophic wildfires. srp.net/healthyforest 632225_FY23_HealthyForestInitiative_GreenLivingMagazine_3.4375x4.625_PROD1.indd8/19/221 11:13 AMSEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 57
Extreme heat depletes the reservoirs we depend on for our water, dries up streams and lakes, steals the water and food that livestock need, and saps production at our ranches and farms. In addition, the heat melts snowpack that draws tourists, and forces trail closures to keep hikers (and their rescuers) safe.
By helping transition to a clean-energy future, the right steps in Congress can help Arizona homeowners save real money. It's time to get off the roller coaster of fossil fuel prices and create green jobs here at home. We need our senators to find a way out of gridlock so Arizona can enjoy the fruits of a clean energy economy.
At Lake Powell, a major Colorado River reservoir, water levels have plummeted to less than a quarter of capacity, which means communities like Page and the Navajo Nation’s LeChee Chapter are on the verge of losing their water supplies because intake valves will no longer be able to pump. And if Lake Powell reaches dead pool levels, it could dry up the Grand Canyon.
Climate change and wildfires are also forcing Phoenix to struggle with some of the worst air pollution in the country. Wildfires have prompted the sky over Phoenix to fill with dust. The city is now fifth worst in ozone pollution - which increases the risk of severe respiratory illness - and eighth worst in particle pollution, which drives up infant deaths, severe asthma attacks, and hospital admissions for cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.
DROUGHT AND WATER SHORTAGES
New clean-energy tax incentives and investments already passed by the House of Representatives would provide billions of dollars in funding for energy efficiency, create nearly 70,000 Arizona jobs during the next five years, and contribute $4.5 billion to the state’s GDP.
Thanks to the efforts last fall of Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly and other members of Arizona’s congressional delegation, Congress passed bipartisan investments in electric vehicles and other climate-related measures that will make our air cleaner and create high-paying jobs.
That was a big boost for Arizona, where nearly 5,000 workers already help make and service zero-emission trucks and buses. (The Arizona Technology Council regularly welcomes these clean-energy tech employers to its membership.) With 28,000 clean electric vehicles already on Arizona’s roads, more than $11 million in federal investments to create new electric-vehicle charging stations across the state will make a difference.
58 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
But as this summer has shown, we need more help if we’re going to start creating high-paying jobs to build made-inAmerica, clean-energy manufacturing and supply chains.
It’s critical that members of the Senate support the legislation’s clean-energy tax credits for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, electricity transmission, and production of clean fuels like hydrogen. Congress must also provide solar and energy-efficiency investments to bring clean energy to our neighborhoods and create new jobs. A faster transition to clean energy can save Arizona consumers nearly $450 million each year. And lower driving costs and utility bills could save families $500 a year.
GREEN TECHNOLOGY: THE WAY FORWARD
The changing climate has additionally contributed to drought becoming a constant in Arizona. In the first days of summer, three-quarters of our state was experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions.
The good news is that Congress can act now to enact cleanenergy policies that start turning these problems around. In addition, Arizona can continue solidifying its position as a clean-energy technology leader.
Extreme heat and drought have accelerated the Colorado River’s abrupt drop — 20 percent since 2000 — in usable water flows. Farmers are feeling economic pain and letting fields go fallow as reservoirs across the West drop lower and lower. The director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources has warned about a frightening “dead pool" scenario of Lake Mead dropping so low that water can’t even pass through the Hoover Dam.
Arizona, destroying buildings, crops, and livestock. Last year, 1,773 fires burned more than a half-million acres. Nine of every 100 properties in Arizona also faced extreme wildfire risk in 2021. Wildfires have also had other impacts. June’s Contreras Fire forced the closure and evacuation of the Kitt Peak National Observatory. The Pipeline Fire prompted Coconino County to clear hikers from local trails. The historic Wupatki National Monument, home to numerous archaeological artifacts, was evacuated twice due to the Tunnel Fire. And after three major fires threatened Flagstaff this spring — closing a major highway, destroying homes, and forcing evacuations — city officials canceled their Fourth of July fireworks display because of the risk of sparking new fires. Parks and communities across the state have been forced to enact emergency bans on outdoor smoking and target shooting.
Southwest Shakespeare’s Debra Ann Byrd on Standing Out and Standing Up Play’sTheThingthe Community, Philanthropy & LifestyleSEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2022 The Arts & Culture Issue Your Key to the Community Community, Philanthropy & Lifestyle SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 59
MY FOOTPRINT
You 60 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
With the MyPlasticDiary app, log all of the plastic items you buy and then set goals to reduce your plastic footprint. In the future, the app will be able to scan barcodes and integrate with online grocery shopping apps. MyPlasticDiary asks you to consume half as much plastic as the average person, then aim for more. Earn virtual awards and positive feedback, and share your progress on social media to inspire others to take action.
Good
RECYCLE COACH
The Recycle Coach app teaches you how to unlearn poor recycling habits that contribute to high contamination rates. Known as “wish-cycling” (tossing non-recyclables in with recyclables), this poor habit costs municipalities money and results in scaled back or canceled recycling programs. This app offers essential information that is tailored to your household, such as details about your collection schedule, what can be recycled (and what can’t), local events, and more. However, the amount of information available depends on what municipality stage your community is in. The app has four stages:
With ongoing environmental factors making headlines — extreme weather, forest fires and climate change to name a few — it’s only natural to wonder what we can do to help our planet. Human activity can have devastating impacts on the natural world, but, by making small changes to our everyday lives, we can lessen our impact. Here are a few apps that will help.
There’s an App for That Technology can help us make small changes necessary to improve life on Earth.
Photo
BY MISTY MILIOTO On You mobile app. courtesy of On
• In Stage 2, recycling pickup reminders and sorting information become available to everyone. At this stage, the objective is to reach critical mass so that your local government decides to get involved. Once 20 members
MYPLASTICDIARY
Use the World Wildlife Fund-UK’s My Footprint app to calculate your environmental impact, see how you compare with the UK and world average, and understand which parts of your lifestyle contribute the most to your score. Based on your personal score, the app will provide practical advice on how to reduce your impact through a variety of challenges (such as cutting down on plastic consumption or eating a plant-based meal) that you can track. By understanding your impact, and using the app for motivation, you can begin making small changes that will have lasting effects.
Good
W TECHNOLOGYApps
• Stage 1 occurs when citizens initiate a grassroots effort to bring on-demand recycling information to their community (it takes 20 residents in a municipality to download the app to progress to Stage 2).
ECOHERO
SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 61
If you’re looking to shop ethical fashion brands, then be sure to check out the Good on You app. Browse more than 3,000 brands that have been rated based on the brand’s impact on people, animals, and the planet. If the brand you’re considering doesn’t make the grade, find sustainable alternatives via the app (even some you may not have heard of before). Send a message to brands urging them to lessen their carbon footprint. Discover sustainability tips, guides, style edits, and exclusive offers all within the app.
EARTH HERO
• In Stage 3, your local government has joined the movement, and all residents have access to collection schedules, the What Goes Where search tool, promotional materials, and more.
GOOD ON YOU
Discover sustainability tips within the JouleBug app, and while doing so, learn about each tip with easy-to-understand impact stats, bonuses, how-to videos, and helpful links. With EcoHero, follow friends and share activities in your feed — and share your actions to social media in a stylized frame. Earn achievements, get access to local challenges, track your impact, and fill your virtual trophy case with badges.
Ecosia blog on the mobile app. Photo courtesy of Ecosia
CARES: GO CRUELTY FREE
JOULEBUG
CARBN Measure your carbon footprint, learn new green habits, and challenge friends with the Carbon app. Simply answer a few questions about your lifestyle, and the app will estimate your carbon footprint. From there, start identifying areas for improvement through the app’s Ten Green Habits, by reducing your carbon footprint. Actionable projects allow you to offset unavoidable emissions so that you can become 100% carbon neutral. Earn GreenMiles for environmentally friendly habits and track your progress on the leaderboards versus friends and other participants in your area and worldwide. GreenMiles can be exchanged for awards from sustainable brands.
The Earth Hero app allows users to respond to climate change by discovering positive steps that aid in planetary care. First, fill out a short survey to learn more about your personal carbon footprint. Then, set goals to reduce emissions, browse actionable ideas, track your progress with reminders and tools that measure your impact, and discover social actions that can multiply your effect. Refine your profile within the app to get a personalized view of possible actions to take.
ECOSIA The Ecosia app allows you to search the web with private browsing, dark mode, and ad-blocking features. Like other search engines, the app makes money from search ads. However, Ecosia uses 100% of its profits for climate action (with at least 80% going to finance tree-planting projects around the globe, especially focusing on the world’s most threatened biodiversity hotspots). According to the company, one search equals 1kg of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. Searches are always encrypted, and the app won’t create a personal profile of you or sell your data to advertisers. The company also has its own solar farm that powers all searches with renewable energy. Ecosia publishes monthly financial reports on its website, and the app owners signed an irreversible contract that makes it impossible to sell or take money out of the company.
• In Stage 4, your local government or a community enabler sets up modern learning activities and experiences to raise recycling knowledge in the entire community.
have signed up, Recycle Coach will then contact local officials to let them know there is a need for this important information.
With this app, check if a brand is cruelty-free (meaning no testing on animals). Bookmark preferred brands for easy access, see if brands are vegan friendly, search brands by category, and suggest brands to be added to the app. The app can be used without a network connection via an offline mode. In the future, the app developers hope to add barcode scanning and more product categories and details, so stay tuned.
The EcoHero app allows you to track your activities, while footprint summaries allow you to see how much carbon dioxide, land, and water you are saving. Your followers can see your tracked activities in the newsfeed (like if you bought a local product, made a vegan meal, or walked to work), and you can also share to social media. Weekly challenges, reward badges, and different account levels will help you stay motivated. You can also explore new eco activities in the app to learn more facts.
CENTRAL ARIZONA
CarbonCure Phoenix Reception
September Events Throughout Arizona
USGBC Arizona Sustainability Summit
Beyond Zero Screening
Spend the beginning of your day in Savasana and Downward Dog at one of Phoenix’s premier downtown hotels! FOUND:RE Phoenix offers a creative perspective for community gathering within their sustainable-minded space. Join Christina Mierzejewski, a CorePower instructor, for a free opportunity to find your center on Sunday mornings. Enjoy a 45 minute yoga flow on the mat, whether you’re a beginner or a pro yogi. To secure your spot, visit
Come together with fellow Mother Earth enthusiasts at this half-day summit on all things eco-conscious in Arizona, headed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Starting at 9:00 a.m., presentations and breakout groups will bring bright minds together to imagine a more sustainable state for all. Several speakers will be featured, along with a Q&A session featuring AZ Representative Christian Solorio, AIA, LFA, NOMA and LEED AP BD+C. The event will be held at the DLR Group in Phoenix. For registration and more information, visit Septemberusgbc-arizona-sustainability-summit-tickets-381180048787.www.eventbrite.com/e/27
Septembergreenlivingmag.com/events/beyond-zero.16-25
Queen Creek Olive Mill Garlic Fest
Celebrate one of the most beloved healthiful ingredients with Queen Creek Olive Mill at the 9th annual garlic festival!
Complimentary Yoga at FOUND:RE Phoenix
September 4, 11, 18, and 25
This feature-length film is an important documentary delving into one business professional’s mission to contribute to environmental well-being through corporate practices. Enjoy a bit of networking before the movie, then stay afterwards for a discussion with Interface Inc. and Beyond Zero’s producer, Nathan Havey. The screening will be held at the GCU Arena in Phoenix. To find more info and secure your spot, visit www.
From 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., CarbonCure will offer the perfect opportunity to learn more about increasing the eco-conscious perspective surrounding CO2 emissions around the world. Alyssa Siqueiros of CarbonCure will discuss sustainability solutions and how to reduce the construction carbon footprint by shrinking embodied carbon usage. This event will take place at Fate Brewing Company in Scottsdale. For registration and more information, visit AEC-VIP-Reception_EventRegistration-Both.html.https://go.carboncure.com/na-ts-2022-09-
Septemberphoenix-tickets-349131039337.www.eventbrite.com/e/complimentary-yoga-at-foundre-12
Enjoy cooking demonstrations, a beer and wine garden, live music, outdoor activities, educational opportunities, a garlic pop-up shop, and, of course, delicious examples of garlic’s important influence on a myriad of dishes. This amazing multi-day event is taking place at the Olive Mill in Queen Creek. Admission is complimentary. For more information visit www. Septemberqueencreekolivemill.com.23
September 9 Green Living Best of Arizona 2022 Join Arizona’s premier eco-conscious lifestyle magazine for an exciting evening in celebration of our Best of 2022 issue! At Arizona Fashion Source in Tempe from 5:008:00 p.m., guests will marvel at the designs of an ondemand, zero-waste cut and sew printer while enjoying delicious bites and drinks, shopping sustainable items, and viewing impressive electric vehicles. For more information and to register visit com/events/green-living-best-of-arizona-2022.www.greenlivingmag.
ARIZONA FASHION SOURCE 2507 W. ERIE DR. #103 TEMPE, AZ 85282 FRIDAYSEPTEMBER9,2022 5-8 PM BEST OF ISSUE BLAST‘22 62 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
HOCO Festival 2022
Held in cities across America, small business owners, professionals and experts can come together for effective conversations. Spend your day networking with the best in the business world, hearing from influential speakers and discovering resources and vendors. This incredible one-day event will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To register and find more info, visit www. thesmallbusinessexpo.com/city/phoenix/.
September 1-4
Phoenix Small Business Expo 2022
Kitchen Chemistry: Homemade, Sustainable, Money-Saving Products
September 3
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
The first program in the Climate Resilience Project, this is an opportunity for the community to discuss climate concerns and news, led by professionals within the field. Join Flagstaff Sustainability Office’s Jenna Ortega for some education and contribution to important conversations surrounding improving sustainability. The event will be held at the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library. For registration and more information, visit Septemberes/200023134560616.conversation-flagstaffs-climate-impacts-and-vulnerabilitiwww.allevents.in/flagstaff/climate-13
If you’re a woman in the Arizona business world, you will not want to miss this incredible networking event! Join Local First Arizona for Ladies Only: An Evening for Women in Business and celebrate American Business Womens’ Day in style. Featured guests will include Kimber Lanning, Laura Suarez, Mahin Sciacca, and Jade Noble. Linger Longer Lounge, a womenowned business, will be hosting the event from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and light refreshments will be available. For registration and more information, visit only-women-in-business-mixer.www.localfirstaz.com/events/ladies-
BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 2022 | GREEN LIVING 63
Regenerate AZ Sonoran Desert Sustainability Summit
Join one of the most influential sustainability circles in Tucson! Bringing together award-winning writers, scholars, culinary artists, and more, the summit will focus on preserving the Sonoran Desert and offer solutions for a sustainable future. Keynote speakers will include activist and musician Caloncho, as well as Finian Makepeace, co-founder of Netflix’s Kiss the Ground. The event is free and open to HOCO Fest ticket holders. For registration and more information visit www.dice.fm/event/ dnlaq-regenerate-az-sonoran-desert-sustainability-summit3rd-sep-forge-tucson-tickets.
September 22
In need of some new amazing recipes to spice up your kitchen repertoire? During the evening, attendees will learn how to make homemade products for the home and garden that are good for the Earth and safe for all users. This workshop will be held at Northern Arizona University’s Cline Library and admission is free! To secure your spot, visit www.allevents.in/flagstaff/ kitchen-chemistry-homemade-sustainable-money-savingproducts/10000396846718217.
Ladies Only: An Evening for Women in Business
NORTHERN ARIZONA
September 28
HOCO Fest describes itself as a “boutique festival” focusing on the culture of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. With an incredible musical lineup (including Warpaint, Los Apson, and Arooj Aftab), a sustainability summit, and uniquely curated vibes, this multiday event takes place in Downtown Tucson at the Historic Hotel Congress. To register and learn more, visit www.hocofest.com.
September 13 Climate Conversation: Flagstaff’s Climate Impacts and Vulnerabilities
Carefree Farmers Market - Year round Fridays, Oct - May 9am-1pm; Jun - Sep 8am-11 am 1 Sundial Circle, Carefree 85377
Ahwatukee Farmers Market - Year round Sundays, Oct 2 - May 28, 9am - 1pm Jun 4 - Sep 24, 8am - 11am 4700 E. Warner Rd., Phoenix 85044 Farmers Market on High Street - Seasonal Sundays, Oct 2 - May 14, 10am - 1 pm 5415 E. High Street, Phoenix 85054
Arizona Community
Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market - Seasonal Saturdays, Oct 1 - May 27, 8am - 1 pm; Jun 3 - Jun 24, 7am - 10am 3806 N. Brown Av, Scottsdale 85251 Roadrunner Park Farmers Market - Year round Saturdays, 8am - noon Oct 1 - May 27 Jun - Sep 7am - 10am 3502 E. Cactus Rd, Phoenix 85032
Sun City Farmers Market - Seasonal Thursdays, Oct 6 - May 25, 9 am - 1 pm 16820 N. 99th Ave., Sun City 85351
Downtown Chandler Farmers Market - Seasonal Saturdays, Oct 1 - May 27, 9am-1pm 3 S Arizona Ave, Chandler 85225
Farmers Market Fall 2022-23 Schedule
Who we are and this is our Mission:
Ocotillo Farmers Market - New Sundays, Oct 30 - May 28, 9am - 1 pm *Call for Summer Schedule 2577 W Queen Creek rd, Chandler 85248
Our Farmers’ Market organization has been active in the Phoenix metro and across the valley for over 33 years creating and coordinating community farmers markets.
Verrado Farmers Market - Seasonal Sundays, October - June (call for dates), 9 am - 1pm N. Market Place & W. Main St., Buckeye 85396
One of our markets, Roadrunner Park Farmers Market, has been an active member of their local neighborhood for 3 decades. Other markets have acted and created similarly long neighborhood hubs. Our missions been to support local farmers, growers and other agricultural producers with stable venue that offers them direct contact with their customers. Additionally we support local values added food producers and products even in some markets local artisans and crafters. marketinfoazcfmg@gmail.comarizonacommunityfarmersmarkets.com|623-848-1234
There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you. Changing a few simple habits can significantly impact your water consumption. Our 100+ water-saving tips are easy to incorporate into your daily routine and can nourish our state for generations to come. WaterUseItWisely.com for 100+ water-saving tips and more.
WATER CONSERVATION. IT’S TIME TO SAVE EVERY DROP. Visit