The Planet Clark outreach and education program was launched three years ago at a time when county budgets were tightening. That challenge led to a unique solution for the program to get out its green message.
Thinking outside the trade show booth box, and beyond handing out pens and flyers, led to the purchase of a $10,000 trailer. Sponsors contributed another estimated $25,000 in labor and materials to outfit the rig. Planet Clark founding sponsors included Clark Public Utilities, Energy Trust of Oregon and Waste Connections. Currently, it boasts nearly three dozen sponsors.
“Waiting around a trade show table for passers-by and handing out literature just wasn’t educating people in the county, so we rethought what we were doing,” said Mike Selig, Clark County’s energy efficiency services coordinator. “Going into the community, instead of them coming to us, has proven much more effective.”
The organization created a traveling showroom full of displays related to energy efficiency, green building, building safety and sustainability. Helping people improve their homes and environment is the focus of everything the trailer and its staff do. Staff are qualified to talk about a range of topics including indoor air quality, conserving water, managing stormwater, recycling, weed control and more.
In the first two years on the road, the trailer visited 33 events in Clark County. Now in its third year on the road, you can see it at the Recycled Arts Festival on June 29-30 at Esther Short Park and again Aug. 2-11 at the Clark County Fair. Check http://www.planetclark.com for additional events.
“Although we promote green living and sustainability, we also want to promote good building practices and safety,” Selig said.
Planet Clark recommends that everyone use a licensed contractor and go through the permitting process. To learn more. visit http://www.thinkcampaign.com.
Oasis at the fair
The trailer’s ductless heat pump drew much attention at the fair last year.
“The extreme heat made fair attendance drop, but our trailer visits grew,” said Selig. “Our ductless heat pump was the secret. It cooled the trailer, and folks not only got out of the heat, but saw how great its air conditioning worked firsthand.”
Ductless heat pumps are an energy efficient replacement for baseboard, wall or ceiling heat that also provides cooling. Clark Public Utilities offers a $1,000 rebate for electric heat customers who upgrade to a ductless heat pump.
Wi-Fi and a computing tablet are among the latest additions to the trailer. With these, visitors can surf other Clark County sustainability websites, such as Clark County Green Neighbors (http://www.clarkgreenneighbors.org,) or learn about the Planet Clark Emerald House (http://emerald.planetclark.com).
The trailer is a great place for children to learn about the environment inside and outside of their homes. It offers many play-and-learn games, from the very popular “Where Does Your Stormwater Go?” that explains how and where runoff enters the watershed, to Waste Connections’ new recycle puzzle, which engages and educates kids at the same time.
If you or your organization would like the Planet Clark trailer to participate in your community event, contact Selig at 360-937-2375, ext. 4540, or mike.selig@clark.wa.gov.
For more information about green products, sustainability and building services, visit http://www.planetclark.com.
Energy adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
