 News |
Consensus on biofuels?
Biofuels can be produced in large quantities and have multiple benefits, but only if they come from feedstocks produced with low life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, as well as minimal competition with food production. This consensus emerges in a new journal article by researchers from the University of Minnesota, Princeton, MIT and the University of California, Berkeley. Read more here
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Council on Sustainability Working Groups off to great start
The first meetings of the working groups for the Southeastern
Massachusetts Council on Sustainability have been vibrant and
productive. Schedules for the next meetings are posted below and on
the website councilonsustainability.org. All meetings are open to the
public and we encourage you to attend and share your ideas and energy.
Upcoming Meetings:
- Economic Development - Tuesday, July 28th, 3 PM @ Charlton College of Business, Room 115, UMass Dartmouth (Directions)
- Energy - August 18th, 3-5 pm, 3:00 PM @ ATMC, Fall River (Directions)
- Food and Agriculture - Wednesday, August 26th, 7:30 PM @ Location TBD
- Natural Resources - Thursday August 20th, 3 PM @ SRPEDD, Taunton (Directions)
- Transportation - Thursday, July 30th, 3 PM @ SRPEDD, Taunton (Directions)
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This Week in Sustainability
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Dune Hike at Cherry & Webb |
July 23, 10-noon, Cherry and Webb Beach, Westport
This is one of the most beautiful spots in Southeastern Massachusetts. Join the Westport River Watershed Alliance to enjoy this fabulous view, while also learning about flora and fauna of the dunes. Westport. For more information, www.westportwatershed.org, 508-636-3016. |
Summer Conversations: John Abrams
Thinking Like Cathedral Builders: Affordable Housing, Community Preservation and Business for People and Place |
July 23, 7 pm, The Apponagansett Meeting House, Dartmouth
Sustainable Living icon John Abrams will discuss the philosophy behind the growing Cohousing movement, and a host of other ideas on how to build inspired thinking into communities at every level. |
Vermiculture Workshop
Composting with Worms - Vermiculture! Creating amazing fertility |
July 27, 9-noon, Silverbrook Farm, 592 Chase Road, Dartmouth
Host: Michael Bradlee, Masters in Chemistry from Notre Darme, Undergraduate degree in Biology. Learn hands on construction of a worm composting system and the biological and chemical processes that make this one of the best organic fertilizers. Handle red wiggler worms and leave with some to start the process. Discussion, demonstration and reference material provided. Farmsilverbrook@aol.com to sign up. Class size limited to twenty. SilverbrookDartmouth.com. 508-991-5185. |
Council on Sustainability: Economic Development |
July 28th, 3 PM @ Charlton College of Business, Room 115, UMass Dartmouth (Directions)
The Southeastern Massachusetts Council on Sustainability invites you to this meeting of the Economic Development Working Group. Learn more about the working group here.
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Save The Date
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Council on Sustainability: Transportation |
July 30th, 3 PM @ SRPEDD, Taunton (Directions)
The Southeastern Massachusetts Council on Sustainability invites you to this meeting of the Transportation Group. Learn more about the working group here.
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Roots Down Sustainable Gardening—New Bedford Series |
Aug 4, 4:00 pm, Lawler Branch Public Library, 745 Rockdale Ave., New Bedford
"Growing Nutrient Dense Foods: mid-summer tips and techniques, including foliar sprays and using a refractometer." To help new and experienced gardeners gain a deeper understanding of methods used in healthy food production. To help build local food security for our community. Free. For more information, derekchristianson@gmail.com. 508-992-1868. |
Summer Conversations: Noreen Herzfeld
From 'Manhunt' to 'MySpace':
The Challenges and Perils of Living in a World of Virtual Communities |
August 6, 7 pm, The Apponagansett Meeting House, Dartmouth
Noreen Herzfeld is professor of theology and computer science at St. John's University in Minnesota. Her book publications include two this year: Technology and Religion: Remaining Human in a Co-Created World, and The Limits of Perfection in Technology, Religion, and Science. |
Rehoboth Agricultural Fair |
August 6,7,8 & 9 Rehoboth, the Corner of Almeida Road and Wheaton Ave
The Rehoboth Agricultural Fair has been an operating fair in some form or fashion for over 60 years. Save the dates and have a great time at a "true country fair". Learn more here. |
NOFA Summer Conference |
August 7-9, UMass Amherst main campus.
Northeast Organic Farming Association's 35th annual summer conference features 150 workshops on organic farming, gardening, land care, sustainability and homesteading.
Keynote speakers: Paul Stamets, mushroom expert and author of Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save The World and Will Allen, founder and CEO of Growing Power, an organization that brings knowledge about sustainable food systems to urban areas.
For more information contact the NOFA Summer Conference office at (978) 355-2853 or http://www.nofasummerconference.org or nofa@nofamass.org. |
WRWA Summer Gala |
August 8, Fitton's Farm, 564 River Road, Westport.
WRWA Summer Gala — Beach Boys & Surfer Girls. Tickets: $75-500. Business Sponsorships Available. For more information, www.westportwatershed.org, 508-636-3016. |
Green Jobs Forum |
August 9-12, Providence, RI.
This is not a job fair but an informational session open to the public about what a green job is, how to get training for a green job and how to find a green job. For more information, http://www.govenergy.com/. |
Operation Clean Sweep |
August 15th, 8:00-10:00 AM, Ward 1, New Bedford
The event, organized locally by Operation Clean Sweep, is part of a nation’s largest cleanup, beautification and community improvement program. Everyone is invited to join in the activities and help make New Bedford a more beautiful and safer place to live. Pre-Register before the clean up. 508.979.1493, www.operationcleansweep.net, volunteer page, info@operationcleansweep.net. Future Clean-ups: Sept. 19 – Ward 4. |
Council on Sustainability: Energy |
August 18th, 3-5 pm, 3:00 PM @ ATMC, Fall River (Directions)
The Southeastern Massachusetts Council on Sustainability invites you to this meeting of the Energy Working Group. Learn more about the working group here.
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Sustainability Teacher Training |
August 18th and 19th at the Ocean Explorium in New Bedford
The UMass Dartmouth Office of Campus and Community Sustainability is hosting a Sustainability Teacher Training from 9-3 on August 18th and 19th at the Ocean Explorium in New Bedford. Sponsored by the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL), the institute will pair a training in edible schoolyards with a hands-on, inquiry-based exploration of sustainability principles and practices.
Instructors include Deb Habib from Seeds of Solidarity, Joe Yarmac of Fairhaven High School, and UMass Dartmouth faculty Chad McGuire and Dr. Laurie Robertson-Lorant Increase your sustainability literacy, learn about local sustainability initiatives, design activities for your classroom, and join a growing network of Southcoast teachers involved in sustainability teaching and activities. Participating teachers will receive a $100 stipend as well as 10 PDP’s. For more information, or to register, contact sustainability@umassd.edu or 508-910-6484. |
Council on Sustainability: Natural Resources |
Natural Resources - Thursday August 20th, 3 PM @ SRPEDD, Taunton (Directions)
The Southeastern Massachusetts Council on Sustainability invites you to this meeting of the Natural Resources Working Group. Learn more about the working group here.
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Council on Sustainability: Food and Agriculture |
Food and Agriculture - Wednesday, August 26th, 7:30 PM @ Location TBD
The Southeastern Massachusetts Council on Sustainability invites you to this meeting of the Food and Agriculture Working Group. Learn more about the working group here.
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Announcements
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Online Sustainability Certificate Open for Registration |
The Application form for our new Online Program has now been posted, although students may take courses (listed here) before applying to the program. The Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability Studies provides students with a vigorous introduction to the growing discourse surrounding "sustainability" and sustainable issues. The Certificate helps establish sustainable thinking as a critical methodology, which students can apply to their professional and personal lives. See http://www.umassd.edu/online/sustainability/ for further information. |
Organic Farming Class Offered in the Fall |
This is the first course of a two-semester course sequence focusing primarily on raising crops and animals organically and is an introduction to the Organic Farming Technician certificate program. The course covers soils, organic fertilizers, organic pest control, companion planting, seed and plant propagation, harvesting, and permaculture. Pre- or co-requisite: SCI 15 or permission of the instructor. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Instructional Support Fee applies.
Learn more at the website for the Organic Agriculture Technician (OAT) program at Bristol Community College. |
Fall Course - Sustainability Education and Public Policy: Connecting for Change |
Sustainability refers to re-evaluating our relationship to the natural world and realizing that ecology, economics and social equity are inextricably linked. This three-credit interdisciplinary course is designed to give candidates for the Master of Public Policy degree an understanding of how institutions such as schools, industries, businesses and local governments are reinventing themselves to meet the interrelated environmental, economic and ethical challenges we face in this era of crisis and change. See our fall course list here. |
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Ongoing
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Local Farmers Markets |
Carver: Sundays 1-4 P.M. June-October, Shurtleff Park, Center Carver
Dartmouth: Fridays 1-6pm at Rex Field, adjacent to St. Peter's Church in Padanaram.
Fairhaven: Sundays 1-4pm, Fairhaven High School.
Fall River: Wednesdays, 9-1pm, Ruggles Park
Fall River: Saturdays, 7-12:30pm, Kennedy Park
Middleboro: Saturdays June 13- October 31, Middleboro Town Hall Lawn, rt 105.
New Bedford: Saturdays, 9-1pm, Clasky Common
New Bedford: Thursdays, 2-7pm, Wings Court (downtown)
New Bedford: Mondays: 2-7pm, Brooklawn Park
Rochester: Saturdays, 8-12pm, Rochester Center, Plumb Corner Market
Rehoboth: Sundays, 10-2pm, Anawan School
Taunton: Thursday, 12-5pm, Parking lot behind City Hall
Westport: Saturday, 8:30-1pm, Westport Grange
Click here for a complete list.
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Know Your Vegetables: A Monthly Conversation Series Focusing on Small-Scale Vegetable Production. |
We invite you (home gardeners, foodies, farmers, anybody who enjoys vegetables… young and old) to join us in a free discussion series on a range of topics related to vegetable production.
- August 17, 2009: A Celebration of Summer - Know Your Vegetables Community Potluck.
Discussions are held at Brix Bounty Farm. Usually 3rd Monday of the Month, 6:30 PM
For more information or to RSVP please contact Derek Christianson, Brix Bounty Farm, 858 Tucker Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747 Ph: 508.992.1868
http://brixbounty.blogspot.com/ |
Roots Down New Bedford: Gardening Workshops |
1st Tuesday of every month, 4pm, Lawler Branch Public Library, 745 Rockdale (NE Corner of Buttonwood Park). Accessible by SRTA bus routes #6 and #10.
What: A free monthly series focusing on sustainable gardening techniques.
Why: To help new and experienced gardeners gain a deeper understanding of methods used in healthy food production. To help build local food security for our community.
*Neighborhood-based workshops now scheduled! Visit the Farm blog for locations and schedule
Roots Down - New Bedford is part of the Safe Soils for Healthy Food Project presented by Brix Bounty Farm and the Rotch-Jones- Duff House&Garden Museum and is made possible by the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts - SEEAL Fund.
For more information please contact Brix Bounty Farm at 508-992-1868 or visit the farm blog at http://brixbounty.blogspot.com/ |
Volunteers Needed for Friends of Buttonwood Park |
The Friends of Buttonwood Park need enthusiastic volunteers to introduce the Buttonwood Park Arboretum and its unique trees to local K-4 school groups.
The Friends provide all the necessary information about the 13 trees and volunteers take small groups of students and their teacher around the Arboretum while chatting about each tree. Each walk takes approximately 45 minutes and two are scheduled daily from 9 to 11am.
This popular educational program runs for 3 weeks each fall and spring and requires 2 hours of your time several mornings during its duration.
If this sounds like something you might be interested in joining please call for more information - Ann Beaumont: 508-993-8458 or Anne Eades: 508-996-1299 |
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Weekly Green Tip
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Use a Refillable Mug
Tip from thedailygreen.com |
Cut down on waste, as well as toxic chemicals in the environment, with a reusable mug.
Click here to learn more. |
