Creating an Ecological Balance in Leisure World

By Maya “Starhawk” Adair

”Humans merely share the earth. We can only protect the land, not own it.” Chief Seattle

We are all aware that there is a recycling problem in Leisure World. This beautiful wonderful community needs to do its part not only for Leisure World but for our planet.

Earth is a magnificent, beautiful planet that deserves our attention. It’s time to take responsibility for recycling and sustainable living, no one else is doing it for us. Native Americans are the “first ecologists” or “first environmentalists. They have said “walk gently on the earth and have harmony with nature. When we become one with nature…we feel at peace”. We have forgotten we are caretakers of the earth for present & future generations.

The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Making a new product emits greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change and requires a lot of materials and energy. Five trillion plastic bags are produced worldwide annually. It can take up to 1,000 years for a bag to disintegrate completely. Americans throw away 100 billion bags annually. By switching to reusable shopping bags, we can eliminate that waste. In simple terms, environmental sustainability is the practice of interacting with the planet responsibly.

Reduction and reuse are the most effective ways you can save natural resources, protect the environment and save money. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

Instead of discarding unwanted appliances, tools, or clothes, try selling or donating them. Not only will you be reducing waste, but you’ll also be helping others like local churches, community centers, thrift stores, schools, and nonprofit organizations that may accept a variety of donated items, including used books, working electronics, and unneeded furniture.

The question is what can be done in Leisure World to reduce waste. Try to adopt a zero-waste mindset. This allows you to rethink materials in a new light. For instance instead of throwing away glass containers, use them for bulk food, dried herbs, spices, leftovers, etc. There are unlimited possibilities.

The Lions Club has established a comprehensive can recycling program. The Lions have recycling containers at: Rec 1, Rec 2 and at the LW Broadway exit recycle center. The aluminum cans are brought to the recycling center for cash which is distributed to charities.

There are people in Leisure World who are turning plastic bags into sleep mats and collecting plastic bottles to collect money for the homeless. As I do more research on what is being done by other visionaries, I will update you in future articles.

Did you know that WalMart has recycling bins for plastic bags, bubble wrap, and product overwraps, but no hard plastics. Start collecting and drop-off when shopping at Walmart.

Humans use about 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute. To reduce plastic water bottles, start considering buying 5-gallon water bottles. Water & More, Higley & Southern sell them for 5-gallon $19, 3 gallons $15, 2 gallons $12, and 1 gallon $8. To refill bottles is 35 cents per gallon. Imagine how many plastic bottles you will be saving from the landfill. These ideas are only the beginning of starting a sustainable environment in Leisure World.

There is so much that needs attention. I plan on putting together a group of people that are passionate to help with this endeavor of keeping Leisure World sustainable. There is so much we can do to bring awareness in every department, club, organizations in Leisure World. Are you willing and ready? I know I am!

Who am I? A living, breathing, loving and caring woman who loves our Planet Earth and is driven to protect her.

We are all part of Mother Earth. She sustains us and we must sustain her in return. – Chief Dan George Please email me with any comments and or suggestions to: Mayastarhawk@yahoo.com

Sonoran Desert Garden Club

Submitted by Tish Murphy

Sonoran Desert Garden Club is sponsoring three “Town Hall” style programs in the Rec. 1 Ballroom January 26th, February 21st, and March 24th. All residents will find this useful as we navigate current and future water and energy issues in the Southwest. What we do now will impact our future in the desert.

efficiency SRP calls “Save With Arizona” You will learn new information, as well as reminders about existing ways to be more efficient at home.

Topics include:

• SRP History & community ties

• Lighting

• Energy Star brand

• Air conditioning

• Thermostats

• Air filters

• Water heaters

• Price plan options

• Shade

• Insulation

• Q&A to follow for large landscapes.

You won’t want to miss any of these presentations as they will bring valuable water and energy conservation ideas to our community!

Hosted by the Sonoran Desert Club of Leisure World whose purpose is to bring together all Leisure World residents to promote a friendly and sustainable community for people, pets, native wildlife, and desert plants.

We hope you were able to join us on the 1st segment held on Thursday, January 26, 2023 - Mesa Water Sources: How We Use It and Ways to Save It!

The staff from the City of Mesa and Global Water Resources, Inc. (supplier of water for Leisure World’s landscaping) for a discussion about Mesa’s water supplies and conservation management strategies. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about how water providers have prepared and planned for drought conditions and what the Colorado River shortage means for residents and the community. With voluntary conservation actions being crucial, presenters shared simple steps and the best techniques for reducing water use both indoors and in the landscape. Landscape booklets and more were available. The program was presented by the City of Mesa’s Brian Draper from Water Resources and Donna DiFrancesco from Environmental & Sustainability. Shaina Shay, Water Resource and Conservation Specialist was the representative of Global Water Resources, Inc.

Energy Efficiency for a Better Arizona: February 21st from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Mark your calendars for February 21st from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. for “Energy Efficiency for a Better AZ” which will include a brief introduction to Mesa’s Climate Action Plan and SRP will provide helpful tips on how to save energy at home. Tanya Hughes from SRP Community Partnerships and Donna DiFrancesco with the City of Mesa’s Conservation Department will present. Learn about SRP’s Shade Tree program and many other high-tech ideas currently available. You’ll learn how to get a free programmable thermostat as well as learning how to earn free shade trees which equate to lower electric bills and a cooling effect. Join your neighbors for an informative discussion about energy

In addition to some great information and giveaways, as a token of SRP’s appreciation for your attendance, SRP will gift customers with a *Google Nest Smart Thermostat. *One per service address and customers will need to provide some information on a very quickto-fill-out form.

HOA Landscaping Management & Wise Water Use - Friday, March 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

When I attended Andrew Pirrone’s presentation via zoom from the West Valley Water Association, I knew how beneficial it would be to Leisure World. This program speaks from management’s point of view with budget as a driving force, the landscape department’s challenges in a community of our size, and working through an HOA structure together toward becoming both a cost-effective and visually appealing landscape. Common area landscape maintenance and watering are typically the highest costs associated with HOA community management and can prove difficult to manage for Board Members and Managers. This class will help demystify the challenges associated with large-landscape and common area landscape management and provide some insight and tips into grasping proper irrigation watering and landscape management. Geared towards Board Members, Property Managers, and interested homeowners. Andrew Pirrone has worked in landscape water management for the past 10 years in both landscape contracting and for now with municipal water providers in Arizona for the past 7 years. He focuses on building and managing water efficiency programs

We invite you to come and learn about our club. Activities include lectures, field trips, and on hands workshops. We have Walk and Talks with a Master Gardener and have begun to do Design Charrettes which are opportunities for residents to get some practical advice on their current landscape and ways that they might work toward a lower maintenance and more sustainable environment. We will begin taking orders in March for our annual November distribution of geraniums.