Present Tim, Sherry, Janet, Walt, Chandra, George, Dora, Travis, Hallel, Jane

New Participants Mark Morey, Nicole Briggs, Dave Cohen

Announcements

• Walt attended a recent economics presentation by Chris Martinson in Conway, MA, and suggested his talk for one of our 3^rd Wed. forums. Other forum ideas discussed were local currencies and local energy options.
• Janet circulated a petition for Safe Power Vermont calling on state senators to support H.225, a bill intended to help Vermont get up to 40% of its power from local renewable sources by 2018.
• The question was raised of how the current Mountain Home Park water and sewer project would coordinate with the energy co-generation project recently proposed for Brattleboro. Walt will contact Mt. Home and Hervie Scudder to pursue this issue.
• Hallel attended a Fair Trade meeting, where local currencies were discussed. The group meets 6-8 pm on the 1^st and 3^rd Weds. of the month.
• Plans are being made to propose a "No Idling" ordinance to the Brattleboro Selectboard. The measure is meant to raise awareness of the issue, rather than to punish offenders.
• Chandra hosts a children’s radio show on WVEW 107.7, on Fridays, noon-1 pm.

Upcoming events

• Jim Merkle will speak on sustainable practices at the Marlboro Grad Center on Thurs., Mar. 15^th, 7-9 pm.
• Tackling the Challenges of Feeding Our Community," a local foods action conference for Brattleboro area farmers, will be held Fri., Mar. 16^th, 8:30-4:00, at the UVM Extention.
• Walt will staff a POS table at the April 14^th Earth Day festival coordinated by area student groups and POS. It will take place on Main St., 11 am-3 pm, between Pliny Park and the Stone Church.

Mark Morey spoke about his studies of human behavior in relation to the environment. With a background in natural history, he pointed out the connection between childhood experiences in wild nature and interest in protecting the environment in later life. Mark referred to Native American cultures as he emphasized the importance of elders in our communities, especially as mentors to youth learning about the natural world. This topic generated much interest among the group, and Mark offered to give a presentation at one of our 3^rd Wed. forums.

Treasurer’s report