2007 Workshops At A Glance

Workshop Titles, Times and Locations. Key and descriptions below:

* Please note we have a new workshop site not listed in the table below. A3, the upstairs Green Room in the Main Apeiron Building, will be home to Green Film screenings from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Details in the workshop listings below.

	A1	A2	N1	N2	N3	C1	C2
9:00 am		Yoga as Touching the Earth
10:00 am			Climate Action Conference (10:00-12:00)	Climate Action Conference (10:00-12:00)	Climate Action Conference (10:00-12:00)
12:00 noon	Eco-House Tour		Renewable Energy Sources Overview	Water for RI Today & Tomorrow			Tracking: Foxwalking, Owl Eyes & Other Awareness Building Skills (12:00-2:00)
1:00 pm	Cobbin' Together: Living in the Green Vision	A Walk in the Woods	Solar & Wind Options for Clean Energy	Alternatives to Lawns	Fun with Fuel Cells	The Future of Transportation in RI	Foxwalking cont.
2:00 pm	The Art of Natural Building	Composting in the City	Solar Hot Water: Basic System Design	Energy Affordable Housing	Giant Climate Creature Creations w/Big Nazo (2:00-4:00)	Peace Flag Project	Tracking: Fire by Friction (2:00-4:00)
3:00 pm	Community Supported Energy	Don't Whack Your Weeds--Eat Them!	Basics of Solar Electricity	RI Energy Star Homes Program	Giant Climate Creature Creations cont.	The Soulful Landscape	Fire by Friction cont.
4:00 pm	Sustainable Communities	Yoga for Wellness (4:00-5:15)	Retrofitting Your Home with Renewables & Energy Saving Ideas	Sustainable Food Systems	Green & Greening Businesses (4:00-6:00)		Tracking: Survival Shelter (4:00-6:00)
5:00 pm	From Local to Global: The RI Model for Harnessing Wind Power		What is Biodiesel?	Reducing Your Toxic Footprint at Home			Survival Shelter cont.
6:00 pm							Tracking: Gratitude Ceremony

Key:
Apeiron Institute’s Ecological Housing Model
A1 – Main Building – Inside
A2 – Gardens in Front of Building – Outside
A3 – Upstairs "Green Room" in the Main Building – Inside

Nickerson Building (gray building across from eco house)
N1 – Front Room
N2 – Back Room South
N3 – Back Room North (enter from back side of building)

Wooded Workshop Sites (trail head marked in back of Apeiron eco-house)
C1 – Campsite #1 (campfire circle)
C2 – Campsite #2 (second clearing with blue shed)

Alternatives to Lawns
Tysh McGrail and Melanie Brown

Have you ever thought, “Why do I need a lawn anyway?” You don’t! But what then? Come to this discussion led by gardening and landscaping professionals, and consider the alternatives!

Tysh McGrail of Woodscapes, Inc. offers sustainable landscape design, consultation, installation and renovation with emphasis on organic land management practices, and alternatives to traditional lawns. She is a member of the RI Wild Plant Society, N.E. Wildflower Society, and the Ecological Landscape Association.

Melanie Brown of Wildesigns Gardening, designs, installs, and maintains organic gardens, lawns/lawn alternatives, seasonal displays & wildlife window boxes using native and non-invasive plant species. She specializes in “theme” gardens, including butterfly, herb/vegetable, Japanese, Zen, etc.

Art of Natural Building
Ben Graham

Natural materials for building not only make sense but inspire a new way of relating to the natural world. This multi-media presentation introduces building techniques for our bioregions including cob, earthen plasters and floors, strawbale, timberframing and light-clay. Get a behind-the-scene look at constructing a natural building along with the inspiring beauty associated with most things au naturale.

Ben Graham is a designer and builder who develops natural building and sustainable living systems. Ben directs SpiralWorks www.spiralworks.com, a collaborative venture promoting community vitality and viability. He holds an architectural degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and a permaculture design certificate from the Permaculture Association of Britain. He also serves on the Plainfield, VT Planning comminssion.

Basics of Solar Electricity (Photovoltaics)
Len Loomans

Brief intro to the “basics”: quantifying the solar resource, system design types, sizing techniques, estimating output, life-cycle costs, NEC compliance and utility requirements. Available state and federal rebates, tax incentives and Renewable Energy Credits/Green Power marketing will also be covered. If the sun is shining, we'll go outside for some hands-on demonstrations, and there will be plenty of time for questions.

Len Loomans is a Consulting Energy Engineer with over 20 years experience within the electric power industry. Currently he provides clients with engineering design & commissioning services for renewable energy systems; including photovoltaics, wind, hydroelectric, cogeneration and other energy efficiency & conservation technologies. He also teaches a Photovoltaics Class for the Lifelong Learning Div. of CCRI. Len holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Colorado State University.

Climate Action Conference 10:00 am to 12:00 noon

New for 2007! Morning Climate Action Conference 10:00 am to 12 noon with Dr. Steven Hamburg Stephen Majkut Omay Elphick

Let’s make inconvenient truths more convenient. Find out what you can do right now to produce positive effective changes in your life and in the lives of others. Hear from the experts about climate change on the ground in New England literally and figuratively, followed by facilitated break out sessions in the areas of Youth Organizing, Neighborhood Actions, Best Practices at Home, Going Green at Work and Creating Sustainable Municipalities. Start the day off righteously! For early risers, join us at 9:00 am for Yoga as Touching the Earth with yoga teacher, energy and climate activist Karina Lutz Let us know you're coming to the Climate Action Conference by clicking here.

Steven P. Hamburg is a forest ecologist who has been involved in sustainability initiatives for 25 years. He hails from the faculty of the University of Kansas where he directed the Environmental Studies Program and founded the office of the Environmental Ombudsman. He then spent a year at Environmental Defense prior to joining the Brown faculty where he is currently, in the Center for Environmental Studies and director for the Global Environment Program at the Watson Institute for International Studies. Brown has published over 50 articles on ecosystem ecology and related topics in a wide range of journals including Nature and Science. He serves as vice chair of the International Long-Term Ecological Research Network and on the Board of Directors of Save the Bay and Clean Air-Cool Planet.

Stephen Majkut is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is a Registered Professional Engineer. Mr. Majkut joined the Department of Environmental Management in 1975, first managing Rhode Island’s hazardous waste management program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and now, since 1986 administering Rhode Island’s air quality program. He is responsible for permitting, assuring compliance with air pollution control regulations, air toxics, air quality attainment planning, mobile sources, air quality/transportation issues, global warming and regional air quality issues.

Omay Elphick is Deputy Director at the Energy Consumer Alliance of New England's Rhode Island office. Previously as policy specialist at Save the Bay, Omay researched the brownfield regulatory landscape and developed recommendations for improving the redevelopment process for coastal brownfields in Rhode Island. Omay also oversaw construction of the Save the Bay Center, a "green" educational and administrative building. Before joining Save the Bay, Omay was a Senior Analyst and Nonprofit Consultant at a private branding and business consulting firm in Boulder, Colorado. He has an MBA in Marketing and a BA in Economics.

Cobbin Together: Living in the Green Vision
Erin and Jim Malloy

We will explore the many facets of Green Building; the social, environmental and economic benefits of creating and living in the “Green Vision.” We will also explore the vision and living model of an off-grid solar/wind, human-powered, fossil fuel-free, mortgage-free, Earthen Home.

Erin and Jim Malloy have designed and built their own efficient Earthen home in north-central Vermont. They live comfortably in their inexpensive, mortgage-free, cob home surrounded by their fruit orchard. Both Jim and Erin work in the field of energy education.

Community Supported Energy
Greg Pahl
An idea whose time has finally come! Community ownership of local renewable energy sources has been highly successful in Europe and is now gaining momentum in North America. Increasing fossil fuel prices, energy supplies, and commercial-scale wind farm controversies make the strategy of community-based energy projects attractive and doable. Topics will include examples of successful initiatives, advantages of community-based energy, and obstacles that stand in the way of greater community control. A question and answer session will follow.

Greg Pahl is journalist and author of five books who has been involved in renewable energy issues for more than 25 years. His latest book, The Citizen-Powered Energy Handbook: Community Solutions to a Global Crisis, was published in February 2007 by Chelsea Green Publishing.

Composting in the City
Tara Germond

Learn how you can compost in urban areas free from worry about pests, annoyed neighbors, or no space! This workshop will show city dwellers how they can use worms to turn food scraps into a rich soil amendment for household plants or container gardens. Worm composting is a compact alternative to bins or piles and is easy for anyone to do. Come see how you can start a worm bin and engage in discussion about how individuals can reduce waste no matter where they live.

Tara Germond is a recent graduate from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Environmental Economics and Management. She currently coordinates the RI Master Composter / Recycler Program at the URI Cooperative Extension Education Center and is actively involved in educating local communities about the need for waste reduction.

Don’t Whack Your Weeds -- Eat Them!
Karen Talbot

Most people don’t realize there is a free supermarket at the roadside, in empty lots, and your own backyard. Join in a weedwalk to discover the food and health benefit of wild plants. Delectables are offered for the adventurous!

Karen Talbot has been an herbalist for over twenty years and has lead weedwalks for individuals, groups, and schools. Her love of the wild plant kingdom has found expression in teaching classes in cooking, cosmetics, and herbal healing using plants found in the backyard and beyond.

Eco-House Tour
Bradley Grove Hyson

Frustrated with compulsory consumption in your home? Experience the alternatives in one of Rhode Island’s most environmentally designed buildings. Learn about more than 50 ecologically friendly building systems, technologies and products that help this housing model use less than half the resources of a typical home its size.

Bradley Grove Hyson is the founder and director of the Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living. He has led hundreds of tours of the eco-house, which also incorporates his knowledge of environmental issues, ecological building, and his vision for global sustainability.

Energy Affordable Housing
Karina Lutz and Ed Connelly

More and more low-income residents pay almost as much, if not more, for utilities than rent these days. To address this, People’s Power & Light and New Ecology, Inc. are working with Rhode Island Community Development Corporations (CDC’s) to discover the potential for energy efficiency upgrades to existing affordable housing. Meanwhile, new money is coming in for low-income weatherization and utility gas efficiency programs because of the passage of the landmark Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Act last year. Find out how Rhode Islanders can make housing more environmentally sound and affordable – because sustainability means both.

Karina Lutz works in development and advocacy for People’s Power & Light, Rhode Island’s nonprofit green energy company. A sustainable energy advocate since her days as editor of Home Energy magazine in Berkeley in the 80s, she also teaches yoga and writes poetry and plays.

Edward F. Connelly is the president of New Ecology, Inc. (NEI), a Cambridge-based non profit that concentrates on sustainable development in urban settings. Connelly is a national leader in the effort to green affordable housing. He founded and ran CleanScape, Inc., a triple bottom line social venture that provides recycling and landscaping services to corporate and institutional clients, and creates living wage jobs for residents of the Providence RI Enterprise Community. He is the former Deputy Director of the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation and assistant town administrator for Sharon, MA.

The Energy Star Homes Program
Jon Dember

The workshop is a general overview of the Energy Star Homes program, which helps people build high levels of comfort, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency into their new homes. A variety of incentives are available to help an owner or builder certify their home as an Energy Star Home, which is nationally recognized for representing greater value, lower operating cost, increased durability, comfort, and safety. The outline includes information on the program background, goals, procedures, benefits package, technical support, and technical standards.

Jon Dember is an Outreach Support Specialist for the Energy Star Homes program in New England, covering Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut. He has worked as a housing inspector for rent subsidy programs, both for Rhode Island Housing Corp., and previously in Upstate New York for a community action program. In 1997-2000 he was a co-organizer of the CoopPlus of the Finger Lakes, a renewable energy member co-op.

From Local to Global: The RI Model for Harnessing Wind Power Worldwide
Lefteris Pavlides

This workshop will assess Rhode Island’s electricity goal to produce 15% of its electricity from wind within the next five years. It will review the legal, economic, public perception and site considerations in order to implement this goal. It will also examine the far-reaching, long-term global implications of this local initiative. Workshop participants will be encouraged to join the Rhode Island Wind Power Alliance and suggest ways that their participation can contribute to achieving this goal.

Lefteris Pavlides, a professor of architecture at RWU, has served as the Director of the Wind Power Rhode Island Project since 2005. Most recently, he was involved in helping organize a WIND POWER conference at the RWU Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy and taught a “Wind Architectural Studio.”

Fun with Fuel Cells
Ross McCurdy

This is a fun introduction to fuel cell technology that is suitable for anyone able to tie their own shoes. Using hands-on lab kits, participants will use solar panels to produce hydrogen from water and then use this hydrogen to power fuel cells and produce electricity. The fuel cell electricity will then be used to power a small motor and run a tiny light bulb. This workshop will clearly demonstrate the sustainability potential of hydrogen fuel cells.

Ross McCurdy is a Science Teacher at Ponaganset High School and an advocate of fuel cells and other alternative/renewable energy. With the help of students and other dedicated people Ross created Protium, the world’s first fuel cell powered band and operator of RI’s first fuel cell vehicle. Ponaganset High’s Fuel Cell Team is currently working on a street legal Fuel Cell Model T hot rod.

The Future of Transportation in RI
Barry Schiller

This workshop will consider transportation choices in our state and the promotion of sustainability. After a brief overview of current issues surrounding bus transit, commuter and intercity rail, bike paths, bicycle commuting, pedestrian issues, highway maintenance and expansion, and cleaner cars, participants will discuss their priority concerns and responses in moving towards sustainable living.

Barry Schiller is a retired math professor at Rhode Island College, and has been involved in state transportation issues since the fight against the proposed I-84 highway across the Scituate reservoir in the 1970s. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the RI Public Transportation Authority and is now a member of the State Planning Council's Transportation Advisory Committee, and the Rhode Island Sierra Club's Transportation Chair.

Giant Climate Creature Creations with Big Nazo & Parade to Follow
Ermnio Pinque & Freaky Friends

Artistic Director Erminio Pinque and staff of Providence’s BIG NAZ0 LAB will demonstrate various techniques of fabricating and performing large scale creature puppets for use in parades, carnivals and demonstrations. Cardboard, fabric, tempra paint and a variety of materials will be combined with experimental theatre games and performance techniques to create a parade of unusual and fantastic characters that will interact and improvise with audiences at the Sustainable Living Festival.

Erminio Pinque conducts mask-making, mural and video Artist-in-residency workshops throughout New England and is part-time faculty at Rhode Island School of Design Film/Video Department where he teaches a course in CREATURE-CREATION. Erminio and the BIG NAZ0 troupe have designed, constructed and animated original characters for countless stage productions, parades, TV projects, and family extravaganzas throughout the US and overseas.

Green and Greening Business Panel
Chuck Carberry, CleanScape, Inc.
Catherine Mardosa & Matt Tracy, Red Planet Vegetables
David Spencer, Atlantic Paper & Twine Company
Ever wondered what it’s really like to go green at work? Find out from local business people the ins and outs of starting up or greening up for a better business and a better world. What are the best practices and most important actions? How does going green in RI impact profits, clients and day to day life? How far can you go and what are the likely allies and obstacles along the path? Join forward thinkers in the corporate and small business realms and find the information, motivation and tools you need for inspiration and action!

Green Film Fest—The RIght Way Shoot Off of 2007, The Meatrix and other shorts in A3 from 2:00-4:00 pm, followed by a Feature Film TBA from 4:00-6:00 pm!
Local and National Filmmakers
We asked for a moving picture, a brief 1-4 minute trailer to help launch a revolution. In conjunction with The RI Film Collaborative, we launched The RIght Way Great Green Shoot Off of 2007 that ended in May. Winners were awarded prizes and their trailers will be airing in local theaters soon. We invited filmmakers to help renew the Ocean State’s commitment to a truth, which isn’t inconvenient, but instead promises a happy, healthy future for everyone. Now we invite you to see the results! More information on The RIght Way Great Green Shoot Off of 2007 may be found by clicking here.

The Peace Flag Project: Sending Positive Wishes Out to the World
Jane Maquire and Ginny Fox

Exploration of the Peace Flag Project as a pro-peace organization interested in defining and describing what a peaceful world would be like. Description of our inspiration from Tibetan Prayer Flags. Meditation to connect to wishes for oneself, family, community, country, planet or universe. Participants may also wish to focus on gratitude – things they are grateful for. Creation of a set of flags (5 pieces of fabric) with paints, markers, collage.

Jane Maguire is a psychotherapist, artist and yoga teacher. As a Quaker, she has been a peace activist for her adult life.

Ginny Fox is a writer and editor. She has also run craft shows, written newsletters, run after school programs, organized school events, and taught Sunday school. She is also a peace activist.

Reducing Your Toxic Footprint at Home
Joy Onash and Harris Parnell

As we take steps to reduce our energy use, recycle and avoid wasteful living, there is another way we can show our caring for the earth, its people and other living things. Chemicals we use in our homes wind up in our rivers, the ground, the food we eat, they have been found in our own blood and in that of animals - even as far away as polar bears at the North Pole. We’ll discuss concerns and options for cleaning supplies, toys, pest control, furnishings, paints, carpeting, personal care products, least pesticide foods and more.

Joy Onash, Community Program Manager, Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), University of Massachusetts Lowell, is an engineer with over ten years of experience with industry, government, and institutions, assisting them with environmental compliance issues and pollution prevention projects. She also works with non-profit organizations, municipalities, and small business.

Harris Parnell, Maine State Director for Toxics Action Center (TAC) began work with TAC six years ago as the Sludge Field Organizer. She also worked in Massachusetts on clean energy, hunger and homelessness, student and consumer rights, and other public interest issues. Later, as director of a statewide water quality organization, she helped create the strongest standard for rocket fuel in drinking water in the country.

Renewable Energy Sources Overview
Daniel Cartier

This workshop focuses on explaining renewable sources and the benefits they bring. Solar electricity, wood pellet, hydro, biodiesel, solar thermal, fuel cells, wind energy, wave power and green power will all be discussed. Photos of real world projects from Rhode Island and around the world will be presented.

Dan Cartier is a Mechanical Engineer educated at URI with a Certification in Energy Management. Dan has worked with renewable energy systems for over twenty years. Currently Dan is working for the Chariho Regional School District as Director of Building and Grounds and consults on renewable energy systems as well.

Retrofitting Your Home with Renewables and Energy Saving Ideas
Dan Cartier

After this workshop, the average home owner will be able to map out a plan that will allow them to live a fossil free life. It will cover available energy saving options for the local homeowner, renewable energy systems that can be installed in the typical home, as well as green fuels locally available for cars or trucks.

Dan Cartier is a Mechanical Engineer educated at URI with a Certification in Energy Management. Dan has worked with renewable energy systems for over twenty years. Currently Dan is working for the Chariho Regional School District as Director of Building and Grounds and consults on renewable energy systems as well.

Solar and Wind Options for Clean Energy
Bob Chew

Learn how to incorporate solar and wind systems into your home or business. Bob Chew will discuss renewable energy options- how to create them, what they can do for you and the environment.
Robert Chew has been a solar designer/ contractor since 1977. He is president of SolarWrights, inc., a solar contracting firm headquartered in Bristol, RI with offices throughout New England.

Solar Hot Water: Basic System Design
Dan Cartier

This workshop will review the basics of solar hot water systems and the best systems for New England. Decision making, basic system design, necessary installation skills, resources for solar hot water education and component selection and purchasing will all be outlined and explained. Photos of real world projects will be shown.

Dan Cartier is a Mechanical Engineer educated at URI with a Certification in Energy Management. Dan has worked with renewable energy systems for over twenty years. Currently Dan is working for the Chariho Regional School District as Director of Building and Grounds and consults on renewable energy systems as well.

The Soulful Landscape
Erica Wheeler

This workshop is designed to foster the emotional connection between people and place, awakening the sense of engagement needed to participate in land stewardship today. Inspired by song, story, and visual art, participants are empowered to find their own creative voice through a series of writing exercises followed by group sharing and discussion. Everyone will leave with a deeper self-connection and a method of writing for further exploration. All levels of writing and experience welcome!

Erica Wheeler is a workshop facilitator and award-winning songwriter featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered”. She synthesizes her background in the performing and creative arts with her lifelong passion for environmental studies, cultural history, and earth based spirituality to provide a unique, compelling, transformative workshop experience.

Sustainable Communities
Brad Hyson

Ecological Communities are human settlements that achieve a high standard of living with a low impact on the environment. They integrate green building design, renewable energy, on-site food production, community based businesses, and family friendly environments within a context of radically reduced environmental impact. They can be rural, urban or suburban in location, and have appeared throughout the world. This workshop will share Apeiron Executive Director Brad Hyson’s findings from a year long fellowship to travel and research 13 eco-villages in 4 countries and 6 U.S. states. He will explore common themes of sustainable human settlements and leave participants with a variety of ideas for their own communities.

Bradley Grove Hyson is a founder and the executive director of the Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living. Over the course of 12 years with Apeiron, Brad has educated more than 10,000 students, legislators, state employees, trades people, businesspeople, and concerned citizens about sustainable living concepts and practices. His vision for making RI the nation’s “1st Sustainable State” is the driving force behind Apeiron’s current program and the Eco-House, which showcases more than 50 ecological systems and products. In 2001, Brad was awarded a RI Foundation Leadership & Development Fellowship, which enabled him to travel around the world researching Eco-Communities and other forms of collective living. Brad is also a musician, songwriter and recording artist, the stepfather of 3 children, and an avid meditator and yoga practitioner.

Sustainable Food Systems
Noah Fulmer, Susan Letendre, Alicia Lehrer

In this one hour workshop we will examine our current food system and its limits. We will spark ideas with a few short films from the “Good Food” film series from Media that Matters. We will then have an open discussion of a few alternative sustainable models now being explored locally.

Noah Fulmer has worked with Farm Fresh Rhode Island over the last two years, developing the local food web marketplace http://www.farmfreshri.org/, organizing local food forums and farmers markets. Noah’s primary goal is to connect local food producers to local consumers and institutions and to develop a great working model of a local food system.

Susan Letendre has spent the last six years developing leadership skills and knowledge in RI youth in the arena of Food Security. Susan has worked with 800 students, helped develop multiple school gardens and greenhouses and explored world-wide food systems first-hand. Susan has an amazing global perspective on food systems.

Alicia Lehrer has led the Southern RI Conservation District for the last 9 years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources Science and is a water quality specialist. Alicia has been involved in preserving local agriculture through the Farm, Forest and Open Space program connecting farmers directly to resources that help them to remain viable.

Tracking Series: New England Trackers is dedicated to sharing wilderness and survival-related knowledge, and organizing gathering places and "dirt time" sessions for those in the New England area. Fire by Friction Tom Turk and Tim Grantham Learn the basics of traditional fire making and see what rubbing two sticks together can teach you about survival in the wilderness and civilization. We will gather materials from the landscape, build a low-smoke fire structure, and generate hot coals with a bow drill. Come join us and give your hands a go at "busting out a coal". Tom has been a primitive firebug since 1978 after discovering Larry Dean Olsen's "Outdoor Survival Skills." He is an AMC 4000 Footer and a member of New England Trackers. Tim Grantham has had a lifelong love affair with old skills and ways of living. He has studied primitive skills with the Tracker School and has been trained in the Vision Quest experience with Earth-Heart. Tim has taught survival skills and ceremony at the Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living and works with schools and local Boy Scouts. He is a member of New England Trackers. Foxwalking, Owl Eyes and Concentric Rings: Traditional Awareness Skills for Wilderness and Society Tim Kowalik and Cynthia Kazmirsky Isn't it amazing how peaceful a walk in the woods can be? That quiet world with just a few birds chirping here and there? Well, that false sense of nature is the result of your approach having sent the wildlife big and small scurrying for cover a good 10 minutes before you arrived! And those chirping birds—they are broadcasting your location and direction to all of creation. In this workshop, learn and practice techniques that reduce your presence in any environment while increasing your awareness of “all that is.” Tim Kowalik has been studying primitive skills and awareness in the aboriginal traditions taught by Tom Brown, Jr. and the Earth-Heart Institute. He has taught awareness and basic survival skills at the Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living, the Bioneers by the Bay Conference, and to schools and scout troops. Tim is a founding member of New England Trackers. Cynthia Kazmirsky, from childhood has played in the woods and swamps, and honored the plants and nature. A child of Slovak Farmers she became aware of the healing spirit of plants and herbal medicine. Her love for nature led her to search out a like minded community, which she found through Tom Brown Jr. and The Tracker School. She now lives in the woods of south central Connecticut and caretakes the land that owns her. Gratitude Ceremony Tim Grantham and Tim Kowalik People who live close to nature are constantly grateful for all that the Earth provides. This state of thankfulness is something we often lack in modern society. Let us come together today with like-minded people in a Ceremony of Gratitude for the land which supports us. The Ceremony will include a fire, drumming, smudging, and an opportunity to share your gratitude. Tim Grantham has had a lifelong love affair with old skills and ways of living. He has studied primitive skills with the Tracker School and has been trained in the Vision Quest experience with Earth-Heart. Tim has taught survival skills and ceremony at the Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living and works with schools and local Boy Scouts. He is a member of New England Trackers. Tim Kowalik has been studying primitive skills and awareness in the aboriginal traditions taught by Tom Brown, Jr. and the Earth-Heart Institute. He has taught awareness and basic survival skills at the Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living, the Bioneers by the Bay Conference, and to schools and scout troops. Tim is a founding member of New England Trackers. Survival Shelter Tim Kowalik and Paulinka de Rochemont Would you know how to survive a cold and rainy night when lost in the woods? Come take a lesson from the squirrels and learn to make a simple shelter with natural materials and no tools that will keep you alive and dry even in cold and wet weather. Tim Kowalik has been studying primitive skills and awareness in the aboriginal traditions taught by Tom Brown, Jr. and the Earth-Heart Institute. He has taught awareness and basic survival skills at the Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living, the Bioneers by the Bay Conference, and to schools and scout troops. Tim is a founding member of New England Trackers. Paulinka de Rochemont, born and raised a city girl, has had a longing for wild places and nature as long as she can remember. Now a student of Tom Brown Jr., a member of the New England Trackers and living in the woods of West Greenwich, RI, she finally found a way to make the world a better place by caretaking.

Walk In the Woods
Marc Tremblay, CF

Walk through Apeiron’s woodlands. Identify local trees & shrubs. Discuss forest and wildlife management, forest health and stewardship. Review proposed thinning of white pine for sustainable harvest of natural building sources.

Marc Tremblay is a Certified Forester with 25 years of experience working with private forest land owners.

Water for Rhode Island Today and Tomorrow
Greg Gerritt, Eugenia Marks, Beverly O’Keefe

A panel presentation by 3 of the people involved in creating the booklet “Water for Rhode Island Today and Tomorrow” and the conference of the same name. Topics to be covered include how much water does RI use, how much is available, what we can do to conserve, and what the future holds.

Greg Gerritt is a long time activist on environmental and economic issues, and former Green Party candidate for mayor of Providence. Gerritt is currently focused primarily on issues of prosperity and global warming.

Eugenia Marks serves as Senior Director for Policy at Audubon Society of RI where she has worked for 27 years. She has worked in freshwater resources and water policy through these years, with the RI Water Resources Board and RI DEM to achieve water policies that serve the public interest.

Beverly O’Keefe is a Supervising Planner for the RI Water Resources Board. O’Keefe serves on the Executive Board of the URI Master Gardeners as the Advanced Education Coordinator, and is affectionately known as "The Water Lady" across the state by those who have adopted rain barrels and rainwater harvesting techniques.

What is Bio-Diesel
Bob Cerio

Introduction to Bio-Diesel, the fastest growing alternative energy resource today and a look at its emerging markets.

Bob Cerio has over twenty four years experience in the field of Energy Conservation and Management with a focus on integrating renewable energy resources into an energy portfolio.

Yoga as Touching the Earth
Karina Lutz

A moderate yoga practice to start the day with emphasis on opening the root chakra, feeling the earth’s presence, and opening to our communion with it.

Karina is a poet, activist, freelance writer, and yoga teacher. She has worked in energy and the environment since 1988, currently in development and advocacy for People’s Power & Light, a local nonprofit dedicated to affordable and sustainable energy.

Yoga for Wellness
Karen Lee

Do you find your self getting overwhelmed by life -- by the responsibilities of job, family, community, and trying to do the right thing for the planet? Yoga tradition teaches that yoga practice can provide support to those of us trying to fulfill our dharma or duties. Come learn how to become calm, whole and centered in the whirlwind of life, with practices you can take with you and use whenever you need them.

Karen Lee, Director of Breathing Time Yoga is a Registered Yoga Therapist who teaches yoga in the traditional way: one to one, with practices that meet the specific needs of each student. Breathing Time Yoga is a community oasis, offering classes, workshops, private yoga therapy, community events and open practice time.