What's an Ecovillage?

To many, the term "ecovillage" is unfamiliar. But it's gaining popularity nationwide, and for good reason. As far as we know, there are not currently any ecovillages being planned in the First State, but just across the border, in West Grove, PA, one is well underway…Concord Ecovillage.

Concord Ecovillage is an organization of local people seeking to build and reside in an environmentally and socially sustainable neighborhood. Though it may sound like a pipedream to some, the planners of this community are making it a reality. "But this blog is about sustainability in Delaware", you may be thinking. Yes, you're correct. And Delawareans should sit up and take notice as this community becomes a reality, as we would benefit greatly from such a community, setting an example for other sustainable communities nationwide. So visit Concord Ecovillage's web site, and start dreaming of a sustainable lifestyle.

Breakwater Trail Connects Lewes & Rehoboth

To some this may be old news, but I just recently heard about the completion of the Breakwater rail trail that now connects the quaint, seaside town of Lewes to Rehoboth Beach.

It seems that many of the students working in Rehoboth for the summer who live in Lewes have been riding their bikes down Route 1 to get to work. Given how busy that stretch of road gets during peak season, it's not a surprise that many students have been hit by cars, and some have even been killed. This new trail now provides safe passage between the two towns for people who make that daily trek, or simply a quiet, scenic alternative to motorized transportation for those who want to visit one town or the other for the afternoon.

So next time you're staying at Hotel Rodney or The Inn at Canal Square in Lewes, think twice before hopping in your car when you want to hang out in Rehoboth. Rent a bike (or bring your own) and enjoy the new trail (and the fresh air)! Visit the Cape Gazzette's site for the whole story.

Delaware's First LEED Certified Home

Being built by Bethany Beach-based Marnie Properties, this home is on schedule to be the first LEED Certified home in the state of Delaware. Read the details below, and visit the Marnie Properties site for more photos and information.

A true beach home built in a socially responsible manner - Go Green! Currently under construction, this home is on schedule to be the first certified certified "green" home in Delaware by the US Green Building Council. A registered LEED for Homes home, this is the first in Delaware! 100% of all of the flooring will be environmentally safe. Some of the products we ar using include cork flooring, a bamboo island, slate, and yellow pine. The yellow pine is from a Catholic monastery located just 12 miles south, in Ocean City, Maryland. The beams will be milled and made into hardwood flooring planks in various widths. Energy efficiency is crucial, this home is also planning on being Energy Star rated and vigorously tested for the efficiency. Located just two blocks from the ocean and within walking distance to shops and restaurants, this home is built for the environment. We are recycling or donating all unused material and have less than 10% waste. We are striving for a LEED Gold Certification and with a strong Durability Plan and Process Map, are confident we will achieve it! Another one of our primary goals is to keep the cost between 1-2% more than a home not in the LEED for Homes program. The homeowners should re-coup the upfront costs with a more energy efficient home very quickly. We hope to have a positive influence on green building and make it the standard practice for all builders.

A truly unique home, built supporting a wonderful cause, intended for generations to enjoy.

The First Solar Church in the First State

Be sure to watch the following interview with Pastor Bruce Gillette on his new solar paneled church roof at Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington/Pike Creek. LPC is a member of the interdenominational Coalition for Climate Change Study and Action (C3SA). Read more information on the first solar church in the First State here > http://www.limestonepresbyterian.org/solar/index.htm

Welcome!

Welcome to the blog for all things sustainable in Delaware! We're glad you're here and that you're interested in living a more simple, sustainable life in the First State. As our web site grows this blog will be used to shed light on different items and ideas related to sustainability. Some will be general, like how to reduce your dependency on utilities, and some will be more specific, like the latest on renewable energy tax incentives for Delawareans. We hope to keep you engaged and wanting to visit our site regularly to see what's new. Please also visit our forums to read and post comments about the different topics featured. And as always, please contact us with any feedback related to this site. It's imperative that we're aware of areas that need improvement, or that are great just the way they are. We sincerely hope you enjoy your visit at SustainableDE.com and that you'll use the information learned here to enrich your life and the lives of others!