Tuesday, March 09, 2010

"SUSTAINABILITY ANNOUNCEMENTS SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK, Lawrence Kansas 9 March 2010 Local Solutions for Transition to a Sustainable Economy"

ECO RADIO KC ¤ WEEKLY ECOLOGICAL ISSUES RADIO SHOW
Tuesday, 9 March 2010, 12:00noon ¤ on Kansas City Community Radio
Listen at KKFI-FM 90.1, or on web-streaming at http://www.kkfi.org/

On EcoRadio KC this week, host John Kurmann will talk with Emily Akins of the Kansas City Food Circle, which has been instrumental in many of the Kansas City initiatives of growers, markets, and mentors. You can learn more about them at KC Food Circle.

Stay tuned at 12:30 when the Bioneers radio series presents "Ecological Medicine: Healing Health Care" . Did medicine's separation from nature propel our health care system into its current crisis? Join Dr. Andrew Weil and nurse and health activist Charlotte Brody as they describe how Ecological Medicine reunites the interdependence of medicine and nature, and restores the feminine principle in healing.
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"PLANETARY TIPPING POINTS" ¤ LESTER BROWN
Wednesday, 10 March 2010, 9:00am ¤ on Kansas City Community Radio
Listen at KKFI-FM 90.1, or on web-streaming at http://www.kkfi.org/

The radio show, Alternative Radio with David Barsamian, will feature Lester Brown of the Earth Policy Institute, a world renowned think tank on sustainability issues. The EPI has published Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization. Brown had previously launched the Worldwatch Institute in 1974 which has annually issued The State of The World reports covering a different comprehensive topic each year.
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KANSAS CITY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Wednesday, 10 March 2010, 4:00-6:00pm
Mid America Regional Council, Rivergate Center 2nd floor, 600 Broadway, KC MO

The Environmental Management Commission promotes environmental awareness and resource efficiency to the City's leader and staff, to assist the progress of Kansas City toward sustainability. Members of the general public are encouraged to attend and observe meetings and to join and participate in its efforts. More information and the EMC April 2009 minutes are available at http://www.kcmo.org/manager.nsf/web/emc
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ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPALS IN PRACTICING PERMACULTURE ¤ 3RD LECTURE
Wednesday, 10 March 2010, 6:00-9:00pm
East Lawrence Community Center, 1245 E. 15th St., Lawrence (15th at Brook St.)

Steve Moring of the Kaw Permaculture Collaborative will describe how can humans can model nature's interrelated life-forms to create balanced and sustainable food production ecosystems which maintain species diversity and environmental stability. This lecture is the third in a nine-session permaculture lecture series, presented every two weeks. Interspersed with the lectures will be occasional field trips.

The lecture will be followed by a group discussion of permaculture applications, resources, local organizations and community projects, and will close with a viewing of the film "Last Stand of the Tallgrass Prairie". A $30.00 admission fee will be requested at the door. The fees will support both the K.P.C. and it's parent organization, Sustainability Action Network. For more information contact Steve Moring at 785-691-7305 or
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ECUADOR COMMITS TO LIVE WITHIN IT'S ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

Ecuador has become the first country to set a concrete Ecological Footprint target. The country has included the goal in its National Plan that, by 2013, its Ecological Footprint will be within its biocapacity, a trend that it will maintain going forward. It will officially use the Ecological Footprint as a resource accounting tool for policy and decision-making to ensure that Ecuador does not move into overshoot.

To read more go to Ecuador Addresses its Ecological Balance Sheet, and to learn more about ecological footprints, carbon footprints, and how to calculate it for individuals or for nations, go to Global Footprint Network.
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SEED AND SCION EXCHANGE IN LAWRENCE
Saturday, 13 March 2010, 10:00am-1:00pm (11:30 pot luck lunch)
527 Lake St., Lawrence KS

The Central Prairie Seed Exchange sponsors this annual seed/scion exchange, followed by a pot luck lunch. Everyone is welcome. It's very informal, with lots of varietal and growing information exchanged along with plants, seeds and scions. Please bring whatever you may have, with clear identification and maybe growing tips. The location is in north Lawrence, one block north of Lyon & 5th Streets. If lost, call (785)331-6702.
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"PRIMARY SEEDS: SAVING ONE'S OWN" INTRODUCTORY CLASS
Sunday, 14 March 2010, 1:00-3:00pm
Lawrence Public Library, 7th & Vermont St., Lawrence KS

The Kaw Valley Seeds Project is offering this basic seed-saving class, taught by Dianna Henry. The purpose of the K.V.S.P. is to create a local living seed reserve through a network of people committed to growing and sharing primary seed varieties of the Kansas River valley. Primary seeds are called open-pollinated, standard, or non-hybrid. These may be also heirloom or heritage. They are not hybrids or genetically modified. To learn more visit - Kaw Valley Seeds Project. Donations to Kaw Valley Seeds Project will be accepted. Please call Dianna to hold your reservation at (785)331-2315.
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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK - MONTHLY MEETING
Sunday, 14 March 2010, 4:00pm
Teapouro Tea & Espresso, 712 Massachusetts St., Lawrence KS

Local Solutions for Transition to a Sustainable Economy
S.A.N. organizes societal scale action for ecological sustainability in our personal lives, and through public policy changes. "Be the change you want to see". The S.A.N. meeting agenda will include:
  • plans for Transition Kaw Valley presentations
  • Finalizing our logo
  • Finalize our Challenge Statement and Mission Statement
  • web site design
  • Final draft of 501(C)(3) application
  • Lawrence Peak Oil Plan, suggestions for input
Please join us
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LAWRENCE BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tuesday, 16 March 2010, 6:00pm
Public Works Confr. Room, lower level, Lawrence City Hall, 6th & Massachusetts St.

The agenda for this month will be available soon. The Committee works to improve bicycle safety and awareness through education of motorists and non-motorists, develops bicycle plans and maps, and advises the City and County Commissions on bicycle priorities and needs. The agenda and information can be downloaded at Bicycle Advisory Comm | agendas & minutes.
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CITY OF LAWRENCE COMPOST SALE
Thursday-Saturday, 18-20 March 2010, 8:00am-3:00pm (til 4:00 on Sat.)
1420 E 11th Street, Lawrence KS (east of 11th and Haskell, over the tracks)

The material is composted from leaves, grass clippings, and prunings collected by the City. Quantities are restricted to pick-ups and small trailers for residential use, not commercial use. Cost is $10 per load if loaded by tractor, or free if self-loaded by hand. For more info, contact the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division at 832-3030 or visit www.LawrenceRecycles.org.
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PERMACULTURE FIELD TRIP ¤ COMPOSTING & BIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONS
Saturday, 20 March 2010, 1:00-4:00pm

As part of of the Kaw Permaculture Collaborative series, Steve Moring will give a tour of his own Vajra Farm permaculture operation. For more information contact Steve Moring at 785-691-7305 or
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THE GREAT AMERICAN MEAT OUT ¤ LAWRENCE
Saturday, 20 March 2010, 2:30-5:30pm
Lawrence Public Library, 7th & Vermont St.

The Great American Meatout is the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots campaign to help people learn how to "kick the meat habit", and explore a wholesome diet of non-animal protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Lawrence will join communities in all 50 U.S. states and two dozen other countries with a free celebration at the Lawrence Library. Volunteers will be there to share food samples, recipes and literature, and to discuss plant based diets. There will also be a mini film festival and a cooking demonstration. A vegetarian diet requires only one tenth of the land area, energy, and water compared to that of a meat based diet. For more info go to Great American Meatout.
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ORGANIC TRANSPLANTS CLASS ¤ HOW TO START YOUR OWN
Sunday, 21 March 2010, 3:00-5:00pm - $$
Badseed Market, 1909 McGee, Kansas City MO

In this class, you will get down and dirty (literally) mixing homemade potting soils and planting seeds of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and herbs. You will also receive garden plan charts and planting schedules, and learn where to buy local ingredients and supplies. For more info go to Classes & Events « Badseed Farm.
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SUPER GREEN HOME SEMINAR
Saturday, 3 April 2010, 9:00am-3:30pm
Discovery Center, 4750 Troost, Kansas City MO

Super Green Homes are called Passiv Haus (Passive House), NetZero, and Near NetZero, and the technology is feasible today. There will be vendors of applicable building products, and speakers all day. Some of the speakers will be: Bob Berkebile from BNIM Architects speaking on 21st Century Living at the community scale; Mark Grantham from Innovative Designs speaking on deep retrofit remodeling and sustainable living models; Dustin Jensen from Metropolitan Energy Center speaking on the energy rebates, incentives and the payoff times; Ryan Abendroth from Passive House Institute speaking on the Passive House concept, and Robert McLaughlin from McLaughlin Designs on The Greensburg NetZero Eco-Home. Event is free but reservations are recommended. RSVP Dayna McDaniel dthrumc@sbcglobal.net
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BOOTH & PARADE SIGN-UP DEADLINE ¤ LAWRENCE EARTH DAY
Monday, 5 April 2010, 5:00pm
320 NE Industrial Lane, Lawrence, KS 66044

The Lawrence Earth Day parade and celebration will be on 17 April starting with the parade at 11:00am. The celebration in the park features live music, food, vendors and children’s activities. Vendor booths are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more info go to Earth Day Celebration 2010.
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LAWRENCE FARMERS' MARKET OPENS
Saturday, 10 April 2010, 7:00am-11:00pm
800 block of New Hampshire St., Lawrence KS

The Lawrence Farmers' Market is the oldest in Kansas, and is open on Saturday mornings, and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (weekday markets will begin on 5 May). This is a "growers' only market": all fruits, vegetables, and meats are raised by the vendor, and there are more than eighty vendors. For more info go to Lawrence Farmers' Market.
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PRAIRIE VILLAGE EARTH FAIR
Saturday, 17 April 2010, 10:00am-3:00pm
Shawnee Mission East High School (75th and Mission Rd)

At this 9th annual Earth Fair, there will be over 40 vendors from all types of environmentally focused organizations, and a farmers' market. For more info contact
Katie Nixon, coordinator, at (816)809-5074.



The SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK, Inc. is a Kansas not-for-profit organization. DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED, and checks can be mailed to P.O.Box 1064, Lawrence KS 66044. Our mission is to advocate and organize societal scale action to address sustainability issues. The triple crises of Energy-Ecology-Economy are building so rapidly that large scale action is needed immediately and methodically to overcome institutional barriers and advance public policy that preserves ecological sustainability. Our focus is to build a relocalized economy-ecology in concert with the Transition Town movement occurring in many other communities. To join the Sustainability Action Network please contact us at

Our current projects include:
1) Transition Kaw Valley - initiating transition to a relocalized post-carbon economy, and municipal level Peak Oil response planning.
2) Kaw Permaculture Collaborative - developing skills and resources for poly-cropping sustainable food production.
3) Energy Conservation & Renewables - advancing a green economy through decentralized technologies and regulations, for conservation and renewable energy.
4) Land Consortium - organizing interested stakeholders to acquire prime farmland in the urban fringe for land-based economic development and regional food security.
5) Water Rights and Watersheds - protecting the water commons, the source of all life, from privatization and contamination, and restoring our watersheds.
6) Electric & Human Powered Vehicles - promoting neighborhood electric vehicles and utility tricycles, including infrastructure and pro-active regulations.
7) Weekly Sustainability Announcements - informing and encouraging others to become active in the Sustainability Action Network, or other action driven groups.
8) Collaboration with sister organizations - such as: The Light Center eco-village; Kaw Valley Food System farm-based economic development; Citizens for Responsible Planning; Films for Action; Kansas River Valley Growers fighting for local water rights; national efforts by the Sustainable Energy Network; KC Metro groups like the Kansas City Food Circle and the All Species Project, etc.


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