Seven energy-efficient buildings in Rhode Island will be featured Saturday as part of an event that will showcase open houses in states throughout the Northeast.

The 2006 Green Buildings Open House is sponsored regionally by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust and in Rhode Island by the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 and Solar Works Inc.

Last year more than 10,000 people visited open houses in green buildings. With rising fuel costs, more visitors are expected this year.

The open houses in Rhode Island include:

A house at 15 Garfield Ave. in Bristol that uses photovoltaic cells to provide 100 percent of its energy.

A superinsulated house at 1411 Shannock Rd. in Charlestown that makes use of photovoltaic cells, solar domestic hot water heat, and wood for heating.

The Apeiron Institute's education center at 451 Hammet Rd. in Coventry that incorporates a composting toilet, off-grid photovoltaics, solar hot water, and cellulose and straw insulation.

A house at 42 Tremont St. in Cranston that incorporates photovoltaics, solar hot water heat and a greenhouse.

A round house at 163 Stubtown Rd. in Hope Valley that uses photovoltaics, solar hot water, radiant floor heating and wind generators. Construction is foam block with a concrete-covered roof.

A commercial office building at 512 Liberty Lane in West Kingston that uses photovoltaic panels on the roof.

A house at 90 Summit Ave. in Providence that uses high-efficiency boiler, solar hot water and photovoltaic electric system.

All of the buildings will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the public may visit without appointments, according to Domenic Bucci, the Rhode Island coordinator of the event. For more information, call Bucci at (401) 942-6691.

Detailed directions for each location, as well as phone numbers and construction details, may be found by going to www.nesea.org, clicking on Green Buildings Open House and then clicking on 2006 Tour Locations.

"We're delighted to present this one-day showcase of real-world green buildings and renewable energy," David Barclay, executive director of NESEA, said in a statement. "Homeowners and facility managers will be available to give a tour and answer questions."

He said the tours should be useful to anyone who wants to reduce electricity use or is considering a home renovation or purchase.

DEM has $5 million for open space grants Towns, nonprofit organizations and land trusts are being encouraged to apply for state open space grants between now and Nov. 3.

The state Department of Environmental Management plans to distribute $5 million from the $70-million Open Space, Recreation, Bay and Watershed Protection Bond approved by voters in 2004.

Each grant will pay up to 50 percent of a land purchase, with a maximum of $400,000 for each project.

Applications for land that possesses significant natural, ecological, agricultural or scenic value will be reviewed and ranked by the state's Natural Heritage Preservation Commission.

Applications, rules and additional information may be obtained by calling Joseph Dias at (401) 222-2776, ext. 4301, or by sending e-mail to joe.dias@dem.ri.gov. Application forms may be downloaded by going to www.dem.ri.gov and clicking on "Topics", then "Grants" and then "Open Space Grants."

Insect eater to speak to Audubon Society Ready to eat insects?

Most people try to avoid such adventures. But for those interested in trying, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island is providing an opportunity at 3 p.m. Saturday, at its headquarters at 12 Sanderson Rd. in Smithfield.

David Gracer, an entomophagist (eater of insects), will demonstrate how to cook and eat beetles, grasshoppers, crickets and moths.

He'll tell visitors that insects are nutritious, easy to mass produce and good tasting.

Gracer has his own company, Sunrise Land Shrimp, in Providence that promotes insect eating and offers related products, such as T-shirts. His Web site is www.slshrimp.com.

Admission is $10 for adult Audubon members and $15 for nonmembers. Children's tickets are $5 for members and $7 for nonmembers.

Space is limited, but reservations may be made by calling (401) 949-5454.

Computer-recycling day set at landfill Rhode Islanders may recycle their computer equipment by dropping it off from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the state's Central Landfill in Johnston.

Equipment such as CPUs, printers, scanners, keyboards, mouse devices, laptops and cell phones may be dropped off at no charge.

A $5 fee will be charged for televisions.

Since 2001, Rhode Islanders have recycled 1.5 million pounds of computers and televisions through the program provided by the state's Resource Recovery Corporation.

Storyteller/hiker performs tonight Walkin' Jim Stoltz, a singer and storyteller who has hiked thousands of miles across America, will perform at 7 p.m. tonight in the Paff Auditorium in the University of Rhode Island's Shepard Building in Providence.

Stoltz has hiked more than 26,000 miles from Mexico to Canada.

He shares his appreciation of his travels in a show called "Forever Wild -- 2006" that includes photographs of many of the beautiful places he has traveled through.

This year Stoltz's goal is to visit all 50 states, perform 100 free events and encourage 100,000 calls and letters in his crusade to save the remaining wild places.

His Providence appearance is sponsored by the Environment Council of Rhode Island, the Endangered Species Coalition and the Rhode Island Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Environmental Journal is a listing of brief news items about the actions of individuals, organizations and businesses that affect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the landscape that surrounds us. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact environment reporter Peter B. Lord at (401) 277-8036, by e-mail at plord@projo.com or by writing him, care of The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.

The Apeiron Institute's education center at 451 Hammet Rd. in Coventry incorporates a composting toilet, off-grid photovoltaics, solar hot water, and cellulose and straw insulation. It will be part of the 2006 Green Buildings Open House this weekend.