In This Issue

News:

Peak Oil discussion this week

This week:

New Bedford Green Solutions Day of Action

More

Save The Date:

Green Buildings Open House 2008

More

Announcement:

Know your vegetables

Green your business

More

Ongoing:

Volunteer with Sharing the Harvest

Farmer's Markets

More

Weekly Green Tip:

Brown Rice

Dr. Timothy Walker presents on Peak Oil

As oil prices oscillate and the economy stagnates, the future of our fossil-fuel based society becomes uncertain. Please join us in the Library Browsing area on Tuesday, September 30th, from 12:30-2 for a presentation and discussion of the concept of Peak Oil and what it means to us as individuals and as a community. Coffee and desert will be served.

Our first newsletter of the year is live

That's right, our first "packed full of stuff" newsletter is live. Pick them up around campus or simply click here to download it and save a tree (PDF).

Articles include a Campus Sustainability Assessment update, an article about the latest recycling efforts on campus, info about our green roof project, and oodles of other sustainability knowledge. Read here for more.

Friday, 11am-4pm. Campus Center Patio - Come to the Campus Center Patio or just inside the campus center this Friday to enjoy this week's offerings at the Farmer's Market. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and more! Check out the new vendors joining the market this week.

Saturday, September 27 - All are welcome to take part as New Bedford holds its first "New Bedford Green Solutions- Day of Action!" Area programs including P.A.C.E., YouthBuild, 3rd Eye Unlimited, and Spiritual Warriors are collaborating to bring educational speakers, cultural performances, positive vibes, and live music to promote and raise awareness that New Bedford is ready for Green Jobs and New Bedforders are ready to change their lifestyles and live more sustainably. Events will include energy audits, lot clean up, speakers, opportunity to sign the "I'm Ready" petition, and much more. For more information please contact Temistocles Blessed Ferreira at 508-858-9261 or temblessed@gmail.com.

Dr. Timothy Walker presents on Peak Oil

Tuesday, September 30th, from 12:30-2:00pm - As oil prices oscillate and the economy stagnates, the future of our fossil-fuel based society becomes uncertain. Please join us in the Library Browsing area for a presentation and discussion of the concept of Peak Oil and what it means to us as individuals and as a community. Coffee and desert will be served.

Green Enterprise: Environmental Context, Attributes, Benefits

Thursday, October 2, from 8:30-11:00am - Learn how you can position your business to be resilient in the face of deckling supplies and increasing prices of energy, water, and other resources. After this class you'll return to work with an understanding of how to calculate, evaluate, and reduce your organization's environmental impact- establishing your business as a leader in your industry. More details below.

October 4, 10am-4pm. The event, which is part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour, offers a unique opportunity for people to see first-hand how clean energy and green building practices can be put to work. To register your green building for the event contact Mary Biddle of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association at: mbiddle@nesea.org.  For more information visit: www.nesea.org

October 5, The Watershed Ride is a cycling fundraising event for The Coalition for Buzzards Bay.  Cycle through pastoral farmlands, coastal villages, cranberry bogs, working waterfronts, and the back roads of Cape Cod - all while helping Buzzards Bay and its watershed.  The route is 75 miles long beginning at Horseneck Beach in Westport and ending in Quissett Harbor in beautiful Woods Hole.  Two rest stops with food, beverages, toilets, and bike support will be provided, as well as lunch at Eastover Farms in Rochester and a celebratory picnic at the Finish Line.  On-the-road support will include bike mechanics and first aid.  Limited transportation from Woods Hole to Horseneck Beach will be available.  Along with a registration fee of $60, riders must raise a minimum of $300.  Register online at www.savebuzzardsbay.org.  Registration closes Thursday, October 2 at 6pm.

October 6. Hosted by the  Marine Renewable Energy Center (MREC).  Keynote speaker, Congressman William Delahunt, will provide an update on relevant federal initiatives, followed by panelists from industry, government, technology development, and public policy.  Please visit www.mrec.umassd.edu for conference details, registration, directions, accommodations, and upcoming events.

October 10-13 The second annual Taunton River Folk Festival, to benefit the Taunton River Watershed Alliance, is slated for Oct. 10-13 in downtown Taunton. http://www.tauntonfest.org

October 16, 8:30am-2:30pm at UMASS Dartmouth, Woodland Commons.
As cities and towns across the region struggle to make ends meet, they are
turning to sustainability for solutions. Please join your neighbors,
colleagues, and fellow officials on Thursday, October 16th, for a Regional
Sustainability Exchange. Come to hear about local projects, to share your
ideas, and to strategize regional possibilities. We'll be meeting at 8:30
am at UMD's Woodland Commons--an invitation and agenda is attached.
More information here (PDF).

October 18, 9am-3pm. The Fair is an event designed to bring people with an interest in "Green" together with people who work in the Green Industries. For more information contact Bob Espindola at Bob_Espindola@Acushnetgolf.com.

October 18. Activities include:  5K/10K Road Race and Fun Run, Farm Activities, Pie Baking Contest, Hayrides, Barbecue Dinner
For more info please contact the Dartmouth YMCA at 508-993-3361

4th Annual Bioneers by the Bay: Connecting for Change Conference

October 24-26. This year's Bioneer's conference will be held in downtown New Bedford. Early registrations are due by September 19th for reduced price. Visit: www.connectingforchange.org for more information.

Pajama Project

The City of New Bedford is asking for you old pajamas! Help the HarbOUR HOUSE Family Shelter by clicking this link to learn more

Green Your Business: A Six Session Course for Business Owners and Managers

Learn how you can position your business to be resilient in the face of declining supplies and increasing prices of energy, water, and other resources. After this class you'll return to work with an understanding of how to calculate, evaluate, and reduce your organization's environmental impact- establishing your business as a leader in your industry.

Classes will be taught by Glenn Bachman, a certified management consultant and certified planner with over 30 years experience. He works in transforming organizations into sustainable enterprises that create enduring value. Bachman is the author of The Green Business Guide, which will be published this winter.

Classes will be held starting October 2nd from 8:30-11:00am at UMASS Dartmouth's downtown campus at 800 Purchase Street, New Bedford.

Here's the schedule:
October 2 Green Enterprise: Environmental Context, Attributes, Benefits.
October 9 Planning the Transformation: Environmental audit, Green as
Strategy.
October 23 Water Effectiveness: Supply, Consumption, Efficiency.
October 30 Energy Effectiveness: Supply, Consumption, Efficiency,
Production.
November 6 Resources: Green facilities, Eco-products, Materials
management, Zero waste.
November 13 Synthesis: Eco-labeling, Certification, Promoting the Green
Enterprise.

Fee is $95 for all six classes, including materials and certificate or $20.00 per individual class. Class size is limited and preference will be given to individuals from New Bedford businesses. Go here to register (PDF).

New Discussion Group Forming Focused on Sustainability and Food

Menu for the Future - a 6 week discussion circle with readings collected and assembled by the Northwest Earth Institute exploring the connection between food and sustainability.
Registration open through September 23rd. Fee for reading materials is $25 (scholarships available).

Brix Bounty Farm, 858 Tucker Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747.
We'll meet for 6 Tuesdays from Sept. 23rd through Oct 28th.

More info on readings - NWEI Course Offerings - Menu for the Future

Any Questions, Please Contact Derek at 508-992-1868 or derekchristianson@gmail.com (see our blog for other happenings:  http://brixbounty.blogspot.com/)

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.
Monday October 20 – Fall Fertilizers and Composting
Monday November 24 – Nutrient Density in Foods
Monday December 15 – Biodynamic Agriculture

January 2009 – Preparing a Seed Order and Variety Selection   
February 2009 – Tools for the Vegetable Garden, Small- Scale Farm
March 2009 – Seed Starting, Greenhouses and Cold Frames   
April 2009 - Sustainable Production Techniques, Row Covers and Transplanting
May 2009 – Weeds, Cultivation, and Stale Bedding

Conversations will continue into summer 2009:  topics to be determined.

Discussions are held at Brix Bounty Farm.  Usually 3rd Monday of the Month, 6:30 PM

For more information or to RSVP please contact us:  
Derek Christianson, Brix Bounty Farm, 858 Tucker Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747   
Ph:  508.992.1868                  
http://brixbounty.blogspot.com/

Dartmouth YMCA, 276 Gulf Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747.

Saturdays 10am-12pm. www.ymcasouthcoast.org

Dartmouth: Fridays 1-6pm at Rex Field, adjacent to St. Peter's Church in Padanaram.

Fairhaven: Sundays 1-4pm at the Fairhaven High School.

New Bedford: Brooklawn Park, Mondays 2:00-7:00pm, Ashley Blvd & Brooklawn St, New Bedford.

New Bedford: Clasky Common, Saturdays, 9am-1pm,located at Pleasant St & Pearl St, New Bedford.

New Bedford: Wings Court, Thursdays, 2:00-7:00pm,located at Wings Court, Purchase St& Union St, down town New Bedford.

Westport: Saturdays,8am-12pm, Westport Grange, 870 Main Rd, Westport.

That's right, next time you get the choice of brown rice vs. white rice, pick the brown. Not only is it better for you, it's better for the environment. Click here to learn why.