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To inspire individuals to utilize natural systems in developing and restoring our communities.
Archive
...of past conferences
Concurrent Workshops
November 12, 2011 Concurrent Workshops
1:00 PM Concurrent Workshops
1. Natural Death Care and Green Burials
Nancy Manahan and Becky Bohan are local authors of the award-winning Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully: A Journey with Cancer and Beyond and members of the Minnesota Threshold Network. Several colleagues will present this workshop. Heather Halen will tell her story about caring for her husband's body at home after he died (in home hospice). She will explain the basics of natural death care. Carolyn Laine, State Representative for District 50A (Columbia Heights, Fridley, Hilltop, and St. Anthony), will then explain last year's changes in the Minnesota law that provides families the opportunity to take more responsibility in caring for their deceased loved ones and give a bit more information about the process. Theresa Purcell will describe green burials, how they help ecologically, and where we stand in Minnesota today regarding their availability.
www.NanBec.blogspot.com
www.FullLifeGoodDeath.blogspot.com
2. Choose to Reuse: For People, Planet, and Profit
Reuse Alliance Minnesota is a chapter of Reuse Alliance, a national nonprofit working to promote the social, environmental, and economic benefits of reuse. Reuse Alliance MN offers a networking opportunity for reuse organizations in the state to improve public awareness of the reuse sector. Arielle Courtney, Minnesota Chapter Coordinator, will introduce the other workshop presenters who will offer their expertise about how reuse is the original sustainable lifestyle.
People: Greg Rue, Arc's Value Village Thrift Store
Profit: Colleen Hetzel, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Planet: Jess Drenth, FROGBOX
Reuse Alliance MN, (612) 730-8474
3. From Here Forward-Common Sense for Common Good
As we look at the urgent condition we find ourselves in now, what are we addressing? Are the past mistakes what threaten, our present needs what motivate, or the future concerns what beckon? How do we move past the questions of where we are now and how we got here, to the question of what it is that truly sustains us and all that we connect with. This answer is what defines future survival. How do we really MOVE from here forward, with literally everyone on the same page.
Karen Olson Johnson chooses to live sustainably. With her scientific, academic, and mentoring expertise, she is a powerful advocate for the earth and its creatures. Karen spreads her important message through awareness, education, and action. As an author (Common Sense for Common Good and the upcoming Lillianna the Leatherback and Her Long Voyage) and consultant, Karen uses multiple media to reach her audience. Karen Olson Johnson has the heart of a storyteller and speaks with a prophetic voice. She truly believes if we care enough to change ourselves, we will change the world.
4. Solar Works for MN-Ken Bradley
Solar Works for Minnesota is a coalition of more than 125 non-profits, businesses, and unions working to ensure our state generates 10% of our energy from solar power by the year 2030. Our near-term 2012 goals include incorporating solar installations on public buildings to reduce taxpayers dependence on expensive imported energy.
At Fresh Energy, Ken developed their energy justice program and later helped to develop the Clean Energy Minnesota campaign that succeeded at passing the "25% by 2025" renewable electricity standard, energy efficiency and carbon reduction framework. As director of Clean Water Action, Ken led a team which helped to pass the Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment and elected the largest number of environmental champions into the state legislature in recent history. He is presently director of Environment Minnesota.
5. Money and the Seventh Generation
How did money come about and what will money look like 7 generations from now if we are, indeed, entering a new more egalitarian age. Join in this workshop with facilitator Richard Kotlarz, who travels internationally researching, teaching and discussing consciousness around the concept of money.
1. Claim Humane
In this workshop you will engage in an inquiry into how we, as individuals and as a species, might consciously evolve towards a compassionate relationship with all other species. What might our world look like if humans no longer used animals as utility or resource (food, clothing, research, physical labor and entertainment)?
AmyLeo Barankovich is the Founder of Teaching Compassion a program for children K-3 that teaches respect for animals and the natural world through stories, music, movement and art. Her lifelong advocacy for animals also includes creating children’s educational programs and performing street theater for the Animals Rights Coalition, being a Founder of the Global Sufficiency Network, lead-facilitating for the Alternatives To Violence Project, and most recently crafting a public dialogue termed Claim Humane to explore and advocate entering a relationship with animals in which we no longer view and use them as utility or resource. AmyLeo also teaches a dance class entitled Dancing Your Own, which helps people to discover and liberate their inner dancers.
2. Working Green in Minnesota: Careers, Education and Jobs
Learn the results of a 2-year study of green jobs in Minnesota by Department of Employment and Economic Development labor market analysts. We'll cover: what are the green careers in Minnesota? How can you prepare effectively for a green job? What are the skills and tools employers want green workers to bring? Where are the education and training programs for green careers? How do I conduct a green job search?
Presented by Julie Remington, Outreach and Training Coordinator, iSeek Solutions' Green Jobs Project, and Kate Aitchison, Labor Market Analyst, Department of Employment and Economic Development.
3. Practical Green Living
On the continuum of possible actions for green living, where are you? Are you still in the forest or have you emerged to find yourself at the edge of the stream? Have you jumped in and now find yourself in the midst of the rapids? How much more can you, should you be doing to address the urgent concerns of our planet. In this very practical session, you will take a concrete look at your present action level and contemplate the call to do more and how this call can fit into your world.
Karen Olson Johnson (see bio above)
4. Backyard Chicken Basics
Bob Lies and Audrey Matson have kept chickens in their St. Paul backyard for the last four years. They started their chicken adventures raising chicks for the Student Organic Farm at the University of Minnesota, and have experienced both the joys and troubles of keeping chickens in the city.
This class will cover all aspects of backyard flock management in the Twin Cities: getting permits, choosing suitable varieties, raising chicks, coop and run requirements, feed and nutrition, common health issues, predators, cold-climate care, with a special emphasis on chickens as composters, kitchen scrap eaters, and garden helpers.
Bob and Audrey are co-owners of EggPlant Urban Farm Supply, a retail store in St. Paul that sells plants and supplies for urban homesteading, including backyard chicken-keeping.
5. Fruits of the City
Fruits of the City aims to capture fresh fruit that would otherwise go to waste and redistribute it to those in need. In 2010, they partnered with Second Harvest Heartland to glean over 23,000 pounds of fruit. Their goal for this year is to harvest 36,000 pounds of fruit.
Heidi Coe (hcoe@mnproject.org) brings a background of over 15 years in the Landscape and Nursery business. She has a degree in Landscape and Nursery Technology and also owns a garden design, install and maintenance business. She is certified through the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association or (MNLA).
Heidi’s love for all things green and growing started from her upbringing on a hobby farm in Nebraska and then spending part of her adult years in Alaska. She has a passion for doing her part to keep foods local, healthy and accessible to everyone.