Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 26, 1995 TAG: 9506260098
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Earlier this month, the zoo unveiled the new parking meter, which is sponsored by Appalachian Power Co. Zoo visitors can slide their pocket change into the meter, and 100 percent of the money will be sent to Ecosystems Survival Plan, which works through The Nature Conservancy.
It is one of 160 meters at zoos, aquariums and Nature Company Stores across the country that have raised almost $1 million over the past five years to protect about 20,000 acres in five rain forests. Mill Mountain Zoo donations will be earmarked for the Talamanc-Caribbean Biological Corridor in Costa Rica. Find out more about this unique ecosystem when you visit the zoo.
Banking on garbage
First Union Corp. has hired a chief environmental officer to direct the bank's eight-state waste reduction and recycling program. Kathy Nebel will work out of the company's Charlotte headquarters. Roanoke is headquarters for the banks Virginia, Maryland and D.C. branches.
Nebel will expand the recycling of office paper, cardboard and toner cartridges in the bank's offices throughout the South Atlantic region.
"By focusing on the reduction of waste, our program will enhance First Union's efficiency and cost effectiveness, while preserving natural resources," said senior vice president Dale Quigg.
For three years, First Union has published its annual report on the company's own waste paper, equivalent to 72 tractor-trailer loads of paper. First Union also belongs to a national group of companies committed to buying more recycled products.
Help for small businesses
Small businesses can now turn to the Department of Economic Development for help in complying with clean air laws, starting a recycling program, eliminating toxics from their manufacturing process and numerous other environmental endeavors.
The Virginia Department of Economic Development announced this month that it will provide environmental technical assistance to small businesses in the state, thanks to $149,000 grant from the federal government. The state's 21 small business development centers will link existing environmental programs with small businesses.
The initiative will focus on those sectors anticipating growth in the next several years, including the textile, publishing and furniture industries, auto body repair shops and machine shops. Call (804) 371-8253.
Upcoming dates
June 30 is the deadline for comments on alternative routes for the Apco power line draft environmental impact statement. The U.S. Forest Service cannot guarantee that comments received after that will be considered in the draft, due Oct. 22.
The Shenandoah National Park is holding a public meeting June 29, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to address overcrowding, noise, traffic, trash, illegal camping and trespassing in the area of Old Rag Mountain, which receives around 100,000 visitors each year. The park is planning to expand parking for the area. Call 999-3300 for more information.
The public is invited to the opening of a solar dry kiln in Scott County on June 30 at 10:30 a.m. Built by volunteers, the kiln is used to dry locally cut hardwoods logged in an environmentally sensitive method using draft horses as part of the Clinch Powell Sustainable Development Initiative. Call 762-5050.
The Piedmont Environmental Council in Warrenton is hosting the 4th annual Environmental Family Fair on July 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fair will feature outdoor nature labs, a petting zoo, killer whale videos, sheep dog demonstrations, hay rides and tractor rides, craft booths, speakers and much more. Call 347-2334.
The Appalachian Trail Conference, which oversees the 2,100 hiking trail that runs through Virginia, will hold its annual meeting July 1-7 in Harrisonburg on the James Madison University campus. Members, environmentalists, hikers and others will meet for a week of hikes, workshops, exhibits and trail club business sessions. Call (410) 489-4594 or (703) 242-0693, ext. 11 for more information.
by CNB