Happy first weekend of fall, MNN readers! It's hard to believe that autumn is here, at least here in NYC, where we are being treated to clear skies and balmy temps. What do you have planned for this weekend? Fall cleaning projects, perhaps? Me? I'm hoping to spend plenty of time outside and enjoy this summer-y weather while it lasts. 

 

Speaking of the great outdoors, I had the pleasure of spending yesterday morning/early afternoon on my favorite spot in all of New York, Governors Island, for a private eco-event hosted by Timberland. The event helped to kick off Timberland's Nature Needs Heroes campaign and showcased the brand's Earthkeepers collection that includes boots partially made from recycled plastic bottles. On the topic of bottles, the event gave bottled-up New Yorkers a chance to frolic outdoors and explore the nearly empty island by bike. I've included a couple of photos — check out those repurposed shipping containers! — from the event at the bottom of the page. 

 

And now on to our regularly scheduled green home link round-up:

 

Re-Nest tours the Farrell family's built-by-hand compound that consists of two traditional Mongolian yurts, a zip line, sauna, wood-burning hot tub, and more spread across 100 acres of land in New York's Adirondack Mountains. That's it pictured up top.

USATODAY profiles Builders of Hope, a nonprofit organization in the business of whole house recycling — think Habitat for Humanity but instead of building from scratch, the group rehabs structures that would otherwise be demolished and transforms them into affordable, energy-efficient homes. 

Curbed National launches. The once strictly city-centric (NY, LA, SF, and the Hamptons) network of sites takes its "fascination with real estate porn in all its many glories" to a national level, kicking things off with the nifty Operation Dollhouse project. Congrats on the new venture, Curbed!  

Gizmodo finds salvation with Belkin's line of energy-saving Conserve Sockets. 

Jetson Green settles down with three new green design magazines: Pure Green Living Magazine, Standard Magazine, and Green Building & Design. The former two titles will be published online only.

EcoHome gets down to the nitty gritty with "Product Pros and Cons: Hardwood Flooring vs. Bamboo." 

New York Magazine publishes a handy dandy field guide to urban farms. Two of them happen to be in my neighborhood including the Truck Farm project. Nice!

The Independent reports that a resident in the British town of Paignton is suing her local council because newly distributed recycling bins have devalued her home. 

ReadyMade details how to make a cute little cafe table out of repurposed wooden hangers, a round piece of glass, and a few tools.