Representative Phil Hare - (202) 225-5905 http://hare.house.gov/

 

Representative Ray LaHood - (202) 225-6201 http://www.house.gov/lahood/emailray.htm

 

Representative John Shimkus - (202) 225-5271 http://www.house.gov/shimkus/emailme.shtml

 
Senator Barack Obama  - 202 224-2854  www.obama.senate.gov/contact/

Senator Richard Durbin - 202 224-2152 www.durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm

 

2. A Summary of Earth Springfield's Meeting on June 26, 2008: (submitted by Anne Logue)

Next Meeting for Earth Springfield is planned for Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. location to be announced.

     Kevin Greene introduced a proposal to form a city environmental commission.  A discussion followed.  A request for a basic list of goals for the commission was made by Jim Johnston.  Basic Goals of an Environmental Commission: provide a coordinated effort among the city and local environmental groups with the goal being environmentally sustainable practices by Springfield in its daily operations, capital improvements and purchase of products.  The commission also would set up a format to educate and encourage local residents on how they, through individual action, they can do their part in protecting the environment.

        Also:  Increase efficiency in the coordination of various segments of the city towards sustainable practices.

        Provide public recognition for individuals and organizations that are working for environmental quality.

        Regularly review and inform council on environmental trends relevant to the city's move toward sustainable practices.
       Others supported the proposal, some suggested starting with grassroots support such as though neighborhood associations before approaching the council. 

        The meeting ended with the plan being that the representatives would take the proposal to their groups for consideration and report back as to whether each group would support the idea of a commission.  Kevin stressed that the plan be considered as a concept to evolve over time. 

        Action Plan:  Raise awareness/inform city officials and public on sustainable practices and new developments through education and dialogue on a regular basis.  Sustainable practice materials, and advice on city plans, policies and operations would be shared with the council at that time.

 

   Summary of current activities by area representatives:

    Sensible Water Use:  Don Hanrahan went over the current conditions on the Hunter Lake debate.  The most pressing issues were stopping Hunter Lake from happening and ensuring that once the Lake was stopped, preserving the land set aside for the lake.  That would involve preserving ancient tree growth, wooded areas, and historical sites.  His group was doing this by continuing to present alternatives by suggesting water conservation, utilizing present water resources already available.  To preserve the land they had gathered exhaustive detail on how each buy back of the that land would generate a huge legal mess of who would re-claim the buyer's rights for the land.  Don asked for support in maintaining a presence in continuing to oppose Hunter Lake development and preserve the land once the lake plans are terminated by the city.  He also said he would keep the groups informed as to when they could give support to these issues.
 
    Illinois Native Plant Society rep., Beth Adams described her organization and how her yard was used to cultivate create a wonderful variety of plants in one area. 

   

    Jubilee Farm - Sr. Sharon Zayac talked about the upcoming showing of a short film, Turtle World, a modern day parable on sustainability, that would be showing August 5 when the Sustainable Springfield group would meet at the Farm. They also said they were close to having a website up:  www.jubileefarm.info.
 
    Sustainable Spingfield rep.,  Jim Johnston listed their events coming up through the month of December, 2008.

July 26, 7 p.m. "What is Your Building's Eco-Value?"  Micheal Jackson, FAIA, Chief    Preservation Architect, IL Historic Preservation Agency (Lincoln Library)
August 5,  Jubilee Farm Tour & Movie Turtle World with Discussion
Sept. 18, 7 p.m. New Southwind Park Pavillion Construction, LEED platinum, (Dove Ctr)Oct. 23, 7 p.m. Alternative Fueled Cars, Will Reynolds, Sierra Club (Dove Ctr)
Nov. 18, 7 p.m. Green Building Products & Household Items Available in Area
Report UIS Grad Student Proj., (Dove Ctr)

 

    Sierra Club, rep., Will Reynolds, who presented a talk in Chicago on Alternative Fueled Cars.  The group is organizing "Celebrating Our Environment" tent at the State Fair.  .

    Illinois Stewardship Alliance rep., Lindsay Record shared the recent project of Local Flavors, where local restaurants will be featuring a menu using locally grown foods.  She was also able to report that along with the downtown Farmer's  Market, the State Fairground is also offering a farmer's market on Thursday evenings 4-7 p.m. featuring Illinois-grown foods.

 

    Community Energy Systerms, rep. Doug Nicodemus, discussed a current project on looking for a building in Springfield to completely rebuild as a green building example.  He also thought it would be great if it could be converted into a center for all the environmental groups to house their offices, so local people would know where to go for information on environmental issues and education from all the groups.

 

     Cool Cities:  Anne Logue called attention to a comparison chart of how some Illinois cool cities were progressing.  Will discussed the Cool Cities campaign and thoughts on presenting the signed petitions to the entire City Council since he has received no response from his request for a meeting with the Mayor and the Cool Cities committee. 

 

3. JOIN US AT THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR!
 
Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair will be brimming with over 200,000 visitors from August 8th through August 17th this year.  We hope to share our message of conservation through our "Celebrating Our Environment" tent at the fair.  The Sierra Club is sponsoring the event aong with several other environmental and conservation organizations. 
 
WE NEED YOUR HELP to volunteer to staff the tent during the fair.  The shifts are 9:30 am to 2:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm each day of the fair.  Volunteers will receive a free admission pass and a free parking pass (parking on the fairgrounds) for the fair.
 
Please call Diane Lopez Hughes to sign up for your shift- starting Friday, August 8th through Sunday, August 17th.  Call 217-544-3997 (before 7/30/08) dianelopezhughes@gmail.com, or email Jennifer Sublett, sublett@sccf.us