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Eric Toensmeier will present the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Sustainability Summit on September 13th

Eric Toensmeier will be presenting the keynote speech at this years Sustainabiltiy Summit. Eric, whose book has been covered by the New York Times, is a pioneer in the permaculture world. He fits perfectly into our theme “On the Front Lines of Sustainability.”

Eric Toensmeier is the award-winning author of Paradise Lot and Perennial Vegetables, and the co-author of Edible Forest Gardens. He is an appointed lecturer at Yale University, and an international trainer, presenting in English and Spanish in the US, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean. Eric has studied permaculture and useful plants of the world for over two decades. He managed an urban farm project for five years, ran a seed company, and co-developed a farm business training curriculum that is now used in eight US states and three Canadian provinces. Eric is currently writing Carbon Farming: a Global Toolkit for Stabilizing the Climate with Tree Crops and Regenerative Agriculture Practices.

Eric’s new book is looking at how permaculture practices can compliment the impact of renewable energy in terms of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. According to Eric,”replacing fossil fuels means more than converting to green energy. Many of the products we use every day are made from petroleum, from plastics to tires to the clothes we wear. Industrial crops can step in to fill some of this need, but we must be wary: vast corporate monocultures of these species, even more than food plants, have created social and ecological disasters.”

With the Northeast Biodiesel plant coming online soon, we at Co-op Power are making strides to close industrial loops and create real opportunities for us to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. The Summit is the place to learn about all the different ways you can achieve your sustainabilty goals as an individual and as a community.

Registration Now Open for the 10th Annual Sustainability Summit

Co-op Power’s 10th Annual Sustainability Summit will be held on Saturday, September 13th at Heritage State Park in Holyoke, MA from 9:00AM-4:00PM. The Summit is a great opportunity to share ideas with like-minded people on topics from green business development and community finance to sustainable heating options and green energy.

We expect vibrant discussions about our society and our environment centered around our theme, The Front Lines of Sustainability, with a keynote address and workshops throughout the day. If you are passionate about the environment and social justice then you have a place at the Summit to add to the excitement and expertise! There are a few options of ways to be involved, as an attendee, exhibitor, workshop presenter, or sponsor.

Here’s what you can expect to see at this years Sustainability Summit:

Workshops around themes that illuminate different aspects of sustainability. Themes in the past have included electricity, energy efficiency, cooperative development, green business development, sustainability in the pioneer valley, biodiesel, environmental and social justice, and sustainable heating;

Food! A barbecue and possibly food cart(s);
-An exhibitor area where activist groups and green businesses can connect with attendees;
-Workshops include Holyoke’s Energy History, Local Investing, Green Marketing, Co-op Power Membership 101, and Energy Efficiency for Homeowners and many more!
-Beautiful weather! We ordered it especially for this event.

If you haven’t been to a Sustainability Summit before, you can check out our webpage from last year’s Summit to learn more.

You are an asset. There are so many ways you can get involved.

 

Put your talent on display! As we prepare for the summit, we welcome volunteers to take charge of overseeing our zero waste efforts, registration, set up, clean up and making sure that the event goes smoothly.

Taking a leadership role in the event will not only be a fun and rewarding experience, but will also be a way to connect to members and supporters throughout the region.

If you have any questions or want to know how you can get involved, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Diego Angarita

Outreach and Members Services Manager

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NEGEF is hiring!

After 18 years, Cheryl King Fischer – the Grassroots Fund’s founding Executive Director – has decided to focus more on project work and will transition leadership to a new person.

The Board of Directors has launched a search and we invite you all to share the job announcement among your networks.

Find the full position description at: www.grassrootsfund.org/about-us/job-postings

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Thank you,
Cheryl, Ginny, Julia & Bart

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ELM is hiring a Program Director! If you know a great organizer and collaborator with a solid understanding of energy public policy issues, please encourage him/her to apply. Details

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Christodora is Seeking Outdoor/Environmental Educators to Start In the Fall

Christodora is seeking Outdoor/Environmental Educators to share the beauty of the Berkshire Mountains this fall at the Manice Education Center and transfer to NYC in November to bring an exciting environmental education approach to our partner NYC public school classrooms. Please help us share the news!
Christodora Outdoor/Environmental Educator

www.christodora-summer.org

TO APPLY:

If you are interested in applying for an opportunity to work as an integral part of a team of dedicated professionals and create significant positive effects on the lives of NYC youth, please send a cover letter, resume, and 3 reference contacts to: employment@christodora.org

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