HOPEWELL: Sustainable living tour here Saturday

Anyone who wants to take tour can get map at one of the three local libraries or the township’s Municipal Building. Maps also should be available at www.hopewelltwp.org

   The Hopewell Township Environmental Commission (HTEC), as part of its effort to promote sustainable living, has organized a free tour of local places that already have adopted substantial measures to reduce their impact on the environment.
   The tour will be held Saturday (Nov. 15) from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. It will feature area homes, gardens and commercial buildings that exemplify different kinds of environmental sustainability. This event will be held simultaneously with a similar tour sponsored by the Princeton Environmental Commission, which conducted a Green Home and Garden Tour last year.
   Anyone who wants to take Saturday’s free tour can get a map at one of the three local libraries or the township’s Municipal Building. Maps also should be available at www.hopewelltwp.org.
   Children are welcome to take the tour.
   ”Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting natural resources and conserving energy are among Hopewell Township Environmental Commission’s most important goals,” said HTEC Chairman Michael Aucott.
   ”We’re planning this tour to benefit area residents who are considering ways to implement a ‘greener lifestyle.’ They will be able to see what others have already done to achieve energy efficiency. We’d also like to show them homes that use recycled and low-emitting materials,” Mr. Aucott noted.
   ”Recent developments in the construction industry have made it easier to incorporate energy savings and avoid introducing harmful chemicals into new homes,” said Ray Nichols, who is organizing the tour. In addition, older homes can be retrofitted to produce renewable energy, such as by adding solar panels or geothermal wells.
   In either case, “it’s easier and cheaper to include sustainability early in the planning process,” Mr. Nichols said. “The tour will let people inspect sustainable features before they begin building or renovating. Just as importantly, the tour will help them meet local architects, builders, suppliers, and landscapers who can support their environmental goals.”
   According to the HTEC, one aspect of sustainable building is choosing a site that can be developed without environmental damage to the site itself or to land nearby. Another kind of sustainability is saving water inside or out — using dual-flush toilets, for example, or drought-tolerant landscaping. Composting kitchen and garden waste saves energy by recycling nutrients and organic matter, thus avoiding the need to use petroleum-based fertilizers. Energy-saving buildings may use the complementary strategies of carbon-based energy reduction or renewable-energy production. The indoor environment represents another aspect of sustainability. Building materials should not emit harmful gases. Indoor temperatures should be comfortable year round. Most rooms should admit daylight and provide interesting views. Finally, sustainable building means constructing with recycled materials and recycling construction waste.
   Gardens the tour will showcase may avoid harmful chemicals by using organic methods or integrated pest management. The gardens might include drought-resistant plants, save rainwater in rain barrels, or reduce stormwater run-off with “rain gardens.” They might demonstrate backyard composting or worm farms. And they might feature the native plants that attract songbirds, butterflies, and the beneficial insects that control pests naturally.