A free environmental symposium dealing with topics including reinventing local farms, grassroots solar energy, the effect of acid rain on songbirds in the state and “agritourism” is planned at The White Mountain School in Bethlehem on the afternoon of Saturday, November 12th.
The goal is not just to provide presentations but give participants the tools they need to make changes in their communities and lives, said Elizabeth Lokey Aldrich, the chair of the Sustainability Studies Department at the school
“I hope they take away new awareness about the issues and what to do about the issues,” she said. “In other words, what are some practical steps they can start tomorrow?”
The keynote address will be by Bill McKibben, a nationally known climate-change activist and author.
The symposium is part of the school’s celebration of its 125 birthday.
There is no charge but participants are asked to let Ms. Aldrich know they wish to attend. She may be reached at: elizabeth.aldrich@whitemountain.org or by calling 444-0513 x22.
Participants can attend two of the seminars.
Here’s the schedule:
- 12:30 Registration begins
- 1:15 Welcome Remarks
- 1:30 – 2:30 Workshops
- 2:45-3:45 Workshops
- 4:00-5:00 Keynote Speaker, Bill McKibben
Workshop Titles and Rooms
1. Reinventing Local Farms and participating in local food systems
Tim Wennrich, Meadowstone Farm
S1 in Steele Science Center
2. Getting dirty at school: The challenges and process of growing food and making compost at schools
Sam Brown, Meadowstone Farm
S2 in Steele Science Center
3. Land Conservation: Through the Eyes of Field Biologists
Elise Lawson and John Severance, Watershed to Wildlife
Room 6
4. Grassroots Solar Energy
Melissa Elander, SUNREI
David van Houten, SUNREI
S3 in Steele Science Center
5. Where have all the songbirds gone? How long term ecological monitoring projects can help us understand the environment.
Sarah Turtle, Hubbard Brook
Room 7
6. Ridgeline wind power development in New England - boon or boondoggle?
David Publicover, Appalachian Mountain Club
Room 1
7. Forest Succession: A brief look at the evolution of a working forest
Jon Martin, Martin Forestry
Ron Klemarczyk, FORECO
Room 2
8. Agritourism: creating a win--win situation
Cindy Lou-Amey, Indian Stream Farms
Room 3
9. Heart and Mind - Tools for Activists in an Age of Uncertainty
Rebecca Brown, Ammonoosuc Land Trust
Room 9
10. An Apple and a Book: Considerations for Sustainability
Jeffrey Wheeler, Littleton Bookstore
Room 10
11. Reading the landscape for recreational uses
Sally Manikian, Applachian Mountain Club
S4 in Steele Science Center.
More information on The White Mountain School: http://www.whitemountain.org/
