|
March 5 Forum Conversation: Climate Change and the Role of Conservation
Please join us on Thursday, March 5 when Ellie Cohen, executive director of PRBO Conservation Science (formerly Pt. Reyes Bird Observatory) will discuss "Climate Change and the Role of Conservation." Ms. Cohen brings her perspective as a scientist and public policy advisor to the topic of climate change. She will discuss the latest scientific findings on global warming and then focus on impacts we may see in Marin: shifting rainfall patterns, drought cycles, changes in flora and fauna, invasive species and the future of local agriculture. You can learn more about PRBO at www.prbo.org . See Ellie's handout, also available at the event, at www.marinefm.org/first_thursday.html. We are co-sponsoring this event with Marin Master Gardeners. Their previous speaker drew nearly 200 guests, filling the Livermore Room at the Marin Art and Garden Center (same location this time), as well as the parking lot, to near capacity. You might want to arrive early. Social time and refreshments begin at 6:30 p.m., and the presentation should start fairly promptly at 7:00 p.m.
When: Thursday, March 5, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. for refreshments. Talk starts promptly at 7:00 p.m. Where: Livermore Room at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross.
RSVP@marinefm.org if you think you might be attending. This will help us set up the room. Even if you can't tell us in advance you are welcome to decide at the last minute. Thank you - we'd love to see you!
For more information on Forum Conversations please check our website |
|
|
Greetings!
President's Message We at EFM are welcoming the rain ... but looking forward to spring. It's not too early for EFM members to plan on attending the Annual Meeting Luncheon, May 16 at The Club at McInnis Park Golf Center in San Rafael. Same place as last year. The board is looking forward to an engaging conversation with members on what we've accomplished this year and how we are positioning EFM for the future. So, mark your calendars now. Invitations will be mailed in about a month.
Vicki Rupp
|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to SEF Class 36!
|
|
The students in Sustainable Earth Forum 36 graduated on February 3, 2009, at the beautiful Marin Arts and Garden Center. The students hosted a delicious lunch and gave many heartfelt speeches. Look out for March's newsletter, which includes an article by Whitney Merchant (36) about the ambitious projects the graduates will be undertaking.
Congratulations graduates! And please keep in touch with us by emailing enews@marinefm.org. We can't wait to hear about your progress.
|
|
|
|
|
Sustainable Communities Seminar Update
|
|
We are three sessions into the Sustainable Communities Seminar for 2009. With an actively involved class, lively Q and A sessions are part of the experience. After Session One's introduction to sustainability with Carol Misseldine, Sustainabilty Consultant, and Joe Mueller, College of Marin Professor, laying the groundwork, Session Two focused on Water Resources and Watersheds. We learned about local initiatives, protecting our watersheds, and conservation measures from Brock Dolman of the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, and Marin County's Watershed Planner Liz Lewis. We also heard from Laurette Rogers of the Bay Institute's STRAW project and Ingrid Severson from Bay Localize on rooftop catchment systems. Someone important must have been listening because the rains came soon after! After a week's break, we resumed with the first of a two-part energy session, focusing on fossil fuels and clean energy. After an introduction from Dr. Sascha von Meir of Sonoma State on carbon and energy basics, we delved into the economics of energy and how it affects different societal levels from Carla Peterson of UC Berkeley's Sustainable Energy Group. Charles McGlashan, EFM graduate and Marin County Supervisor District 3, then gave us an update on Marin Clean Energy and how the program is progressing and what they hope to achieve when it gets final approval. We're looking forward to the second part of Energy Day and then on to recycling, land use and planning and transportation issues. As always the days are full of inspiring and energizing speakers and the coordinators have done a great job in putting it all together.
Thank you Valerie Merrin (34), Director of the Sustainable Communities Seminar, for this update.
|
|
Sustainable Communities Seminar |
|
|
EFM Members In Action
|
|
Please read March's newsletter to find out the latest news from EFM members.
And please let us know what you're doing so we can include more information about EFM members. Email enews@marinefm.org. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
How Green Is The Stimulus Plan?
|
|
The Sierra Club and Environment California agree that the stimulus plan is "really, really green." The plan includes:
- $80 billion for clean energy, public transportation, and green infrastructure, the largest such investment in our nation's history.
- 1.6 million new green jobs, including 135,000 green jobs created by a $4.5 billion investment in greening federal buildings.
- A 68 million-ton reduction in our nation's carbon footprint, a cut equivalent to a city the size of Chicago, IL going completely carbon free.
- Congressional leaders even dropped a controversial $50 billion loan guarantee for the coal and nuclear industries.
Now let's make sure the plan goes into action! |
|
|
|
|
Volunteer Opportunity with Marin Farmers Markets and Green Sangha
|
|
Eat Local 101 Educational Programs The goal of Eat Local 101 is to inform and inspire eaters looking for a deeper connection to the people and places that grow their food. Eat Local 101 encompasses MFM's educational programs, including: market tours, chef demonstrations, seasonal tastings, and interactive displays on healthy eating and greening your farmers market experience. These activities rotate through our Eat Local 101 booth at the Sunday Civic Center Farmers Market in San Rafael, enabling devoted regulars and curious visitors alike to dig in to the Marin Farmers Markets. Greener Markets - 3rd Sunday of the Month Beginning April 19, in honor of Earth Day, Marin Farmers Markets will partner with Green Sangha to bring you information on how to green your farmers market shopping experience. Every third Sunday of the month, this local environmental grassroots organization will offer practical tips on how to pick up all your food for the week without all the plastic.
MFM is looking for interested volunteers to join Green Sangha for an educational seminar on March 12 and March 19, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. to learn how to educate and empower the public about how to bring home produce without all the plastic.
Cathy Rosekrans (20, 3A) has graciously offered to field emails for interested volunteers, as she is coordinating the training on behalf of Green Sangha. You can email her at: katerine2@earthlink.net
|
|
Marin Farmers Markets |
|
|
March Native Plant Walks
|
|
For the time being, Joe Kohn (34) has turned over the reins of leading the plant walks to Doreen Smith, who Joe calls "THE expert when it comes to the flora of Marin County."
Please check the website for upcoming walks.
|
|
Marin CNPS |
|
|
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Environmental Grants
|
|
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is making four separate grants, each for $200,000, payable over five years, to support work on reducing climate change. There will be one grant in each of four focus areas:
- Threats to Coffee-Growing Communities
- Transportation-Related Emissions
- Building Political Will
- Empowering Individual Action
This contest requires both an initial submission on JustMeans.com and a full RFP to Green Mountain Coffee. To begin your entry into the contest, please submit your idea on the website listed below. After submission, you will receive the URL link where you can download the full application.
|
|
Environmental Grants |
|
|
MCL Business-Environment Breakfast Forum - March 25
|
|
Marin Conservation League will be holding a Business-Environment Breakfast Forum, Wednesday March 25, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Embassy Suites, San Rafael. The topic is "MBAs Go Green and Sustainable: What Can We Expect from our Business Leaders of the Future?" For more than 15 years, Marin Conservation League has explored the connections between business, local economies (and politics), and the environment in a series of quarterly breakfast forums. Arranged to allow a convivial and informative morning gathering over breakfast, these forums continue to be a popular way of bringing together communities that are too often seen as separate. The forum on March 25 will explore the new direction of MBA programs toward sustainable management and the "greening" of business. Two local programs will be featured: the Green MBA program at Dominican University, San Rafael; and the Presidio School of Sustainable Management, San Francisco. Representing the Dominican University program will be John Stayton, a founder of the program in 2000. John spent 15 years in Silicon Valley in high-tech marketing and sales before changing careers to educate others. Steven L. Swig J.D., a founder, Board member, and President Emeritus of the Presidio School will represent that program. We will have an opportunity to discuss how environmental themes are incorporated into these programs, how they differ from traditional MBA programs, and how they hope to change the direction of future businesses toward sustainability.
Reservations are $30, which covers the cost of breakfast, and are payable in advance by check to Marin Conservation League, 1623A Fifth Ave., San Rafael, 94901, 415-485-6257.
|
|
Marin Conservation League |
|
|
Watershed Project Opportunities for Marin Educators
|
|
This coming spring, the Watershed Project has two opportunities for Marin educators. 1. Plant Smart! Water Wise School Gardening, Saturday, March 28 at Edna Maguire Elementary in Mill Valley 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. $25 Not sure where to start with choosing plants for your school garden? Explore the physical conditions in your garden and develop short and long term goals. You will learn how to plan accordingly so you can maximize space and grow healthy, happy plants. You will also learn how to assess your site and choose plants that will thrive, determine your site conditions, and design your garden to conserve water. You will receive a helpful guide with background information and resources as well as grant information to help fund your school garden project. 2. FREE individualized technical support for your school garden program. The Watershed Project will tailor their services to meet the needs of your site. These may include garden design and plant selection, techniques for growing food with children and attracting wildlife, standards-based curriculum for gardening, composting help, and practical advice on how to build a school garden program with the support of teachers, administrators, parents, and the local community. For more information call Adam at 510.665.3539 or email him at adam@thewatershedproject.org. We are excited to come out to help!
|
|
The Watershed Project |
|
|
SPROUT Seed Library Event
|
|
The SPROUT Seed Library is a non-profit community supported seed and plant resource outreach and library in West Marin. The SPROUT Library provides seeds and plants to gardeners who in turn grow-out select plants for seed and return some to the library for others to borrow. Our goal is to nurture gardeners as earth tenders with uniquely suited plants for our bioregion while supporting genetic diversity and community sovereignty. SPROUT is an acronym for the Seed and Plant Resource OUTreach.
SPROUT will be holding a seed saving class on Saturday, March 28, at 10:00 a.m., at a location in Bolinas TBA. You'll learn everything you need to know to get started saving seeds and more~ permaculture, biodynamic and hands-on style. Class cost is by donation- $10-30. Additional donations are welcomed. Please RSVP to help with class size estimates.
|
|
SPROUT Seed Library |
|
|
Dominican Sustainable Practices Certificate Program Begins March 21
|
|
Dominican's Sustainable Practices Certificate program is for professionals and other adults who share a commitment to sustainable issues and wish to take positive steps to enhance their workplaces and communities. The unique curriculum structure offers affordable and flexible sustainable education and provides practical application through internships and capstone projects with Bay Area organizations. If you have participated in the Sustainable Earth Forum or Sustainable Communities Seminar, your classes may count as elective credit for the certificate and you may be eligible for discounted tuition. Several graduates participated in the pilot program: Lenny Hand (35), Chrise de Tournay Birkhahn (35), Bruce Richard (35), Bonnie Bibas (36), Lisa Chipkin (36), Hillary Jeffries (36), and Julie Hanft (36).
The Spring cohort begins Saturday, March 21, with ten Saturday classes running until early June. Upcoming Information Session: Saturday, March 7, 2009 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Dominican campus To RSVP, contact Elaine McCarty at 415-458-3712 or certificate@dominican.edu
|
|
Dominican Sustainable Practices Certificate Program |
|
|
Geography of Hope Conference - March 20 - 22
|
|
The 2009 Geography of Hope Conference will take place in Point Reyes Station from March 20 to March 22. The event features writers who are organic farmers, ranchers, and growers. Author and peach farmer David Mas Masumoto will chair the conference. The first GOH conference, held in 2008, was one of the most exceptional literary events ever to take place in Northern California. It was dedicated to Wallace Stegner whose writings often reflected on the relationship between people and the land. Building on that theme, this year's event will take as its focus writing on farming and the rural life featuring authors who, to paraphrase Barbara Kingsolver, have devoted their lives to the health of their habitat and food chain.
For further information or to purchase tickets to the 2009 "Geography of Hope Conference: Writing on Farming and the Rural Life," visit www.ptreyesbooks.com or phone 415-663-9480.
|
|
Geography of Hope Conference |
|
|
Help SPAWN Restore Local Habitat
|
|
Creek Habitat Restoration Every Saturday in March 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. rain or shine. Join SPAWN as they plant, prune, remove invasives, and improve endangered coho habitat in the San Geronimo Valley! It's a wonderful opportunity to learn more about salmon and share rewarding experiences with like-minded folks of all ages while restoring our local ecosystem. The location is always changing so check www.spawnusa.org/upcomingevents/number-5 for updates.
Native Plant Nursery Day Every Friday in March 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. rain or shine. Come out and help SPAWN volunteers at SPAWN's very own Native Plant Nursery! SPAWN cultivates beautiful plants destined for restoration sites throughout the valley - everything from native blackberries and grasses to majestic redwoods and Douglas fir. Be a part of transforming creekside habitat from the ground up! Email for directions if interested: Blaine Vossler, Americorps WSP Intern, at blaine@tirn.net.
|
|
SPAWN |
|
|
March Green Tip - Support Local Businesses
|
|
In March's Marin Magazine, executive editor Jim Wood urges Marinites to support our local downtowns. We can't think of a more urgent tip for sustainability. As Wood writes: "During these economically challenging times, it's more important than ever to support the merchants whose businesses contribute so much to our quality of life."
|
|
|
|
|
