[SustainableTompkins] Southern Tier Sustainability Planning Committee in Binghamton

[Stephen Nicholson]

Dominic Frongillo sent me this:
*NEWS RELEASE*
from the Southern Tier Sustainability Planning Committee
April 1, 2008
Visioning Workshop Kicks off Sustainability Center Effort

Binghamton, NY –Southern Tier residents from all walks of liife will gather
to discuss founding principles and programs for a new Sustainability Center
on *Saturday, April 12, 2008*, 1:00 pm – 4:00pm, in tthe Decker Room of the
Broome County Public Library (185 Court Street, Binghamton, NY).

All groups or individuals with an interest in sustainability are welcome,
and are encouraged to join in the continuing promotion and development of
sustainability practices in the area.

The Southern Tier Sustainability Planning Committee, builds on decades of
work in this area and was initiated by The Susquehanna Group of the Sierra
Club along with the City of Binghamton, Binghamton Neighborhood Assemblies
Project, Sierra Club Zero Waste Committee, Cornell Cooperative Extension,
Earth Day Southern Tier, and Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments
(VINES).

The topics for discussion are many, and include, but are not limited to: Â
promoting the localization of economic activity, particularly in cultivation
and accessibility of healthy food, the protection of green space and natural
ecosystems, green building renovation and construction, alternative energy,
sustainable social and economic practices that generate local wealth and
well-being, such as living wage jobs, accessible and high quality health,
educational and other social services, high environmental standards, and
non-violent conflict resolution.

This event follows up on the Sustainability Roundtable held last month. Â
Seventy five people participated lively discussions on local green efforts
such as composting, zero waste, community gardens, alternative energy and
local food production. The focus of the evening was Permaculture, the
subject of a keynote speech by Andrew Leslie Phillips of Hancock
Permaculture.  According to Phillips, “Permaculture seeks to design
sustainable human settlements whilst preserving and extending the natural
systems of which we are a part. It works to develop and maintain a
cultivated ecology in all climate zones and includes principles of design,
understanding natural patterns, climate factors, agricultural, social, legal
and economic aspects of human settlement.†It is the harmonious integration
of landscape and people, providing their food, energy, shelter and other
material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.

The flyer for the event can be found at the following locations:

PDF Form:
http://binghamtonneighbors.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Kjq5BIRtce0%3d&tabid=109&mid=541

JPG Form:
http://binghamtonneighbors.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=xcsSS7C%2fwLk%3d&tabid=109&mid=541

Interested residents are encouraged to print and distribute flyers.
Contacts:
Adam Flint, Assistant Professor of Sociology, ( 607) 761-8337
flint at igc.org, Hartwick College
Amelia LoDolce, Sustainable Development Planner, (607) 772-7028
anlodolce at cityofbinghamton.com, www.cityofbinghamton.com

-- 
Stephen C. Nicholson
220 Yaple Rd.
Berkshire, NY 13736
607-539-6923
scnfish at gmail.com