What Grows On in Rhode Island ~ News Blog

Building a Road Map for Business Success ~ March 3 & 10, 2008

From Peggy Siligato:

Building a Road Map for Business Success ~ Start up & established Green Industry

Compliance with DEM regs, risk management tools, Quick Books training, accounting, funding opportunities, pesticide record keeping, and more.

This coming MONDAY:  IMPORTANT
I have a few more spaces that I would like to fill. Anyone that wants to refine their business plan should come on Monday. Norma said you could have an electronic posting and email to the  members. Thanks
Please call Peggy at 874-5997 to register.

When: Monday March 3 & Monday March 10

9:00  am - 2:00 pm  Includes: Lunch

attend one or both days

Where:  URI’s East Farm Kingston, RI
Mapquest: 2095 Kingstown Rd. South Kingstown, RI

Target Audience: green industry enterprises, agriculture producers, start up businesses, women owned, limited resource, established businesses
Presenters:  Margaret Siligato, University of Rhode Island
Kristen Dame, URI Agriculture Extension
Ken Ayers, RI Department of Environmental Management
Laurence Crane, National Crop Insurance Services
Dr. Cole Gustafson, North Dakota State University

* pending 2 pesticide recertification credits from RI-DEM.

Margaret Siligato
University of Rhode Island
3 East Alumni Ave
Kingston, RI  02881

Tel:  (401) 874-5997
Fax: (401) 874-2259
Email: Siligato@uri.edu

Enviromental Action 2008 ~ March 15, 2008

From Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group:

Register now!
Environmental Action 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008

New England’s largest conference for citizen activists protecting public health and the environment
ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING WITH THE EXPERTS – LEARN NEW SKILLS – NETWORK –BE INSPIRED

Join hosting organizations Toxics Action Center, Environment Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Climate Action Network, and dozens of cosponsoring organizations, including Clean Water Action and Alternatives for Community and Environment at the Environmental Action 2008 conference on March 15, 2008 at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.

Keynote Speaker: Gary Cohen is a founder and Co-Executive Director of Health Care Without Harm, the international campaign for environmentally responsible healthcare.  He is also the Executive Director of the Environmental Health Fund, which works on domestic and global chemical safety issues. He is the co-author of Fighting Toxics (Island Press, 1990) and the groundbreaking report, "The U.S. Military's Toxics Legacy." 

The conference will offer over 25 workshops to help you tackle climate change, ensure clean drinking water, phase out persistent toxic chemicals, and develop skills and strategies to create a healthy and safe community, including:

* Winning the Support of Elected Officials
* Fundraising 202
* Raise your Legislative IQ
* Detoxify Your House
* Interpreting Environmental Test Results
* The Update from Beacon Hill
* Local Activities to Combat Global Warming
*Water Privatization and Water Bottling

Environmental Action 2008 will be a day to share strategies, recognize victories, and be inspired to go back to our communities and continue the work to further efforts to protect the environment.
See a list of conference workshops, browse the silent auction prizes, learn more about the speaker, see who is cosponsoring the event, register, and get to Wentworth at www.toxicsaction.org <http://www.toxicsaction.org> over the upcoming weeks.

Registration is $50 to cosponsor, including two entries. Individuals are $30 pre-paid and $35 at the door. Breakfast, a reception, and childcare are included.

Email Meredith at info@toxicsaction.org, or call her at (617) 747-4362 with questions or to sign up for one-on-one coaching for environmental test results, legal help, health studies, fundraising, and organizing assistance. Register online at www.toxicsaction.org/ <http://www.toxicsaction.org/confregMA08.html> .

Please forward this email to others who may be interested in this day of informative speakers, workshops, inspiration and networking.
--
Laura Brion
Program Associate
Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group
9 South Angell Street, Floor 2, Providence, RI 02906
(401) 421-6578

Environmental Legislation Survey ~ Due March 5, 2008

From Environment Rhode Island:

Although it's cold outside this time of year, the hallways of the General Assembly are just starting to heat up. As you know, we here at Environment Rhode Island are committed to getting results that protect Rhode Island's air, water and open space.

As this year's legislative session gets under way, I'm hoping you'll let us know what you think are the most important environmental issues on which we should focus our efforts.

Please take a moment to fill out our short online survey:

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Sincerely,

Matt Auten
Environment Rhode Island Advocate

SAVE THE DATE! Arbor Day Fair ~ April 26, 2008

From Rhode Island Tree Council:

Arbor Day Fair Saturday April 26, 2008

Download ritree_arbor_day_sponsor_form

SPONSOR A TREE! PLANT A FOREST!

In Celebration of National Arbor Day on Friday April 25, 2008, the RITree Council is planting a forest.  Up to one hundred, yes 100, trees will be planted in the beautiful, historical Goddard Memorial State Park located in Warwick, Rhode Island from 10 am-3 pm.  Our goal this year is to create one acre of shade in the “Oaks” section of the park also known as the Mansion Hill section. Please join us in planting a forest by sponsoring a tree.  All trees will be between 6’- 8’ tall and will be planted by our own tree stewards.  You will receive a certificate of appreciation recognizing your participation in this event as well as your name listed in the 2008 Arbor Day Year Book to be presented to the Governor of the State of Rhode Island; and a permanent listing in RITree’s Donors Book with location and tree details.  Please help invest in this generational event.

Here are ways you can help:

• I want to help plant a forest.  Enclosed is my tax deductible sponsorship of $100.00
• My company office would like to help plant a forest.
• I am unable to sponsor a full tree but would like to send a donation towards this forest.
• I will help plant my tree. Send me directions to Arbor Fair.
• I am a RITree Steward and will be there to support this forest event.

Please mail, email or fax your completed form to:

RITree Council P O Box 6144, Providence RI, 02940-6144

RITree@RITree.org <mailto:RITree@RITree.org>

Fax:401-764-5886

Sustainable Living Festival Workshop Proposal Deadline ~ March 1, 2008

From Apeiron Institute:

This Saturday, March 1st, is the deadline for 2008 Sustainable Living Festival Workshop proposals. Whoa, did that come up fast. Whoops, you may have forgotten about it, so I have attached it to help you submit a winner.

Read on if you want to:
Call for Workshops
RI Sustainable Living Festival & Clean Energy Expo
Saturday, June 7th and Sunday, June 8th, 2008

Download 2008_call_for_apeiron_festival_workshops.doc

SAVE THE DATE! RI Statewide Historic Preservation Conference ~ April 12, 2008

From RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission website:

The 23rd Annual RI Statewide Historic Preservation Conference

Saturday, April 12  in Providence's South Side and West End

Preservation Past, Present, and Future

The year 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the Rhode Island Historic Preservation Act and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission. The 23rd Annual Rhode Island Statewide Historic Preservation Conference will use the anniversary as a starting point to explore the past, present, and future of historic preservation in Rhode Island.

In 1968, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted legislation that expanded on the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act. The RI Historical Preservation Commission was established to direct a staewide preservation program that identifies historic properties, reviews state and federal projects, and administers funds. Heritage Programs were added in 1994.

Join the Annual Conference in Providence to recall past preservation achievements, or focus on current critical issues, from environmental sustainability to economic development, affordable housing to heritage tourism. Choose a historic resource--schools and mills, neighborhoods and villages, farms and waterfronts, even Modern architecture--and pick up the latest strategies to guide future practice.

Tour historic neighborhoods around the Armory, Atwells, Broadway, Elmwood, and West Elmwood, where homeowners, non-profits, and developers have completed waves of revitalization and restoration projects. Visit mill rehabs along the Woonasquatucket River, and sample the city's most exciting artspaces. Travel through time to sites of "preservation's greatest hits"--the Arcade, Masonic Temple, Benefit Street--and of its lost battles--Eagle Square, the Gorham Plant, Wriston Quad.

On the West Side and throughout Rhode Island, historic preservation is a dynamic process. Join us on April 12 to explore the past, present, and future of historic preservation in Rhode Island.      

Click here for a 2008 Historic Preservation Awards nomination form, and visit our website in early March to check out the conference program. Questions? Contact  Sarah Zurier.

Lyme Disease: Prevention, Treatment and Management for Landscape Professionals and Gardeners ~ April 12, 2008

From The Underground:

Dear Landscape Professional:

Please join us for this very important educational program "Lyme Disease: Prevention, Treatment and Management for Landscape Professionals and Gardeners" on Saturday, April 12. Registration for this program is $25

Learn about steps that concerned landscape professionals and gardeners can take to lower their likelihood of infection. Lyme disease is an increasing threat to those who work in the landscape, with New England ranking among the highest rates per capita and Massachusetts now fourth in the nation in total cases reported. The disease and its possible co-infections have many forms, and if left untreated can cause a major impact on a victim's life and work. This forum provides the latest information on the disease itself - how it is transmitted, its range of symptoms, accurate and timely diagnosis, acute vs. chronic phases, and medical treatment options. This program is co-sponsored with The New England Wild Flower Society and carries credits for NOFA AOLCPs.

Guest Panelists: Pat Smith, President of the Lyme Disease Association; Jeanne Hubbuch, M.D., Newton, MA; Rolf Briggs, President of Tree Specialists, Holliston, MA; and Dori Smith, owner Gardens for Life, Acton, MA.

Find out more details and register today.

Time
1:00 pm ET - 4:30 pm ET

Location
Garden in the Woods
180 Hemenway Road
Framingham, MA 01701

Hosted By The Underground
The Underground is a grassroots organization of professional landscape designers, landscape architects, horticulturists, contractors, conservationists, arborists and nurserymen. The Underground exists to promote the advancement of knowledge, education, and skill in the art and science of landscape design, installation, and maintenance techniques through the dissemination of information.

Visit our website ~ The Underground

REMINDER ~ Green Technology Conference ~ February 28, 2008

2008 Green Technology Conference

Thursday, February 28, 2008
8 am to 6 pm
Rhode Island Convention Center
Providence, Rhode Island

Online registration is now closed.

Limited on site registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is said that the field of green technology innovation could well become the largest economic opportunity of the coming century. This full-day conference will showcase some of the leading trends, initiatives and technologies in our region and beyond--from green building and brownfield redevelopment to clean retail and alternative energy to green chemistry and finance.  Experts will tell you how they are working to make technology, innovation and enterprise environmentally sound and ecomomically viable.
Get prices and complete agenda

Keynote speakers:
Joel Makower, Greener World Media
Adam Werbach, Saatchi & Saatchi S
Philip Adams, World Energy
Read about all 28 speakers

Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP is a lead sponsor of this year's conference.

Kennedy Plaza Placemaking Workshop ~ February 27, 2008

From ECRI & David Riley, Friends of India Point Park:

Mayor Cicilline and Parks Superintendent Alix Ogden, as well as RIPTA and others are discussing "reimagining Kennedy Plaza" in Providence. Call Carol Corbishley 785-9450 x 201.

See for full details: http://www.gcpvd.org/2008/02/26/tomorrow-0227-kennedy-plaza-placemaking-workshop/

Frog Watch Program Training ~ February 27 & March 9, 2008

From Roger WIlliams Park Zoo:

Roger Williams Park Zoo in partners with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) “Frog Watch Program” is recruiting volunteers to help with a state wide amphibian monitoring project.  The first phase of this project will focus on the 10 native species of frogs. The data collect during this project in time will help biologists track any negative changes to native amphibian populations that may require immediate conservation action.          

This will be a night time survey based on frog calls, we are looking for people to go into the field and record the species of native frogs they hear.  Volunteers choose a specific location to monitor.  Locations will be throughout RI. 

We are looking for people that can commit to going to one location, one time a week during the active amphibian period in RI, from March thru August and reporting their data. 

This is the first time an extensive Frog Watch project will be coordinated throughout RI. This will be a multi-year project all data gathered will be submitted to NWF and the RI Natural history Survey, all data will be built on and referenced for many years to come.  This is a fantastic opportunity to ad to the knowledge of our native frog species and be an active part of an on going conservation research initiative

All interested volunteers must attend one of the  training dates to learn more about the project. 

Dates: (Only attend one.)
            Wednesday  February 27, 2008 5pm-9pm
            Sunday March  9, 2008 12pm-4pm

Please contact Audra to RSVP for a training  session or with any questions adolan@rwpzoo.org or 401-785-3510 x356.

http://www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org/conservation/yof_frogwatch.cfm