[ Saturday, June 18, 2011; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Saguaro Fruit Harvest: preparation, syrup, sweets and a special liqueur

Saguaro harvest marks the beginning of summer’s bounty, and the act of harvesting with gratitude is the traditional way to invite the return of monsoon rains.

We’ll be harvesting, preparing -and thanking saguaros for- their delicious, nutritious fruit; walking and learning about saguaro/ ironwood [...]

[ Thursday, June 9, 2011; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Come learn more about refugee life, communicating in different languages, and refugee work. Anyone who wants information can attend and attendance does not commit you to serve.  The training is at St. Francis in the Foothills, 4625 E. River Rd.  Please RSVP with the volunteer coordinator.

[ Saturday, May 21, 2011; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Free Solar and Energy Efficiency Seminar
Arizona Energy Pros

3821 W. Costco Dr., Ste 119, Tucson, Az 85741

For all interested in attending a free energy efficiency and solar seminar. There will be some free drinks and snacks.

Get a free quote or stop by just to get some free information.

We have about 10 more seats to fill!
Call to [...]

[ Thursday, June 2, 2011; 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Ground-breaking Watershed Management Group Invites Public to Take Action

WMG invites the public to their OpenHouse Thursday, June 2nd 2011 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm at the Ward III Council Office. Presentations by board, staff, and community members on local, regional, and international programs in sustainability will be featured. Come and learn about opportunities to get involved; [...]

Transition US is committed to enabling action-oriented programs at the national level.  The Home and Garden Challenge is just such an opportunity. Inspired by the the amazing work done in Sonoma County, CA last May where over 600 gardens were planted, we have decided to take it (inter)national this May 14th & 15th.
Organizing a Home [...]

[ Sunday, May 8, 2011; 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. ] Please join the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood Association, the Arizona Solar Energy Association, and the Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership in a free solar home tour on May 8, 11-3. Check in at the Old San Pedro Chapel, 5230 E Ft Lowell, for a map of the houses. Meet neighbors who have gone solar and [...]

Native Seeds/SEARCH would like suggestions from local farmers and gardeners who grow for local markets.  We want to know what we can trial or grow for seed at our farm this summer that will help the local food movement.  We want to know what crops and what varieties you need to be successful. Contact Bill [...]

Russel Lowes recommends the following articles for some much needed good news on the energy front.
1. Global power generation by renewable energy sources outpaced that by nuclear energy for the first time in 2010, a recent report published by a U.S. think tank showed. Read the details here:

http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/04/85866.html
 
2. Germany will drop nuclear power as [...]

ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation) is putting together a 25 year Arizona
transportation plan and has a short 4-question online survey about how to spend its budget
on transportation (more highways/road expansion vs. rail and transit). If you have an opinion
about this please fill out the survey and pass on the invite.
Visit www.whatmovesyouarizona.gov and click on the [...]

 
So what is the sustainable path forward?
The most often-adopted definition of sustainability is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  What is important about this definition is that we have to consider the needs of future generations. What is most productive though is that [...]

[ Monday, June 13, 2011; 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm. ] On Becoming One Desert Community
A Desert Community is a group of people that have the culture, the tools and knowledge, and the commitment to thrive here in the normal times, and survive here, in the worst time.  Becoming a desert community is our future, or we don’t have one.

What will it take…  What can we [...]

[ Tuesday, April 26, 2011; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Watershed Management Groups Co-op presents a Spring Local Foods Potluck and Free Public Lecture.

Location: Calvin Room, St Mark\’s Presbyterian Church. 3809 East 3rd Street.

RSVP to Co-op@watershedmg.org

This is a semi annual get together for members of Watershed Management Groups Green Living Co-op
and anyone interested in the Co-op.

Please bring:
*A dish to share that includes ingredients grown in [...]

Elly Blue has written a series of informative articles challenging mainstream assumptions about the economics of transportation.
“Imagine getting a $3,000 to $12,000 tax rebate this year. Now imagine it coming again and again. Every year it grows by around a thousand dollars. Imagine how this would change your daily life.”
Read the rest of this important [...]

Timothy Egan, writing in the New York Times, has offered a few words of concern about what seem to be quite serious risks from GMO salmon; his message rings brightly in the wake of recent events in Japan….
Read this well written piece here.

Gas Prices Got You Down?
Bike Fest 2011 Begins Tomorrow!
Tucson, Arizona (March 10, 2011) – Let the fun begin as Bike Fest 2011 kicks off over 20 different events designed to inspire us to park the car and hop on the bike to experience the many benefits bicycling brings to our community. From March 11th through [...]

Naomi Klein, who has written a new book on climate change examined the ideological basis of the rising opposition to the science and the public policies needed to address this global threat in an interview with  Amy Goodman:
“NAOMI KLEIN: Well, some people believe in climate change, but the main thing is they don’t believe that [...]

[ Saturday, March 26, 2011; 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. ] A wood-fired cob-insulated hot tub is a low-tech, healthful and beautiful thing. Used like a Japanese bath, one scrubs and showers before entering the heated tub, steaming with desert lavender or chaparral, and soaks away one’s cares. If your shower and bath greywater help to irrigate native and heritage trees, which provide food, shade and [...]

[ Friday, March 11, 2011 12:30 pm to Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:30 am. ]
March 11-16, 2011, Arizona State University
Welcome to the Conference Website for Resilience 2011;

Resilience 2011 website

A conference that will bring together scientists from a broad spectrum of disciplinary backgrounds who are interested in the major science and policy challenges that face us all as a result of global change. The conference is organized [...]

The Sierra Club’s new “Go Electric” campaign aims to make a rapid expansion in electric vehicles in the US a reality by advocating for policies that make EVs both affordable and accessible — and by debunking some common misconceptions.
You can read the complete article here.

[ Sunday, March 20, 2011; 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Time again to invite you all to proclaim local community from the rooftops. One rooftop at least.

Join in on the action on the roof of the Pennington St Parking Garage, 110 E. Pennington St.

What is Common Ground?

What it is… is a CELEBRATION, where every group, organization, congregation, small business, performer, artist, EVERYBODY in the Tucson [...]

The New York Times reminds us that getting to the natural gas that many see as an alternative source of “cleaner energy” may have equally serious threats to our water supply.
In the words of one expert:
“We’re burning the furniture to heat the house,” said John H. Quigley, who left last month as secretary of Pennsylvania’s [...]

[ Sunday, March 27, 2011; ] Tucson’s Synergistic Water Festival at the Armory Park Community Center

Art show by local and national artists, dance / theater performance, water expert speakers, Enviro-Exhibitor Fair, round table discussions, workshops, hands-on participation, kid’s activities, music and more!

More information at www.WaterFestivalTucson.org

The New York Times reported that “Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Thursday that he would authorize the unrestricted commercial cultivation of genetically modified alfalfa, setting aside a controversial compromise that had generated stiff opposition.” This pending decision has potentially devastating implications for the organic farming effort.
Read the entire article here.

Michael T. Klare offers dire warnings for the year ahead as we see the impact of climate change at a global political level we’ll not soon forget”
“Get ready for a rocky year.  From now on, rising prices, powerful storms, severe droughts and floods, and other unexpected events are likely to play havoc with the fabric [...]

On January 10th, as part of our General Meeting, Sustainable Tucson held its own version of the community conversations being held around the city by Imagine Greater Tucson. After completing a paper survey about what we liked and what we wanted to change about the Tucson region, four groups of people discussed their answers to [...]

[ Saturday, January 22, 2011; 9:00 am; ] Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 East 1st Street, Tucson, AZ 85716
Facilitated by Nan Carle

Time Banks take many shapes. They can be used in pursuit of such
wide-ranging goals as social justice, healthy lifestyles, and local
sustainability. At the most basic level, Time Banks involve earning Time
Dollars for hours you spend doing something for someone in your
neighborhood. Then [...]

The New York Times ran a heart warming story about the spread of renewable energy technology (primarily) solar, that is transforming the lives of the rural poor in Africa (and around the globe). There may be some lessons for us here. Read (and look at the pictures) here.

Jim Barry, who served as Chair of the citizen’s Oversight Committee for the City/County Water Study, has prepared a Public Comment Report documenting the major issues and themes that emerged during the public process for the two year study. Mr. Barry invites your feedback on the report by way of the Comment Form on this [...]

Michael Brownlee from Transition Colorado has written an critical and timely challenge to all who are identified in some way the Transition Movement in the U.S. We owe it to ourselves and our communities to take his challenge to heart. Please download his message here.

[ Sunday, November 28, 2010; 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] domainOn November 26th, 2010, Enjoy Dining Green and Pima County Waste Water will be collecting used cooking oil from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Enjoy Dining Green will have 2 collection sites, one at 446 North Campbell Ave. #150, Across from Sam Hughes Place, located at the northeast corner of Campbell and Sixth Street.  The [...]

The Pittsburgh City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance banning corporations from conducting natural gas drilling in the city. The ordinance was drafted by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) at the invitation of Councilman Bill Peduto, and was introduced by Councilman Doug Shields. Read more here.

The New York Times has special section on energy covering: “New oil and gas sources, investing in coal, uranium prices, a diesel comeback and the risk solar storms pose to the power grid.” You can read these articles here.

[ Friday, December 17, 2010 11:00 am to Sunday, December 19, 2010 7:00 pm. ] 100 South Avenida del Convento (@ West Congress)
11AM-7PM Daily

The Mercado San Agustín and Westside Coalition invite you to the third annual Mercado Holiday Bazaar, Thursday, December 16th through Sunday, December 19th. This event will take place at the newly opened Mercado San Agustín. Showcasing Tucson’s diversity through small business, you can expect to see artisan [...]

[ Thursday, November 11, 2010; 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm. ]

Extended Time For November Mixer
Friedman Recycling

1825 West Price

Tucson, AZ  85705

Sponsored by Saguaro Environmental/Friedman Recycling

The earlier start is to take advantage of daylight so we can tour the recycling plant.
Nibbles and drinks will be served outside, so we recommend jackets in case we have a cooler evening.

Sign up at www.SAGCC.org.  (Just go to events tab and click the mixer [...]

[ Thursday, November 18, 2010; 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDIO SERIES PRESENTS POWER 2K10, AN ORIGINAL WORK ADDRESSING TOPICS ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY (November 18-21).

The Harold Dixon Directing Studio in the Drama Building on the University of Arizona Campus, 1031 N. Olive Rd at the southeast corner of Park Avenue and Speedway Boulevard.

During the mid-30s, the Federal Theatre Project produced a [...]

[ Friday, November 5, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. ] First United Methodist Church

Park Avenue at East 4th Street

Parking off 4th behind the church

The annual World Community Day celebration is one of four national Church Women United celebrations.  It is our opportunity to invite members of the wider community to engage in prayerful conversation about community issues that touch us deeply [...]

The Pima County Hearing Administrator will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 10th at 10AM in the Public Works Building, 201 N. Stone Avenue, Basement, Conference Room C.
The hearing concerns a proposal to establish a solar power plant at 9000 N. Sanders Rd, on property owned by the City of Tucson. It is suggested [...]

[ Saturday, October 30, 2010; 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. ] 2602 E. Grant Road

The Rally will be held locally while Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity and
Stephen Colbert’s March to Keep Fear Alive occur in Washington, D.C. Our rally
highlights Tucson organizations that are providing sane solutions to intensifying
global challenges.

A solar-powered sound system will broadcast the tunes of local musicians,
a solar oven demonstration will be cooking [...]

IMAGINE GREATER TUCSON TO HOST FIRST PUBLIC COMMUNITY CONVERSATION IN TUCSON, OTHERS SCHEDULED IN REGION

TUCSON, Ariz. (Oct. 22, 2010) – Imagine Greater Tucson will host its first public Community Conversation on Wednesday, Oct. 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Resource Room  at the Sentinel Building at 310 N. Commerce Park Loop. Seating [...]

Vicki Robin has shared some of her insights from her month of existing on a “hyperlocavore” diet: food from no further than ten miles away from her home. There are useful insights for all of us as we think about the links between energy, food, and our carbon footprints. Read the article in Yes magazine [...]

[ Sunday, November 14, 2010; 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] ъглови легла

Taste Film, Talk Food – Film Festival

Presented by: Slow Food Tucson , Food Conspiracy Co-op and The Screening Room

The Screening Room will show 2 Films:
What’s Organic about Organic?
&
Food Fight

The festival will be followed by appetizers and drinks at 47 Scott.

Tickets are $15 (includes one beer or glass of wine [...]

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010- Natural Building and Passive Solar Design – This workshop includes hands on work with straw bales, adobe blocks, mud based plasters, cement based plasters, and cob. We’ll do hands on building of small structures like benches and walls – projects that you can easily do at your own [...]

[ Saturday, October 23, 2010; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] The U.S. Green Building Council, AZ Chapter, Southern Branch’s 3rd annual Expo featuring up to 60 exhibitors of green building products, businesses, and organizations; public and professional educational seminars; and a Green Home Tour. Jerry Yudelson, world-renowned author and sustainability expert is the keynote speaker. For more information, or to purchase tickets for the Green [...]

[ Friday, October 15, 2010; 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, 1030 North Olive Road, Tucson

Dr. Arun Majumdar, director of ARPA-E, the U.S. government agency created to
promote and fund research and development of advanced energy technologies, will
deliver a public address at the University of Arizona on October 15.

One of the most influential leaders in U.S. energy research, he will [...]

[ Monday, October 18, 2010; 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] 

You are all invited to a dedication ceremony for Pima County’s Solar Electric Generating Facility. Be there when they flip the switch on the largest polycrystalline PV solar facility in Southern Arizona.

Directions:

Exit I-10 at Ruthrauff Road/W. El Camino del Cerro

Turn west off the ramp at W. El Camino del Cerro

The road to the solar site [...]

Tomas Friedman’s New York Times column describes the well funded effort to reverse California’s pioneering effort to reduce the impact of green house gas emissions.
“A.B. 32 was designed to put California on a path to reducing greenhouse gases in its air to 1990 levels by 2020. This would make the state a healthier [...]

[ Sunday, October 10, 2010; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Speedway and Grande

Workshop instructors: Catlow Shipek & Chris Stenken
10/10/10 is set to be a global day of action on climate change in over 180 countries. Events are being planned that demonstrate real solutions, that anybody and everybody can be a part of to the threat of climate change.

In Tucson, Watershed Management group will be installing [...]

[ Sunday, October 10, 2010; 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm. ] St. Phillips in the Hills, NE Corner of River Rd. and Campbell Ave.

Concerned about Global Warming?
10/10/10
Be a part of the
WORLDWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT
initiated by 350.org.
BE PROACTIVE: Show our leaders that we’re learning and taking action! So should they!
Hear bells chime 350 times. LISTEN?
What is 350? Learn
Where are we [...]

[ Monday, November 8, 2010; 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Joel Valdez Main Library, Downtown, 101 N. Stone Ave

Free Parking in the Basement after 5PM

This month’s General Meeting will be focused on critical concerns about food security, food safety, and the steps that each of us can take to reduce our contribution to the region’s carbon footprint by changing our behavior toward food. We will [...]

[ Friday, October 1, 2010; 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] This is a Seven Event Series which traces the origins and current status of our landscape and cultural evolution, transitions into a focused conversation on local resources, scarcity and the regulations which address our use of these resources within the environmental design community, next moves into a specific discussion of our contemporary perspective on developing [...]