VNRC (good read/local events):

Get Involved Visit Our Website Give

E-News February 2015 Perhaps more so than in recent years, the state budget has been front and center at the State House this year and lawmakers face tough decisions because of a $113 million budget gap. With this in mind, VNRC, along with other organizations, has been supporting the Vermont Housing Conservation Board and the Working Lands Initiative as well as Current Use, being sure that lawmakers understand that these important investments are critical underpinnings of our rural economy and working landscape. We will continue to advocate for these programs as the budget works its way through the process. On the policy front, we’re spending lots of time on the big water quality bill, H.35. (In photo above is Senate President John Campbell adressing some of the 200 water activists who came to the State House on Clean Water Day last week). That measure is currently wending its way through House committees and should be considered by the full House soon, and then it will head to the Senate. We will be keeping a close eye on the bill to assure that it only gets stronger as it moves toward the Governor’s desk. In the energy arena, VNRC is supporting a bill that would require utilities to get more power from renewable sources and help Vermonters move away from fossil-based sources of energy. The bill, H.40, has passed the House and will be under consideration in the Senate Natural Resources Committee in the coming weeks. Known as RESET, it’s a strong step forward to support diverse clean energy solutions. Unfortunately, there was also a last-minute amendment to the bill capping Efficiency Vermont’s budget. We hope the Senate restores that important commitment to reducing demand for energy, a key component of any clean energy strategy. Another bill, H.272, which passed the House and will assure the financial stability of the Current Use program in a tough budget climate, will be under consideration in the Senate over the coming weeks. As opposed to some proposals to increase taxes on program enrollees, the bill instead would strengthen the penalty for removing land and developing it, a policy VNRC believes is a better option. VNRC is also keeping an eye on Act 250 to be sure it does not get weakened. Last year lawmakers added a provision to Act 250 to discourage sprawl development. VNRC supported that change, and we are remaining vigilant to be sure it’s not undone. You can learn more about last year’s provision and why it’s an important policy, here. If you want to get involved, or need more information about legislation, please contact VNRC’s Director of Communications/Public Affairs Jake Brown. See below for more news.   VNRC, Jay Peak Resort, and Vermont DEC Reach Agreement to Clean up Streams The Vermont Superior Court Environmental Division recently issued an order approving a settlement agreement between the Vermont Natural Resources Council, Jay Peak Resort, and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation that could become a model for cleaning up polluted streams in Vermont. The Jay Peak agreement ­­came about after VNRC appealed new stormwater discharge permits at Jay Peak Resort, because, despite orders from state regulators, the polluted streams at the fast-growing resort were not getting cleaner and could get more polluted by future development there. “We didn’t feel like the agency’s response was very satisfying,” said Kim Greenwood, VNRC water program director and staff scientist. “The real issue was these streams have been impaired for a decade and they weren’t getting any cleaner,” she said. “We are very pleased with this truly innovative agreement.” Under the settlement, three polluted streams around the resort must be cleaned up according to an aggressive timeline. If not, new construction at the resort would have to be put on hold. Another innovative provision of the settlement is that there be no net increase in pollution of these streams until they are cleaned up. Jamey Fidel, VNRC’s general counsel, noted that the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic at Vermont Law School assisted VNRC in the effort. “Help from the clinic was critical to the success of this agreement, and they deserve our deep thanks,” he said.  You can read one of several news accounts and you can download download pdf versions of the press release and court order. Clean Water Day a Success, with Broad Citizen Support at State House for Clean Water Nearly 200 people packed a big room in the State House last week to learn about pending water legislation and to show their support for clean water. “The message came through loud and clear – lots of Vermonters from many different perspectives agree clean water is a priority this year and they called for action in no uncertain terms,” said Lauren Hierl, the political director of Vermont Conservation Voters. (In picture at left, VNRC’s Kim Greenwood speaks to the crowd. Hierl is on right.) During a press conference held during the day, a farmer, an angler, a sailing educator, and members of watershed groups called for strong action on clean water. Later, legislative leaders and Gov. Shumlin all addressed the crowd, then people fanned out and lobbied their lawmakers. VCV, VNRC, Lake Champlain Committee, Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club, Toxics Action Center Campaigns, Watersheds United Vermont, Vermont Rural Water Association, and Conservation Law Foundation organized the event. In Time for Spring Construction, Check out New Low Interest “Heat Saver” Loans This winter has been a cold one, no doubt, and while we are all probably looking forward to the warmth of spring, it’s not too early to start thinking about making your home more energy efficient in time for next winter. New, low-interest “Heat Saver” loans are now available through Efficiency Vermont. Efficiency Vermont is working with the Vermont State Employees Credit Union and Opportunities Credit Union to offer these loans that can be used for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR projects, high performance oil and propane-fired heating systems, cold climate heat pumps, central wood pellet systems, and domestic solar hot water systems. Discounted interest rates for the loans range from 0 percent to 3.99 percent. Learn more by contacting Efficiency Vermont.  Watersheds United to Hold Meeting April 10 at Lamoille Union High School, Hyde Park Watersheds United will be holding its spring meeting in at the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center at Lamoille Union High School in Hyde Park Friday, April 10. The meeting will run from 9:30 to 3. The day will cover organizational skills and support for watershed groups, online mapping tools, partnership opportunities, what’s next for water quality monitoring and more. Watersheds United was created in 2013 in order to foster information sharing and collaboration among watershed groups across the state. Today, there are roughly 30 groups that are members of Watersheds United Vermont. You can learn more here. Two Great Energy Fairs Set for April 11 in Duxbury and Middlebury There’s lots going on in the energy world in Vermont on April 11. There is the 9th Annual LEAP Energy Fair in Duxbury, with over 70 exhibitors, 700 energy-interested attendees and free admission. The LEAP Energy Fair is a can’t miss event for anyone who wants to learn more and take action to reduce their fossil fuel use. That same day, over the mountains, is the Middlebury Sustainable Living Expo. The Expo offers over 50 exhibitors, 24 workshops and far more and will take run  9 AM to 4 PM (Snow date is April 18) at the Middlebury Union High School.  President Obama Commits Federal Government to New Greenhouse Gas Cuts President Obama recently signed an executive order committing the federal government to new cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. The order calls for a 40 percent reduction in emissions of the gases that cause global warming over the next decade. According to the White House, the move will save $18 million of taxpayer funds and boost the federal government’s use of renewable energy by 30 percent. The move is one of several steps the federal executive branch has been taking unilaterally to address climate change. Read a news account here.

City Market (local events/courses):

Food Chains Film Showing Wednesday, April 1 6:30-8:30pm UVM Davis Center, Livak Ballroom Join us and several of our partner organizations for a showing of the documentary Food Chains and a panel discussion with Migrant Justice and theCoalition of Immokalee Workers (moderated by author Barry Estabrook).  Food Chains tells the story of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food program, which works with growers and retailers to improve farmworker working conditions. This screening kicks off the 30th anniversary of VT International Film Foundation in honor of its historical roots as a peace and justice film festival. Watch the trailer Crop Mob at Adam’s Berry Farm Saturday, March 28, 2015 – 9:00am to 12:00pm Adam’s Berry Farm (map) Join us for a volunteer work party at Adam’s Berry Farm in Charlotte! We will help cover a hoop house and do other fun projects to get them ready for the coming growing season. Please come prepared for the weather with warm layers, sturdy shoes, work gloves, and water. Light snacks will be provided. City Market Member Workers can earn hours for their time. Note: In the event of bad weather, this work day will be postponed to Sunday, March 29. We will do our best to notify you as early as possible. Questions? Please contact Todd at ttaylor@citymarket.coop or 861-9756. Free Free Herbal Consultations Monday, March 30 & April 13 and 20, 2015 – 4:00pm to 6:00pm City Market Have you ever been interested in using herbal medicine to improve your health? Join Betzy Bancroft RH (AHG), Larken Bunce MS, and Guido Masé RH (AHG) and students from the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism in a free, personalized session focused on your individual constitution and any health conditions you may be experiencing. An incredible opportunity to explore the art of herbal healing with experienced practitioners! All sessions last about two hours and are completely confidential. By appointment. Please sign up by contacting Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism atinfo@vtherbcenter.org. Free Ancient Grains: Cooking with Quinoa & Teff Thursday, April 2, 2015 – 5:30pm to 7:30pm McClure Multi-Generational Center (map) For thousands of years, ancient grains and seeds have sustained civilizations around the world. This class will introduce students to quinoa and teff, highlighting their health benefits and nutritional profiles, and will show how they can be easily prepared and incorporated into our daily diet. We will learn to make healthy breakfast, main course, soup and dessert dishes that feature quinoa and teff. We will also learn about their regions of origin, cultivation and traditional cooking methods, and discuss how export has impacted the local economy and farming communities where these grains are grown. Preparation techniques for enhancing flavor and increasing nutrient absorption will be discussed. Anna Mays is an anthropologist who enjoys researching and teaching about world culinary traditions, agricultural practices and the intersection between food, diet, culture and well-being. $5 City Market Members / $10 non-members Nutrition Kitchen: Phytonutrients Friday, April 10, 2015 – 5:30pm to 7:30pm McClure Multi-Generational Center (map) One of the basic steps towards good health is to have a diet rich in different colors and a variety of wholesome ingredients. Different colors of whole foods indicate different nutrients and eating a combination of them provides you with your multi nutrients without having to rely on pills. In this class, we will talk about the importance of eating a rainbow on your plate and walk through two Indian recipes that show you how simple it can be to introduce color into your life. $5 City Market Members / $10 non-members Winter Farmers’ Market: Natural Sweeteners Saturday, April 11, 2015 – 10:00am to 2:00pm Memorial Auditorium (map) The Burlington Farmers’ Market goes indoors from November through April and features seasonal meats, produce, and handmade crafts from dozens of local producers. Once a month, stop by our activity table for fun, hands-on activities for all ages. Our April activity is all about natural sweeteners. Try different grades of maple syrup and honey – two local, unrefined, and versatile sweeteners. Free Empanadas Sunday, April 12, 2015 – 11:30am to 1:30pm McClure Multi-Generational Center (map) The name ‘empanada’ comes from the Spanish verb ‘empanar’, meaning to wrap or coat in bread.  Empanadas resemble a pie that has been cut into pieces, which creates a portable and hearty meal for the working people. Cuban empanadas are typically filled with seasoned meats (usually ground beef or chicken) folded into dough and then baked or fried. Cubans eat empanadas at any meal, but they usually consume them with lunch or as a snack. Ammy Martinez will teach participants to make chicken empanadas with chorizo and olives. $5 City Market Members / $10 non-members Pennywise Pantry Tour Tuesday, April 21, 2015 – 10:00am to 11:00am City Market With this interactive and hands-on tour, participants will learn how to shop for affordable, fresh, long-lasting, and nutritious foods at City Market. We will begin by exploring the Produce and Bulk departments, learning a simple method for finding the best value on fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans by paying attention to the price per pound. Then we will enter the Grocery aisles and Perishables coolers, to learn to become savvy label readers as we shop for nourishing, long-lasting foods that contain 5 ingredients or fewer. No matter what kind of diet you follow, these pennywise tools will help you stock your kitchen with a variety of healthy, local, and even organic foods, and you’ll walk away with a better understanding of Co-op sales. Free Delicious Spring Detox Wednesday, April 22, 2015 – 5:30pm to 6:30pm City Market Learn how to gently detox your body so you can transition into spring feeling light, fresh, and rejuvenated! Krissy Ruddy, Holistic Health Coach, will lead you step-by-step into the often intimidating world of detoxification. She will clearly explain how cleansing works, what to expect, and everything you will need to try it at home. Krissy will demonstrate how to make a delicious spring smoothie, a detox-friendly main course, and even a dessert! If you are looking to maintain health, lose weight, slow down the aging process, purify the organs, and clear your mind, this class is for you. $5 City Market Members / $10 non-members BBQ Tempeh and Savory Rice Cakes Thursday, April 23, 2015 – 5:30pm to 7:30pm McClure Multi-Generational Center (map) Did you know that the proteins in unfermented soy cannot be digested into your system? What?! Yup. Enter Tempeh. This is really the “good for you” soy. And, there is a way to make it taste good! Come join us in mixing up a great meal with marinated and seared BBQ tempeh, wilted herbed greens, and savory rice cakes. This is a hands-on class and we’ll all be rewarded with a yummy tempeh meal as the finale. $5 City Market Members / $10 non-members Brio Coffeeworks Tour and Cold Brew Class Sunday, April 26, 2015 – 9:30am to 10:30am Brio Coffeeworks (map) City Market has partnered with Brio Coffeeworks to offer a brand new line of coffee only available at City Market. Brio has carefully crafted a dark, medium, light and decaf roast just for us. As the spring and summer season approach, come tour Brio’s new roasting facility run by Nate and Magda Van Dusen and learn about the cold brew and iced coffee methods. The workshop will explore different coffees and variables for producing great tasting coffee brewed using these two methods. Lots of tasting during class! Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. $5 City Market Members / $10 non-members Strudels Sunday, April 26, 2015 – 12:30pm to 2:00pm McClure Multi-Generational Center (map) Strudels are little crispy pockets filled with fresh vegetables which make great appetizers for parties, snacks between meals or may even serve as a main vegetarian course if enlarged. Using phyllo dough, participants will wrap up a variety of vegetables mixed with Vermont cheddar and other ingredients to make crispy little pockets of vegetables to eat straight out of the oven or to freeze for another day. Adele Dienno has taught Italian cooking classes for many years and is president of the Vermont Italian Club. $5 City Market Members / $10 non-members Parent and Child: Strudels (ages 8+) Sunday, April 26, 2015 – 2:30pm to 4:00pm McClure Multi-Generational Center (map) Strudels are little crispy pockets filled with fresh vegetables. Using phyllo dough, kids and teens ages 8 and up and their parents will wrap up a variety of vegetables mixed with Vermont cheddar and other ingredients to make crispy little pockets of vegetables to eat straight out of the oven or to freeze for another day. Adele Dienno draws on her experience cooking with her extended Italian family as she teaches kids how to cook. For kids ages 8 and up, children must be accompanied by an adult. When registering, please select a ticket for each child attending. Accompanying adults are free and do not need a ticket. $5 City Market Members / $10 non-members Nepalese Momos Wednesday, April 29, 2015 – 5:30pm to 7:30pm Edmunds Middle School (map) A Momo is a comfort food made during special gatherings for guests in the Nepalese community. Sherpas are known for their climbing skills, warm hospitality, rich culture, and delicious momos. Momos are more than just food for Sherpas; they are a symbol of camaraderie, of coming together as a family and a community, as well as an expression of love and appreciation towards each other. Flavorful fillings of minced meats and vegetables are thickly wrapped in flour dough and served steamed or fried. In this class Radha Sherpa and her son and daughter in law, Nurbu and Phura Sherpa, of Sherpa Foods will be offering lesson on how to mix ground beef with other ingredients, how to hand mix the flour wrappers and techniques to wrap momos. Sherpa Foods is a small family owned prepared foods business based in Burlington, Vermont. $5 City Market Members / $10 non-members Designing and Maintaining Edible Ecosystems Thursday, April 30, 2015 – 6:00pm to 7:00pm City Market Discover how to design, establish and maintain edible ecosystems that mimic the structure and function of natural forests. Explore different plant materials that include: medicinal herbs, perennial vegetables, fruits and berries and their role in increasing biodiversity, nutrient accumulation, habitat for beneficial insects and nitrogen fixation. More broadly at an agricultural scale, we’ll examine sites established in perennial polycultures, enterprises established in these systems and the possibility of moving agriculture from sustainable to regenerative. Meghan Giroux is the owner and director of Vermont Edible Landscapes, a land planning business specializing in the development of agro-ecosystems. Native to Vermont, Meghan is deeply passionate about her home state, working alongside landowners and farmers to protect and enhance its natural resources. $5 City Market Members / $10 non-members Sign-Up! Register for classes online!It’s easy and convenient. Just click the Sign-Up button below each class. Prefer to pay by cash or check? Stop by our Customer Service desk. Questions? Please consult our class policies and FAQs. Scholarships Mentoring pairs can sign-up to take City Market’s food and herbal education classes for free! To find out how, please contact Todd atttaylor@citymarket.coop or 861-9756. Food for All Members may attend classes for free. Please emaillearn@citymarket.coop to sign up. All others may inquire about a scholarship by emailinglearn@citymarket.coop. Connect Stay up to date with news, information, giveaways, and fun content from your Co-op by following us on Facebook,Instagram, and our other social networks. Check out more upcoming classes and events on our website.

PLAN! (good read/conference/internships)

Second Nature (good watch)

Sustainability Sit-Downs #10 is out. This week’s video features Jacqueline Johnson, Chancellor of University of Minnesota, Morris  discussing sustainability challenges for higher education and her hopes for the future. Sustainability Sit-Downs is a new Second Nature video series consisting of 12 short interviews with sustainability leaders in higher education and partner organizations. A new video will be released every Wednesday.

National Wildlife Federation (good read/internships/conference/take action)

AASHE (good read/jobs/conferences)

Local Motion (good read/local event/jobs/transportation):

600 Advocates (and a couple of Vermonters) Descend on DC! by Emily Boedecker, Executive Director Emily Boedecker, Local Motion’s executive director, and Benjamin Kaufman, Active Transportation intern and student at UVM at the National Bike Summit. The gender gap, the difference in the number of women and men who bike, begins at age 10. This was just one of the startling statistics shared last week at the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC. There were also many encouraging stories shared and inspiring people to meet, like the 12 year old girl who won the national Safe Routes to School poster contest and was joining her state delegation on the hill the very next day!   If there was one idea uniting and inspiring the 600 bicycling activists gathered in DC, it was the shared belief that bicycling is turning the corner and moving into the mainstream…   [Read the full story here]     Serving All Vermonters: Bicycling and Equity Volunteers repair many of the bikes donated to BRV During the CCTA bus strike in Chittenden County last year, our sister organization, Bike Recycle Vermont, whose mission is to provide a path out of poverty by bike, experienced a large uptick in the number of people asking for bikes at the shop. Many low-income Vermonters rely on buses for transportation, and when the buses were no longer running they had to find another way to get around. Many turned to Bike Recycle Vermont to get low-cost bikes. Bicycles are a viable transportation option for many Vermonters to get to work, and to many other destinations. Recent data shows that more people commute by bike in Burlington than in Portland, OR!…   [Read the full story here]     Squirrelly Larry the Fatty and Dan Hock  by Mary Catherine Graziano, Outreach and Education Manager     Dan Hock  taking a seasonal route on a frozen Lake Champlain to visit friends in Charlotte As the season is turning from winter to spring, with the attendant mud and slush, an article about fat bikes seems doubly appropriate.  With a fat bike, you can go where no regular bike can go.  They can conquer snowdrifts, slush, sand and other difficult terrain, which in March and April, pretty much describes all of Vermont.   Here’s how they do it: fat bikes, with their tire widths of 4″ or more, are much better able to traverse unstable terrain than standard bikes, with their 2″ tire width.  These fat tires can also be ridden at much lower pressures–down to 6 psi, as opposed to standard tires at 25-65 psi.  This lower pressure, plus the extra width, provides stability and traction.  When you get on the bike, the tire flattens under your weight, creating more surface area for the rubber to meet the ground.   This extra surface area allows the bike to travel much more easily over snow or sand, and because the tires are softer, your trail ride is less jarring.  This does not mean that you will sail through the snow  on a fat bike.  The big deal is that you will stay upright–it’s still going to be a lot of work to plow through those snowdrifts….   [Read the full story here]   Start Planning Your Island Retreat Riders heading to the Islands on Local Motion’s bike ferry! We’ve turned the corner on winter! Are you dreaming about incredible biking, beautiful islands, and that slow “Island time”? This dream can be yours, any day of the week and every day. Get a season’s pass to the Bike Ferry, and ride between the greater Burlington area and the Lake Champlain Islands anytime that you want.   Passes are $40 for adults, $25 for kids under 12. Day passes are $8 for adults, $5 for kids – you will begin saving money after your 5th trip! Click here to buy a season pass.   Opening day is May 22, and we are going to be open for a record 114 days this year !   2015 Schedule:   Hours of Operation: 10 am to 6 pm Spring (May 22 – June 7):  Fridays, Weekends & Holidays Summer (June 12 – Sept 7):  Daily Service Fall (Sept 11 – Oct 12):  Fridays, Weekends & Holidays     Seasonal Staff Opportunities   Possibly the best summer job ever! Join Local Motion’s summer crew of talented trailside ambassadors Want to be active this summer? On the waterfront? On a boat or a bike? We are currently seeking seasonal staff for the 2015 season in our Trailside Center, Bike Ferry, and Valet Bike Parking programs. Our seasonal staff run our bicycle rental operation on the downtown Burlington waterfront, assist with ferry operations at the Colchester Causeway, and provide valet bicycle parking for Burlington events.   Successful candidates will have familiarity with routine bicycle maintenance and the ability to convey information in a clear, enthusiastic manner. Burlington area cycling and trail knowledge strongly preferred. EOE.   Hourly wage: $11.75/hr, 14-40 hrs/week. Ability to work weekends required.   Send cover letter and resume to: jobs@localmotion.org Local Motion, Attn: Jobs, 1 Steele St. Suite 103, BVT 05401 Full job descriptions posted at www.localmotion.org/about/jobs     More Everyday Bicycling Trainers Needed  Spread the word that bicycling is for everyone as a Local Motion Everyday Bicycling trainer We’re looking for more bicycle gurus to run practical bicycle skills workshops statewide! There are still some corners of our fair state that are not covered by a resident bicycling expert!   Do you live in one of the corners of Vermont? Love to bike?  Love to get other people enthusiastic about bicycling?  We are looking for experienced on-road bicycle riders to help run our Everyday Bicycling: Practical Tips for Safe Bicycling” Workshops.   Questions?  Interested in joining our state-wide team?  Want to host an Everyday Bicycling Workshop at your workplace?  Contact marycatherine@localmotion.org to schedule a FREE workshop!

Upcoming Events     Play Vermontivate!   When:Monday, 3/23 through Saturday, 5/2 Where: Everywhere in VT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Vermontivate! is a game that brings fun,  creativity and ice-cream to the challenge of addressing climate change and building sustainable communities. If you participate in the Vermont Bike Challenge, get extra pointsfor playing Vermontivate! What’s not to love?  [Read more here] Vote for Your Favorite Breakfast/Coffee Shop for National Bike to Work Day When:Now until 3/30 Where: Everywhere in VT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Imagine you, your bike, and YOUR favorite breakfast/coffee shop participating in our“Breakfast. Better by Bike” event on  National Bike to Work Day in May. Tell us which coffee shop is your favorite and they will be at the top of our list as we recruit around the state!  Nominate here! Voting will close at 5:00pm on Monday, 3/30 [Read more here]   Rutland City Pedestrian Assessment   When:Monday, 4/6 Where: Rutland, VT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rutland City is the first site in Vermont to participate in a new federal initiative to reduce the growing number of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries.   VTRANS encourages the public to participate, and to share your perception of safety on the streets of Rutland by completing this survey. [Read more here] Femmechanics When:Wednesdays, 4/15 May 30 6p-9p Where: Bike Recycle Vermont ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An introduction to bicycle mechanics open to women/femme/trans/female-identifying people. Students will receive instruction on the systems and parts of the bicycle and will practice common repairs. Classes are 3 hours long and held at Bike Recycle Vermont . Students can bring their own bicycles or request that one be provided for them. [Read more here]

CarShare VT (good read/local event)