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Sign Up Now For Sustainable Earth Forum 37!
The Class of 37 is about to kick off with Orientation Day on September 8 at the Lyford House in Tiburon. So far, we have 13 excited students ready to go through this educational - and often life- changing - experience. Their backgrounds and goals are varied, but their level of excitement is consistent. We'll keep you posted as we journey through another year of classes, field trips and other awareness-raising experiences.
For those of you who have taken previous SEF courses, please share your enthusiasm for SEF with others who would be perfect for the program and would love to attend. They will be forever grateful for your referral. They can find information and an application on the EFM website: http://www.marinefm.org/training_traditional.html
For those of you not as familiar with SEF, here is a short description: The Environmental Forum of Marin's Sustainable Earth Forum is an annual 18-week educational opportunity for adults, focusing on sustainability, ecology, human impacts on the environment, resource management and citizen based community action. Participants learn from key professionals, government officials and dedicated citizens working actively for environmental organizations. The goal of the SEF is to provide knowledge to individuals who are, or who would like to be, involved in making decisions affecting their community. The underlying philosophy of EFM is that any decision, whether governmental, educational or personal, is a better decision when made by an informed individual.
Here is this year's schedule. Please let Marcia know in advance if you plan on attending, as some of the locations have space constraints.
Orientation 9/8 Geology 9/15 Plant Communities 9/22 Wildlife 9/29 Agriculture and Mariculture 10/6 Baylands 10/13 Bay/Estuary/Ocean 10/20 Water 10/27 Advocacy & Env'l Education 11/3 Environmental Ethics 11/10 Advocacy 11/7 Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery 12/1 Land Use 12/8 Energy 12/15 Transportation 1/5/10 Intro to Sustainability 1/12 Economics of Sustainability 1/19 Projects Day 1/26 Graduation 2/2
For more information please visit:
Sustainable Earth Forum 37 |
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Greetings!
President's Message ... and we're off! To get ready for another great year, the EFM Board held two retreats over the summer to prepare our operating plan for 2009-2010. We intend to significantly increase our members' opportunities to extend their environmental education and to network with each other. To do this, however, we need volunteers to help put on events. If you can help, please contact Susan Rusche at susan@rusche.com or 415-485-0587. We also want to spread the word on what our members are doing. So, if you know of a "member on the move," please contact Ellen Obstler at enews@marinefm.org. I'm looking forward to the start of SEF 37 on September 8, and seeing many of you at our fall event. More on that next month.
Cheers.
Vicki Rupp
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EFM Outreach Program - Mentors Wanted
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With a growing awareness of the varied and complex environmental challenges facing us all, EFM formed the "Outreach Committee" to support groups and individuals concerned about an environmental issue (or issues) who wish to replicate or adapt the Forum's educational programs in their community. The Outreach Committee is now seeking mentors to guide those interested in starting such a program through the process.
Several Forum graduates have gone on to develop their own programs and, based on their experiences, the Outreach Committee has developed materials for mentors to use in helping clients turn their ideas into actions.
A mentor's role involves:
- Providing a sounding board for potential ideas;
- Assisting in visioning/framing the client's ideas;
- Helping the client keep the focus on strategic issues;
- Providing guidance in overcoming impediments and objections; and
- Providing advice and critiquing when appropriate.
Most communication will take place by phone and e-mail and will require between three to five hours per month. In addition there will be a half-day training session for mentors.
If you are someone who has experience in organizing, developing and/or administering environmental or related programs, and you enjoy the role of a mentor, we'd love your help. To find out more, please contact: Barbara O'Grady, Outreach Committee, barbaraog@juno.com.
Correction to the Summer 2009 Newsletter: We incorrectly listed the author of "Solvig's Story." Callita Moore (19) wrote the article. We apologize for the error.
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Free Screening of "Home" - August 4
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The public is invited to view the remarkable film "Home" by renowned aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand to be shown Tuesday, August 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Center Community Room in Corte Madera. Co-sponsored by Democracy for America - Marin and Progressive Democrats of Marin, this free film features stunning footage of 54 countries and describes the ecological balance of the planet, the depletion of natural resources, the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate, and the need to mobilize all populations.
For information contact Anita Fieldman at (415) 686-8841
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Edible Marin & Wine Country Magazine Launches
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The premiere issue of Edible Marin & Wine Country, published by Marin resident Gibson Thomas, arrived in June. This quarterly, free publication, "celebrates the harvest of Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties, season by season." As the co-leader of the Marin County-Petaluma chapter of Slow Food since 2002, Gibson has made it her mission to spread the word about the amazing farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers, fishermen, chefs, and other food artisans we are blessed to have in Marin County. This print and on-line publication is a beautiful, tangible and enduring tool to further that mission. Edible Marin & Wine Country is a part of Edible Communities, Inc., a family of publications that began with Edible Ojai over 7 years ago and now includes 55 magazines across the US, Canada, and coming soon to Mexico.
The Fall issue will be available at the end of August and can be found on line at www.ediblemarinandwinecountry.com, and at Whole Foods, Gelateria Cici, Three Twins Organic Ice Cream, The Tyler Florence Shop, Small Shed Flatbreads, Rustic Bakery, Point Reyes Books, Point Reyes Seashore Lodge, Emporio Rulli, AVA Restaurant, Mill Valley Market, Tomales Bay Foods and other select businesses throughout Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties.
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Edible Marin & Wine Country |
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Twelve Bids Come In For Green Power
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The Marin IJ reported on July 24, 2009, that a dozen companies submitted bids to the Marin Energy Authority to supply electricity and compete with PG&E. Supervisor Charles McGlashan (30) commented, "We got an extraordinarily strong response from the market. In the midst of a rough economy, it is very encouraging that the market took this so seriously. We got more bids than we expected."
The next step is for the Authority to review the bids and make recommendations to the Authority's board when it meets on August 20.
We'll keep you posted.
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EFM Members In Action
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Whitney Merchant (36) recently started working at the Greenbelt Alliance. The Greenbelt Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to stopping sprawl development. Originally, the organization protected the greenbelt through advocating for strong open space and farmland protection. It soon became clear, however, that to truly stop sprawl, this work had to be coupled with strong advocacy for supporting growth in already built out areas, commonly known as "infill development" or "smart growth."
As a Field Representative, Whitney is working with local partners and the Marin Community Foundation to build support for this type of sustainable growth. Whitney feels that her experience with the Environmental Forum gave her the confidence to land the position. It introduced her to the concepts in land use that she now uses every day. It helped her feel comfortable speaking about a variety of complicated issues, such as housing and good development, especially addressing large groups of people, which is a vital part of the job. Congrats Whitney!
Please let us know what you're doing so we can include more information about EFM members. Email enews@marinefm.org. Thank you!
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Marin Open Garden Project
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The Marin Open Garden Project and Sustainable San Anselmo jointly announced that the two organizations will collaborate to hold a new weekly exchange of backyard garden bounty in San Anselmo on Saturdays from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Creek Park. Backyard gardeners are encouraged to bring their excess fruit and vegetables for exchange with other gardeners.
The Marin Open Garden Project launched in April 2009, and also holds exchanges in Mill Valley, San Rafael, and Larkspur as follows: Mill Valley, Saturdays, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., Boyle Park, East Street Parking Area; San Rafael, Saturdays, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., San Rafael Library, E St. & 5th Avenue; Larkspur, Saturdays, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., Piper Park near the Community Garden, 250 Doherty Drive.
In addition to coordinating the exchanges, the Marin Open Garden Project maintains a website -- http://www.opengardenproject.org -- which provides links to resources for gardeners in Marin County, lists residents offering land for cultivation by other residents, and connects citizens seeking to establish additional community gardens. The Marin Open Garden Project also provides free gleaning of vegetable gardens and fruit trees to residents upon request. All undistributed produce is donated to the Marin Community Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County and other organizations.
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Marin Open Garden Project |
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Backyard Beekeeping Workshop - August 7
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Join UC Cooperative Extension and beekeeping professionals for an afternoon learning the basic principles and the art of keeping honeybees here on the north coast. Speakers: Doug Vincent, owner and teacher of Beekind, Sebastopol, and Bobby Foer, beekeeper, Point Reyes Station.
Bring samples of your honey for a group tasting and evaluation. Please register online early. Space is limited. Go to: www.growninmarin.org and click on "Register Here."
When: Friday, August 7, 2009, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Where: Toby's Feed Barn, 11250 Highway One, Pt. Reyes Station Light refreshments will be served. For information call UC Cooperative Extension: Frances Healey 415-499-4204
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Grown In Marin |
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August Native Plant Walk
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Joe Kohn (34) will be leading one wildflower hike in August. Sunday, August 9, 2009 - 11:00 a.m. Tilden Botanic Garden, Berkeley Earlier this year, Joe completed the six-month long docent training program at the Tilden Botanic Garden, and he's started to lead weekend walks through the garden. The Tilden Botanic Garden is ten acres in size, and it is broken down into ten areas that represent the entire state of California. So it's possible to walk through the entire state, botanically speaking, in an hour. In early August, the Sierra section should be in full bloom, as should the Siskyou and Klamath regions. Buckwheats and Penstemons throughout the Garden should be colorful, and the first fruits of fall should be appearing by then. Many different routes will take you up into Berkeley's Tilden Park, but the quickest and most direct ones are very steep. So, please look at the maps and directions found at the Garden's web site at: http://www.nativeplants.org/ Please bring lunch, and after the hour long official walk, we'll have a picnic in the garden and look at more native plants.
All hikes are free and open to the public, so please invite your friends. Admission to the Garden and parking is also free. For further information, contact Joe Kohn at 415- 459-0231 or drop him a line at joko@foxvalley.net
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Marin CNPS |
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Marin Organic August Events
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Join the Marin Organic Glean Team! Every Monday at 4:00 p.m., the Marin Organic Glean Team harvests extras from the fields of Marin Organic member farms for the Organic School Lunch and Gleaning Program, which then donates the produce to schools, camps and low-income resource centers throughout Marin County. Come meet your local farmers, get your hands dirty and join in the fun! To find out more contact Marin Organic at (415) 663- 9667 or visit their website at www.marinorganic.org.
Marin Organic will also be hosting a walking tour of the olives and orchards of McEvoy Ranch on Saturday, August 8, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. You'll visit the olive orchards and learn about the horticulture of olive trees, including McEvoy Ranch's certified organic practices and harvest techniques. You'll also visit the milling room for insight into the process of extracting olive oil. The tour will conclude with an oil tasting and sensory evaluation and, of course, some suggestions of how best to enjoy the olive oil. All our guests will go home with a gift of McEvoy's sustainably grown, organic olives. Ticket price for this event, including take-home gift: $35 for non-members* of Marin Organic $25 for members* of Marin Organic. To register, please call the Marin Organic office 415.663.9667.
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Marin Organic |
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SPAWN August Events
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SPAWN is hosting two special events in August. August 22 - SPAWN Creek Clean-Up Join our second-annual Creek Cleanup in the San Geronimo Valley. Trash severely degrades the critical habitat for coho salmon, and we can make a difference through our simple and effective creek clean-up efforts on this day. RSVP to Chris for more details, chris@tirn.net or (415) 663-8590 x102. When: Saturday, August 22, All Day Where: Throughout the San Geronimo Valley
August 29 - Creekside Restoration Extravaganza Part 1 Join SPAWN in habitat restoration along the Lagunitas Creek in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Marin's Coho Salmon are critically endangered at both the state and national levels. One of the most effective ways to save these animals is to protect and restore their sensitive spawning and rearing habitats. A collaboration between SPAWN, Americorps, and the California Conservation Corps, this event features free breakfast, free lunch, and the opportunity to see wild salmon. For more details e-mail blaine@tirn.net. When: Saturday, August 29th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Where: 9255 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. (Near Olema) in the GGNRA
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SPAWN |
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Food For Thought Author Series - August 22
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"Food for Thought:" Author Series produced by Point Reyes Books and Marin Organic Come join Point Reyes Books and Marin Organic in welcoming notable authors speaking about a range of food-related issues featuring their newest books. On Saturday, August 22, Marion Nestle - author of "What to Eat: An Aisle-by-Aisle Guide to Savvy Food Choices and Good Eating" will speak.
When: Saturday, August 22, 7:00 p.m. Where: Toby's Feed Barn, Point Reyes Station This is a free event welcoming all to come learn and participate.
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Marin Conservation League Hike - August 29
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Walk Into History, Part 2. On Saturday, August 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (approx.), at Samuel P. Taylor State Park, the celebration of Marin Conservation League's 75th Anniversary continues with this hike, the second of four free "Walks into Conservation History" that will take MCL members into some of Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) and California State Park lands MCL helped acquire for the public.
This will be an easy 3.6-mile hike led by Marin historian Barry Spitz and San Geronimo Valley expert and former MCL president Jean Berensmeier. You will learn about the colorful exploits of Samuel P. Taylor, who turned his Gold Rush fortune into a mill on Papermill Creek, and then into a hotel and resort destination. The five- year saga of how MCL persuaded the county of Marin to take the land for back taxes, and how it eventually became a state park is a fascinating story in itself.
This event is free, but please pre-register via e- mail. You will want to bring a bag lunch and, of course, a hat and sunscreen. Dogs are not allowed on trails in this park. Parking at the Park's Day Use lot is $6 per vehicle, so we recommend carpooling. Samuel P. Taylor State Park is located at 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.- take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. west through the San Geronimo Valley to the park's entrance.
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Marin Conservation League |
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August Green Tip - Fight Fruit Flies Naturally
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Adapted from GreenerTrends.com. The yummy organic produce available at this time of the year inevitably leads to fruit flies. Here's some tips to get rid of them: * Trap them - Make a sticky and fly-enticing mixture by boiling water, sugar, and corn syrup together, then spread it on some used scrap paper. The flies won't be able to resist and will be stuck to the paper. * Spray them - Put all your fruit in the refrigerator and spray environmentally friendly bug spray. Even bug spray meant for ants and roaches is effective with the flies. The few flies that survive move slowly so it's easy to swat them. * Soak them - Make your own fruit fly killer. Put some apple cider vinegar in a container like a glass or jar, then put a paper funnel in the container. The flies will fly in, then struggle to get out. Or put some cheap sweet wine in a cup with some dish soap. The flies will chow down and die from the soap! * Keep them out - Install screens on doors and windows. This one is pretty obvious. If you own your home, installing screens on your doors and windows will greatly decrease the amount of flies (and other insects) that come in your home. Not a bad investment.
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