Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Brainstorm for Upper Valley Earth Day Events

We are going to begin having planning meetings for April Earth Day events. If you would like to participate in these meetings, please email noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org with times and days of the week that might work for you.

Please see the below list and provide us with your suggestions in the comment section, or by emailing noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org or calling (603) 643-6626 ext. 102. We can't do all of these activities. Help us to prioritize events that will be relevant and engaging for your communities.
Books and displays at libraries—(See the suggested list) UVLT can help to contact local librarians to look for display space, or Conservation Commissioners are welcome to take on this task.
Bioblitz
Games
Conservation themed art exhibits to go in library, post office, and store windows—this could involve a partnership with local art teachers.
Hikes to the “highest points” in Towns: Wright’s Mountain, Tucker Mountain, Sawyer Ledges; Pinnacle, etc.
Slide show or film festival, for example: “15 second short films on I-phones and digital cameras that could be put onto various computer screens for a village show. The kids can make up many kinds of skits to do with nature, green-up, trees or what-have-you, and act/edit, and then have them playing at an open house. For that matter, if there's a flurry of them, local TV stations may be willing to put a few on TV if asked.” (Peggy Willey, West Fairlee)
Music and/or dancing—Ideas for venues, or musicians?
Potluck dinner(s)—Ideas for venues?
Speaker series or a “big name”—Ideas for relevant topics, speakers, or venues?
Technical training like wetlands, shore land protection, climate change, energy, recycling—Ideas for speakers, venues, topics?
Displays of Posters or stories crafted by Upper Valley youths
Reading series – local authors—suggestions?
Stories/testimony from landowners and/or old-timers—suggestions?
Innovative Planning Dialogue—we could invite planners from the Upper Valley that have been involved in creative zoning
Easement Monitor Training—UVLT will be training new conservation easement monitor volunteers.
Spring Farm Tour—if there is interest, UVLT could arrange a day to tour several local farms. Families would be welcome.
Photographing Nature Workshops
Trail Work Days
Relevant writing prompts for middle school & high school students

4 comments:

  1. I've added a few more books to the suggested list above based on suggestions from Conservation Commissioners. Please feel free to keep adding your favorites!

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  2. Also, visit http://www.earthhour.org/ for another idea of a way to celebrate Earth Day 2009.

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  3. Speaking of Earth Hour 2009--one idea is to organize a community walk in the dark (maybe with candles) during the time while your lights are out. This makes the event into a chance to build community while bringing attention to the need to make smart decisions about energy use. So, on March 28th, turn off your lights, bring a friend and go outdoors!

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  4. Many town Conservation Commissions participate in Green-Up Day events on the first Saturday in May--this year it is May 2nd. If this isn't something your town does, you might look into it: http://www.greenupvermont.org. Though this site focuses on Vermont, it provides some general guidelines that could also be used in New Hampshire.

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