PLACEMENT-ANNOUNCE 07, '08

-- EARTH GUARDIANS: LEAVE NO TRACE & GREEN PLANNING TIPS

-- FREE TICKETS TO GREEN "CAMP OF THE DAY"

 

 

Greeting from the besieged Placement team -

 

After an all day dose of database yesterday, we emerged and drove down the road a spell to the Mutopia incubator. (

http://www.burningman.com/installations/08_art_honor.html#mutopia

) It was great to see a bunch of smiling faces once again glowing in the light of liquid propane flame. Reminded us of why we do what we do.

With our energies restored, we re-barricaded the door and are back assembling that 778-potential piece jigsaw puzzle of reserved camping.

Now, as Mr Blue of BRC's Recycle Camp says: "Greening Burning Man did not end with the Green Man" How are we able to hold our event on public land. Because we plan well ahead to . . .

Leave. No. Trace.

Read on.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

LEAVE NO TRACE & GREEN PLANNING TIPS FOR THEME CAMPS

Black Rock City is like no other. It arises for one week, and then only it's utter disappearance permits it to reappear the following year -- so we all need to Leave No Trace! But how do we do that? Here is a summary of the practices that the Earth Guardians have compiled to help you create a well functioning camp so that it Leaves No Trace

(LNT) and is Greener!

1. LNT and Green Planning

2. Rethink What We Need to Thrive: REDUCE -- REUSE -- RECYCLE 3. Dispose of Waste Properly 4. Be an LNT member of our community 5. Burn Responsibly, Conserve Energy and Reduce use of Fossil Fuels 6. Respect the Environment, Restore the Playa and Participate in Eco- Restoration

Experience is showing that Leave No Trace is really a way to camp smarter, not harder, on the playa. And a clean, well organized City makes for good times.

1.LNT & GREEN PLANNING

Pick a LNT Leader and Green Guru. You can start by identifying LNT and Green leaders within your camp. These participants will work LNT into your planning, help set up the camp so that it doesn't blow away, help to plan your camp's cleanup and break-down ahead of time, handle the question of stinky trash, gray water disposal, and what to burn and what not to burn which will make everyone feel good about how well they are treating the playa. Remember that thinking green means thinking about the effect your decisions have on the environment and choosing the least harmful option. In many small, practical ways, these efforts will make your camp easier and more pleasant to live in.

Prepare a LNT and Green Plans, not just a Clean-up Plan. If you plan ahead and prepare to leave no trace, you'll have less to haul up to the playa, have a happier playa life and have less to clean-up at the end of the week. Things to take into consideration include the type and the materials being used, energy consumed, and waste produced. See an example of LNT and Green plans at:

HYPERLINK "

 

http://earthguardians.burningman.com/burning_lnt_samplelntplan.htm

"

 

http://earthguardians.burningman.com/burning_lnt_samplelntplan.htm

Build an Eco-friendly Camp. Consider using materials that can be reused or repurposed at home or at next year's event. Plan to use nontoxic, biodegradeable, renewable and salvageable materials. You'll have less cost and less disposal headaches at the end of the event.

You'll also save money when preparing for next year. Design for reuse, easy deconstruction and salvage. Use screws instead of nails. Stake your tents and structures so they will stay secure in the heavy wind, rain, and dust storms that are sudden and usual on the playa.

Reduce energy use, consider renewable sources and incorporate energy- efficient power and lighting. Plan to conserve energy, use human, solar, wind, or biodiesel energy sources and/or offset carbon emissions associated with transportation and energy (generators).

Illuminate your camp with energy efficient light bulbs, LED's or EL wire. Coordinate with other camps to share transportation and energy generation.

No Live Plants!

Live plants die on the playa. Ask anyone that has brought them. They make a mess. It's very difficult to bring in plants, trees, or palm fronds without creating a M.O.O.P. (Matter Out of Place) disaster.

Artificial plants work just as well and look better.

Avoid digging holes in the playa. Small postholes used for structural support are the sole exception. When digging such a hole it is best to use an auger or a posthole digger, NOT a shovel. Refill the hole by carefully tamping the soil back into place. Repeat this process every few inches while dampening the soil. Larger holes easily erode within a year's time, even when carefully backfilled. They leave a visible mark and create a serious safety hazard.

 

2. RETHINK WHAT WE NEED TO THRIVE: REDUCE -- REUSE-- RECYCLE

Bring the Right Stuff, Leave The Rest Behind. Everything you bring, you have to take home. Shop smart and pack even smarter to leave behind what you don't need. You'll need that extra space when you come

home: stuff tends to expand when covered in playa dust. Plan ahead to have a well-organized camp.

Plan simple, low-dishwashing meals, repackage and prepare food in advance. Avoid bringing tons of food, and don't bring food that spoils. Experience says you won't want to do a lot of cooking; you probably will never get around to it. Eat finger foods (wraps,

sandwiches) that do not need individual plates. Stock up on sturdy reusable containers and dispose of the wrappers, excess cardboard and other cruddy packaging before leaving home. Prepare a few playa meals ahead of time, freeze them, ziplock bags and just thaw and eat on playa.

Bring reusable and recyclable cups, water and drink containers, utensils, and dinnerware. Disposable cups tend to blow all over the playa. Ask visitors to your camp to BYOM (bring your own mug). Bring water in big reusable containers and have a personal canteen. Avoid bringing glass bottles. There are many good beers in cans! Check out:

 

 

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/event_survival/drinks.html to find some good beer for this year! Decant your beverage of choice into a flask. Remember that every little shard of accidentally broken glass must be picked up by hand, by someone. Nasty! The Cafe and most fashionable bars welcome personal cups, so you can carry one around the City, easily attached with a carabineer or shower hook.http://www.burningman.com/on_the_playa/garbage_recycling/lighter_trash.html

Separate and sort trash in your kitchen and recycle. Bring containers labeled with clear signs for separating food waste, recyclables, burnables (clean paper and wood), and nonburnable trash. Secure them so contents stay put. Using mesh bags to dry food waste will reduce the smell and amount of trash you generate. Take aluminum cans to Recycle Camp. Use tubs or sinks to wash dishes and collect grey water. Seal the small amount of trash you have left in big plastic bags or in

five- gallon buckets with tight lids and take it home for your composing pile.

For more tips on keep food waste and kitchen MOOP to a minimum, check

out:

 

Use Greener Materials. Select materials and decorations for your camp that lessen waste and are recyclable or reusable. Plan to use nontoxic, biodegradeable, and salvageable materials.

 

3. DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY -- RETHINK EACH YEAR

If it doesn't come out of your body it doesn't go into the Potty.

Always use a potty for your body waste - not the playa. Only toilet paper, single ply, and human waste, can go in the potties. Everything must be pumped through narrow pipes before being trucked to the treatment plant.

How will you dispose of your grey water? Black Rock City citizens have come up with a variety of other methods to collect, treat and dispose of grey water. The simplest method is to collect and just haul the grey water home. If you're in a smaller camp, with minimal dish and body-washing water, you might choose to screen and filter your water, disinfect, then disperse it on your street (helps keep dust down). An evaporation pond is another alternative

– it keeps solid waste and liquid waste (like soap and fats) off the playa. The Burning Man web site gives instructions for making a simple evaporation pond.

If you want to construct an evaporation pond, remember to keep it shallow (4 inches or less), use black plastic, and be prepared to siphon what doesn't evaporate. Do not dump water from an evaporation pond on the playa surface!

The web site:

http://earthguardians.burningman.com/lnt_practices_water.htm

contains more details.

Reduce Reuse & Recycle Water- Simplify. Some camps have also developed technologies to reuse their water. Other camps contract with United Site Services to remove and dispose of their grey water for a fee.

With pre-event notice, they will provide a rental collection tank for you at the event that they will pick up at the end for proper disposal.

 

 

http://www.unitedsiteservices.com/locations.aspx?entry=map&officeID=53

And don't forget to conserve and recycle water where you can. Minimize shower use the last couple days of the event to reduce amount of grey water that you'll need to collect and haul home.

Salvage, Reuse, and/or Recycle everything, including camp construction and demolition waste. Take the extra effort after Burning Man to bring your extra wood and other camp building materials to re-use/salvage centers, rather than burning or taking to a dump. Burners without Borders collects used, reusable, building materials at wood collection sites at the end of the event. There will also be free drive-thru recycling at 5 Save Mart Reno locations, open 24 hours. Proceeds raised from recyclables (beyond costs for garbage disposal) will be donated to support local environmental programs and charitable causes. Save Mart will match in donation the proceeds raised from recyclables up to $1000. They are accepting recyclables: Plastics (HDPE 1,2,3,4,& 5), plastic bags, glass, all metals (aluminum, tin, steel, iron, etc.), paper, cardboard, recyclable batteries, and bikes. In Reno at 525 Keystone Avenue (back of store), 195 West Plumb Lane, (back of store), and 10500 North McCarran Blvd. In Sparks at 565 East Prater Way and 9750 Pyramid Lake Highway.

Beware of the Hungry Wind: Bring tethers, anchors, containers, and covers, to keep light stuff from blowing away. When leaving Black Rock City, secure your load, especially your trash. Don't let your trash fly off your vehicle, and do not dump it on the side of the road or at a rest stop on the way home! Use an approved dumping facility or take it home with you. Plan ahead before you even pack for the playa so you leave with a minimal amount of trash. Starting home, take a rest stop early; at the entrance gate, at a wide pullout, or maybe at the Empire store. Check your load. It is most likely to fail early in the trip.

4. BE A LNT & GREEN MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY

Don't bring cheap trinkets for gifts or barter. Try giving a smile, a helping hand or a joke. Thousands of gifts end up as trash. And feather boas, or ANYTHING that sheds, is a no-no: the trash fence tells us so. You are the best gift.

Promote LNT Neighbors. Be proud of your neighborhood, work together with your neighbors to keep your part of the city clean. Every year some camps get overwhelmed and need help. The seventh and final principle of LNT practice is: be considerate of others -- which in our city includes helping neighbors to leave no trace. We all enjoy the generosity of our theme camps, artists, and fellow citizens. So look around and pitch in to help keep things clean: offer a tool, an extra hand, a gesture of thanks.

Carry a MOOP bag and water as you walk around your part of the city and out on the playa. Our community works together to improve our life on the playa, rather than rely upon rules and regulations enforced by outsiders to keep us in line. Talk to others and help them to better understand how to leave no trace.

 

5. BURN RESPONSIBLY AND REDUCE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS

Don't Burn on the Unprotected Playa. Burning Man is all about burning.

We've become the experts at LNT Burning. While remarkably durable and resilient, the playa surface is vulnerable to scarring from careless burning. Burning directly on the alkaline playa BAKES the surface into a dark, hard brick-like material.

Use community burn barrels or a burn platform or recycle your wood.

Platforms are not dumping stations! Burn only untreated wood or paper and nothing oversized that will spill ash or burning debris onto the playa. Be sure the wood you place in the burn platform is well contained. Don't overload the burn platforms. Have tools on hand to break down and cut up larger pieces. If a platform is already full, be prepared to wait until there's space to add your wood or try the next platform.

Burn less stuff - Don't burn anything that produces toxic fumes. All low temperature burning produces emissions harmful to the lungs. You (or your children) will regret it later! Burning synthetics is a serious health risk. Do not burn PVC (nasty dioxins), carpets, plastic, large pieces of furniture (couches, futons, etc). or anything treated, dyed or painted. And please discourage anyone with a glass bottle from throwing it into a fire. Glass doesn't burn. It shatters!

Reduce burning of fossil fuels. Conserve energy and consider renewable energy sources such as human, solar, wind, or biodiesel and/or offset carbon emissions associated with transportation and energy (generators). Coordinate with other camps to use renewable fuels to power an electric charging station set-up (for other people/ camps who need a battery charged).

Be a Toxic Avenger. Keep an eye on the platforms. Let others know that only wood and paper can be burned here and nothing oversized and show them where they can recycle reusable wood. Tell them we do this to protect the playa and our lungs. And if you see someone being careless, explain why they need to stop. For more information, email toxicavengers@burningman.com .

Find More Information. If you're planning on doing serious burning, be sure to check out:

 

 

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/event_survival/burn_scars.html

 

 

6. RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT, RESTORE THE PLAYA AND PARTICIPATE IN YEAR- ROUND ECO-RESTORATION EFFORTS

Clean As You Go! Don't wait until the end of the week to pick stuff up. Clean as you go. This will help you from getting overwhelmed by the mess and help keep MOOP from blowing out of reach. Start taking down your camp Sunday, not at the last minute when patience and energy are running low.

Grid Your Camp at the End. Once you have taken down your camp, pack-up and load everything (including all trash) into your vehicles, and do a line sweep for every last bit of MOOP. Use cones on the outside of your camp's border to define your boundaries, break up any dunes that formed around vehicles or structures, then divide up your area and begin line sweeps. Give everyone a sack, line them up along one edge of camp, look down and slowly walk to the other side. Make it fun!

Cover your entire area looking for those last bits of MOOP: every woodchip, broken glass, plastic debris, twist tie, cigarette butt, food scrap, carpet fiber, match, nut shell, staple, scrap of plastic

-- everything.

A Buried Stake Doesn't Disappear. Instead, its hazard is magnified.

Even when pounded below the surface, a stake will slowly, inevitably, emerge from the playa. Then it might be found during the Bureau of Land Management's Spring inspection, producing a black mark against permit renewal; or it might not be found until it tears a tire or gashes a foot -- maybe during next year's event, maybe to a windsurfer or another group that, like us, uses the playa. A pair of vise-grips will almost always remove a stuck stake. First clamp on the vise-grips and rotate the stake back and forth, to break the playa's grip. Then continue rotating and also pull upwards. Ask neighbors for help. As a last resort, make the stake highly visible by fastening something to it. Someone else with heftier tools will be able to get it out.

Devote Two Hours to General Cleanup in Black Rock City! Each participant is asked to contribute two hours to community cleanup before departure. This means streets, Center Camp, Center Cafe, all other public spaces, and open playa where stuff may have been left behind. Pitch in with your fellow citizens and community service teams to restore the natural characteristics of the playa in your neighborhood, removing all burn scars, dunes, leftover debris, or other physical traces of our presence. Stop by the Earth Guardian camp during the week and on Sunday and Monday and we'll direct you to the areas of the City that need the most attention. We'll also give you a beautiful MOOP bag.

Join the post-event DPW clean-up crews. Help deMOOP! The Bureau of Land Management must agree that we've left no trace, that our site is more than just clean in appearance. After the event, random circular plots of our city are inspected. Collected debris may not exceed an average of 1.0 square foot per acre, less than 23 parts per million!

No pits, bumps, burn scars, or buried materials can be left behind.

Volunteer to help ensure that we come back next year!

Participate in Earth Guardians nature walks. EGs are continuing their efforts to take care of the desert environment. We are sharing space in Black Rock City with the Bureau of Land Management and Friends of Black Rock/High Rock to bring you interpretive displays on the many uses and user groups on the Black Rock Playa. Stop by the Earth Guardian Pavilion to sign up for naturalist-led desert walks throughout the week and learn about year-round restoration efforts.

Let's keep our beautiful desert home clean! See the EG pages for more

details:

 

 

http://earthguardians.burningman.com

7. Recycle to Reduce your Load Home. Starting Sunday, there will be recycling stations set up near 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 on the Esplanade.

You can drop off your usable lumber (full size pieces of 2×4, 4×4, and plywood only, please; no scraps ), as well as certain building materials ( pipes, conduit, wiring, tools-pretty much anything that you can find in a Home Depot that's not liquid). Got some time? Help folks organize/ clean/sort donations! Got other recycables,

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------

 

GREEN CAMPS - FREE TICKETS

Got LNT? Got Green? Is your camp working on ways to leave no trace and reduce your carbon footprint at Burning Man? Will you be doing something interesting with resource sharing, renewable energy, reuse, grey water, recycling, or conservation?

Then you may be a candidate for Free Tickets to Burning Man 2009!

Each year the Earth Guardian's hold a Camp of the Day Contest. You can nominate your camp for the Camp of the Day Award!

Camps that best exemplify LNT and sustainability will be selected. If your camp is chosen one of our winners, your camp will receive recognition and two tickets to Burning Man 2009! Past winners have included AEZ, Entheon Village, Soulicious, Sustainabilabville, NoseFish, Borrachos Y Bicicletas, Astral Head Wash, Iron Rose, Kava Island, Camp Zu and Bad Idea Theater.

Applications can be downloaded at

 

www.earthguardians.net and click on Camp of the Day Contest.http://www.burningman.com/environment/

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS AUGUST 8TH, 2008

 

Thanks!

Earth Guardians

earthguardians@burningman.com

 

 

(If you have any questions about the information here, please contact them directly: earthguardians@burningman.com) _______________________________________________

placement-announce mailing list

placement-announce@burningman.com

 

 

https://lists.burningman.com/mailman/listinfo/placement-announce