Eco Machines

This Thursday, September 17th, Jonathan Todd will provide a fascinating presentation about “Eco Machines,” a cutting-edge biological wastewater treatment strategy that replicates natural purification processes.

His company, John Todd Ecological Design, is an award-winning pioneer in the use of natural systems for the removal of chemicals, petroleum hydrocarbons, endocrine disruptors, and other harmful water pollutants.

The North Florida Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council Presents:

The Eco Machine - Cutting Edge Ecological Waste Technologies
Dr. Jonathan Todd, John Todd Ecological Design
September 17th, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Jacksonville University, Davis College of Business
$30 North Florida Chapter Members, $40 Non-Members

For more information and to register, visit

https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=ugbcnfc&formId=65337

For more information about John Todd Ecological Design:

http://toddecological.com/

The picture above is of an Eco-Machine at the Omega Center for Sustainable Living that "allows visitors to get close to the system and experience natural wastewater treatment as something that can be beautiful, silent, odorless, and effective."

Attend Dr. Todd's presentation on Thursday to learn about how this technology could provide a more sustainable solution to treating our wastewater and help protect the St. Johns River in the near future.

Toxic Waters

According to research conducted by The New York Times, polluters throughout the country have violated water pollution laws over 500,000 times over the last five years. The vast majority of these violations have gone unpunished.

Despite the fact that 60 percent of the polluters were determined to be in "significant noncompliance", fewer than 3 percent of Clean Water Act violations resulted in fines or other significant punishments by state officials.

The Times also found that an estimated one in 10 Americans have been exposed to drinking water that contains dangerous levels of chemicals and pollutants.

A recent study estimates that 19.5 million Americans become sick each year from drinking water contaminated with parasites, bacteria or viruses.

Read more about the sad state of our waterways and the lack of enforcement by regulatory agencies in an excellent New York Times series, "Toxic Waters". The latest installment in the series, "Clean Water Laws Are Neglected, at a Cost In Suffering," can be read by clicking here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13water.html?_r=1&hpw

This is why the St. Johns River needs St. Johns Riverkeeper, and why we need concerned citizens like you to join our efforts. The St. Johns and waterways across this state and country are being poisoned as you read this. It is high time that we take back these waterways that belong to us and refuse to allow them to be degraded and abused any longer.

River Hero

In the September issue of Field and Stream Magazine, Leroy Wright, the founder of S.A.V.E. St. Johns River Inc., was named a Top Hero of Conservation.

Leroy, a long-time bass angler and sportsman, has worked tirelessly for years to protect habitat and wetlands in the middle and upper basins of the river. We commend and congratulate Leroy for this well deserved honor.

Here is what John Hitchcock, Vice President and Secretary of Waterfowlers United - Florida, had to say about Leroy and this recognition of his work:

"I recently visited with Leroy. Leroy, now 77, tells me he’s still working on securing funding for a restoration of Lake Helen-Blazes, a needed but thankless effort, the type which many have given up on. “Most seem to want to build pavilions and nature trails these days John, that’s just not my priority”. Leroy is a “boots in the mud” sportsman/conservationist in the truest sense of the term. Leroy is a reminder to us all of what conservation is really about.

Leroy’s efforts have netted many thousands of acres of wetlands along the Upper St. Johns River. Some of these areas are now WMAs we enjoy today.

Leroy’s passion and perseverance should be an inspiration to us all. And his practical methods and hard work have taught many new ways to preserve, protect, and restore wetlands.

From all of us at UW-F – Congratulations and thank you Leroy!"

We at St. Johns Riverkeeper join UW-F in congratulating Leroy, a true River Hero.

Save Water, Compost, and Help a Good Cause

The 4-H Youth Development Program is currently selling rain barrels and home composters to raise funds for their activities.

Buy The Systern Rain Barrel for only $55.00 or The Earth Machine™ home composter for only $45.00 and support 4-H. This is a good deal for a good cause that will help reduce your impact on the environment.

Rain barrels can help reduce stormwater runoff, conserve our limited water supply, and save money on your water bill. The Systern's capacity is 55 Gallon (208 Liter).

The Earth Machine™ is designed for easy, passive composting that produces finished compost in two to three months. Every compost bin is packaged with assembly/replacement instructions and a comprehensive 20-page "Home Composting Handbook".

If you have any questions or want an order form, please e-mail Gaye Schmidt with 4-H at GSchmidt@coj.net.