ON THE RIVER AT One Spark

One Spark “Green Ideas”

So many One Spark Creators focus their energy on sustainability, leaving the world a better place by using innovative ideas and technologies to solve many of today’s problems. While “green ideas” cross each of the One Spark boundaries (Art, Education, Social Good, Health & Science, Music and Technology), you won’t have a hard time finding them. Come check out the Northbank Riverwalk venue to learn about projects focused on water, recycling, parks, climate change education, compassion for animals, natural products, organic foods and much, much more. Here are a few of the diverse projects you can learn more about at this year’s One Spark:

ONE SPARK CREATOR: This Park is Your Park #22061

Northbank Riverwalk; Art

Working to assist less privileged families to see the best of their nearest national park

Stemming from the transformative impact visiting Yosemite National Park had on him at age 33, this Creator aims to help underprivileged families, veterans with disabilities, and children visit our national parks. A professional photographer by trade, Andrew wants to create a network of trail guides to scout possible trip locations and then plan and lead 3-day adventures of our parks. It will utilize guides and artists to ensure that artistic expression, education and science are all components of the adventure. “I think it can have a huge effect on the families’ overall well-being along with the future plans of the school-aged children. It changed me.” This project recognizes that children and families who don’t visit parks don’t understand why they need to be protected, don’t fully grasp ecological connections and likely won’t develop a land ethic. This is a fun way to change that, one trip at a time. #ThisParkIsYourPark

ONE SPARK CREATOR: Garden Truck Eatery and Juice Bar #22377

Northbank Riverwalk; Health & Science

A new concept in Jacksonville with an organic, plant-based menu

Rather than using ingredients high in carbohydrates and sugar, Garden Truck Eatery uses organic, plant-based whole fruits and vegetables in their menu. “Our goal is to provide quality food products for our customers at a reasonable price. With the average price in the $6 to $12 range, customer discover quality and value.” Garden Truck is a small eatery located on the Northside of Jacksonville far from any other nearby healthy food choices. “Currently, we are the only plant-based (vegan) restaurant in Jacksonville.” With more than a decade in the restaurant industry, overcoming an illness through changing eating habits is what made “Garden Truck” a priority. The focus isn’t just on healthy, reasonably priced food, but also, “normal food.” “We make our own ‘sausage’ in house that no one would know is plant-based.“ Funding for the Garden Truck will allow the mom and pop run eatery to expand and open a second location.

ONE SPARK CREATOR: Sustainable Table by Water Me Green #21881

Sweet Pete’s; Health & Science

Sustainable Table: Fresh, locally grown produce matched directly with demand using aeroponics

“The combined greenhouse emissions from trains, trucks, airplanes, and cars still fall short to an even greater contributor of greenhouse gases: Agriculture. To date, agriculture has cleared an area the size of South America to feed a world population of over 7 billion people and cleared an area the size of Africa to raise livestock.” The “Sustainable Table” project works to build an innovative urban farm focused on growing local produce for the community around us. When we grow produce in Jacksonville, it stays in Jacksonville – traveling minutes instead of days, reducing cost and allowing for more competitive prices. Sustainable Table will work with cutting-edge aeroponic technology to grow vertically instead of horizontally, saving up to 90% of farmland and up to 95% of our water supply. We know that there is a way to grow better food, more safely and cleanly, while preserving our environment. “Help us raise the funds to realize an exciting new urban farm, poised to make Jacksonville a conscious and innovative city!”

ONE SPARK CREATOR: Beautiful Nation Project #22269

Northbank Riverwalk; Education

Reducing plastic waste on our coasts through education for students ages 7-15

The Beautiful Nation Project visits coastal communities around the world to lead students through one week of community service to reduce plastic waste. A social networking platform records the community service actions and a virtual meeting allows for participation with their peers. The stories are documented through digital media stories published through “Beautiful Nation project channels” sponsored by local and international business partners. The business partner receives brand recognition through their sponsorship of the thematic channel, and a catalog of the impact of their support in the community via the students’ projects and virtual interactions. Currently, schools in the United States, India, Panama, and the Dominican Republic are participating in the project. Funding will be used for school presentations, curriculum/media development, and web hosting. Around the world, islands in particular have the persistent problem of trash and plastics in our waterways which can easily be mistaken as food by marine wildlife. This project empowers students to invest in their community’s environmental health by helping to teach critical thinking, networking skills, and collaboration across borders.

ONE SPARK CREATOR: Green Renovations 2015 #22191

Northbank Riverwalk; Social Good

Revitalizing Jacksonville utilizing innovative green technology

Green technologies are being developed faster than most can keep track of. Solar paint, driveways, films, roofing tiles, and shingles all have a “green option.” Solar street lights and renewable energies could help to beautify our Downtown in a functional and sustainable way. This creator wants to harness the passion for a sustainable Jacksonville, one house, one street lamp, and one art piece at a time. Funding will be used to showcase new, innovative green technology in housing and other developments that can easily work in our city.

 

ONE SPARK CREATOR: 10,000 Trees Jax #21841

Suntrust Building; Social Good

Reforesting Jacksonville, Florida — one native tree at a time!

Post to Post Links II error: No link found for term slug "10,000 Trees Jax"is a team comprised of working volunteers that would like to see 10,000 native trees planted in Jacksonville. “Building partnerships with public, private, and non-profit groups will allow us to effectively identify ecosystems in Jacksonville that are in need of restoration and revitalization. Our project is focused on bringing communities across Jacksonville together through tree-planting events. These events serve to build community relationships on a social and ecological level. Educating our community on native tree-planting techniques will ignite a passion for native landscaping in Jacksonville. Plus, everyone will benefit from the economic, health and ecological benefits that come from planting 10,000 native trees in our community.”

 

ONE SPARK CREATOR: Mt. Mulch #21851

Northbank Riverwalk; Social Good

Mt. Mulch is a free, organic, community mulch resource provided to any gardener and homeowner.

Locally-sourced organic mulch is a multifaceted tool for any homeowner or gardener. It holds water on-site during times of drought and slowly replenishes the aquifer, decreasing yard maintenance by suppressing weeds, regulating soil temperature to prolonging the growing season. It adds nutritional benefits to the soil, like carbon, feeding beneficial microorganisms and earthworms, and it eliminates the need for artificial fertilizers. Mt. Mulch would be a community woodchip pile for local tree service providers to unload their waste for the betterment of the community. Community members will have free access to Mt. Mulch which can be utilized for landscaping and gardening needs. This free resource would otherwise be discarded into our landfill. The funding will be used to purchase land, a shed, tools to be used onsite, signs, website, and pay taxes.

ONE SPARK CREATOR: #RepurposeJax #21879

Hemming Park; Education

Provide a hands-on teaching studio for classes and events on repurposing furniture and artwork from previously used items

Eco Relics is a warehouse committed to salvaging usable building materials that would otherwise be sent to landfills. All products are recycled from demolition projects or secured through manufacturer’s inventory. #RepourposeJax would like to provide the community of Jacksonville a hands-on teaching studio to create uniquely repurposed designs from recycled materials based off of the Eco Relics supply warehouse. “Our structured classes would give people of all ages a chance to create their own very cool relic. We know everyone is different, and people want to repurpose based on their own style. This class will allow people to do that.” Further, Eco Relics would provide outreach to schools, groups and organizations to educate everyone about the importance of recycling. Funding would be used to transform the Eco Relics dock into a common workshop space for classes and events.