Next Sustainable Communities Seminar begins in February 2009

2008 Course Completed!

The 2008 course began February 2, 2008 and ended March 22, 2008. Classes were held on seven (7) Saturdays, typically 9:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. (Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 16, Mar 1, Mar 8, Mar 15, Mar 22). Class size was limited to 35 trainees. The $250 tuition fee covered classes, handouts, and associate membership in the Environmental Forum of Marin.

The 2008 Sustainable Communities Seminar Flyer and the Application forms (*PDF files) contain more details.

For more information,email the EFM Sustainable Communities Seminar Director, Valerie Merrin

Overview

Environmental Forum of Marin’s 2008 Sustainable Communities Seminar was created for community leaders and their staff but offers all Marinites the most current, useful and trustworthy environmental information needed for informed decision-making on the community as well as personal level.

With environmentally progressive policies already instituted at our County level of government, as well as at the State, the imperative for our community leaders to fully understand what environmental sustainability means and encompasses has never been greater.

The concept of environmental sustainability presents us with this challenge:

to pass on to our grandchildren a world in which human use of natural resources is in balance with nature’s ability to replenish those resources.

How can business, nonprofit and government policy decisions incorporate the concepts of environmental sustainability? What personal lifestyle decisions can be made and what actions can be taken which will build a more healthful environment for all of us?

In the 2008 Sustainable Communities Seminar students learned these answers from approximately 35 highly-respected, local environmental leaders and teachers who explained the practical and scientific reasons for incorporating environmentally sustainable decisions in our lives. Students brought their questions and got first-hand answers! Our speakers included college and university instructors, politicians, business people and environmental activists—many who have real-world experience in creating, deciding or implementing environmentally sustainable policy.

This course is offered primarily to inform and to inspire. While there are no tests and no mandatory reading, extensive resources and recommended readings are provided for each day’s focus topic. Each class is devoted to one overarching subject, with each building upon the other in order to provide you with the most fruitful learning experience possible.

Schedule

Each class addressed a specific topic as it concerns Marin, with several classes providing an overview of regional, state, and global environmental issues as well.

It is because of the quality of our speakers that Environmental Forum of Marin has, since 1972, consistently garnered an excellent reputation for its courses. See the impressive list of presenters for the above sessions.

Members and their guests were welcome to attend classes, as visitors, but conditions apply. Permission from the Director is mandatory prior to attendance. Please inquire three days minimum prior to class date: Seminar@MarinEFM.org

Prior Workshops

• Class Overview and Agendas for all of last years 2007 Workshop classes.
• List of presenters from the 2006 Workshop classes.

(Prior to 2007-2008, the Sustainable Communities Seminar was called the Workshop Series)

The Environmental Forum of Marin (EFM)’s mission is to promote a sustainable world through environmental education. Inspiring leaders and advocates for the environment since 1972. EFM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and a United Way of the Bay Area Certified Agency.