(Editor's Note: During the writing of this article, Karen was inspired to enter her own innovative green project in the Tag Your Green contest! Check our her indoor vertical farm that utilizes hydroponic technology, and if you like it, vote it up!)

Last September I had the opportunity to participate in the first New York World Maker Faire. This November and December Make Magazine is sponsoring a "Tag Your Green" Project Contest, inspired by the GE Ecomagination competition. Participants can enter in 4 main categories:

1. Conserve
2. Recycle
3. Renewable Resources
4. Transport

Over the years, Make has shared thousands of DIY projects, many of those focusing on green solutions. To inspire contestants, they've shared some favorite projects from the Pioneering Makers, innovators who are working out clever solutions to today's environmental challenges.

Check out one of Make's most innovative Makers:

A Renaissance man if ever there was one, Saul Griffith is a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation grant, and a renowned inventor, entrepreneur, and environmental activist. He has founded several start-ups that explore outside-the-box solutions to environmental problems. Onya Cycles, one of his current ventures, offers a healthy and low-impact solution for short-range commuting and urban transportation. Saul's unique approaches to problem-solving, and his many impressive inventions, have made him extremely influential in the green and maker communities. In early fall 2010, he was a guest on The Colbert Report.

[Source: Makezine]