CANCELLED...

CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

I regret to inform you that the session scheduled for Saturday, April 9, has been canceled due to unforeseen conditions which are beyond our control. We will work to identify an alternative date as well as alternative approaches to present the information which was scheduled on the April 9 agenda.

An extended question and answer session has been scheduled for Friday. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and I hope that you are willing to work with us to reschedule or to present your information through an alternative format.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to

call or e-mail me or Brendan Corazzin of my staff

at 913-551-7429 or e-mail at

corazzon.brendan (a) epa . gov

Please reply to this e-mail to confirm that you have received this notice. Sincerely,

Altheà M. Moses

U.S. EPA Region 7

901 North 5th Street

Kansas City, KS 66101

ph: 913-551-7649 fax: 913-551-7941

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Urban Agriculture Workshop

Dates: FRIDAY & SATURDAY ~ April 8-9, 2011
April 8: 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
April 9: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location: Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch in the Cohen Center

Subject: Learn about urban gardening on vacant lots and brownfields in
your neighborhood. Presentations will provide information on:
Addressing Potential Contamination,
Best Management Practices,
Gardening Basics,
Raised Beds,
Soil Health, and More!

Cost: FREE!!

RSVP: Please contact Brendan Corazzin to confirm your attendance or to
get more information at: corazzin.brendan (a) epa . gov ~ 800-223-0425 ~

Please share this information with others who may want to attend.

URBAN AGRICULTURE & BROWNFIELDS ¤ EPA WORKSHOP
Friday-Saturday, 8-9 April 2011, 6:00pm-8:30pm Fri., 8:30am-3:30pm Sat. - FREE
Plaza Branch Library, 4801 Main St., Kansas City MO 64112

Urban brownfields are sites that have suffered some sort of contamination, though a site may have only physical hazards such as construction debris. Abandoned commercial sites may or may not be contaminated, and often are default candidates for potential community gardens. So before being used for food production, suspected brownfields should be assessed for presence of contaminants, and if so, evaluated for clean-up.

The EPA has selected the City of Kansas City for a brownfields assessment coalition grant. They are reviewing a 150-square-block area of Kansas City that contains about 185 brownfield sites, including filling stations, salvage yards, and commercial and light manufacturing facilities. About 25 percent of the properties in this zone are vacant lots Brownfields Grant Fact Sheet: Kansas City, MO.

This Brownfield Workshop will cover topics such as: soil conditions and soil preparation, plant selection taking into consideration soil conditions, water resources, and gardening best practices. For more information or to reserve your seat please contact Brendan Corazzin at (913)551-7429 or
corazzin.brendan (a) epa . gov

SAN - 2011-04-05 - Sustainability Action Network - Announcements - Greater KC via Kaw River Valley (Lawrence, KS ~ K.C.))

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

5 April 2011

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SUBSCRIBER NOTICE

Starting in May, these Weekly Announcements will come to you via an "auto-subscribe/auto-send" system that will better serve you with the latest event updates, sustainability news and S.A.N. communications. We will completely switch over to the new mail system starting in May.

If you want to continue receiving the Sustainability Announcements, you will need to click here - Update your subscription to the Sustainability Announcements. Enter your name and e-mail address, and follow the instructions. The system will send you a confirmation message with a "Confirmation Link" which you MUST click in order to complete your subscription confirmation. If you don't get the confirmation message, check in your junk mail folder for blocked as spam.

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SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY ¤ Earth Day Booth for S.A.N.
If you want to help staff our Earth Day booth, call our Volunteer Coordinator, Maryam Hjersted, at (913)723-3636
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PEAK OIL & A CHANGING CLIMATE ¤ YOU-TUBE VIDEO SERIES
Wednesdays, up through 6 April 2011, on your computer
current video: Breaking Free From Factory Farms | #12 with Joel Salatin

Peak Oil is the point at which petroleum extraction reaches its greatest rate just before going into perpetual decline. This excellent series is scheduled to end on 6 April.

On Wednesday, 6 April, John Ikerd will appear in interview #13 of the Peak Oil and a Changing Climate | video series. John Ikerdd is a Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He is an advocate of relocalization, rural revitalization and sustainable farming practices using what he calls "solar powered renewable energy machines" - plants. He has said that "A sustainable agriculture must be ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible."
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FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ¤ DAY 25 UPDATE

Last week there were glimmers of optimism because electric supply had been restored at the reactor control rooms, giving potential to operate instrumentation, monitor reactor function and power coolant pumps. However, things seemed to have already progressed beyond TEPCO's control. The following assessment is rather frightening, to say the least.

The Japanese government has had a level 7 nuclear disaster going for almost a week but won’t admit it. The disaster is occurring the opposite way than Chernobyl, which exploded and stopped the reaction. At Fukushima, the reactions are getting worse. It is suspected that three nuclear piles are in meltdown . If reactor 3 is in meltdown, the concrete under the containment looks like lava. But Fukushima is not far off the water table. When that molten mass of self-sustaining nuclear material gets to the water table it won’t simply cool down. It will explode – not a nuclear explosion, but probably enough to involve the rest of the reactors and fuel rods at the facility - 'Worse Than Chernobyl': When the Fukushima Meltdown Hits Groundwater.

TEPCO has detected an 8-inch crack in the concrete pit holding power cables near reactor No. 2 which had 100% of its core fully exposed for about 2 hours. Highly radioactive water is coming directly from the reactor. Last Thursday, the latest data showed groundwater containing radioactive iodine 10,000 times the legal threshold and the concentration of radioactive iodine-131 in nearby seawater rising to the highest level yet. Crews tried to plug the leak with concrete, but in a reactor going critical, concrete will simply melt - Concrete fails to plug leak at Fukushima nuclear plant.

Dr. Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist at C.U.N.Y., has suggested that TEPCO is overwhelmed, and should be replaced with a team of international nuclear scientists and engineers, aided by access to the Japanese military. He also has suggested that they take the "Chernobyl Option" of using enough sand, boric acid, and concrete to smother these reactors, to entomb them forever, like the Russians did with 5000 tons of concrete over Chernobyl - I Would Recommend the "Chernobyl Option".

A comprehensive source of world and U.S. nuclear news is the Nuclear Information and Resource Service. The site includes news and updates, with especially good assessment of the conflicting reports from Japan. They offer fact sheets, data interpretation, commentary, and action alerts.
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URBAN FOOD FOREST GARDEN ¤ COMMUNIVERSITY CLASS #2312 A
Wednesdays, 6 &13 April 2011, 2 lectures, 7:00-9:00pm - $$
UMKC School of Medicine, Theatre C, 24th & Charlotte Streets, Kansas City MO
Saturday, 16 April 2011, hands-on planting, 2:00-5:00pm
Food forest site, 43rd & McGee Streets, Kansas City MO

Learn small scale urban food forest design and hands-on planting skills as we help develop a food forest at 43rd & McGee. Learn how to mimic the structure and function of forest ecosystems using sheet mulching, layering, planting patterns, species diversity, guilds and more. We will cover proper planning techniques for tree, shrubs and fruit. Two theory sessions and a hands on planting workshop. Class registration fee of $14, plus bring $10 to class for materials. Register at UMKC Communiversity. More info at Food Not Lawns KC, or <steve@prairietrading.com>.
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PERMACULTURE FOOD PRODUCTION: POLYCULTURE GARDENS ¤ 6TH LECTURE
Friday, 8 April 2011, 6:00-9:00pm - $$$
Dreher 4-H Building, 2110 Harper St., Lawrence KS 66044

This sixth session will describe how polyculture gardens go beyond simple companion planting to enhance and maintain soil nutrients, and increase yields while minimizing labor. The system relies on growing annual and perennial plants in dynamic association, with an emphasis on no-till, raised-bed methods. The lecture will be followed by a viewing of the film "The Synergistic Garden" with Emelia Hazelip.

Steve Moring of Vajra Farm Permaculture Center is teaching this Design Certification Course with assistance from Michael Almon and Michael Morley. Preregistration is required, and a percentage of the fees will support the Kaw Permaculture Collaborative and it's parent organization, the Sustainability Action Network. For more info go to Kaw Permaculture Collaborative, or contact Steve Moring at (785)691-7305 or <smoring@grasshoppernet.com>.
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URBAN AGRICULTURE & BROWNFIELDS ¤ EPA WORKSHOP
Friday-Saturday, 8-9 April 2011, 6:00pm-8:30pm Fri., 8:30am-3:30pm Sat. - FREE
Plaza Branch Library, 4801 Main St., Kansas City MO 64112

Urban brownfields are sites that have suffered some sort of contamination, though a site may have only physical hazards such as construction debris. Abandoned commercial sites may or may not be contaminated, and often are default candidates for potential community gardens. So before being used for food production, suspected brownfields should be assessed for presence of contaminants, and if so, evaluated for clean-up.

The EPA has selected the City of Kansas City for a brownfields assessment coalition grant. They are reviewing a 150-square-block area of Kansas City that contains about 185 brownfield sites, including filling stations, salvage yards, and commercial and light manufacturing facilities. About 25 percent of the properties in this zone are vacant lots Brownfields Grant Fact Sheet: Kansas City, MO.

This Brownfield Workshop will cover topics such as: soil conditions and soil preparation, plant selection taking into consideration soil conditions, water resources, and gardening best practices. For more information or to reserve your seat please contact Brendan Corazzin at (913)551-7429 or corazzin.brendan@epa.gov
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KKFI COMMUNITY RADIO ¤ ECOLOGICAL SHOWS THIS WEEK
Listen at KKFI-FM 90.1, or web-streaming at http://www.kkfi.org/

Friday, 8 April, 9:30am ¤ Bioneers Radio Series
Bioneers presents another program in their award winning series.

Eco-Radio KC has been RESCHEDULED to Monday evenings.
Monday, 11 April, 6:00pm ¤ locally produced
Host John Kurmann will talk with Amanda Graor, Senior Air Quality Planner of the Mid-America Regional Council, and Stephanie Cole, Associate Regional Representative of the Kansas Sierra Club, about pollution in Kansas City's air and what we need to do to clean it up. How is our health affected by our choices of transportation, of when we refuel our cars, or how we mow the lawn or barbecue?
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"CARBON NATION" FILM ¤ CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS
Tuesday, 12 April 2011 - FREE
12:30pm, Carlsen Center Room 211
7:15pm, General Education Building Room 233
Johnson County Community College, Quivera & College Blvd., Overland Park KS 66210

Carbon Nation is a film of optimistic, non-preachy solutions that show tackling climate change boosts the economy, increases national & energy security and promotes health & a clean environment. It provides an entertaining, informed and pragmatic primer about why it’s incredibly smart to be a part of the low-carbon economy: it’s good business.

The director, Peter Byck, will be at the screenings for Q & A as part of a nation-wide live streaming to colleges and universities. Watch the trailer at Carbon Nation - trailer. For more info, call (913)469-8500 X2883, or e-mail <sustainability@jccc.edu>.
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LAWRENCE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesday, 13 April 2011, 5:30pm
Recycling and Resource Recovery Annex, 320 N.E. Industrial Lane, Lawrence KS

The April agenda is unavailable to date. The S.A.B. meets monthly to discuss any and all aspects of furthering sustainability policies and practices by the City of Lawrence government and private persons. The public is welcome. Minutes are finalized in about a month after each meeting http://www.lawrenceks.org/wrr/envadvisoryboard
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KANSAS CITY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Wednesday, 13 April 2011, 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. The general public is 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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K.U. ENERGY CONFERENCE
Thursday, 14 April 2011, 9:00am-4:30pm - $$ (students attend FREE)
Oread Hotel, 12th & Indiana St., Lawrence KS 66044

Governor Brownback will be there, as well as former Shell Oil President, John Hofmeister. Conference keynoter Hofmeister now heads Citizens for Affordable Energy, an "all-of-the-above" energy group, from which he champions the "Four Mores". Among the lineup that predominantly represent coal utilities, oil refineries, bio-fuels, and smart grids are a couple redeeming panelists: Matt Gilhousen, Senior Vice President at TradeWind Energy, and Jeff Risley, Director of the Climate and Energy Project. For more info go to KU Energy Conference.
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THE PROBLEMS WITH SMART GRIDS

Considering how smart grids have the potential to increase energy consumption, endanger the environment, harm public health, diminish privacy, make the national utility grid more insecure, cause job losses, and make energy markets more speculative, how is it savvy environmentalists are buying into this eco-health-safety-finance debacle?

Smart grids send two-way digital communications over the power transmission lines as well as wireless relay stations along the way. A central utility can continually monitor electric demand house-to-house, and if they cannot keep pace with demand, they can remotely shut off appliances within houses. At a time when radiofrequency radiation (RF) is becoming a major health concern, smart metering will turn every single appliance into the equivalent of a transmitting cell phone. The average U.S. home has over 15 such appliances (dishwasher, microwave oven, stove, washing machine, clothes dryer, air conditioner, furnace, refrigerator, freezer, coffee maker, TV, computer, printer, and fax machine), each of which would be equipped with a transmitting antenna. All appliances will transmit wireless data with peak power bursts far above current safety standards.

And that’s just the indoor part. On the outside of each building, the Smart Meter will transmit at a more powerful wireless frequency to a central hub installed in local neighborhoods. And RF exposure from house-to-house signals could accumulate from possibly 100-to-500 of your neighbors’ as well.

Grid vulnerability is an issue as well. Security consultant Mike Davis of IOActive, Inc/Seattle has shown how easy it is to install computer worms that can take over the whole grid, and such worms can be programmed to alter billing information, or gather information on electricity use for sale to third parties. Smart Grids offer new opportunities for electronic trespass. Plus, do you really want the utilities remotely-controlling your appliances?

Smart systems can wreak havoc with electronics too. People are complaining of ceiling fans turning on in the middle of the night, speeds spontaneously changing, and circuit boards burning up. A few meters have exploded. Others have fried electronics. Fires have started. And ironically, smart meters don't even "run backwards" if you want to sell excess solar PV electricity back into the grid.

Germany's Environment Ministry issued a warning to German citizens to avoid wireless technology when possible and return to cabled means of communication. The French national library banned Wi-Fi in libraries when librarians became ill. The U.K.’s Association of Teachers and Lecturers came out against Wi-Fi in classrooms. Sweden has declared some beaches and public buildings RF-free areas where cell phones and wireless computers cannot be used. Spanish activists hold an annual International Day Against Electromagnetic Pollution. British and Irish citizens have taken to civil disobedience, bulldozing down cell towers.

A truly intelligent way to help an aging infrastructure does exist. Using closed cables, fiber optic boasts no environmental RF exposures, no dirty electricity, is resistant to sabotage and weather disruptions, and provides TV and high-speed Internet. For $11 billion, the U.S. could bring fiber optic to every home just as Japan has done. Read the full article at The Problems with Smart Grids.
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LAWRENCE EARTH DAY ¤ PARADE & SOUTH PARK CELEBRATION
Saturday, 16 April 2011, 11:00am parade, 11:30-4:00pm park festival

The Lawrence Earth Day Parade begins at the Train Park, and is sponsored by K.U. Environs - http://groups.ku.edu/~environs/ The Earth Day Celebration will be held in South Park, and is sponsored by the City of Lawrence Waste Reduction & Recycling Department - Earth Day Celebration 2011. The celebration in the park features live music, children’s activities and food vendors. Attendees are invited to learn from exhibits about waste reduction, recycling, composting, alternative fuels and vehicles, energy conservation, land preservation, wildlife and habitat preservation, and more.
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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK - MONTHLY MEETING
Sunday, 17 April 2011, 6:00pm
location TBA, Lawrence KS

Local Solutions for Transition to a Sustainable Economy
Organizing societal scale action in our personal lives, and through public policy changes.
The meeting agenda will include:

• Annual Giving Campaign report
  
• Growers' Land Trust Community Garden
  
• S.A.N. social media - policy proposal
  
• Earth Day booth staffing volunteers
  
• community workshops: super adobe, solar food dehydrator, cold frames, rain barrels, etc.
  
• S.A.N.web site: list-serve, content, pay pal, etc.
  

Please join us
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DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
Monday, 18 April 2011, 7:00pm
Fire Station #5, Iowa & 19th Streets, Lawrence, KS 66046

The Food Policy Council seeks to identify the benefits, challenges and opportunities for a successful, sustainable local food system. By advising the Douglas County Commission on public policies that will support local producers, preserve local agricultural resources and land, and create more local jobs, the F.P.C. hopes to improve the community’s access to a local food supply and distribution networks. For more info go to Dg County Food Policy Council.
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"ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS" ¤ A FILM OF SOLUTIONS FOR TRANSITION
Wednesday, 20 April 2011, 7:00pm - $
Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St., Lawrence KS 66044

This film brings a positive message about how a grassroots movement for localization is bubbling up from the cracks of a faltering global economy in every corner of the world. It is produced by Helena Norberg-Hodge of the International Society for Ecology and Culture, a not-for-profit working for the strengthening of local communities and economies, emphasizing education for action, moving beyond single issues to look at the more fundamental influences that shape our lives. Preview it here - The Economics of Happiness trailer, brought by Films for Action.

"This film presents the localization movement as a systemic alternative to corporate globalization, and a strategy that brings community and meaning to our lives." - Joanna Macy, author World as Lover, World as Self.

"A remarkable new documentary... Get a copy of this DVD. Then get the kids. Pull them away from their smartphones and video games... And show them this movie." - Russell Mokhiber, editor of The Corporate Crime Reporter
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"END/CIV" FILM SCREENING
Friday, 22 April 2011, 6:00pm - FREE
McCoy Meetin’ House, Park University, 8700 NW River Park Dr., Parkville MO 64152

If you've heard of this film, you will probably want to be there. If you haven't, you may want to learn about it. It features Derek Jensen, author of "A Culture of Make Believe", "A Language Older Than Words", and "End Game". The film presents the folly of industrial hubris and unsustainable growth, eco-centric indigenous resistance, and mainstream political indifference, and challenges the physical and spiritual viability of industrial civilization. While the information is compelling, and the urgency for action is obvious, Jensen's solutions tend to focus on ending civilization rather than transitioning to a re-emergent ecological society. Click here to watch the END:CIV trailer. After the screening there will be free refreshments, a discussion of the film and what community activities may be desirable.
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INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE ¤ ONE DAY INTENSIVE
Saturday, 23 April 2011, 9:00am-4:00pm - $$
Flint Hills Technical College, 3301 W. 18th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801

This is a one day intensive on permaculture principles taught by Ben Stallings of the Kaw Permaculture Collaborative, and holder of a Permaculture Design Certificate. Students will be introduced to ecological principles and learn how to apply them to their garden, home or workplace, will create a design of their own, and will receive constructive feedback from the other students and the instructor. Fore more info go to Introduction to Permaculture Design - 23 April 2011.
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PERMACULTURE DESIGN SERIES WITH WARREN BRUSH ¤ DISCOUNT DEADLINE
Saturday, 30 April 2011 - $$$

Warren Brush is returning to Lawrence to teach a four day Advanced Permaculture Design course. The series will be from 17-21 May, but you need to register NOW to receive the discount. To register and get more info, e-mail at <karlinfamilyfarms@gmail.com> or call (785) 371-4700.
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MYCORRHIZAL SOIL BIOREMEDIATION WORKSHOP
Saturday, 30 April 2011, 10:00am-1:00pm - $$
12th Street Homestead, 1145 Pennsylvania St., Lawrence KS 66044

This hands-on workshop will address concerns of cleaning up contaminated soils in urban brownfields, specifically for urban food gardeners. With special guest speaker, Trish Jackson PhD. Mycelia are the filamentous organism present in all soils for which mushrooms are the fruiting body. Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti calls mycelia the "grand dissemblers of nature" because they break down complex substances into simpler components. And that's how mycelia remove contaminants from soil, including petroleum byproducts, plastic residues, PCBs and even dioxin. Come with appropriate gardening attire. Please RSVP at <12sthomestead@gmail.com>.

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The SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization. DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Mail checks 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 <paradigm@ixks.com>

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 and Kansas Permaculture Institute - developing skills and resources for polyculture sustainable food production.
3) Eco Village Land Trust - Designing and focalizing a sustainable intentional community near Lawrence.
4) Growers' Land Trust - organizing interested stakeholders to acquire prime farmland in the urban fringe for land-based economic development and regional food security.
5) Weekly Sustainability Announcements - informing and encouraging others to become active in the Sustainability Action Network, or other action driven groups.
6) Water Rights and Watersheds - protecting the water commons, the source of all life, from privatization and contamination, and restoring our watersheds.
7) Electric & Human Powered Vehicles - promoting neighborhood electric vehicles and utility tricycles, including infrastructure and pro-active regulations.
8) Energy Conservation & Renewables - advancing a green economy through decentralized renewable energy and conservation.
9) 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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We welcome suggestions for items to be included. Please send items to <paradigm@ixks.com>

To subscribe to this list, please send an e-mail to <paradigm@ixks.com> with the subject line reading “subscribe to Sustainability Announcements”.

If you do not care to continue on this announcements list, please respond "unsubscribe to Sustainability Announcements" at <paradigm@ixks.com>