Sustainable Ventura's Podcast

A Smart Garden, a nursery located in Downtown Ventura, was founded with the goal of sharing the joy of gardening and environmental sustainability. PureWaterRadio talks with owner Cari Vega about how to grow a smart garden. For more information on A Smart Garden, Visit: asmartgarden.com Find out about Ventura Water's Free Gardening Classes, here.

From June 25-26, 2018, the 4-H Sustainable You! Camp for ages 9-12 will bepresented by the City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division & Ventura Water in collaboration with UC Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Environmental Specialist Brandon Kaysen talks about the program and the importance of teaching our youth about sustainable practices. Visit:harec.ucanr.edu, cityofventura.ca.gov/es, sustainableventura.tv  

An Energy Action Plan (EAP) is a strategic planning document that lays out the City's goals and possible actions to reduce energy consumption by increasing energy efficiency and procuring more renewable energy. City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Brandon Kaysen explains how the City is requesting Ventura residents to take the Energy Action Plan Survey - a quick survey to help determine goals to reduce energy consumption. Take the Energy Action Plan Survey, VenturaEnergySurvey.org.

Almost 20% of the waste going to landfill from Ventura residents is made up of food waste, half of which is inedible (things like avocado skins, corn husks). So for the 10% that's preventable, the City of Ventura has gathered together some important information and tools to help you curb your food waste. City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Arriana Rabago is here to share some tips on how to save the food. Find out more at cityofventura.ca.gov/es and SavetheFood.com Also visit: SustainableVentura.TV

Be a Recycling Super Star! The City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability is very excited to join the Recycle Coach Network, which will help transform how we communicate about local collection, waste, and recycling information to our residents. The city of Ventura has always taken environmental responsibility seriously, and this is simply another way for us to support our community in becoming greater stewards of our lovely city. With your support, we can continue to increase our landfill diversion rate of 74%.  Beyond that, the Recycle Coach platform includes engagement and educational tools to help people manage and correctly dispose of their waste. We hope that this opportunity helps reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill, increases environmental awareness, and increase our ability to promote outreach and educational opportunities. LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST with Environmental Specialist Brandon Kaysen. Also Visit Environmental Sustainability on the City of Ventura's website to find out more,

Stormwater, surface runoff that doesn't soak into the ground during precipitation events (drizzle, rain, snow, and hail), is the #1 source of water pollution and the biggest threat to water quality locally. Why?As stormwater flows over neighborhoods, businesses, and streets, it picks up the trash, cigarette butts, pesticides, motor oils and other contaminants accumulated on hardscapes and deposits them into our local creeks, rivers, and the ocean UNTREATED! This Sustainable Ventura PODCAST shares some top tips that make a difference in preventing stormwater pollution.  Visit: cityofventura.ca.gov/ES and susatainableventura.tv

emPower program helps homeowners make affordable utility upgrades to their home offering a variety of incentives, financing, qualified contractors, and expert energy advice. City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Brandon Kaysen talks to Sustainable Ventura about the program. Visit: empowersbc.org Also visit: cityofventura.ca.gov/es    

Did you know that in the United States, we throw away about 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve than any other time of the year? That accounts for about 1 million tons. In this Sustainable Ventura PODCAST City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Arriana Rabago joins host Maryann Ridini Spencer to share important facts and figures about holiday waste and what you can do to curb it! Visit: CityofVentura.ca.gov/ES and SustainableVentura.TV  

Green Business is SMART Business. In this Sustainable Ventura News PODCAST City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Lars Davenport talks to host Maryann Ridini Spencer about the upcoming Environmental Excellence Awards and becoming a City of Ventura Certified Green Business. For more information, visit:  cityofventura.ca.gov/es and navigate to "Business Services" and SustainableVentura.TV Get your ticket to the 21st Annual Poinsettia Awards Luncheon 2017 on December 7, 2017. Visit VenturaChamber.com or the Ventura Chamber website.

As part of the City of Ventura's Public Works department, the Environmental Sustainability Division's mission is to assist in protecting and preserving the sustainability of our beautiful city in order to ensure the environmental, social and economic viability of Ventura for future generations. The department works with all divisions of the city to help create a combined effort to foster essential environmental practices and initiatives. In this Sustainable Ventura News interview Courtney Lindberg, Supervisor of the City's Environmental Sustainability Division, talks to host Maryann Ridini Spencer about how the city joins forces with local organizations, non-profits, and businesses for the benefit of the community. Visit: CityofVentura.ca.gov/ES  

In July 2017, Ventura Water purchased a NO-DES  (also known as a Neutral Output Discharge Elimination System) Truck, which cleans pipes without the need for flushing. Find out how this new system, will save Ventura 10 million gallons of water per year! In this PODCAST, Host Maryann Ridini Spencer talks to Ventura Water's Management II Analyst Craig Jones about the truck and its many benefits.   Visit: VenturaWater.net and SustainableVentura.TV

The 33rd Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day is Saturday, September 16, 9:00 AM to Noon. The event is looking for volunteers to help pick up trash on beaches and near waterways to protect California wildlife as well as conserve the health and beauty of our environment. City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Arriana Rabago shares information. *** Visit: http://www.vccoastcleanup.org Find a Cleanup Site Near You: http://www.vccoastcleanup.org/cleanup-sites Visit: CityofVentura.ca.gov/es

              Environmental Specialist Haili Matsukawa shares more "95 Ways to Save" water this summer (and throughout the year!). This PureWaterRadio podcast is hosted by Maryann Ridini Spencer. For more information about Ventura Water's programs, events, rebate and water news, visit:  VenturaWater.net

           Since 2013, City of Ventura's Environmental Sustainability Division has been offering recycling and composting programs in conjunction with E.J. Harrison and Sons and Gold Coast Recycling to schools within the Ventura Unified School District. The purpose of the program is to educate children on how to recycle and what can be recycled and why. These practices are vital to the sustainability of our community. In this Sustainable Ventura News interview with host Maryann Ridini Spencer City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Brandon Kaysen shares information about the food waste collection and composting program. For more information visit cityofventura.ca.gov/ES

             Smart irrigation and smart controllers in your landscape can save you a lot of money as well as help the sustainability and preservation of our community. City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Haili Matsukawa and Environmental Services Assistant, Collin Boyes, share great water-saving landscape and irrigation tips and talk about the FREE controllers and irrigation tools being offered by the City of Ventura. For more information, visit: VenturaWater.net

                    According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, food waste is a major concern that presents a serious challenge to our natural resources, our government, and our pocketbooks.  Between 30-40% of the food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten - as much as 20 pounds of food per person each month (equivalent to $165 billion in food waste annually). In this Sustainable Ventura News PODCAST City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Arriana Rabago shares some great Food Waste Prevention Tips. Visit:  SustainableVentura.TV and SavetheFood.com

                 Properly maintaining pools, spas and decorative water features around your home and landscape can prevent water pollution. How? In this Sustainable Ventura News PODCAST, City of Ventura Environmental Services Supervisor Todd Hundsdorfer shares valuable tips. Visit: SustainableVentura.TV and Facebook.com/GreenVentura

From June 1 - August 31, 2017, Ventura Water wants to know how YOU save water! Ventura Water has partnered with 95.1 KBBY and 100.7 KHAY on the "95 Ways to Save Water During the Days of Summer" campaign. Residents can win prizes when they share their tips! In this PODCAST City of Ventura Environmental Specialist, Haili Matsukawa speaks with PureWater Radio Host Maryann Ridini Spencer and shares information about the campaign and some of the 95 ways to save water. Find out more, LISTEN to this PODCAST and visit:  VenturaWater.net Also visit: VenturaWater.org

4-H Sustainable You! Camp, for children ages 9-12, takes place this year June 19-23, 2017, 9:00 am to Noon at UC Hansen Agricultural Research & Extension Center, 14292 W. Telegraph Road (Briggs & Telegraph Road) in Santa Paula. City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Haili Matsukawa shares more about the camp's programs and activities. Learn what it means to be sustainable through fun activities based around five major themes:  Land, Water, Food, Air, and Energy. (Deadline to register is June 2, 2017). PureWaterRadio is hosted by Maryann Ridini Spencer. Get more information & Register: http://harec.ucanr.edu or call (805) 525-9293. Visit: VenturaWater.net  

           In this episode of Sustainable Ventura News, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Arriana Rabago shares some important information about how to prevent food waste with the Food Waste Recovery Pyramid. Sustainable Ventura News is hosted by Maryann Ridini Spencer. For more information on Food Waste Prevention, visit: CityofVentura.net/FoodWaste