The Southern Louisiana region faces drastic land loss that some consider one of the worst and least publicized environmental disasters. Satellite images indicate that every day a chunk of land the size of a football field crumbles and turns into water. The salinity levels are also changing as a result of water from the Gulf pushing further up into areas once considered fresh. We learned that the diversion is basically designed to control the flow of salt and fresh water in order to protect the area from succumbing to even higher brackish water levels. This story will air in late November as part of a five-city documentary that includes San Francisco, Minneapolis, El Paso/Juarez, and Boston.


GreenWorks traveled to Florida on a research and education tour to learn more about the Everglades and the people working to preserve and protect this treasured resource. We jumped at the opportunity to visit when the Florida Earth Foundation offered to take us on a tour and talk with us about the many issues facing this region.

On this trip, we were led through the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge by airboat, the Kissimmee Water Restoration Area on a pontoon boat, drove through huge sugar plantations, walked along the Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park and went sloughing with a biologist in Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve. We even took some time to save a puppy that was tossed from a car (presumably for the alligators to eat) just outside Everglades National Park. As we continue to grow as an organization, we find our crew exploring other regions and discovering new faces at work for a cleaner, healthier environment. This project is in the early development phase so our completion date is yet to be determined.


GreenWorks staff recently decided to get in the team spirit and entered the Inaugural Philadelphia Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, October 5th to benefit Fox Chase Cancer Center. The day was perfect for an outdoor event. Sunny skies, mild temperatures, and only a slight headwind on the river.

We squeezed in three practices prior to the event (only nine team members made every practice) so we weren't quite sure what to expect. In dragon boat racing, there are 22 people in the boat (twenty paddlers, one drummer and one steersperson). We gathered early Saturday morning along the Schuylkill River and walked anxiously to the start for our first race. Barry led us in a series of stretches and we encouraged each other to just have a good time as we waited for our team to be called.

Our goal, to finish with respect and have fun. Our results, better than any of us imagined! By the end of the day, the Green Dragons were racing in the finals. We walked away with bronze medals for a very respectful 3rd place finish in our division and wonderful memories of a fun day together. We are already making plans for next year's festival. To learn more about this event for your business, organization, or yourself check out the Philadelphia Dragon Boat Festival website.