WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
24 May 2011
24 May 2011
The SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK is a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization. DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Mail donations to P.O.Box 1064, Lawrence KS 66044.
Our mission is to advocate and organize societal scale action to address sustainability issues. S.A.N. is bringing awareness of the global crisis caused by climate change, energy vulnerability and economic instability to communities in the Kansas River bioregion. We areinitiating positive solutions inspired by the Transition and Permaculture Movements. We bring the tools needed to re-skill and re-localize our economy and create a more socially just and ecologically sustainable world. To join the Sustainability Action Network please contact us at
Our mission is to advocate and organize societal scale action to address sustainability issues. S.A.N. is bringing awareness of the global crisis caused by climate change, energy vulnerability and economic instability to communities in the Kansas River bioregion. We areinitiating positive solutions inspired by the Transition and Permaculture Movements. We bring the tools needed to re-skill and re-localize our economy and create a more socially just and ecologically sustainable world. To join the Sustainability Action Network please contact us at
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A PIECE OF GOOD NEWS ON THE GMO FRONT
Court dismisses Monsanto's appeal of genetically modified beets suit.
After reeling from the USDA approval of Genetically Modified Alfalfa a little bit of good news out of the courts regarding GMO sugar beets...
Read more here: http://www.
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FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ¤ DAY 74 UPDATENuclear Engineer, Arnie Gundersen of Fairwinds Associates provides superb expert feedback on the events on the ground at the Fukushima reactor site. Check out this video report from 11 days ago on the Vimeo video hosting site here: http://vimeo.com/23680177
The video play list on the right will give you access to all of Fairwinds Associates Fukushima Updates.
You can also read the latest reports at - Nuclear Crisis in Japan - Updates. If you agree that our climate solutions don't need nuclear energy, you might consider signing the following - A Simple Statement On Nuclear Power and Climate Change.
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TOXIN FROM GM CROPS FOUND IN HUMAN BODY: STUDY
Fresh doubts have arisen about the safety of genetically modified crops, with a new study reporting presence of Bt toxin, used widely in GM crops, in human blood for the first time.
Genetically modified crops include genes extracted from bacteria to make them resistant to pest attacks.
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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/
Wednesday, 25 May, 9:00am ¤ Alternative Radio
Friday, 27 May, 9:30am ¤ Bioneers Radio Series
Monday, 30 May, 6:00pm ¤ locally produced Eco-Radio KC
Listen at KKFI-FM 90.1, or web-streaming at http://www.kkfi.org/
Wednesday, 25 May, 9:00am ¤ Alternative Radio
Friday, 27 May, 9:30am ¤ Bioneers Radio Series
Bioneers presents another of their award winning shows.
Monday, 30 May, 6:00pm ¤ locally produced Eco-Radio KC
Host Richard Mabion and his co-host, John Burris, will have Rabbi Moti Rieber on the show to discuss the Kansas Interfaith Power & Light's response to global climate disruption.
______________________________LAWRENCE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ¤ N.E. SECTOR PLAN
Wednesday, 1 June 2011, 6:30pm - RESCHEDULED from 11 May
Douglas County Commission
1100 Massachusetts St., Lawrence KS 66044
This sector plan grew out of the fight to save prime agricultural soils north of the Kansas River that are threatened by urban development. Officials have now acknowledged the importance of Capability I & II Soils, but have been adverse to specific code language to protect them. Concerns that still remain in this sector plan are: stronger plan elements to preserve Capability I & II Soils, Stormwater flooding of North Lawrence from expanded urbanization, extreme cost associated with implementing the North Lawrence Drainage Study, infrastructure costs for development within the regulatory floodplain, floodways, and flood prone land. To read more go to N.E. Sector Planning Process
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TRANSITION KAW VALLEY ¤ TOWARDS AN ENERGY RESILIENT COMMUNITY
Wednesday, 1 June 2011, 7:00pm
Lawrence Public Library, 701 Vermont St., Lawrence KS 66044
The T.K.V. meeting will review the criteria for Transition Kaw Valley to become an official Transition Initiative. We will also discuss the upcoming "Training for Transition" in Chicago, and decide if we want to attend it.
The Kaw Valley Transition Initiative is addressing climate disruption and peak oil inflation at the local level, a relocalization effort similar to hundreds around the globe. The Transition movement was begun by Rob Hopkins in Great Britain, and in the U.S. is coordinated byTransition US based in Sebastapol CA. They help local initiatives with resources and publications, and they have trainers available to conduct local training sessions. For more info, or to get on the S.A.N. Transition Kaw Valley e-mail list, contact them at
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LAWRENCE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesday, 8 June 2011, 5:30pm
Recycling and Resource Recovery Annex, 320 N.E. Industrial Lane, Lawrence KS
The June agenda is not yet available. 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/
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KANSAS CITY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Wednesday, 8 June 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 leaders 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 is at KC Environmental Mgt Commission
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3RD ANNUAL LAWRENCE FOOD GARDEN TOUR
Saturday, 11 June 2010, 9:00am-12:00noon, 5:00-8:00pm
Saturday, 11 June 2010, 9:00am-12:00noon, 5:00-8:00pm
multiple sites
This will be a self-guided tour to any of nineteen gardens by using a brochure and map available from many garden centers, hardware stores, and food venues. This tour will feature community gardens and home gardens, in front yards and back yards, with chickens and fruit trees and more. For more info, contact Jessi at
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This will be a self-guided tour to any of nineteen gardens by using a brochure and map available from many garden centers, hardware stores, and food venues. This tour will feature community gardens and home gardens, in front yards and back yards, with chickens and fruit trees and more. For more info, contact Jessi at
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COOKING WITH THE HEAT OF THE SUN ¤ COMMUNIVERSITY CLASS #3002A
Saturday, 11 June 2010, 10:00am-2:00pm - $$
3526 Terrace St., Kansas City MO 64111
At 10:00am sharp, we will hurry to get our lunch into a variety of solar cookers (mostly vegetarian, organic and locally grown). We'll watch a video on solar cooking and build three working solar cookers out of cardboard boxes, that lucky participants can take home. We'll eat the food we cooked, learn about solar food drying, and enjoy a solar canning demonstration. You'll get a handout pointing you to internet resources so that you can learn more later. Join us as we begin reducing our carbon footpring one solar oven at a time.
Conveners will be Lynn Snyder and Bill Price. Class fee of $9.00 + materials fee of $7.00 = $16.00
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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK - MONTHLY MEMBER MEETING
Sunday, 19 June 2011, 7:00pm
3033 Kasold Ave., Lawrence KS 66044 (Brady & Troy's home)
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:
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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK - MONTHLY MEMBER MEETING
Sunday, 19 June 2011, 7:00pm
3033 Kasold Ave., Lawrence KS 66044 (Brady & Troy's home)
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:
- S.A.N. social media - policy proposal
- Membership Policy Statement Development
- Transition Kaw Valley - Update and next steps?
- Growers' Land Trust - legal options and limits
- community workshops: super adobe, solar food dehydrator, cold frames, rain barrels, etc.
- S.A.N. web site: list serve, content, pay pal, etc.
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DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
Monday, 20 June 2011, 7:00pm
location to be determined - 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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URBAN FOOD FOREST GARDEN ¤ COMMUNIVERSITY CLASS #2309 A
Saturday, 25 June 2011, 2:00-5:00pm - $$
Rethink Energy, 2052 North 3rd St., Kansas City KS 66101
Learn how to mimic the structure and function of forest ecosystems using sheet mulching, layering, planting patterns, species diversity, guilds and more in this introductory workshop on small scale urban forest garden design. Class registration fee of $14, plus bring $15 to class for materials. CONVENER: Steve Mann (816-352-9213). Register at UMKC Communiversity. More info at Food Not Lawns KC, or
Current S.A.N. 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: Films for Action; The Light Center eco-village; Kaw River Valley Food System farm-based economic development; Transition Kansas City; Citizens for Responsible Planning; Kansas River Valley Growers fighting for local water rights; national efforts by the Sustainable Energy Network; the Kansas City Food Circle, the All Species Project, and more.
We welcome suggestions for items to be included. Please send items to
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Sustainability Action Network, P.O. Box 1064, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA
Celebrate the end of Bike Week with bicycle safety coloring books
