1st in Summer Series on Living a More Sustainable Life!

LINCOLNVILLE – Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center, a program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, announces a summer series that looks at ways everyone can lead sustainable lives. Living Sustainably:  Moving from “I can” to “I will,” is a series of three presentations that explores the topics of sustainable food systems, sustainable transportation, and sustainable homes. In addition to examining ecologically sound alternatives in daily living, the series will offer tips and tools for using personal values to navigate choices, identify barriers, and commit to living more sustainably.

“There are so many existing, as well as emerging ideas that can help us live sustainably” says Laura Sebastianelli, Tanglewood’s Director of Adult and Family Programs. “The trick in our busy and message-over-stimulated lives is learning how we can move from “I can” to “I will.”

The series will be held Tuesday evenings on June 19, July 24, and August 14 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast:

June 19 - Sustainable Food Systems

Food culture is undervalued in the US particularly compared to countries like Italy and France. For decades, large agriculture has been supported and praised as the model of efficiency, but locally-based, smaller-scale food systems may be a path to reduced environmental impact and improved food safety.  In this first session, John Jemison of UMaine Cooperative Extension, will discuss what we can learn from Italian food production systems and food culture that can be beneficial to human and ecological health.

July 24 – Sustainable Transportation

In our automobile-oriented culture, what choices do we have in getting around in our communities with less environmental impact? Hear the experiences of our panelists as George Haselton of Harvest Fuels speaks on the bio-diesel alternative, Kerry Hardy of Merryspring Nature Center shares his experiences as a bicycle commuter, and Hank Colletto of Audubon Expedition Institute speaks on lessons learned from his “grease” car.

August 14 - Sustainable Homes

We spend a great deal of our time in our homes, using energy and resources to stay warm, turn on the lights, and meet our everyday needs. Catherine Elliott of UMaine Cooperative Extension, will discuss ways to live-lightly, day-to-day.

The summer series is part of new program, Earth Connection Volunteers: Creating Sustainable Communities that will launch this fall. The program is for individuals who want to learn about sustainability and share that knowledge with others while creating positive change in their own lives and in their community.  Successful applicants to the Earth Connections Volunteers program will be provided with over 30 hours of in-depth learning opportunities, resource sharing, and skill development. In return, volunteers will commit to conducting 30 hours of community outreach in collaboration with a community group, school, or conservation organization, or as an independent project of their own design.

Additional information about the Summer Series, Living Sustainably:  Moving from “I can” to “I will” or about the Earth Connections Volunteers program can be found at http://www.tanglewood4h.org or by contacting Laura Sebastianelli at (207) 789-5808. Email: lauras@umext.maine.edu.

back to top