What Grows On in Rhode Island ~ News Blog

Environmental Justice League of RI ~ October 4, 2008

The next full group meeting of the Environmental Justice League of RI.  The meeting will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4th between 10AM and Noon at Algonquin House, 807 Broad Street in Providence.

Bioneers by the Bay Conference ~ Connecting for Change ~ October 23-26, 2008

Fourth Annual Bioneers by the Bay Conference Tackles Environmental Sustainability Crisis with Global and Local Solutions

• Northeast's Premier Environmental Conference Grows into New Location, Larger Venue
• "Green Collar" Job Advocate Van Jones and Other Leading Eco-Experts Connect for Change

New Bedford, Mass. – In a season where politicians, leading scientists and average citizens are discussing the impending urgency of our climate crisis, an important conference is bringing together speakers from multiple disciplines to showcase and discuss global and local solutions to inspire change.

The Fourth Annual Bioneers by the Bay: Connecting for Change, hosted and produced by the Marion Institute, will be held in historic Downtown New Bedford, MA from October 23-26. The conference uses the ideas of international and national environment and social justice experts to inspire individuals and groups in local communities into action. Featured speakers include Van Jones and Majora Carter of Green For All and many others listed below.

Explains Marion Institute Executive Director Desa Van Laarhoven, "A lot of the rhetoric this election season about a planet in peril, not to mention a bleeding economy, can leave people feeling overwhelmed or helpless. Bioneers by the Bay seeks to inspire and remind folks that innovators – or the environmental and social justice super stars, as we like to call them – are developing and implementing real solutions to address climate change." She continues, "The conference also emphasizes the importance of our actions which matter not only individually in practical ways but, collectively, in shaping a powerful and earth saving social movement."

Due to the growing demand from an audience attracted to its rich and cutting edge programming, the event has moved from Dartmouth, MA to the Zeiterion Theatre, a larger 1,200 seat venue in New Bedford, MA with various events happening city-wide. Over the course of the three day conference, Bioneers by the Bay expects to have 2,500 people converse and cross pollinate ideas from a broad range of topics to build a healthier world.

In addition to keynote speakers, the event will also include workshops, a youth initiative, films, music, exhibits by sustainable businesses and organizations and a farmer's market with local and organic food. The event's appeal and success hinges upon its diversity. Speakers include a cross section of innovators such as environmentalists, scientists, grassroots activists, physicians, scholars, farmers and entrepreneurs tackling eco-topics ranging from green business to food to farming to diversity.

Van Jones, Majora Carter and Simran Sethi will present at the FREE open to the public Bioneers by the Bay kick-off event at 7:30pm on Thursday, October 23rd, at New Bedford's Zeiterion Theatre at 684 Purchase Street. They will present their pioneering ideas for green collar job training and our collective imperative for environmental justice, made all the more critical in today's economic climate.

Attendees, from individuals to youth groups and other organizations, leave the event empowered to fight for local, city and state commitments to climate change, build carbon-neutral homes, institutionalize composting and food purchasing programs, develop projects to support indigenous populations, secure funding for school gardens or donate time to progressive nonprofits.

Featured presenters at the 2008 Bioneers by the Bay conference include: 

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

Getting the Bugs Out: Pest Control Strategies for Affordable Housing ~ April 16 & 17, 2008

From Environmental Justice League of RI:

Getting the Bugs Out: Pest Control Strategies for Affordable Housing

A two-day  conference to discuss safer pest control strategies in multi-family affordable housing.

ON-LINE REGISTRATION LINK: 

Conference Cost: No Charge

Dates:  Wednesday April 16th and Thursday April 17th, 2008

Time:   10am-3pm. 

Location: University of Massachusetts, Boston. Student Center. (Parking lot adjacent to the building.  Cost-$6)

Sponsors: Boston Public Health Commission, Asthma Regional Council of New England, and Boston Housing Authority

Day 1 (April 16) -  Pest Control Strategies in Affordable Housing- Learn about practical, safer and effective methods of pest control
Audience Day 1:

*Public Housing Authorities Directors and Facilities Managers*
*Landlords and Tenants of Multi-Family Affordable Housing*
*Housing Finance and Construction Managers*
*Pest Control Companies*
*Public Health, Environment and Housing Organizations*

Day 2 (April 17) - Integrated Pest Management Policy Summit- Explore public health and policy approaches to fostering and sustaining IPM

Audience Day 2:

Policymakers, Government Officials and Advocates in:

*Public Health, Environment, and Housing
*Those working in the fields of Integrated Pest Management, Pesticides, Asthma, and Healthy Homes 

Register for one or both days of the conference, depending on your interests and your availability.  A light breakfast and lunch will be served.  We encourage your organization to come in teams, so that you can learn and strategize together.

FOR UPDATED INFORMATION, INCLUDING PROGRAM DETAILS AND AGENDA
http://www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org/ipmconference.html

SENT TO YOU BY:

Laurie Stillman
Director of Health Policy and Advocacy   
Executive Director of the Asthma Regional Council (ARC)

The Medical Foundation
622 Washington Street, 2nd fl.
Dorchester, MA  02124
(617) 451-0049 x504
(617) 282-3950 (fax)

--
Steven Fischbach
Community Lawyer
Rhode Island Legal Services
56 Pine Street--Suite 400
Providence, RI  02903

401-274-2652 X-182
401-453-0310 (fax)
steve.fischbach@gmail.com

Report Release: Toxics in Rhode Island ~ February 19, 2008

From ECRI and Toxics Action Center:

Toxics in Rhode Island: A Town-by-Town Profile Reveals Threats to Public Health

Release of Report

For more information: Amelia Rose, Toxics Action Center, (401) 421-0007 or (202) 321-2118 (cell) (Se habla espanol)

What:                      
Toxics Action Center will release Toxics in Rhode Island: A Town-by-Town Profile outlining all toxic sources and sites in Rhode Island.  This report provides residents with the first-ever one-stop source of information about toxic hazards in their communities.  It also tells government and citizens how they can take action to protect public health.  Speakers will be the report author, a public health expert knowledgeable about the impacts these sites have on public health and the environment, a Rhode Island resident directly impacted by the potential siting of a polluting facility near her home in Cranston, and a representative of a statewide advocacy organization.

Who:
Amelia Rose, Community Organizer, Toxics Action Center, Author of Toxics in Rhode Island:  A Town-by-Town Profile

Bob Sumner-Mack, MD, MPH. Delegate At-Large, Environment Council of Rhode Island Retired pediatrician and public health physician with special focus on environmental issues as they affect public health

Suzanne Arena Vice-President of Cranston Citizens for Responsible Zoning and Development. Resident impacted by potential development of polluting facility in her neighborhood

Laura Brion Program Associate, Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group (RIPIRG). Advocate for statewide legislation to hold polluters accountable for toxic site clean-up

When:               
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 10 AM Report will also be posted on www.toxicsaction.org <http://www.toxicsaction.org/>

Where:               
Providence, Bell Area of State House (82 Smith Street)

Visuals:               
A large map of all toxic sites in Rhode Island.

Amelia Rose Community Organizer Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts Toxics Action Center (617) 747-4374 (MA) (401) 421-0007 (RI) amelia@toxicsaction.org

"Celebrating 20 years of cleaning up and preventing pollution."