The Outlook

August 2010

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W e l c o m e

This month we have a report that provides resources for sourcing local building materials!  The Minnesota-Made Building Materials report summarizes existing resources as well as a database and interactive maps developed by Dovetail to help identify materials sourced and manufactured within the state.  Materials include wood products and timber; concrete, stone and masonry products; tile, glasswork, and metal work; and lighting, appliances and home accessories.  More information is available at:
http://www.dovetailinc.org/content/minnesota-made-materials

Also - just in time for the school year - we announce the expansion of Dovetail's Environmental Education efforts!  We've added a Director of Environmental Education, Janet Bratkovich, to the team (read more at: http://www.dovetailinc.org/content/dovetail-partners-adds-director-environmental-education ) and Dovetail has also taken on the responsibility of continuing the work and legacy of the Temperate Forest Foundation (learn more at: http://www.dovetailinc.org/tff ). In coming months we will be merging the Temperate Forest Foundation (TFF) and F.R.E.E. Network websites, forming a new environmental education advisory group, and revising and re-issuing existing educational products. In the meantime, Dovetail is happy to fill orders for materials  prepared by the Temperate Forest Foundation, and these Videos, DVDs, and EcoLinks can be ordered online at the Dovetail webpage:

http://www.dovetailinc.org/content/temperate-forest-foundation-videos

Finally this month marks our Annual August Fundraising Drive!  Thanks to everyone who has responded and pledged or renewed their support! To make your pledge, just visit:
http://dovetailinc.org/content/donate

Enjoy!

- Jeff

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I  n    T h i s    I s s u e:

Dovetail Reports:

Minnesota-Made Building Materials

Resources for finding local products and materials

http://www.dovetailinc.org/reportsview/2010/responsible-materials/pcarrie-kothlowp/minnesota-made-building-materials

Interactive Maps:

http://www.dovetailinc.org/content/minnesota-made-materials

Dovetail Environmental Education Resources:

The F.R.E.E. Network
This site is for teachers and students at all grade levels who want to learn more about forests and the management of forests.
http://www.freenetwork.org/

Temperate Forest Foundation
Website:
http://www.dovetailinc.org/tff
Videos/DVDs:
http://www.dovetailinc.org/content/temperate-forest-foundation-videos
EcoLinks:
http://www.forestinfo.org/Products/eco-links/

Dovetail News:

08/23/2010

New Initiative to Assist Landowners with Ecosystem Market Opportunities

http://www.dovetailinc.org/content/new-initiative-assist-landowners-ecosystem-market-opportunities

08/05/2010

Open House for Phase II of Northwoods Regional ATV Trail System

<http://www.dovetailinc.org/content/open-house-phase-ii-northwoods-regional-atv-trail-system>

08/03/2010
Dovetail Partners Adds Director of Environmental Education

<http://www.dovetailinc.org/content/dovetail-partners-adds-director-environmental-education>

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Dovetail Reports:

Minnesota-Made Building Materials
Resources for finding local products and materials

Carrie Kothlow

In 2008, Dovetail Partners released a report titled “Made in Minnesota” <http://dovetailinc.org/files/DovetailMNMade0508dx.pdf>  which focused on the opportunities and benefits of using local building materials. The report noted that at the time there were more than 40 green building standards in the United States; today (just two years later) there are more than 80.  A common theme in nearly every green building program used in the United States is the preference for local materials.

Similar to the potential benefits of supporting local foods, the use of local building materials can help reduce environmental impacts, such as CO2 and other emissions, by minimizing the transportation of materials, avoiding the externalization of environmental impacts to other parts of the world and providing support for the regional economy.

As outlined in the 2008 report from Dovetail Partners, there are opportunities to maximize the benefits of green building efforts by focusing on the use of local raw materials and locally manufactured products. The possibility of using Minnesota-made materials to build a complete home is within reach.

This report summarizes the resources that are available to assist in identifying building products and materials that are Made-in-Minnesota, including a new database and online interactive maps developed by Dovetail Partners.

To read more and download the full report:

http://www.dovetailinc.org/files/MNMadeReport0810.pdf

To view the interactive maps, visit:

http://www.dovetailinc.org/content/minnesota-made-materials

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