For a while now, food companies, businesses, and even celebrities have jumped on the green bandwagon to create a better, healthier world. There are many things you can do for the environment; recycling, reducing waste, turning lights off, and biking instead of driving all come to mind. Some movements, like Green Drinks, are taking the promotion of the earth ever further. With over 800 chapters worldwide, the movement seeks to unite green members of the community and raise awareness about environmental issues. Two brilliant, eco-minded ladies jumped at the chance to promote the local environment and started a Green Drinks chapter in Annapolis. Coupled with their website, www.annapolisgreen.com, the promoters offer Annapolis folk information on how to live green, shop green, eat green, and participate in green events. Let’s hear what Lynne Forsman and Elvia Thompson, the founders of Green Drinks Annapolis, have to say about the Chesapeake Bay and Green Drinks.
To start, we need a little environment lesson. Thompson says it’s all about runoff when speaking of the damage to the Bay. Nature can’t keep up with all the waste from the large amount of people living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (we’re talking millions of people here). Nature intended to slowly release things into the large waterways, and thus, have time to break down the harmful stuff. With so many people around, the surge of waste that goes into the waterways does so at an exponential speed. The problem is made worse if those people have their own septic systems. Thompson comments that many people along the South River in Anne Arundel County have their own septic systems, and the damage would be disastrous if these systems leaked into the Bay. These old systems don’t capture nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen, which are released into the Bay. Other runoff that spews into the Bay like dirty water from concrete driveways, rooftops, and roads severely damages its health. Concrete, cement, and other building materials can’t percolate into the ground easily and turn to Bay for their final resting places. Essentially, we are the cause of the Bay’s ruin.
But not to worry; if we can hurt the Bay, we can help it, too! In fact, the purpose of Green Drinks is to get all those interested in environmental good together to share ideas. Ideally, laws need to be either created or amended to stop Bay pollution. “There needs to be some sort of incentive for people to upgrade their old
Feeling compelled to advocate for the health of the Bay? Good! Join Green Drinks in Annapolis or wherever you travel (there are plenty to choose from). There’s fundraising to do, awareness to spread, drinks to enjoy, and networking to do at Green Drinks’s events. You don’t have to own your own green company, or work in the Department of Natural Resources to join in the festivities. “The events are so fun, vibrant, and extremely diverse,” Forsman explains. “We have moms, teachers, entrepreneurs, and DNR people come.” Enjoying food, drinks, and discussing a common interest–the environment–can only lead to great things. Plus, with the diverse scattering of people there, you may learn a thing or two. “It’s the only place people [who promote the environment] can network with one another” Thompson says. “A personal connection is what makes things happen,” she adds. If the way to help our world is through talking with others in a relaxed setting, then sign me up.
It takes an ethically-minded yet fun person to head up a movement like Green Drinks in Annapolis. Indeed, both Thompson (right) and Forsman (far right) fit the bill. For years, Forsman ran a charter boat company and promoted green boating. “I was into the environment before it was popular,” Forsman says. She sold her company and started Green Drinks in Annapolis with the environment and fun in mind. “I wanted to do something eco-friendly in a fun, neutral setting,” she says. Since its start in February 2006, Green Drinks Annapolis has rounded up about 200 people at each gathering and obtained a following of 2,400 via mail. The Annapolis chapter is fifth largest in the country.
Thompson, too, desired to be part of something big that could impact the environment. After going to a few green meetings, Thompson realized a website could reach people easily. “I started annapolisgreen.com to hold all the green information,” Thompson says. The website rich in information coupled with Forsman’s hospitable gatherings kick-started Green Drinks Annapolis. As the website is non-profit, it functions because of dedicated members and hard work.
Here’s a video from the website that explains what Green Drinks is all about:
(HD) Annapolis Green/Green Drinks Annapolis from TheSailingChannelTV on Vimeo.
You can find green job opportunities, local environmental news, recycling centers, how living green benefits you, green events like bird-walks and dinners, blogs, and tons of environmentally-aware organizations on the website. Look below for events where you can enjoy and network!
Here’s what’s coming up:
-Restaurant Week (February 20-26): Get great deals on great food at restaurants that practice sustainability like Azure, Cafe Normandie, Breeze, Galway Bay, Lemongrass, Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge, The Rockfish, Vin 909 Winecafe, and Wild Orchid Cafe.
-Annual Maryland State Bicycle Symposium (February 22): Learn about biking safely around the city, tourism, and plans for Bike Maryland’s future. You could even bike to the event and impress everyone there.
-Bounty of the Bay Dinner (February 28): Boatyard Bar & Grill teams up with Dept. of Natural Resources to offer a raw bar and five-course seafood dinner for only $49.
-Bird-walk (March 3): Observe and learn about local birds.
-Davidsonville Green Expo (March 17): Increase awareness about environmental issues, enjoy free give-aways, learn about renewable energy and non-toxic home products.
-Second Annual Oyster Roast (March 24): This oyster festival includes live music and plenty of the Chesapeake’s beloved bivalve.
You can find more events and information on the website.
A parting thought: The Bay adds more than an aesthetic sense to what we call home. Think of the local food you enjoy–the crabs, the fish, etc.–that all comes from the Bay. Without properly preserving the beautiful water, future generations may not enjoy the same succulent crab and captivating views. Join Green Drinks and www.annapolisgreen.com in their fight to preserve our beautiful world.
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