Location: in Ithaca, RSVP for details and directions.
Dates and Time: Tuesdays, June 12, July 10, August 14. 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
Grassroots Ecological Consulting, an Ithaca-based organization that advocates for resilient communities (natural and human), is offering a series of three workshops on bioregional mapping this summer. In collaboration with Ithaca Freeskool, these hands-on workshops are free—but space is limited, so register now.
What do we call home, and why? The bioregion has long been a useful concept to understand what Doug Aberley calls “the boundaries of home.” With the burgeoning locavore movement and the coming changes promised by Peak Oil, the idea of bioregionalism has never been more relevant.
In these three workshops we will explore bioregionalism as a concept and tool, consider the boundaries of our bioregion, and put pencil to paper to craft maps of our home.
No cartographic or artistic skills required! Come learn just how simple and powerful map-making can be.
Presentation in Vestal June 6thby Vestal Residents for Safe Energy (VeRSE)
What: Educational public forum on gas drilling with question and answer session
When: Wednesday, June 6th at 7 p.m.
Where: Calvary United Methodist Church,3505 Vestal Parkway East,across from Friendly’s.
Who: Sandra Steingraber and Chip Northrup
Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., biologist, author, and recipient of the 2011 Heinz Award for her work on environmental health. Steingraber donated the $100,000 prize money to the fight against fracking in New York State and so convened the statewide coalition, New Yorkers Against Fracking.
Steingraber will be discussing the toxic effects of fracking chemicals on children, the elderly and the general population.
Autographed copies of Steingraber’s award-winning book, RAISING ELIJAH, will be available for sale. She is also the author of the trail-blazing book LIVING DOWNSTREAM.
Chip Northrup, MBA Wharton, a 30 year private investor in drilling rigs and oil and gas projects (and former gas company manager), is a whistle blower on the gas industry’s not-so-secret tricks.
He will address the pros and cons of gas drilling on Vestal and its residents . Will we be protected by the Department of Environmental Conservation?
“It’s imperative that Vestal residents be made aware of the dangers they face if gas drilling is allowed here,” says Sue Rapp, co-founding member of VeRSE. “This evening promises to be both informative and entertaining. Our speakers bring a wealth of information that everyone will benefit from hearing. There will be a question and answer period so our audience can get the facts.”
The event, co - sponsored by Susquehanna Group of the Sierra Club, New Yorkers Against Fracking and Citizen Action, is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30. Refreshments.
Bill Belitskus was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Southwest Pennsylvania. He holds a degree in Psychology from Duquesne University and a Masters in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army in Military Intelligence. He ran twice as an independent candidate for U. S. Representative in the 5th Congressional District. He homesteads with his wife Mary and lives in the passive solar house they constructed on their 25-acre woodlot in Kane, McKean County adjacent to the Allegheny National Forest. He has been hiking, camping and recreating on the Allegheny for over 35 years and has been an active ADP member since 1996. For the past 15 years, Belitskus has been monitoring forest fragmentation, water degradation, air pollution, and the loss of recreational opportunities in the Allegheny National Forest caused by oil and gas drilling. He speaks from the unique perspective of a Pennsylvanian “whose state has jumped into shale gas drilling and fracking, feet first with eyes closed.” Bill has been sounding the alarm about the riparian rights of landowners to protect waterways and the dangers of consumptive water withdrawal from rivers, streams and groundwater by the oil and gas industry. In this presentation he address’s the PA Legislature’s recent passing of Act 13, called the most anti-democratic, anti-environmental law in the nation, because it elevates the rights of gas companies above the civil rights of people and communities. This legislation gives gas companies the right to drill anywhere, overturn local zoning law, seize private property and muzzle physicians from disclosing specific health impacts upon patients from drilling contamination.
Momentum is building up for a summer of organizing and action to protect our communities from exploitative drilling. This will be a meeting to review, recap, and develop a strategy for action. Bring your announcements & group updates and enthusiasm. Newcomers are also welcome to come and get involved.
Wednesday May 30th
6:00pm – 8:00pm
115 E. MLK St (the commons)
Ithaca, NY 14850
AGENDA:
Introductions – Personal & Group
Announcements & Updates – Regional (events, happenings, news)
Acknowledgements
Agenda Items
*__________
___________
Open Space Discussion
Worried about fracking? Hear two PENNSYLVANIA FARMERS share their on-the-ground insights. The speakers will discuss their experiences with hydrofracking and its impact on their livelihood and well being. The presentation will offer an opportunity to hear directly from farmers who have seen the effects of hydrofracking in their lives and in their communities.
Location: Moravia Elementary School Auditorium, Rt. 38 (Main Street South) Moravia, NY.
Contact: 497-3014 for information. Sponsored by the Southern Cayuga Anti-Fracking Alliance (SCAYAFA) and the Moravia Anti-Fracking Alliance (MAFA.)
A conversation with CUSLAR Coordinator Tim Shenk and Cornell visiting fellow Cristián Alarcón Ferrari.
Friday, May 18, 7 pm
Trumansburg Fire Hall, Main St./Rt. 96
Sustained protest and community unity have led rural communities across Latin America to victories against extractive industries that threaten their natural resources and way of life.
In New York State, we’re in the early stages of a fight against hydrofracking that poses threats to clean water, local economies and human and environmental health. We would do well to learn from communities who are farther along in similar struggles, both to recognize patterns in industry strategy and to adapt methods of community creativity.
CUSLAR Coordinator Tim Shenk will share from his experience as part of the organization “Justicia Global” based in the Dominican Republic in opposing mining projects, as well as highlight case studies from around the region. Cristián Alarcón Ferrari will share concrete energy alternative strategies practiced by farmers and peasants in Brazil.
CUSLAR ON THE WEB: Read CUSLAR’s April 2012 Newsletter, read about, watch or listen to recent CUSLAR events, and learn about upcoming activities and classes, all on the newly relaunched www.cuslar.org.
The Committee on U.S.-Latin American Relations (CUSLAR) is a Cornell University based organization, founded in 1965, which seeks to promote a greater understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean. The members of CUSLAR are a diverse group of people united in our concern about the role of the United States in the social, political and economic affairs of the region. CUSLAR supports the right of the people of Latin America and the Caribbean to self-determination and control over decisions that affect their lives and communities. CUSLAR is a project partner of the Center for Transformative Action.
Canadian Oil & Gas Consultant Jessica Ernst to Give Presentation in Ithaca
7:00 pm, Wednesday, May 23, First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, 306 N. Aurora St., Ithaca
Jessica Ernst, a scientist from Alberta, Canada who is suing the EnCana gas company for contaminating her water well with methane and toxic chemicals and the Alberta regulators for negligence and unlawful activities, will present “The Truth and Consequences of Fracking”.
Alberta has been hit hard by fracking for coal bed methane. Industry, the regulators and Alberta government try hard to silence Ernst. She is visiting New York to help residents understand the dire consequences of fracking before it begins in the state.
Jessica Ernst background:
Jessica Ernst, from Rosebud, Alberta, Canada, is an environmental consultant to the oil and gas industry with 30 years of experience. Speaking to worldwide audiences about the consequences of fracking, she has traveled to Ireland and to the United Nations, where she received UNANIMA International’s “Woman of Courage” award for her efforts to hold companies accountable for environmental harm done by fracking.
Ms. Ernst will present in four locations in the area: All events start at 7:00
Monday, May 21, Elmira Heights Theater, 210 E. 14 St., Elmira Heights, sponsored by People for a Healthy Environment, Inc.
Tuesday, May 22, Hubbard Auditorium, Tioga County Office Building, 76 Main Street, Owego, sponsored by RAFT – Residents Against Fracking Tioga, and Coalition to Protect New York.
Wednesday, May 23, First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, 306 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, sponsored by Shaleshock, DRAC, and the Social Justice Committee of First Unitarian Society
Thursday, May 24, LaFayette High School, 3122 Rte. 11 N., LaFayette, sponsored by Gas Drilling Awareness of Cortland County, ShaleshockCNY, Syracuse Peace Council, and Skaneateles Citizens Hydrofracking Committee
The events are free and open.
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The event in Ithaca is sponsored by Shaleshock Action Allinace, DRAC, and the Social Justice Committee of First Unitarian Society
Momentum is building up for a summer of organizing and action to protect our communities from exploitative drilling. This will be a meeting to review, recap, and develop a strategy for action. Bring your announcements & group updates and enthusiasm. Newcomers are also welcome to come and get involved.
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