Our lawns and gardens seem to be all about the “green.” We spend a lot of green on our lawns and gardens – nearly $30 billion a year. We grow a lot of greens – nearly a third of us grow food in our gardens. And many companies now make outdoor gardening products with recycled materials, such as plastics – which contribute to sustainability and make our lawns and gardens a bit greener.

(StatePoint) Buying or selling a home in today’s real estate market? Go about it properly. From home inspections to home improvement, take your advice from leading experts.

The Queens Museum of Art, the exhibit and education center located in what had been the New York City Building during the 1939-40 and 1964-65 World’s Fairs, is in the midst of an expansion that, upon completion, will double its size to 105,000 square feet.

(BPT) - Home is where the heart is. But it’s also a place where families can be more conscious of their energy use. While conserving energy helps save the planet, it also helps homeowners save money.

Julie Sriken and Jim Vasquez were tired of watching school music programs getting cut for lack of funding.

Rather than complain, they created Jamaica Drum Jam in 2012, a nonprofit music education program aimed at bringing musical instruction and performances to low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in New York City.

(BPT) - From implementing stricter standards for vehicle emissions to creating a state-level agency to administer stewardship of the environment, Californians have always been at the forefront of the green movement. That commitment to the environment even extends to local backyards, where California homeowners are turning to eco-friendly materials, building practices and landscaping to create “greener” outdoor living spaces.

(StatePoint) It doesn’t matter if you’re a gardening novice trying to supplement your dinner table with some home-grown veggies or an entrepreneur that earns a living off the land, composting is a simple way to go green and help save the environment.

(NAPSI)Things may be looking up for many homeowners who look in their attic.

(BPT) - Outdoor living spaces remain a popular home improvement, but while you’re planning your patio or prepping your planting beds do you consider the impact these improvements might have on the environment? Creating a great outdoor space can be even more satisfying when you take steps to make your project as “green” as possible.

(NAPSI)—Nobody wants to spend more time cleaning their kitchen than they need to. So what’s the secret to creating a carefree kitchen? Choosing durable kitchen products that are easy to use and nearly maintenance free.

(StatePoint) Remodeling your home? Don’t just keep up with the Joneses. Go a step further by giving your home truly unique upgrades.

(BPT) - Small businesses are always trying to find ways to get organized so employees can work more efficiently and save money in the process. With tax time just around the corner and projects opening and closing on a daily basis, taking your business organization standards to a new and improved level might seem like a huge undertaking.

(BPT) - The past few years have not been kind to lawns and gardens across the country. The summer of 2012 brought severe drought to much of the Midwest and a good portion of the country continues to experience drought conditions. Homeowners have two choices in dealing with drought: try to water enough to keep grass and plants alive and looking good, or implement long-term changes to make yards more resistant to extremely dry and hot spells.

(NAPSI)—You may be able to save yourself both trouble and money—and help save the planet at the same time. It’s easy when you’re careful to recycle your electronic equipment with the aid of a certified recycler.

(NAPSI)—It’s clear all of us who rely on healthy infrastructure to effectively move people and goods need to adjust to life without a strong federal transportation program in place. With the declining purchasing power of the gasoline tax and a prevailing political desire to shrink the role of government, many state and local departments of transportation do not have the means to pay for the simple cost of upkeep, let alone meaningful expansion, of the nation’s congested highways.

(NAPSI)—There’s good news for those looking for a way to build homes that are beautiful, light-filled, green and can withstand severe weather. A company is using proprietary technology to build architect-designed, precision-built, environmentally friendly homes.

(BPT) - Everything old is new again. At least that’s a simplistic take on the tenets of upcycling, which translates to giving renewed purpose to something others send to landfills. For consumers with a passion for do-it-yourself projects, and the boards on Pinterest to prove it, upcycling has taken root. Some ideas are as simple as investing in a set of sharpies to transform ordinary cabinetry knobs into one-of-a-kind home accessories. Others require more time, as in creating a working chandelier from white plastic spoons. It’s a small step considering that Americans throw out enough disposable dinnerware to circle the equator 300 times, according to www.earth911.com.

It’s that time of year again, when many Americans resolve to lose weight, get out of debt and spend more time with family and friends. Many Americans also plan to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle in the coming years - so they are looking for simple steps to help the environment, according to a recent national survey.

(BPT) - As awareness about the environment continues to grow, it’s becoming more apparent that “going green” not only benefits the planet – it benefits the entire population, especially its youngest segment. When children learn in safe, comfortable, toxin-free school environments, their futures are that much brighter.

Queens Historical Society presents “Permanent Residence: Uncovering the Cemeteries of Queens” through April at the Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37 Ave. in Flushing. Call (718) 939-0647, ext. 17 or email info@queenshistoricalsociety.org

Almost all Americans now have access to recycling - and more than 90 percent say they recycle in their daily lives, according to a recent national survey. And it’s never been easier to recycle, including the plastic bottles, caps and containers we use every day.

(BPT) - You’re ready to say your “I do’s” in front of your family and friends. Planning a memorable celebration of your commitment to each other, however, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your commitment to the environment. It’s possible to create the wedding of your dreams and stay “green,” even in the cold, white months of winter.

The holiday season can be the happiest time of year - but it also can be the most wasteful. Americans generate about 25 percent more waste than usual - an extra million tons - between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That’s a lot of garbage.

I am sure by now you have heard of the clichÈs about recycling — it’s good for the environment, it helps create a sustainable future, and so on.Ever wonder if those statements are true? Is it worth the hassle to recycle? Yes and Yes.

Recycling does have a number of important benefits, both locally and globally.Really, recycling isn’t even that much of a hassle when you consider the benefits. Actually, recycling is one of the easiest ways you can protect the environment and prevent unnecessary waste and pollution.

If you tuned into the games this summer, you saw all sorts of sophisticated new gear to help the athletes perform their best. These elite competitors relied on the most up-to-date, cutting-edge equipment and clothing to help them swim, bike and run faster - even if it was only to shave off a mere thousandth of a second.