by Bradley — published on April 30th, 2006
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill creating state’s largest conservancy–25 million acres of the Sierra range from the Oregon border to Kern County–in September 2004. At the signing ceremony, he said,
“The conservancy will not only support environmental preservation but assist the regional economy, preserve working landscapes and provide increased opportunities for tourism. It is an example of economy and environment in harmony.”
A year later, Autumn 2005, the fledgeling state agency, with the assistance of the Sierra Business Council, held a series of public forums across the Sierra range. Read a summary of the public testimony from the fourms.
The conservancy unveiled its draft strategic plan in the Spring 2006, at another series of public forums.
Download the Strategic Plan Executive Summary (PDF) or go to the conservancy website to read the entire 36 page document.
by Bradley — published on April 30th, 2006
The conservancy will present its draft strategic plan at public forums across the Sierra Nevada range:
Wednesday, May 10, Nevada City
Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street
Thursday, May 11, Paradise
Elks Club, 110 Elk Lane
Tuesday, May 23, Mammoth Lakes
Mountainside Conference Center
Thursday, May 25, Alturas
Sacred Heart, 507 East 4th Street
Download the Strategic Plan Executive Summary (PDF), or go to the conservancy website to read the 36 page document.
by Bradley — published on April 26th, 2006
Conscious Media and the Natural Marketing Institute are sponsoring the LOHAS 10 Forum 26-28 April, 2006, in Santa Monica, CA.
The conference explores business opportunities for companies providing goods and services focused on health, the environment, social justice, personal development and sustainable living. Sessions cover such topics as:
- The Rise of Conscious Capitalism: Learn seven trends that will transform how you ‘lve, work and invest;
- 2005 LOHAS Consumer Trends from the Natural Marketing Institute; and
- Greening Your Business: What’s Really Involved and How Your Company Do It.
The Natural Marketing Institute estimates that nearly one in four Americans make purchasing decisionbased on a profound sense of environmental and social responsibility, and these consumers spend $226.8 billion a year.
Conscious Media produces various LOHAS publications and a business directory.
by Bradley — published on April 20th, 2006
The California Cultural and Heritage Tourism Symposium takes place on Thursday, 20 April at the Sacramento Community Convention Center, followed by a reception at the Masonic Temple. According to the Sierra Business Council, the daylong symposium will explore strategies for local communities interested in developing and promoting their cultural and heritage assets.
Cost for the event and reception is $75. Scholarships are available for qualifying participants.
To register for the event, please download the Heritage Tourism Symposium brochure. If you have any questions, please contact David Polivy at the Business Council, by email or phone, 530-582-4800 x303.
by Bradley — published on April 16th, 2006
While Interior Secretary for President Clinton, Bruce Babbitt lead restorations efforts from the Florida Everglades to dam removal on the Neuse River in North Carolina and the reintroduction of the gray wolf to Montana and Idaho. In his 2005 book, Cities in the Wilderness: a New Vision of Land Use in America, he argues the Bureaus of Land Management and Reclamation, and the Army Corps of Engineers drive federal land use decision. Given this cast of character, it’s not surprising that land use priorities are grazing and mining, dam construction, and water projects that have wreaked environmental havoc.
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by Bradley — published on April 15th, 2006
California remains a hot travel market, and the state stands to benefit from a confluence of market and demographic trends.
- Leisure travel is booming, even as business travel remains flat;
- People are taking shorter vacations and longer weekends;
- Extended families and friends are traveling together; and
- People are looking for new destinations and authentic experiences.
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by Bradley — published on April 5th, 2006
The MIT Club of Northern California has kicked off a contest seeking out the best “Clean technology.” According to their website, California Clean Tech Open:
“Clean technology — innovations that are both economically feasible and environmentally friendly — will make a difference in our world. That much is given. “How soon” and “who benefits” are still open questions. . . We at the California Clean Tech Open believe California can and should be the leader in this critical industry sector.”
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by Bradley — published on April 1st, 2006
Energy is a national security issue, argues author David Goldwyn in his new book, Energy and Security: Toward a New Foreign Policy Strategy. As long as the U.S. remains “addicted to oil,” securing access to petroleum will drive our foreign policy.
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by Bradley — published on April 1st, 2006
The San Francisco Bay Area’s Transportation and Land Use Coalition (TALC) hosts its ninth annual summit, “Next Stop: Great Communities,” April 1, 2006 in Oakland, CA.
The summit will focus on strategies to promote smart growth in the region. Workshops will focus on transportation, land use planning and sustainable “Eco-citites.”
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