GREENSPACE

Trailing ahead

Last week, Washoe County received a $96,868 grant from the Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails program to be used toward 17 trails—more than 28 miles—through the Nevada Division of State Parks. The trails are located within 13 county parks, and the grant will support projects such as adding new informational and directional signs, preventing erosion damage, and maintaining the cleanliness and accessibility of the trails. Washoe County’s Department of Regional Parks and Open Spaces offers a Regional Trails Guide available in print by calling 823-6500 and online at www.washoecountyparks.com.

Sharing is caring

If you’re looking for a quick trip out of town or up to the mountains, share a ride with a fellow traveler through Zimride, a ride-sharing service that facilitates carpooling to help travelers save money and reduce gas. You can host a carpool or join one, and rides can cost as little as $10. Rides are available from Berkeley to Truckee and San Francisco to Tahoe, among others. According to Zimride, “If just 10 percent of Tahoe travelers choose to travel with two additional people this season, we estimate it would take 60,000 cars off the rode [and] save $12 million.” Check it out at www.zimride.com.

Cool schools

Schools in Lander County are moving toward energy efficiency with newly installed wind turbines at Eleanor Lemaire Elementary School and the Austin K-12 school. The 80-feet-tall turbines can generate up to 360 kilowatts of electricity, and the district will receive a rebate for $1.35 million as part of NVEnergy’s Renewable Generations program. Students will be able to see firsthand how much energy is generated by the turbines through meters installed in the foyer of the campuses. Lander County School District has already tested renewable energy sources through an installation of photovoltaic panels at Lemaire Elementary and in the district’s garage where the school buses are parked and maintained.

—Ashley Hennefer ashleyh@newsreview.com