by TRC_Admin | Sep 30, 2019 | Billboards, Environmental, Nature
Photo: Macdonalds Sweden
“Earlier this year, McDonald’s Sweden received global attention for a fun little (literally) publicity stunt that also raised awareness of the ongoing issue of dwindling bee populations. Billed as ‘the world’s smallest McDonald’s,’ this ‘McHive’ didn’t serve any food. Instead, it was a fully-functioning beehive designed to mimic a MickeyD’s outpost with features like small Golden Arches and a not-particularly-functional drive-thru.
Yet, as intentionally silly as the concept was, McHives caught on, with other Swedish locations adding one of the beehives to their roof. And now, after seeing the success of that campaign, the creative agency behind it, Nord DDB, are back again with another bee-benefiting concept for McDonald’s Sweden: building habitats for wild bees into and behind billboards.
‘It is estimated that 30 percent of Sweden’s wild bees are threatened,’ the announcement explains. ‘A big problem is that they lack places to rest.’ The solution is twofold: Some McDonald’s locations have replaced their usual billboards with wood installations that wild bees and other insects can use as a kind of ‘bee hotel.’ These signs are available to be ordered by any of McDonald’s’ Swedish franchises and can be customized to include whatever messaging the location wants.
Photo: Macdonalds Sweden
But even simpler still, the fast food chain has also teamed up with the massive billboard brand JC Decaux to place habitats for wild bees behind existing billboards in spaces that aren’t otherwise used. ‘Bees are most comfortable if their nests are in a south facing position,’ the campaign states. ‘The first test is now live in Jarfalla outside Stockholm, where six large bee hotels have been mounted on the backside of a north facing billboard with hopes of scaling up the initiative in spring 2020.’
You can see both styles of ‘bee hotels’ in action in this video:
‘The survival of bees is an important issue for society as a whole,’ Henrik Nerell, environmental manager at McDonald’s in Sweden, said. ‘That we can use our signs for a good cause feels great. The initiative, which has sprung from our franchisees’ personal commitment to the issue, has been made possible in collaboration with JCDecaux and we are proud and excited to welcome our flying guests soon as they move into our bee hotels.'”
— Mike Pomranz, Food and Wine Magazine
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Read additional article in Good News Network
by TRC_Admin | Sep 30, 2019 | Environmental, Nature, Trees
“…The Charles E. Bennett Champion of the Environment Award which was created in 2001 originally by the Florida Coastal School of Law. The Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board took over presenting the award in 2010. The award is presented to recognize someone who has served as an advocate for the environment and its protection for many years.
Our recipient this year, Tracey I. Arpen, Jr., has been a quiet champion for Jacksonville’s environment, responsible land use, tree protection and scenic beauty for more than thirty years. During that time, he has been involved in or led virtually every effort promoting the enhancement of these issues.
Tracey has devoted his life and career to efforts that have preserved, protected and enhanced our beautiful North Florida environment. He has been president of JaxPride (and City Beautiful Jax), CAPSigns (Scenic Jacksonville), Greenscape of Jacksonville, JCCI, The Mandarin Community Club and currently serves on the board of directors of Citizens for a Scenic Florida, Scenic Jacksonville and Greenscape. He is a former member of the City’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and served as chair of the State Attorney’s Select Committee on Environmental Crime. In 1990 he received the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Lawyer of the Year Award. He is also the recipient of the Lee and Mimi Adams Environmental Award, the JaxPride Leadership Award and the Distinguished Leadership Award presented by the National Association of Community Leadership Organizations.
Tracey Arpen’s lifetime commitment of leadership and dedication to the environment has had a significant and lasting impact on our community for which we are all grateful. Congratulations on this honor!”
— Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board
Visit Environmental Protection Board Awards site
by TRC_Admin | Sep 30, 2019 | Complete Streets
Photo: Prnewsfoto/Degree, Forbes
“Five cities in the United States are going to make it a little easier for their residents to be healthy.
On September 18, 2019, Degree Deodorant announced the five winners in the brand’s first Made To Move grant program, a national competition that will dedicate $500,000 in funding for city projects that encourage healthy, active lifestyles…
After reviewing applications submitted from 46 communities representing 28 states, the following cities were selected to receive funding and project support: Hartford, Connecticut; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Jersey City, New Jersey; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Richardson, Texas…
Fort Lauderdale
Within the past five years, ‘A Complete Streets Policy’ Plan was adopted and more than 28 new miles of bike lanes, 11 miles of new sidewalks, and 102 new or enhanced crosswalks were installed. This grant will enhance accessibility and connections to the Flagler Greenway in a designated Transportation Equity Zone with bike and micro-mobility parking, adding both recreation-based and utilitarian-based transportation opportunities. These changes will transform the infrastructure into a comfortable and inviting experience for all ages, abilities, and modes of transportation.”
— Alan Kohll, Forbes
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by TRC_Admin | Sep 30, 2019 | Mural
Photo: Olivia McKelvey
“Growing up in the Historic Cocoa Village, Vashti Verschoor remembers clothing boutiques and restaurants lining the village streets.
The Cocoa Village she knows now has completely different look.
Today, the 42-year-old mom of two is one of many artists who has work represented throughout the village. Whether it be intricately and whimsically painted benches, electrical boxes or even storm drains, Cocoa Village is bursting with color around every corner.
“Artwork is our primary, first written language,” Verschoor said. “The way that we speak to each other, the way that we documented our history, it all started with drawings on a cave wall. So, I think that when we support local art, we’re supporting our primary language, and I’m so proud the village has supported me and others alike.”
Cocoa Village has numerous community art projects such as the painted benches, the artwork displayed across electrical boxes at traffic lights, and now even storm drains that are displaying artwork, leaving “marks of beauty” throughout Cocoa…
If you are interested in learning more about the community art projects in Cocoa Village or would like to become a sponsor for one of the benches, please visit cocoafl.org/1438/Community-Art-Projects. ”
— Olivia McKelvey, Florida Today
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by TRC_Admin | Sep 30, 2019 | City Signs, Mural
Photo: City of Clearwater
Clearwater
“The city of Clearwater welcomes its residents to apply to paint their own storm drain mural. In addition to their artistic value, painted storm drains serve a very important educational purpose by addressing the misconception that it’s acceptable to dispose of trash, grass clippings, and chemicals down storm drains. The water that flows through Clearwater’s storm drains goes directly into the Gulf of Mexico or Tampa Bay without treatment. Therefore, messaging to prevent the disposal of waste in storm drains is pivotal to maintaining safe, clean oceans and beaches.
To encourage residents, volunteers, and students to get involved, the city of Clearwater will provide all supplies free to participating groups.
Materials the city of Clearwater will provide: Traffic safety vests, traffic cones, pre-made stencils, wire bristle brush, Sherwin Williams ProPark traffic paint, Shark Grip anti-skid additive, paint brushes, sidewalk chalk for outlining mural, plastic gloves, tarp to p
Very detailed instructions and additional information on City of Clearwater website.
Photo: City of Clearwater
Tampa and Pinellas Park
“Recognizing the need for information, cities across the region are creating murals and posting signs that inform people that only water belongs in stormwater drains. Last year, in partnership with the city of Tampa, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful volunteers painted stormwater drain murals in Tampa.
This past summer, Pinellas Park worked with artists to paint five stormwater drains near a middle school and a senior center — both areas with higher-than-average foot traffic — to increase visibility and educational opportunities.”
— Vicki Parsons, Tampa Bay Soundings
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rotect the pavement from paint, paint stirring sticks, paint mixing containers, spray paint (Rustoleum Ultra Cover 2x Indoor Outdoor), and painters tape…”
