The Master Composter /

YardWise Revival

“What’s happening today in Texas and the Southwest should be a wake-up call on climate change. These are the kinds of conditions that we expect to see more often as climate warms,” - Dr. Julia Cole, Professor of Geosciences, University of Arizona (Project on Climate Science)

Water for Texas 2012State Water Plan

Texas Water Development Board

“In serious drought conditions, Texas does not and will not have enough water to meet the needs of its people, its businesses, and its agricultural enterprises.”

Water for Texas 2012Texas Water Plan

Where Does Our Water Go?

Urban Water Usage

Water Quality• Non-point source pollution accounts for

65% river pollution, 76% lake pollution in U.S.

• More than 200 stream segments in Texas do not meet water quality standards.

• Farming accounts for 10% of U.S. pesticide use – buildings, lawns, gardens, and other landscaped areas receive 90%.

Water or Power?

• Electrical generators consume 3X household water use, per household.

• Utilities could account for 60% of all

non-farm water use by 2030.- 150 coal-fired plants planned in US.

• “…water is becoming a greater permitting issue than air quality.” – Thomas Feeley,

US DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory

Oil Boom = Water Bust?

• Rising oil prices spur increased production from marginal, obstructive geological formations

• Hydraulic fracturing

“fracking” = high pressure

injection of sand, water,

& chemicals (some

hazardous) to release oil & gas deposits

• Fracking one well in S.

Texas Eagle Ford shale

requires 13,000,000

gallons of water.

• Water for S. Texas fracking to increase 10X by 2020, 20X by 2030 - groundwater pollution feared.

Today's problems cannot be solved by thinking the way we thought when we

created them.- Albert Einstein

The Four Laws of Ecology

• Everything must go somewhere.

• Everything is connected to everything else.

• There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

• Nature knows best .(Nature recycles life).

36%

20%

9%

29%

6%

Paper Yard Trimmings

Food Other

Wood

MSW Composition

“The Natural Cycle”

YardWise Elements:

▸Xeriscaping (native/adapted plants)▸“Don’t Bag It” (grass-cycling)▸Efficient Watering▸Mulching▸Composting▸Integrated Pest Management

Blueprint for Action:

Keep America Beautiful

5-Step Attitude Change Process

Step 1: Get the Facts:

Additional Publications

Compost Benefits

Water Conservation

▸Helps sandy soil retain moisture▸Breaks up clay soils▸Protects against wind and water

erosion▸Improves soil tilth

Compost Benefits

Water Quality▸Prevents water runoff▹Judicious use multiplies water

retention▹Promotes healthy root systems to

hold soil in place▸Reduces need for pesticides &

herbicides

Compost Benefits

Soil Fertility▸Contains complete spectrum of

plant nutrients▸Retains nutrients▸Optimum pH for nutrient availability▸Slow, steady nutrient release

Fertilizer: What’s In It?

A Healthy Diet

?

Compost Benefits

Beneficial Soil Life▸Promotes diverse beneficials:▹Bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes▹Insects ▹Worms▸Breaks down organics into plant

nutrients▸Suppresses diseases & pests

Soil Biology Principle

Population: Number of Soil Organisms+

Diversity of Soil Organisms= Soil Functions: Soil Structure,

Fertility, Moisture Retention, Disease Suppression

NRCS Soil Biology Primer

Number of organisms in 1 cubiccentimeter of agricultural soil:

• Bacteria: 90,000,000

• Actinomycetes: 4,000,000

• Fungi: 200,000

• Algae: 30,000

• Protozoa: 5,000

• Nematodes: 30

• Earthworm: < 1

Ecosystems are not only more complex than we think, they are more complex than we can think.

-Frank Egler

Composting

Essential Elements▸Carbon / Nitrogen Ratio

▸Moisture

▸Aeration

▸Temperature

▸Time

Basic Compost Recipe

GREEN STUFF + BROWN STUFF

+ WATER+ AIR

COMPOST

Step #2: Involve the People

• STAR staff / Compost Advisory Council compost professionals

• Keep Texas Beautiful staff

• Texas AgriLife Extension

• Partner & sponsor organizations

• KTB affiliate community coordinators

• Master Composter Candidates

• State & local government

‘Xeriscaping’Native and Adapted Plant Selection

El Paso Austin Houston

2/3 grass blade removed & bagged

1/3 grass blade removed, mulched in

“Don’t Bag It”

Efficient Watering

Mulching

Integrated Pest Management

Step #3: Plan Systematically

Master Composter

Program Roles

Local Coordinator

• Conduct 20-hour MC training

• Provide 20 hours volunteer service

• Monitor & document candidate hours

• Submit documentation to central program administration

• Present Master Composter Certificates

“Don’t Preach to the Choir, Turn them into

Missionaries.”

• “GREENS”: already there - reinforce

• “SPROUTS”: ready – prime target

• “BROWNS”: resistant

Compost Advisory Council

Statewide Administration (CAC & Partners)

Step #4:Focus on Results

• Master Composter certifications

• Volunteer hours logged

• Events conducted

• Citizens reached

• Media exposures

• Attitude / behavior survey results

• Municipal water usage

Social Marketing:“Find a Price that

Matters”

Step #5: ProvidePositive Reinforcement

• Master Composter Certification

• Presentation / Recognition Events

• Publicize results

• Demonstration lawns

• “Insider” communications / program access

• Testimonials: personal / household benefits

www.recyclingstar.org/cac

Alan WattsWhat Goes Around, Inc.

512-538-8949alanwwatts@gmail.com