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Please send items of interest to kristen@thebeatnews.org
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Safer Alternatives Bill Hearing Tuesday, July 12th!
As you know, the top priority for the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow is to pass the Safer Alternatives Bill to create a program to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. A lot of you have been working with us on this goal for many years; thank you!
The hearing is an important opportunity to show the breadth of support for the bill. To make this a success we need two things from you and your organization:
- Written testimony in support of the bill from your organization
- For your members to call their legislators to ask them to testify in support of the bill
1. Written Testimony
My colleague Becky Smith is coordinating our written testimony. If you can come to the hearing to deliver it yourself and show support, that's the best. Please let Becky know that you plan to come and send her a copy of your written testimony for our records. If you cannot come to the hearing, please send it to Becky by Thursday July 7th.
Email: Becky Smith
Phone: 617.338.8131 x 210
Fax: 617.338.6449
Please email or call Becky for sample talking points for your testimony if you’d like some help getting yours started. (If you've submitted testimony in previous years, you can make it easy on yourself by using that as a starting point and just updating it.)
The current chairs of the Environment Committee are Representative Anne M. Gobi and Senator Marc R. Pacheco.
The bill is: H-1136 & S-397 - An Act for a Competitive Economy Through Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals (The Safer Alternatives Bill) sponsored by Representative Jay Kaufman & Senator Steven Tolman
2. Ask your members to call their legislators
Another important part of the hearing is having legislators testify in support of the bill (either in person, or in writing). Please urge your members call their legislators and ask them to testify in support of the bill by Monday, July 11th. We can provide suggested talking points for you to share with your members to use during their calls. (You will receive an action alert on Monday that you are welcome to draw on for your own membership lists.)
Thank you very much for your ongoing support of this top priority of the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow.
Elizabeth Saunders & Becky Smith
For the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow team
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Rethinking Bottled Water
by the Center for EcoTechnology
Summer is here, and in the warmer weather we drink more water as we work in our gardens, mow our lawns, go for hikes, take a bike ride or enjoy a concert at Tanglewood.
And more and more of that water is bottled water.
Did you know that the average American discards 200 single-use plastic water bottles each year? One hundred billion dollars is spent on bottled water by American consumers per year.
Americans buy an estimated 28 million single-use plastic water bottles each year. Bottled water production produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. According to Food and Water Watch, that plastic requires up to 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce. And while the plastic used to bottle beverages is of high quality and in demand by recyclers, over 80% of plastic bottles are simply thrown away!
Here are some other facts about single-use water bottles:
- Only 13% of water bottles are recycled
- The amount of oil used to produce plastic water bottles in America is enough to fuel about 100,000 cars for a year
- When plastic bottles are buried in landfills, they produce methane gas which can get into our water systems and have detrimental environmental effects
The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) conducted a four year review of the bottled water industry and the safety standards that govern it, and conducted their own independent testing of more than 1000 bottles of water. Their conclusion? There is no assurance that bottled water is any cleaner or safer than water from the tap. In fact, an estimated 40% or more of bottled water is really just bottled tap water, sometimes filtered or treated, sometimes not. Municipal water systems are required to test their water at least once per day and more for larger populations.
Most bottled water appears to be safe. Of the bottles that were tested by the NRDC, the majority proved to be high quality and relatively free of contaminants. However, roughly 22% of the brands tested by the NRDC contained chemical contaminants at levels above strict state health limits. If consumed repeatedly over long period of time, some of these contaminants could cause serious health problems, including cancer.
The Center for EcoTechnology suggests that you invest in both your health and the environment by purchasing a stainless steel or BPA-free plastic reusable bottle, and simply drink tap water. If you don’t like the taste, consider installing a water filter. Tell your friends and family about it and why and how they can reduce the number of single-use water bottles they purchase. If you really need to purchase bottled water, consider a large bottle that can be used more than once, instead of a small single-use water bottle. In addition, consider keeping a ceramic or thermal cup with you for coffee and tea. This relatively small gesture will divert plastic and Styrofoam cups from the waste stream. Spread the word – to schools and business owners – about considering alternatives to single-use water bottles. If we all do our own small part, together we can help protect our environment for generations to come.
Learn more about this and other waste reduction and recycling on www.cetonline.org or contact Waste Prevention Specialist Avie Maloney at aviem@cetonline.org or 413-445-4556 ext. 30.
The Center for EcoTechnology is a non-profit organization working in the fields of Energy Efficiency and Green Building, Green Communities and Businesses and Environmental Education. We provide practical solutions that make sense for our community, economy and environment. The Center for EcoTechnology is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, USDA Rural Development and is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. The Center for EcoTechnology – we make green make sense.
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GE’s Ironic New Slogan for Its Favorite Greenhouse Gas: “Natural Gas. It’s Hot Stuff.”
By Joe Romm on Jun 23, 2011 at 3:25 pm
So I’m reading the Washington Post today and come across a full-page ad for natural gas from the marketing geniuses at General Electric.
Apparently nobody involved with the new ad campaign understands the unintentional irony, that natural gas is one of the most potent heat-trapping greenhouse gases. This, as we’ve seen, is something a lot of people aren’t clear on (see “Natural gas is mostly methane“).
Even when it is burned completely, natural gas is still ‘hot stuff’. As an exclusive 2009 analysis I published from climatologist Ken Caldeira explained, “the burning of organic carbon warms the Earth about 100,000 times more from climate effects than it does through the release of chemical energy in combustion.” <MORE>
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Massachusetts Commonwealth Quality Program
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) announced standards developed for forest-based businesses under the state’s Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP), which sets standards for sustainable practices and helps consumers identify Massachusetts-made agricultural products. This new state initiative, which touts both geographic and advanced sustainability requirements for its participants, was designed to help consumers identify high-quality Massachusetts products that are responsibly produced, harvested and processed.
“From fruits and vegetables to wood-based goods, the Commonwealth Quality Program ensures that all Massachusetts residents have access to the finest products our state has to offer,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., whose office includes DAR.
Gathered at Heyes Forest Products in Orange, state environmental, agricultural and forestry officials also announced the first forest-based businesses that qualify to use the label. Certified businesses manufacture a wide range of popular consumer and trade products, including flooring, furniture, and lumber. <MORE>
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Request for Workshop Proposals and Award Nominations
The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) is now accepting workshop proposals for the 2012 Annual Environmental Conference scheduled for March 3rd at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. The deadline is August 31, 2011, so please make your submissions soon. To see the "Call for Workshop Topics and Speakers," visit http://www.maccweb.org/edu_aec.html.
We are also accepting nominations for the prestigious Annual Environmental Service Awards, which will be presented at the 2012 Conference.For additional information, visit
http://www.maccweb.org/edu_aec.html
If you have any questions you can email Lindsay.martucci@maccweb.org or call 617.489.3930.
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Forests in the Farm Bill Progress Report
from the American Forest Foundation
In 2008, Congress made important changes to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs—opening them up to family forest owners and improving the health of America’s woodlands. Tree Farmers like Nancy now have the tools needed to do right by the land—whether it’s managing for wildlife, improving stream crossings, or protecting against fire and invasive insects.
Congress just started rewriting the Farm Bill, which could change how the programs work and affect forest owners. We need your help to share the successes of Farm Bill conservation programs for family forests! Learn how Farm Bill programs are working for families across the country in a new AFF report that was released today: Forests in the Farm Bill Progress Report: 2011 Updated Edition. Please send the report to your member of Congress and share with them how important farm bill conservation programs are for the health of woodlands in Massachusetts. Also share the report with your local forestry department staff and NRCS offices, your state forestry association and anyone else you think would be interested.
Nearly 40,000 families with woodlands participated in Farm Bill programs last year, including the Pionkes who used the Conservation Stewardship Program to restore and diversity their Pennsylvania Tree Farm after a devastating gypsy moth infestation. Read their story and others in the report.
Despite the success of the programs, some members of Congress have proposed deep cuts to the programs, which would make it difficult for USDA to provide technical assistance and management tools to family forest owners for years to come. While we understand that cuts must be made, and conservation programs must be a part of any debt solution, the budget cannot and should not be balanced on the back of conservation.
Congress just started rewriting the Farm Bill, which could change how the programs work and affect forest owners. We need your help to share the successes of Farm Bill conservation programs for family forests! Please send the report to your member of Congress and share with them how important farm bill conservation programs are for the health of woodlands in Massachusetts. Also share the report with your local forestry department staff and NRCS offices, your state forestry association and anyone else you think would be interested.
“A lot of people think forest management is a one-man show. It’s not. I definitely put my own sweat, labor and money, but I’ve gotten a lot of help, too. I couldn’t have done it without some financial help and all of the technical advice…” said John Traylor, Georgia Tree Farmer. Read John’s story and more in AFF’s report.
If you have any questions about the Progress Report or Farm Bill programs, don't hesitate to contact us at AFF.
Thank you for your support,
Dan Conant
Public Affairs Manager
American Forest Foundation
phone: (202) 463-2431
email: dconant@forestfoundation.org
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Pick-Your-Own-Strawberries
from Berkshire Grown's July e-newsletter
Call Ahead to confirm availability
The Berry Patch: Stephentown, NY (518)733-1234: Open 9am-3pm Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Ioka Valley Farm: Open Sat & Sun 9am - 3pm, Mon - Fri 9am - 12:30pm, Tue & Thurs afternoons 4 - 5:30pm. 413-738-5915
Lakeview Orchard: Opens July 1st at 9:00 a.m. PYO tart cherries and summer raspberries coming soon! 413-448-6009
Noble's Tweenbrook Farm: open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. every day, weather dependent. 413-442-3722
Thompson-Finch Farm: open every day from 8-5, rain or shine, thru about the 4th of July 518-329-7578
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Learn to preserve at the Berkshire Botanical Garden
Beyond canning, there are other ways to preserve food. . . freezing, dehydrating, lacto-fermentation (think pickles) and using root cellars. Study the tricks of the trade for preserving the harvest in a four-part series beginning July 13 with YOU CAN DO IT! from 2-4 pm. Learn about hot water bath and pressure cooker canning (it's not just for jams and jellies!) and the finer points of putting up your own salsa, chutneys and condiments. Explore the many ways to use a canner to create wonderful and useful gifts as well as enhancing your own food pantry. This class will also demystify this useful method for insuring food safety. Meets from 2-4 pm in a professional Stockbridge kitchen. Learn more about the four-series course by clicking here or call the Berkshire Botanical Garden at 413 298-3926.
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Ban the Use of Polystyrene Packaging
from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance
The Californian Senate has passed a landmark bill that could see the use of polystyrene packaging banned across the entire state.
The legislation builds on tens of district ordinances already prohibiting the use of the material, and could affect a wide range of different packaging techniques.
Bill SB 568, sponsored by Long Beach Democratic Senator Allen Lowenthal, calls for a ban on food vendors' use of polystyrene by 1 January 2014, and a ban on school districts using the material a year later.
Polystyrene does not biodegrade for hundreds of years, making it a flagship environmental issue for many conservation groups. The material can also float on water and has been widely blamed for harming marine wildlife.
However, polystyrene is recyclable and the bill makes a provision for school districts to continue to use the material where they have access to suitable recycling facilities.
A number of senators spoke out against the ban. District 14 Senator Tom Berryhill argued that the legislation would cost jobs, while restaurant owners maintained that polystyrene is an inexpensive insulator for food.
However, supporters of the bill insist that manufacturers of polystyrene could easily retool their factories to produce biodegradable alternatives.
In addition to being banned in tens of Californian municipalities, polystyrene has also been prohibited in Portland, Seattle and San Francisco.
The bill was passed 21-15 by senators this week, but still has to get through the Assembly before becoming law.
Website: http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2077428/california-moves-close-lid-polystyr...
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Green Your School
Green Seal launched a web page for greening schools: http://www.greenseal.org/greenschools.aspx.
The web page includes information on greening purchases of products for cleaning, building, and office use in addition to greening food and cleaning services.
Cheryl Baldwin, Ph.D.
Vice President of Science and Standards
Green Seal
1001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 827
Washington, DC 20036
202-872-6400
www.greenseal.org
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Hilltown Families: A Traveling Photography Exhibit
Opening Reception at the Northampton Center for the Arts
Friday, July 8th from 5-8pm
(NORTHAMPTON, MA) - On Friday, July 8th from 5-8pm at the Northampton Center for the Arts, Hilltown Families: A Traveling Photography Exhibit opens in the center's East Gallery, taking part in Northampton's Arts Night Out with an opening reception.
WHAT: Opening reception for Hilltown Families: A Traveling Photography Exhibit, featuring photography by Hilltown Families founder, Sienna Wildfield.
 WHERE: Northampton Center for the Arts, 17 New South St., Northampton, MA
WHEN: Friday, July 8th, 2011, 5-8pm
COST: Free entrance. Sale of images fundraiser for Hilltown Families
CONTACT: Hilltown Families, hilltownfamilies@gmail.com; Northampton Center for the Arts, 413-584-7327.
Photographs of life and landscape in Western MA featured on HilltownFamilies.org over the years by Hilltown Families founder and photographer, Sienna Wildfield, will be on display. In a recent interview with Ashley Kohl of 22News Mass Appeal, Wildfield explains how the images in the exhibit aim to reflect the local culture and community values found in Western MA.
"We're thrilled to be invited by the Northampton Center for the Arts to display the exhibit in their East Gallery this summer," says Wildfield. "It's a great opportunity to showcase photographs from Northampton, including images from last year's Chalk Art Festival, the Tuesday Market and this year's Busker's Ball."
The images will be on display from July 8th trough August 19th, with an opening reception on July 8th from 5-8pm. The exhibit will then move to the Meekins Library in Williamsburg, to display several new images that reflect the season and the host town.
All images in this exhibit are for sale and are a fundraiser for Hilltown Families, a community communication network that has been helping to connect and create community in western Massachusetts for over five years. All net proceeds from the sale of images will benefit the organization.
Northampton Center for the Arts is located on the third floor of the Sullivan Square building, 17 New South St. For information visit them at www.nohoarts.org or call 413-584-7327.
Hilltown Families: A Traveling Photography Exhibit is supported in part by grants from local Cultural Councils in Ashfield, Buckland, Chesterfield and Cummington - all local agencies supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
ABOUT HILLTOWN FAMILIES
Hilltown Families is an online grassroots communication network for families living in Western Massachusetts. www.HilltownFamilies.org
Founded in 2005 by long time activist and Hilltown mother, Sienna Wildfield, Hilltown Families serves thousands of families in the Highlands Region of Western Massachusetts, including the Hilltowns, Pioneer Valley and parts of the Berkshires.
Through a dynamic web site, social networking, listserv, podcast, online bulletin boards, and collaborations with civic and nonprofit groups, Hilltown Families connects people and organizations in the widespread communities of the Highlands region. We help area residents to share ideas, organize activities, support their children's education and increase participation in community life.
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The River and the Razor
Tim Purinton
Acting Director, Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration
View Tim's Bio
While the Big Bad Bruins are the talk of the town and rightfully so - the New England Patriots have bragging rights in Massachusetts for sustainable design and in particular integrating ecological restoration into its operations. Gillette Stadium - fondly known as The Razor - and Patriot Place are located at the headwaters of the Neponset River and the stadium (formally a racetrack) used to literally sit on top of the river. The Neponset River Watershed Association held their annual meeting at the Razor this month, which I attended. Just before the official meeting took place, a tour of the restored river took place.
Prior to 2000, almost a mile of the river was sequestered in a culvert, hidden from the tailgaters that drank cans of Schaefer above it and the many revelers that filed in-and-out of then-Foxboro Stadium. In an effort to improve the stadium site, the river was shifted away from the stadium and daylighted (i.e., uncovered to the light of day) to re-create a natural stream corridor. http://www.neponset.org/AnnualMtg2011.htm
On one of my first days of work as a river restoration planner, I toured this restored reach. At the time, the riparian plantings (which are unique to river habitats) were relatively stunted and sparse and there was little diversity of habitat. This return trip, six years later, was revelatory. The river teamed with aquatic insects, tree swallows darted along the river corridor, and a dense canopy of green shaded the stream.
A key to any good restoration project is to see how well it blends into the surroundings, if done well, there should be little evidence of human intervention. While it’s difficult to completely block out Patriot Place, and, on game day, the roar of the fans, if you turn your back to the stadium and stand on bank of the Neponset River the tranquility of the river seeps in. <MORE including a slideshow of the restored river>
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Waste not. Are Valley communities ready to take the zero-waste pledge?
Thursday, June 30, 2011
By Maureen Turner, Valley Advocate
In 2002, San Francisco's Board of Supervisors passed an ambitious resolution to address the increasingly sticky problem of how to handle the city's waste. The resolution called for the city to divert 75 percent of its solid waste from its landfill by 2010.
Proponents said the effort would reduce the public health and environmental risks posed by landfill dumping and waste incineration; save taxpayers money; address the problem of the city's landfill, which was approaching capacity; and spur manufacturers to minimize waste in production.
It was an ambitious goal, but, as it turns out, an attainable one. Today, San Francisco diverts 77 percent of its waste from landfills, and the city has set a "zero-waste" goal for 2020.
San Francisco's success has been due, in large part, to strict state laws regarding waste disposal. The 1989 California Integrated Waste Management Act mandated that cities and counties divert 50 percent of their solid waste from landfills by 2005. (San Francisco was already closing in on that figure by 2002, the year it passed the resolution calling for 75 percent diversion.) Another law, passed in 2006, bans the disposal of universal waste, or u-waste—a category that includes electronics, batteries and products containing mercury—in California landfills. <MORE>
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Old Creamery Cooperative Transformation is Moving Forward
Seventy-eight supporters of the Old Creamery’s transformation into a cooperative heard an update on June 26 at the Cummington Community House from members of the Cooperative’s Board. The Board is composed of seven local residents, including Alice Cozzolino and Amy Pulley, the current owners of the Old Creamery.
The principal goal of the Old Creamery’s transformation into a cooperative is to continue to serve the community in a sustainable manner for decades to come.
The Board reported great progress toward transitioning the Old Creamery into a community-owned market which will continue to be open to all. And the Board showed drawings of a proposed renovation of the Old Creamery. This design will provide a little more crucially needed space, and will make major improvements to both the shopping space and the work space. These changes will accommodate and spur the growth in sales that is projected in the next few years.
Almost 400 member-owners have joined the co-op already, which positions the board to move “full speed ahead” to raise the remainder of the required capital.
The Board also announced that a member-owner loan campaign is being launched immediately, to raise a total of $300,000 in loans from member-owners, with maturity dates of five to nine years. Member-owner loans will support the Cooperative in its critical first years, and will provide crucial evidence of the community support that commercial lenders want to see in order to lend the balance of the financing.
And the Board announced a special fund-raising event on August 20 featuring Rachel Maddow of MSNBC. Tickets are available at the Creamery.
Detailed information about the progress of the cooperative transformation is available at www.oldcreamery.coop, along with more information about fund-raising events. You can also contact our Outreach Coordinator, Kim Hackworth via email outreach@oldcreamery.coop, or via phone at 413.563.4553.
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Local Food: Lets Get Serious – NOW!
....growing the food commons - everywhere
June 29, 2011
John M. Gerber
Although the demand for locally grown food has increased over the past 20 years, most people still shop at the major food chains. I suspect this is because we live busy lives and supermarkets provide a full range of products year round, are convenient with good parking, and are open every day. Not everyone is willing to join a CSA or stop at the local farmers market. But given the continued pressure of global climate change, peak oil, and economic stress, I think we need to get really serious about building a vibrant local food system – NOW!
We need to build a Food Commons, a national network of local and regional food production, processing and distribution options to complement and partially replace the current corporate food system, which is showing signs of being in serious trouble. According to the authors of the Food Commons proposal, “…the antidote to the unsustainable path we are on is a 21st-century re-envisioning and re-creation of the local and regional food systems that pre-dated the current global industrial food system.”
The Food Commons Proposal
The proposed national Food Commons would consist of three intersecting components:
- Food Commons Trusts to own farm land and food system infrastructure in perpetual trust for the benefit of all citizens.
- Food Commons Banks to provide financial services to food system enterprises, producers and consumers.
- Food Commons Hubs to aggregate and distribute local and regional food, create and coordinate regional markets, and provide services to communities and local food enterprises.
If you are interested in the details and proposal, see; “The Food Commons: Building a National Network of Localized Food Systems.” The remainder of this post will give some examples showing that we are already moving in this direction.
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What will the Berkshires be like in 2030?
A Sustainable Berkshires Public Forum, offered in three locations for ease of attendance
Wednesday, July 6
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
All Saints Church, North Adams
Tuesday, July 12
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Berkshire Athenaeum Auditorium, Pittsfield
Wednesday, July 13
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Fire Station, Great Barrington
Berkshire residents, make your voices heard!
The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, in collaboration with several partners including the Center for EcoTechnology, is developing a regional plan entitled Sustainable Berkshires, Community Strategies for a Sustainable Future, and is seeking public participation to identify short- and long-term actions in areas ranging from economic development, transportation and land use; to energy conservation, renewable energy development and community health and wellness. For more information contact our associate director, Nancy Nylen.
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Junior Ranger Program at Natural Bridge State Park and Clarksburg State Park
NORTH ADAMS - Natural Bridge announces the Junior Ranger program for children ages 8-12. The program is FREE, beginning on July 14 and held every Thursday, from 10:30 am to noon, for six weeks through August 18. Participants who complete five out of the six sessions receive a Junior Ranger patch and certificate. Space is limited to twenty participants. The program will be alternating weeks between Natural Bridge State Park and Clarksburg State Park. Parents or guardians must register children by Wednesday, July 6.
State park staff supervised Junior Ranger activities promote outdoor recreation skills and an appreciation of the natural world through fun activities and games. Children must wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Sturdy walking shoes, water bottle, a snack, sun screen and bug spray are recommended. Parents and guardians are encouraged to come and participate. The Junior Ranger program is designed to educate and inspire potential future Rangers, naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts.
Sessions meet Thursdays, alternating weekly between the Visitor Center at Natural Bridge in North Adams, and the Nature Center at Clarksburg State Park. The Natural Bridge Visitor Center is located at the top of McCauley Road, off Route 8 North in North Adams. Clarksburg State Park is located on Middle Road in Clarksburg. Program is sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Registration forms are available at the Visitor Center at Natural Bridge. Call (413) 663-6392 or (413) 663-6312 for more information. The program schedule will be posted on DCR’s website: www.massparks.org.
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Berkshire Harvest Festival Needs Zero Waste Organizer
Amy Cotler is producing the Berkshire Harvest Festival this year, which a fundraiser for (and at) the Berkshire Botanical Gardens in Stockbridge on Oct 1-2.
As you may know, it's an enormous event with 10-15,000 attendees. With the support of CET, I'm hoping to start Zero Waste Pilot Program for the event. If possible, I'd love to make this a teachable moment for the community and participating volunteers as well.
Amy is looking for someone to take leadership on this as a volunteer. She has everything in place to get this going and it's not complex at all, but as the producer of the event she can't take this part over. She'd give the project the full treatment on facebook, the web, ads and a press release.
If something like this might interest you (or a group of you), please talk with Amy about details. She needs to decide soon, to include this effort in the upcoming event PR.
Amy Cotler
Berkshire Botanical Garden Harvest Festival Producer
About the event: http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/Harvest_Festival/
acotler@berkshirebotanical.org
413 232 7174
http://www.amycotler.com
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Land Conservation Specialist, Kestrel Land Trust
Kestrel Land Trust works with landowners, governmental agencies, and other organizations to permanently conserve farmland, riverlands, woodlands, and wildlands in a 19-town region radiating from Amherst and Northampton. Kestrel is seeking an experienced land conservation professional to join a growing staff and hardworking board to increase the pace of land conservation in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts.
Responsibilities: The Land Conservation Specialist is responsible for managing and completing all aspects of conservation projects, including providing guidance to landowners, writing grants, and collaborating with private and public agencies.
Qualifications: Strong commitment to land conservation, forest stewardship, and local agriculture; graduate degree or equivalent experience in environmental studies, natural resource management, regional planning, or related field. 5 years experience managing conservation projects or comparable project management experience; excellent communication skills; and proficiency in GIS and GPS.
To Apply: Send resume, cover letter, and two letters of reference as a pdf to info@kestreltrust.org. Open until filled.
A full position description is available at www.kestreltrust.org.
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Program Coordinator: Boston Urban Forest Program
Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN, http://www.bostonnatural.org) is a 33-year old urban environmental non-profit working to preserve, protect and expand green space in Boston. Working collaboratively with community, public agencies, and non-profits, BNAN combines the environment with cultural and social issues. BNAN offers a wide range of educational, recreational and cultural programs to build constituencies for Greenways, Urban Wilds and Community Gardens.
BNAN is looking to hire a Program Coordinator for the Boston Urban Forest Program. This is a full-time, grant funded position. The project is a collaborative effort of the public, non-profit and volunteer sectors to increase knowledge and awareness of the urban tree canopy cover in the City of Boston; to develop a coordinated network of agencies, institutions, non-profits and residents to work for the expansion and stewardship of the urban forest and specifically by working to plant 100,000 trees by 2020. The planting of these trees, known as the Grow Boston Greener program will increase Boston's tree canopy cover from 29% to 35% by 2030 as the planted trees mature.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direction of the BNAN Director of Property, the Program Coordinator will be responsible for planning and implementing outreach, planning, coordination including community tree planting efforts to achieve the goals of the Grow Boston Greener (GBG) . Work will include, but is not limited to:
- Outreach to, recruiting and coordinating with agencies, organizations, programs and property owners interested in planting trees
- Administering the Grow Boston Greener grant program
- Coordinating the Boston Urban Forest Coalition and Boston Tree Stewards Council
- Managing communication with grantees, project partners and neighborhood volunteers
- Coordinating tree planting efforts and educational programming
- Developing tracking and evaluation measures for planting sites
- Engaging volunteers in tree planting and monitoring projects
- Managing the project website(s)
- Researching, development and implementation of new program components.
Qualifications and Experience
- Familiarity with shade and flowering trees common to Boston
- Experience with community outreach and engagement.
- Experience with project management tools, procedures and budgeting.
- Ability to prioritize, multi task and problem-solve.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, proficiency in social networking platforms
- Ability to work nights and weekends, as needed.
- Additional Skills and Interests
- Familiarity with Boston and its neighborhoods and local organizations.
- Experience with fruit trees and edible landscaping
- Ability to be flexible and work in non-traditional, multi-racial and multi-cultural environments.
- Knowledge of Spanish or a second language is a plus.
- Access to a vehicle to transport program material, etc
- Good interpersonal skills
Schedule and Salary
Schedule: July 2011- June 2012
40 hrs per week; Weekend and Evening hours will be required.
Salary: $30,000 - $32,000, depending on experience, plus generous benefits.
BNAN is an equal opportunity employer.
Please send resume and cover letter to:
Jeremy A. Dick, BNAN Director of Properties at jeremy@bostonnatural.org. No telephone calls please.
Click here to download a pdf of job announcement.
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