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Congratulations Class 35! New environmental activists to graduate February 5.
We are very proud of Class 35 students for their commitment and contributions to the EFM training program. We are also especially grateful to all the inspiring teachers, training directors, coordinators and volunteers who make our environmental education advocacy course a great success.
Even as we come to the end of our 18-week Earth Forum course, we look forward to the remaining Saturdays of the Sustainable Communities Seminar, outlined below.
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Saturday Course on Environmental Sustainability
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Beginning Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Seminar Series runs for seven Saturdays and is designed for decision makers of all types, including voters, business people, and public employees. This is the perfect alternative to our longer program (Sustainable Earth Forum) for those who only have weekends available.
A key part of the Seminar Series is the time it provides for interaction with our speakers--college and university instructors, politicians, business people and environmental activists--who have real-world experience in creating, deciding or implementing policies for environmental sustainability.
Scholarships are available. For details email Admissions@MarinEFM.org
For more information email the director at Seminar@MarinEFM.org with your questions.
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Application Info and Flyer |
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Earth Forum Report
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The final classes of the 2007-08 Sustainable Earth Forum cover Toxics and the 3 R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), Land Use, and Environmental Philosophy. The last day of classes preceding graduation will feature students presenting the projects they have developed. Kim Sauve, assistant training director, (Class 34) has previewed the topics and is interested in seeing the outcome and effect these projects will have on our community.
EFM members are welcome to attend Projects Day and Graduation if they make arrangements with the training directors in advance. Email Training@marinEFM.org
This photo shows a scene from Energy & Transportation Day on December 16 when the owner of Green Motors, Mark Korchin, gave the class a close look at the Zenn electric car from Canada.
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For more information on Zenn cars |
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Marty Griffin - Environmental Leader of the Year
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"Many of the things that have been said here are exaggerated," said Marty Griffin, founding member of EFM, when he addressed over 150 well-wishers at the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Rafael on December 6. He thanked the speakers for their words of appreciation and respect and insisted that recognition be shared with other early environmentalists in Marin. Marty exhorted the crowd to "internalize environmentalism as a way of thinking," and to continue the struggle to protect the health of our planet. "As long as we cast a shadow on this earth, we can never give up."
Among the speakers at the Environmental Education Council of Marin's (EECOM) 2007 Environmental Leader of the Year evening were California State Assemblyman Jared Huffman and Marin County Supervisor Charles McGlashan (Class 30), last year's award honoree. The nomination for the award came jointly from The Environmental Forum of Marin and from Marin Audubon.
McGlashan spoke of first reading Dr. Griffin's Saving the Marin Sonoma Coast in 2001 as a member of EFM class 30. Profoundly impressed and moved by the book and by Dr. Griffin's legacy, when Charles was elected to the Marin County Board of Supervisors in 2004, he took his oath of office on the book.
>From Dianne Fruin (EFM vice-president, Class 30)
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"Honoring Dr. Martin Griffin Jr., MD |
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Action Alert - Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)
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A number of opportunities are coming up for public participation in California's Marine Life Protection Act (MPLA), and it will be important to have citizens attend and express support:
February 5, 6-9 p.m. Public Workshop to review and comment on the current proposals. (Location: Sheraton Sonoma County, Petaluma)
February 13-14, MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force will review draft proposals and hear public comments. Day 1 is a joint meeting with Fish and Game Commission. (Location: Best Western Lighthouse Hotel, Pacifica)
The MPLA was passed in 1999, and the state is now implementing the Act region by region, currently reviewing proposals for the area which includes Marin County. Stakeholders representing fishing and conservation interests have negotiated these proposals which offer a balance of habitat conservation and access for fishing. Important goals are to protect California's marine natural heritage and to protect the structure, function, and integrity of marine ecosystems.
If you have questions or want more information to prepare for the public meetings, contact Rick Johnson, rick@hearbirds.com. For more information on draft proposals: click on Draft Proposals
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MLPA Fact Sheet |
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MMWD Vegetation Management Plan
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January 23, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Fairfax Women's Club
46 Park Road, Fairfax
Open meeting to discuss updating the vegetation management plan which will drive all wildfire risk reduction, habitat restoration, and conservation work on Mt. Tamalpais for the next 10 to 15 years.
EFM's Community Education Committee arranged a visit to the site for our members and public officials earlier last year and we encourage our members and others to attend this meeting and to advocate for a common sense approach to managing this environment.
from Bruce Ackerman (Class 34)
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Hikes and Nature Walks
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Richardson Bay Audubon Center
- Saturday, January 19, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Winter Birds of Richardson Bay
Join us for a short hike around the sanctuary with Kerry Wilcox, our sanctuary manager and an experienced birder.
Beginner and advanced birders, and families welcome.
- Saturday, January 19, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Sanctuary Night Hike
Use all your senses to explore the Sanctuary after hours with a naturalist-led night hike. Both hikes cost: $10 adult / $5 child. RSVP: 388-2524 ext 107.
Location: 376 Greenwood Beach Drive, Tiburon, CA 94920, (415) 388-2524 x111
For more information see: Richardson Bay Audubon Center
California Native Plant Society Hikes
Sunday, January 20, 10 a.m., Palomarin Trail
Sunday, February 10, 10 a.m., Devil's Gulch
Sunday, February 24, 10 a.m., Mt Burdell
Join Joe Kohn (Class 34) for these hikes, sponsored by the Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. Hikes are free and open to the public. Upcoming hikes are listed on the California Native Plant Society Web site. Or write to Joe at joko@foxvalley.net requesting an update by e-mail every couple of weeks.
You can't protect what you don't know about, so make 2008 the year to learn about the 1600 native plants that reside in Marin County! They need your help and, in exchange, they'll provide you with unsurpassed beauty, tranquility and serenity.
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For more information see: |
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Conservation through Cultivation
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Watershed Protection in your own Garden
Tuesday, January 22, 7:00 p.m.,
Mill Valley Community Center,
180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley.
Learn water conservation techniques from Brock Dolman, Dylan Coleman, Michael Thilgen, and Dan Carney at this Sierra Club, Marin event.
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See details on Sierra Club's Web site |
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Environmental Stories
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Wendy McPhee (Class 32) writes that many people in Marin and beyond have carried their EFM training and forward into inspiring environmental projects as well as other life-changing directions.
EFM would love to hear from both present and past members. Please send an email, as brief or as long as you like, recounting how EFM became your springboard into environmental action or further education.
This information will be for internal development and not used without your permission. Please mail publicrelations@MarinEFM.org
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Holiday Party
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The overriding agenda for passionate party-goers at the annual EFM Holiday party was to share dreams and concerns and to have fun.
Pictured here, Paul Miller (Class 33) chats with Anne Moore (Class 35).
At the home of Marilyn and David McConnell, new friends were made, old friendships renewed and plans for the new year developed as members of this year's Class 35 mingled with members of previous EFM classes. As usual, members brought their best dishes to share and their favorite wines to drink. David and Marilyn hope that the 80 to 100 people who moved through their home that evening enjoyed the party as much as the hosts did.
from David McConnell (EFM president, Class 27)
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Marin Agricultural Land Trust 2008 Volunteer Training
Saturdays, February 9, March 1
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
If you are interested in helping preserve farmland in Marin, why not think of becoming a volunteer. Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT)
Contact Mia Pelletier (Class 31) mpelletier@malt.org or 415-663-1338, ext. 311.
Audubon Canyon Ranch - Bolinas Lagoon Preserve Guide Training
End of January to March
Seven Saturdays of training for those interested in sharing knowledge and appreciation of nature during Audubon Canyon Ranch's (ACR) public weekends. Please call 415/868-9244 or email acr@egret.org.
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Events in Point Reyes
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Bioneers Film Night
Thursday January 17, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Dance Palace, 5th & B streets
Point Reyes Station
Videos of speakers Bill McDonough and Paul Stamets, with conversation time between each 35-minute video. Call Cathleen Dorinson, 663-8426 or email filmnites@gmail.com
An evening with Joel Salatin
Friday, January 25, 6 p.m.
at the Dance Palace, 5th & B Streets
Point Reyes Station
$50 per person
We read about sustainable farming guru Joel Salatin and his Polyface Farm in Virginia in Michael Pollan's book, >The Omnivores Dilemma.
Joel will be in West Marin on January 25 at a benefit for the Point Reyes Seashore Ranchers Association.
Organized by Marin Sun Farms
503 B Street, Point Reyes Station
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Details on Salatin's talk |
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Oil from Algae
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Driven by renewed investment as oil prices top $100 a barrel, scores of scientists around the world are racing to turn algae into a commercially viable energy source. Some varieties of algae are as much as 50 percent oil, and that oil can be converted into biodiesel or jet fuel. The biggest challenge is slashing the cost of production, which by one Defense Department estimate is running more than $20 a gallon.
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Read on... |
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The Story of Stuff
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From extraction to production, sale, use and disposal, all the "stuff" in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. This video, sponsored by The Tides Foundation and the Funders Workgroup on Sustainable Production and Consumption, is a fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns.
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Watch the video |
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Member News
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Clint Wilder (Class 31) will read from his book
The Clean Tech Revolution
7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30
at The Depot Bookstore in Mill Valley.
The book, which has made the San Francisco Chronicle's Bay Area non-fiction best seller list, details how clean technologies such as solar and wind power, biofuels, and green buildings represent a business as well as environmental imperative.
Wilder is contributing editor at Clean Edge and co-coordinator of the Clean Energy workshop in the EFM Sustainable Communities series.
Environmental Program Manager Position
Donna Miller, (Class 32) notes that there is a new role at her alma mater, Autodesk.
She will be happy to discuss this with anyone interested in finding out more. Email dmiller5050@yahoo.com.
Please note: Donna has no affiliation with the job opening. She left Autodesk in 2004.
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For further Autodesk info |
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Deborah Coburn Curates for the Green Home Pavilion
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Deborah Coburn (Class 21) was the curator of the Green Home Pavilion at the Western Interiors Show which took place the end of October at Fort Mason. Deborah took products from 18 vendors and put them together into four room-vignettes to show that 'green interior furnishings can be gorgeous'.
Since this is the first furniture show in the country to feature furnishings in the room vignette format, ABC News picked up the story and ran it in their evening broadcast. Deborah, as the high-end interior designer and architectural colorist who put the Pavilion together, was featured.
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See Deborah's Web site |
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