Tuesday, August 31, 2004
ZeroWaste / Self-Reliance
Desert Rainwater Harvesting Demonstration Project
PRINCETON, NJ, Aug. 28, 2004 (WWNFF) – Listed among the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Public Scolarship Winners you will find the Desert Rainwater project of the University of New Mexico Departments of Anthropology and Art, and the Alfonso Ortiz Center for Intercultural Studies, together with a local landscape architect and a public school. This project explores the use of xeriscape gardens in the ancient water conservation practices of the Native American and Hispanic communities in the Southwest. Two gardens were designed to demonstrate responsible and sustainable use of limited water resources in dry climates, illustrating traditional Native American attitudes towards water. The gardens have been permanently installed using traditional techniques at the University of New Mexico Albuquerque campus, and on the grounds of an elementary school at the Pueblo of Isleta. A short film and a handbook describe local traditions of water conservation and the creation of the demonstration gardens. http://www.woodrow.org/imagining-america/winners.html
Desert Rainwater Harvesting Demonstration Project
PRINCETON, NJ, Aug. 28, 2004 (WWNFF) – Listed among the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Public Scolarship Winners you will find the Desert Rainwater project of the University of New Mexico Departments of Anthropology and Art, and the Alfonso Ortiz Center for Intercultural Studies, together with a local landscape architect and a public school. This project explores the use of xeriscape gardens in the ancient water conservation practices of the Native American and Hispanic communities in the Southwest. Two gardens were designed to demonstrate responsible and sustainable use of limited water resources in dry climates, illustrating traditional Native American attitudes towards water. The gardens have been permanently installed using traditional techniques at the University of New Mexico Albuquerque campus, and on the grounds of an elementary school at the Pueblo of Isleta. A short film and a handbook describe local traditions of water conservation and the creation of the demonstration gardens. http://www.woodrow.org/imagining-america/winners.html
Science & Technology / Plants / Health
Garden Weeds 'could combat cancer'
UK, Aug. 28, 2004 (BBC, By Oona Mashta) - There are high hopes for the humble dandelion. People are often quick to dismiss the humble dandelion that thrives in the UK climate as a menace to many lawns. But to scientists at the Royal Botanical Gardens, in Kew, west London, the common flower is fascinating - it could even be the source of a life-saving drug. From early tests they believe it could hold the key to warding off cancer, which kills tens of thousands of people every year. Their work on the cancer-beating properties of the dandelion, which also has a history of being used to treat warts, is part of a much larger project to examine the natural medicinal properties of scores of British plants and flowers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3939741.stm
Garden Weeds 'could combat cancer'
UK, Aug. 28, 2004 (BBC, By Oona Mashta) - There are high hopes for the humble dandelion. People are often quick to dismiss the humble dandelion that thrives in the UK climate as a menace to many lawns. But to scientists at the Royal Botanical Gardens, in Kew, west London, the common flower is fascinating - it could even be the source of a life-saving drug. From early tests they believe it could hold the key to warding off cancer, which kills tens of thousands of people every year. Their work on the cancer-beating properties of the dandelion, which also has a history of being used to treat warts, is part of a much larger project to examine the natural medicinal properties of scores of British plants and flowers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3939741.stm
Events / Science & Technology – Calgary, AB – Oct. 2 & 3
Eco-solar Expo
CALGARY, AB, Your Sustainable Lifestyle Begins Here, Saturday, October 2nd & Sunday, October 3rd, 9AM-4PM, Heart building of SAIT (1301 16th Avenue NW). Presented by SAIT, Sustainable Calgary & Enervision. A showcase for alternative energy sources, energy efficient devices, environmentally-friendly building practices, energy/water conservation and other urban environmental solutions. Come and: see new tehcnology in action, get hands-on experience, listen to the professionals, ask your questions, learn how you can be more energy efficient, use fewer resources and save money. To get more info ...Email: robyn.robertson@sait.ca or call Judi at 288-6046. http://www.enervision.tv/content/subindex.php?id=324
Eco-solar Expo
CALGARY, AB, Your Sustainable Lifestyle Begins Here, Saturday, October 2nd & Sunday, October 3rd, 9AM-4PM, Heart building of SAIT (1301 16th Avenue NW). Presented by SAIT, Sustainable Calgary & Enervision. A showcase for alternative energy sources, energy efficient devices, environmentally-friendly building practices, energy/water conservation and other urban environmental solutions. Come and: see new tehcnology in action, get hands-on experience, listen to the professionals, ask your questions, learn how you can be more energy efficient, use fewer resources and save money. To get more info ...Email: robyn.robertson@sait.ca or call Judi at 288-6046. http://www.enervision.tv/content/subindex.php?id=324
Environment / Personal Impact
Clean Air Counts
CHICAGO, IL, Aug. 6, 2004 (CNT Update) - Clean Air Counts is a regional initiative to help improve air quality in the Northeastern Illinois region. Metropolitan Chicago is classified as a "moderate nonattainment area," which means that it has repeatedly fallen short of air quality standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One of the principle air quality problems in our area is smog. Clean Air Counts is working to reduce emissions of volatile organiccompounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are two of the maincomponents of smog. Just by making small changes in our behavior, such asswitching to low-VOC cleaning products, we can help to reduce smog in ourarea. http://www.cleanaircounts.org/ozoneactiondaychallenge.shtml
Clean Air Counts
CHICAGO, IL, Aug. 6, 2004 (CNT Update) - Clean Air Counts is a regional initiative to help improve air quality in the Northeastern Illinois region. Metropolitan Chicago is classified as a "moderate nonattainment area," which means that it has repeatedly fallen short of air quality standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One of the principle air quality problems in our area is smog. Clean Air Counts is working to reduce emissions of volatile organiccompounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are two of the maincomponents of smog. Just by making small changes in our behavior, such asswitching to low-VOC cleaning products, we can help to reduce smog in ourarea. http://www.cleanaircounts.org/ozoneactiondaychallenge.shtml
Events / Vancouver, BC - Sep 18-19, 2004
Urban Permaculture Workshop
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 31, 2004 (Vancouver Permaculture Network) - An amazing weekend workshop in Permaculture design and sustainable urban gardening with Instructor: Gregoire Lamoureux. This workshop is specifically designed to present some strategies for people who live in the urban environment. Gregoire Lamoureux brings his 15 years experience as permaculture designer, consultant and teacher. Theory includes lectures, discussion and slide presentation. The practical includes hands-on experience and design exercise in planting a winter harvest garden. Permaculture is a holistic approach to land use, which works with nature’s rhythm and patterns, weaving together the elements of microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, water and soil management, and human needs into intricately connected and productive communities. Permaculture systems can be developed in any climate and on any scale. Designs have been developed on balconies, in backyards and for entire villages and urban communities. For more information contact Grant Watson, 604-872-4060, kgwatson@telus.net or go to www.alternatives.com/vpn.
Urban Permaculture Workshop
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 31, 2004 (Vancouver Permaculture Network) - An amazing weekend workshop in Permaculture design and sustainable urban gardening with Instructor: Gregoire Lamoureux. This workshop is specifically designed to present some strategies for people who live in the urban environment. Gregoire Lamoureux brings his 15 years experience as permaculture designer, consultant and teacher. Theory includes lectures, discussion and slide presentation. The practical includes hands-on experience and design exercise in planting a winter harvest garden. Permaculture is a holistic approach to land use, which works with nature’s rhythm and patterns, weaving together the elements of microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, water and soil management, and human needs into intricately connected and productive communities. Permaculture systems can be developed in any climate and on any scale. Designs have been developed on balconies, in backyards and for entire villages and urban communities. For more information contact Grant Watson, 604-872-4060, kgwatson@telus.net or go to www.alternatives.com/vpn.
Events / Powell River, BC – Sep 11 – 12, 2004
Introduction to Permaculture
BC, Aug. 31, 2004 (Kootenay Permaculture Institute) - An Introduction to Permaculture Workshop will be presented in Powell River, BC September 11-12, 2004. The Instructor will be Gregoire Lamoureux from the Kootenay Permaculture Institute for more information: Email: spiralfarm@yahoo.com. http://www3.telus.net/permaculture.
Introduction to Permaculture
BC, Aug. 31, 2004 (Kootenay Permaculture Institute) - An Introduction to Permaculture Workshop will be presented in Powell River, BC September 11-12, 2004. The Instructor will be Gregoire Lamoureux from the Kootenay Permaculture Institute for more information: Email: spiralfarm@yahoo.com. http://www3.telus.net/permaculture.
EcoVersity / Success Stories
Keeping in the Know with EFS West’s Newsletter
PORTLAND, OR, Aug. 2004 (ESF West) - Education for Sustainability Western Network is a membership-based professional association. Our members include institutions, organizations, and individuals who share a common interest in transforming higher education. For information on membership and an application form go to www.efswest.org and click on "Join EFS West." The mission of EFS West is to make sustainability a foundation of all aspects of higher education in the western U.S. and Canada. We do this through collaboration among members to share resources and ideas that will assist them in making sustainability a central focus of teaching, research, campus operations (including purchasing, investments, facilities & construction) and community outreach. EFS West was founded in 2001 as a partnership with the Boston-based nonprofit Second Nature. For more information and a history of the organization, go to http://www.efswest.org/about/about.php
Keeping in the Know with EFS West’s Newsletter
PORTLAND, OR, Aug. 2004 (ESF West) - Education for Sustainability Western Network is a membership-based professional association. Our members include institutions, organizations, and individuals who share a common interest in transforming higher education. For information on membership and an application form go to www.efswest.org and click on "Join EFS West." The mission of EFS West is to make sustainability a foundation of all aspects of higher education in the western U.S. and Canada. We do this through collaboration among members to share resources and ideas that will assist them in making sustainability a central focus of teaching, research, campus operations (including purchasing, investments, facilities & construction) and community outreach. EFS West was founded in 2001 as a partnership with the Boston-based nonprofit Second Nature. For more information and a history of the organization, go to http://www.efswest.org/about/about.php
Events / Global Transformation – Portland, OR
Defining the Vision for Higher Education – Oct. 21 – 23
PORTLAND, OR, Aug. 28, 2004 (ESF West)
This conference will be the first major event of its kind held in the western U.S and Canada! It aims to advance sustainability at college campuses throughout the U.S. and Canada, and will tie into the United Nation’s Decade on Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014), with a special addresses by UNESCO program chair Chuck Hopkins and Wynn Calder, Associate Director of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (Secretariat for the Talloires Declaration). http://www.efswest.org/conference/index.html
Defining the Vision for Higher Education – Oct. 21 – 23
PORTLAND, OR, Aug. 28, 2004 (ESF West)
This conference will be the first major event of its kind held in the western U.S and Canada! It aims to advance sustainability at college campuses throughout the U.S. and Canada, and will tie into the United Nation’s Decade on Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014), with a special addresses by UNESCO program chair Chuck Hopkins and Wynn Calder, Associate Director of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (Secretariat for the Talloires Declaration). http://www.efswest.org/conference/index.html
