Environmental Happenings

Add bats to the growing list of species whose numbers are in dramatic decline. According to Bat Conservation International (BCI), White-nose Syndrome has devastated bat populations across the northeastern United States over the past four years. "This is the worst crisis I've ever seen," says Merlin Tuttle, the organization's founder.

Since the disease was discovered in New York 2006, BCI estimates that it has killed at least one million hibernating bats of six species in nine states. Moving beyond the Northeast last winter, White-nose Syndrome is reaching into West Virginia and Virginia. Ultimately, bats across North America are at risk.

To learn what you can do to help our bats, visit the Bat Conservation International web site.

Environmental Events

F.W. Horch fall hours: Mon by appointment, Tue-Sat 9:30-6, Sun Closed.

Our store will be closed on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, while we are at Common Ground Country Fair. If you're going to the fair, please stop by our booth in the Energy and Shelter section!

Thursday, September 10 - Super-Efficient Homes: Build New or Renovate, 7 pm, F.W. Horch, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick. Come learn how to build new, renovate or retrofit your existing home to new energy efficiency standards. Al Heath, a certified energy auditor and former carpenter, will share lessons learned from his own experience designing and building a super-efficient home for his own family. For more information, please call 729-4050. Free and open to the public.

Sunday, September 13 - Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Race 4 Space, 9 am, Livesay Soccer Field on Middlebay Road, Brunswick. Enjoy a beautiful race or walk and support the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Four mile race starts at 9 am. Guided walking tour of historic Pennellville starts at 9:15. One mile race for junior runners starts at 10 am. Fun run for kids starts at 10:15. Registration fees $5 to $20 depending on event; proceeds benefit the land trust. For more information, visit www.btlt.org.

Wednesday, September 16 - Protecting the Nature of Maine: Fifty Years of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, 7 pm, One Longfellow Square, Portland. Join the Natural Resources Council of Maine for the Gala Film Premiere and Reception for an inspiring new documentary film featuring interviews with dozens of prominent Mainers, filmed in scenic locations from York to Mount Katahdin. Event starts with an introduction by the film's director, Richard Kane, and others involved. Reception, refreshments, cash bar to follow. $10. For more information, visit www.nrcm.org.

Saturday, September 19 - 2009 Wonder of Wood Fair, 10 am - 3 pm, Sullivan Gym, University of Southern Maine, Portland. Join Forests for Maine’s Future for a celebration of Maine woodlands. Bring the kids in for a Chewonki workshop featuring live forest critters. Take a course in chainsaw safety. Even learn how to brew your own beer. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.forestsformainesfuture.org.

Sunday, September 20 - How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Backyard, 1 pm, Morrell Meeting Room of the Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick. Gretchen Kamilewicz, Habitat Steward, will teach you how to attract wildlife, while adding to the beauty of your home landscape, using shrubs, trees, perennials, and other plants. These improvements will benefit birds, butterflies, mammals, and other wildl ife during Maine’s four seasons. Hosted by the Brunswick Park and Gardens project. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 833-5125.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 25, 26 and 27 - Common Ground Country Fair, gates open at 9 am, Unity. Don't miss the 33rd annual Common Ground Country Fair! Visit farmers and their livestock, eat delicious, Maine-grown organic foods, enjoy music and entertainment, learn basic gardening skills and see vendors of Maine-made crafts, folk arts, food, plants, agricultural tools and products for sustainable living. Be sure to drop by our tent in the Energy and Shelter section. Adults $10 / Seniors $8; Free admission to children under 12, MOFGA members, and Volunteers. For more information, visit www.MOFGA.org.

Saturday, October 3 - First Annual Maine Cool Congress, University of Maine, Augusta. Maine Partners for Cool Communities is calling together local Cool Teams, energy committee members, and municipal leaders for an all day event that will include speakers, networking, and valuable workshops. The conference will be held simultaneously at three locations across the state; The University of Maine in Augusta, Machias, and Presque Isle and will be connected through telecommunications in order to reduce traveling and to connect a greater number of communities. $25. For more information, call 761-5616.

Saturday, October 3 - Green Building Open House, locations throughout Maine and New England. The annual solar home tour is now the "green building open house." See how your neighbors are reducing their energy bills and carbon footprint through the power of the sun, wind, and smart building design. On Saturday, October 3, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association welcomes the public to visit local sustainable homes and buildings on the tour throughout Maine and New England to view clean renewable energy at work. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.nesea.org.