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E-M:/ Backyard Eco Conference 2000 (with corrected registration form)
- Subject: E-M:/ Backyard Eco Conference 2000 (with corrected registration form)
- From: Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination<cacceco@earthlink.net>
- Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2000 23:59:16 -0500
- List-Name: Enviro-Mich
- Reply-To: Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination <cacceco@earthlink.net>
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Enviro-Mich message from Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination <cacceco@earthlink.net>
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NOTE: Please feel free to print out the registration form at the end
of this document and return it to our registrar.
____________________________________________
Backyard Eco Conference 2000
Environmental Leaders Among Us
Tales of Wrestling with Corporate Giants
May 12, 13, 14
Mystic Lake YMCA Camp
Clare County, Michigan
Featuring:
Ronnie Dugger: Alliance for Democracy
"Beyond Seattle/Building on Success"
Peter Dougherty: Michigan Peace Team
"The U.S. Connection, Low Intensity War in Chiapas, Mexico"
Dr. Patrick Rusz: Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation
"Rebuilding Habitats and Wetlands in the Real World"
Ed Lorenz: "Building a Strong Citizens Group in a Polluted Small Town
Stephanie Mills: "Continuing to Continue, Apocalypse When"
Ann Hunt, Tracey Easthope, Terry Miller, Diane Hebert: "The Dow Project"
For More Information Contact:
CACC
8735 Maple Grove Road
Lake, MI 48632-9511
Camp Director:
Kathy Snooks
(517) 544-2609
E-Mail: bestopesto@webtv.net
Greetings!
Wow! Talk about an All-Star lineup. Just glance at that list of speakers!
Hey and probably no videos due to popular request. This year should
be an especially "sweet" conference. Please come and celebrate Mother
Earth's Day with us.
CACC is offering to "First Time Adult Enrollees" a 20% discount off
their total cost. Great workshops, speakers, music, good friends and
delicious food. A real fun and learning experience for the kids in a
beautiful, peaceful setting. It doesn't get any better!
Please come and share it with us. I guarantee you won't regret it. In
fact, you may become hooked on Eco for life.
Peace!
John Witucki, For the CACC Board
For 18 years CACC has offered the Backyard Eco Conference. It is our
yearly opportunity to spend a carefree (other that issues) weekend at
a beautiful, nurturing lakeside spot in the woods. This is a premier
chance each year to soak up the sun, canoe, eat well, dance, learn,
share it all with young people and then end the weekend with a
100-person hug. Come witness and participate with some of the Þnest
minds and warmest hearts in the Great Lakes area (I am
prejudiced-sorry) as we strive with ideas and plans to bring about a
better world.
Mystic Lake YMCA Camp has 500 acres of wooded land near Lake Station
in southwestern Clare County, and features two private lakes, unique
bogs and the most extensive patch of lady's slippers in the area. The
camp specializes in youth camping, environmental education, and
retreats. Lodging is provided in heated cabins, some with their own
bathrooms and the rest with central bathhouses, or, Eco participants
can camp on the grounds.
Mystic Lake YMCA Camp is owned and operated by the Lansing YMCA and
is located one mile west of Village of Lake on US - 10, or four miles
west of the end of the US - 10/M-115 freeway. All conference
registrants will receive a detailed map with their registration
packet. Late registrants are urged to call the Eco Registrar at
517-426-5540 (evenings) to assure space availability in cabins after
May 5.
The Backyard Eco Conference has been an annual gathering sponsored by
Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination since 1983. CACC
is a grassroots environmental education and advocacy organization
dedicated to the principles of social and economic justice, reduction
of corporate domination of American/World politics, pollution
prevention, citizen empowerment, and the protection of the Great
Lakes Eco system. CACC is a member of the Michigan Environmental
Council, the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Great Lakes United,
and the Environmental Fund for Michigan.
KEYNOTERS:
Ronnie Dugger
Alliance for Democracy
Ronnie Dugger is a reporter, writer, editor, and social-structure
activist. Born in Chicago of a Texan and a Scotswoman, Dugger was
writing for newspapers from 13 on. He was raised and educated in
Texas except for a time at Oxford University. After a couple of years
in Washington he returned to Texas and in 1954 founded, with the
support of a group of nationally-oriented liberals in the state, The
Texas Observer, an independent liberal weekly newspaper. During
Dugger's editorship the Observer broke many scandals and initiated
dialogues on neglected issues of social and economic policy, racial
justice and civil liberties.
An article of Dugger's, a "Call to Citizens" published in the Nation,
in the issue of Aug. 14-21, 1995, launched a nationwide populist,
anti-giant-corporation movement, the Alliance for Democracy, "to free
all people from corporate domination of politics, economics, the
environment, culture and information; to establish true democracy;
and to create a just society with a sustainable, equitable economy."
The Alliance has launched more than 55 chapters across the country.
Recently the Alliance narrowed its national campaigns down to three,
against corporate-governance international trade treaties, for public
Þnancing of all federal elections, and for the transformation of the
corporation to subordinate it completely to democracy. In the fall of
1999, members of the Alliance opened a campaign of direct action
edged in civil disobedience in the Rotunda of the national Capitol,
aimed at campaign Þnance corruption. The fourth convention will be
held in Davis, California, July 16-19, 2000.
Mr. Dugger will speak on the labor union/environmental alliances
forged in Seattle, the abuse of the term "free trade" to promote
corporate welfare and domination and strategies for restoring true
democracy in our world society.
C. Peter Dougherty
Michigan Peace Team
Peter Dougherty, age 65, is a Catholic priest of the Diocese of
Lansing, Michigan. In 1970 he became a campus minister at Eastern
Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. There he became active
against the Vietnam War and involved in the United Farm workers
struggle for justice. Seeing the connections of systemic violence and
poverty, he became active in the disarmament movement and direct
caring for the poor. He and others formed a Catholic Worker-style
community, serving the homeless and opposing militarism, Third World
intervention, racism, and other social forms of violence. He has been
a leader of many campaigns for social change.
He co-founded Covenant for Peace, Great Lakes Life Community,
Michigan Faith and Resistance, and Michigan Peace Team, all focused
on peacemaking.
Peter is Outreach and Training Coordinator of the Michigan Peace
Team. He has led nonviolence training in preparation for disarmament
actions, anti-apartheid activity, labor strikes, Klan rally
peacekeeping and other peace team activity in U.S. cities, and for
international peace teams. He has been on violence reduction peace
team projects in Bosnia, Haiti, Hebron in the occupied West Bank,
Chiapas, Mexico, and in Michigan.
Peter is a sacramental minister at local churches. He is an educator
for peace and advocate for the poor, drawing on his direct experience
of peacemaking over many years. Peter has been arrested and in jail
many times for civil resistance actions, primarily against the
madness of nuclear weapons.
Peter likes to sing, play the guitar, and torture people with his puns.
Patrick Rusz,
Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation
Dr. Patrick Rusz has served as Director of Wildlife Programs at the
Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation since 1986. He holds a Ph.D. in
wildlife biology and a M.S. degree in aquatic ecology, and became a
certiÞed city and regional planner in 1979. He has more than 25 years
of experience in environmental management and has supervised major
studies and restoration projects in 15 states and in Australia. Dr.
Rusz currently conducts wetland, stream, and prairie restorations
throughout Michigan for the non-proÞt foundation.
Michigan's County Drain Commissions have long been criticized for
draining wetlands, adding sediment to streams, and contributing to a
variety of other environmental problems. However, many of the state's
drain commissions have recently adopted sound conservation practices
and have assisted with important wetland restorations.
The Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation, a private, non-proÞt
organization, has been working in partnership with the Michigan
Association Of County Drain Commissioners for more than six years.
The Foundation has conducted training sessions on environmental
restoration for commissioners and their staff. Working directly with
individual drain commissions, the Foundation has restored hundreds of
acres of wetlands and enhanced upland wildlife habitat along many
miles of county drains, without costs to taxpayers in the drain
assessment districts. The partnership is a Þne example of cooperation
between local government and the private sector that is free of
traditional "red tape." This session explains how the partnership
works and presents information on three exemplary projects conducted
in Ingham, Washtenaw, and Montcalm counties.
Edward C. Lorenz
Department of History and Political Science, Alma College
Mr. Lorenz teaches both history and political science courses and
directs Public Affairs Institute. In addition to introductory
courses, he teaches history of the early 20th century, colonial
America, public policy and administration courses, and history and
public affairs seminars. Seminar topics include comparative social
welfare and environmental policy. He is currently doing research for
a book length manuscript on the history of American institutions in
developing and supporting international labor standards.
Mr. Lorenz heads the Community Advisory Group (CAG) in Gratiot County
which began with a focus on the environmental problems resulting from
the operation of the Velsicol Chemical Company which dumped thousands
of tons of DDT in the Pine River and other regions near St. Louis.
The Velsicol plant also was famous for the accident that led to
mixing cattle feed with the Þre retardant PBB in 1973, one of the
worst food chain contamination accidents in history. Even without the
cattle feed mistake, after 1970, the company exposed the residents
and workers to uncontrolled PBB dumping and emissions, as well as
low-level radioactive waste. Consequently, the communities have two
active Superfund sites and a river with the highest levels of DDT
ever documented in this country (up to 44,000 ppm). Residents of the
region have been resigned to high levels of certain cancers, birth
defects, and learning disabilities that they suspect are associated
with their environment.
The shared sense of indignation and frustration that surfaced as a
result of these initial meetings empowered the community to form a
community advisory group (CAG) in 1998 under EPA regulations (OSWERD
Directive 9230.0-28). This group, incorporated as the Pine River
Superfund Citizens Taskforce, continuously monitors the clean up and
provides a forum for community input. The CAG has received a $50,000
Technical Assistance Grant from the EPA and has a pending application
for a $750,000 community health grant from the National Institute for
Environmental Health Science. The Pine River Superfund Citizens
Taskforce has begun to be a form for communicating with residents
about risks and learning from them possible health concerns.
Appearing with Mr. Lorenz will be
Murray C. Borrello, Department of Geology, Alma College.
Mr. Borrello is an instructor of Geology and Environmental Sciences
at Alma College. He helped organize and develop Environmental Studies
Minor at the college and is currently developing prospective
interdepartmental Environmental Science Major.
He also works as a consultant on Velsicol Superfund Site Remediation
for the U.S. EPA. He helped with the drafting of a remedial
investigation report for a $40 million dredging project on the Pine
River in St. Louis. He helped establish a Community Advisory Group
(CAG) that acts as a liaison between EPA and the community regarding
the Superfund Site in St. Louis.
SPEAKERS:
Terry Miller is the tireless and instrumental founder of the Lone
Tree Council, which came together in the same year as CACC, 1978.
Lone Tree was started to stop the Midland nuclear plant and the group
members now wrestle with GM, Dow, Mosquito Control and local toxic
issues. Terry is glad that he has retired from teaching middle school
so that he can get even busier with environmental and political
action. Terry is currently studying Media Access.
Diane Hebert is a long time local environmental investigator and
activist. She has Þrst class knowledge of many issues, especially
dioxin exposures. She lives and works in Midland. Fortunately, for us
at least, we have a dioxin expert living near the world's largest
chemical production facility. She has been a voce for the people and
a pain in the - conscience for Dow Chemical for just as long.
Ann Hunt is an inspirational woman for Environmental Activism. She
was one of the main founders of CACC, the originator of this
conference (18 years ago) and our Executive Director for nearly 20
years. She has worked aggressively and imaginatively on many issues -
especially recycling, solid waste reduction, landÞll siting and
design, citizen involvement with DEQ and the largely unregulated
waste disposal practices of the oil and gas industry.
Ann continues to work in the human services Þeld and is still active
in the Mid-Michigan area with things such as the Dow Project.
Dow Project This panel will speak of a multi-year task involving
Midland Dow, the NRDC and several other parties. The original goal
was toxic waste reduction, both in initial production and in
emissions. As the months and years passed, their effort evolved into
a nationally recognized effort. SigniÞcant reductions in toxics and
millions of dollars in production cost savings for Dow were involved.
The project's strategies and results were praised even in Chemistry
Industry Journals, a rare accolade for environmentalists.
Stephanie Mills is an internationally known "Ecologist" and author
who has for thirty years been working to help humanity straighten out
its relationship with Mother Earth. She is in demand as a presenter
at conferences and lectures widely on a variety of subjects, has
written two books, In Service of the Wild and Whatever Happened to
Ecology? Her writing has appeared in Orion AÞeld, Glamour, Whole
Earth, Sierra, the 1999 Britannica Book of the Year and Annals of
Earth. In 1996 Mills was named one of the Utne Reader's
"visionaries." She is at work on a book to be titled Epicurean
Simplicity.
In her closing reþections at this years Eco Conference, Stephanie
will ponder the art of staying centered while dancing on the cusp of
change. Secretly disappointed that the Y2k event was a Þzzle and
failed to bring industrial civilization to its knees, Mills will
wonder aloud how to be an environmentalist without expecting a
catastrophe to wake everyone up and change everything.
Her talk will be an attempt to imagine a way of being serene, active
and steady as historic and ecological changes accelerate. Mills will
do her best to inspire, inform and celebrate the wonderful folks that
come to the Eco Conference to mix philosophy, humor and stories
together and serve up some food for thought.
Youth Programs:
The backyard Eco Conference Youth Program sets this gathering apart
from any other. Activities have been designed to capture the interest
and involvement of the three groups. All young people, except for the
tiniest babies are expected to be enrolled in Eco's Youth Programs
for the duration of the conference. Unsupervised children are not
permitted as they are not only at risk for themselves but lead to the
disruption of planned activities.
Eco Youth 2000
Explore, explore, explore. 2000 Eco Conference Youth are in for fun
and adventure.
Friday evening and night the youth will be responsible for checking
in at our Arts and Crafts building. There they will Þnd out the
weekends planned activities.
All youth are expected to be enrolled with the youth program. Young
ones under 6 should be registered with our Earthcrawlers program.
Earthcrawlers are supervised all day and parents are asked to
dedicate half a day with the toddlers. Meals at Eco are times for
everyone to eat together and share the day's experiences.
Every acre, every wetland and hillside will see the footprints of our
group. Mystic Lake Camp is big so be ready to hike, play animal
survival, build shelters, have campÞres, sing songs, draw, paint and
sculpt. With a diverse age group, we will all work together to make
sure everyone has fun. Sometimes there will be activities just for
the more mature youth. And for the younger youth, high energy and
creative programs will be played all day.
Youth programs conclude with the day's seminars and workshops.
Saturday we will have an evening campÞre and Sunday concludes the
weekend with a drum circle and song dedication.
Eco Youth Friend will be lead by Graham Hunting, with Karrie McLean
and other Eco staff. If you are interested in playing with us or
leading an activity call (517) 544-2844 or email huntingg@hotmail.com
Electronic Communications:
Email, the Internet, and Beyond -
Joseph Badura
Building on similar sessions offered in previous years, Joseph will
offer one-on-one and small group assistance with negotiating the
resources of the word wide web, establishing an email account and the
basics of electronic communication. A sign-up sheet will be available
at Registration to schedule times for individual assistance. Small
group sessions will be offered throughout the weekend.
Eco Food:
The conference opens with a potluck supper Friday evening, so
remember to bring a dish to pass. We'll supply beverages.
The Ecocooks have planned a delicious menu of natural foods, with an
emphasis on whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Their
creations are sure to please the eye as well as the palate.
Volunteer help is always appreciated in the kitchen; especially at
the end of the conference for clean up!
Eco Auction:
The Eco Auction is an opportunity to bring something special to the
Eco Conference to donate to help support the work of CACC. A silent
auction will be held throughout the weekend, with individual items
being auctioned off before the group. Previous "prizes" have included
handmade cards, artwork, a water Þltration kit, composter and a bed
and breakfast weekend.
All contributions donated for this purpose are, of course, tax
deductible and will be acknowledged.
Eco Arts and Music:
Victor McManemy has been a feature of all of the past Eco
Conferences. His songs are a call to action, whether describing the
mistreatment of indigenous peoples or the abuse of our environment.
It has been said that the waters of the Great Lakes þow in the
veins of the life-long Traverse area resident.
Tim Joseph sings the old songs along with some new ones. A founder
and organizer of the Spirit of the Woods Music Festival, Tim has
always had a love for the people's music. When not playing the guitar
and banjo he's a stonemason and carpenter from the Manistee County
town of Brethren.
Fine Arts Exhibit:
Gretchen Michaels will again be returning to provide another glimpse
at the endless possibilities of integrating Fine Arts and
Environmental Education.
This year we will all have a chance to explore the art of Batik.
Gretchen will provide fabric, natural dyes and bees wax. These
ancient art supplies are going to be transformed into scarves, ties,
bandanas and sashes that will be used during our closing circle and
then go home with each of us as a reminder of Backyard-Eco 2000.
As in past years, Gretchen Michaels is coordinating the collection
and display of arts that celebrate the Earth through painting,
sculpture, drawings, photograph, and writings. If you want to exhibit
art at Eco, contact Gretchen at 248-628-7463 in the evening.
The Eco Fine Arts Program is partially underwritten by the generous
support of the Wheatland Music Organization, Remus. They are the
sponsors of the annual Wheatland Music Festival in September and the
Traditional Arts weekend in May of each year.
Conference Schedule
Friday May 12
3:00 - 8:00 Registration
5:30 - 7:00 Potluck Dinner
(Please bring dish to pass!)
7:00 - 8:00 CACC's Annual Meeting
8:00 - 10:30 Ed Lorenz: Pine River EPA Citizens Task Force
"Building a Strong Citizens' Group In a Polluted
Small Town"
10:30 -12:00 Informal Reception (Music, Socializing)
Victor McManemy, Tim Joseph and friends
Saturday May 13
7:00 - 8:30 Breakfast
8:30 - Noon Registration Continues
8:45 - 10:30 Dr. Patrick Rusz - How to Rebuild Habitat
and Wetlands in the Real World
10:45 - 11:45 Panel Discussion on nuclear issues in the
Great Lakes basin, including MOX transport lawsuit.
Noon - 1:00 Lunch
1:15 - 3:30 The Dow Project - Panel Discussion with
Ann Hunt, Tracey Easthope, Diane Hebert and Terry Miller.
3:45 - 5:00 Peter Dougherty "The U.S. Connection
Low Intensity Warfare in Chiapas, Mexico"
Alternate Group Discussion-AFD Issues, Citizen Organizing
5:00 - 6:30 Dinner
6:30 - 7:00 Free Time (Walk in the woods, visit, etc.)
7:00 - 7:30 Eco Awards Auction
7:30 - 9:30 Ronnie Dugger - Cofounder Alliance for Democracy: "Beyond
Seattle/Building on Success"
9:30 - 1:00 Dance - Levi Rose and the Hookerman
(Blues & More)
Campfire Music with Victor, Tim & Friends
Sunday May 14
7:00 - 8:30 Breakfast
8:30 - 9:45 Freetime or Round table discussion -"State/National
Update" w/Conference Speakers
10:00 - 10:30 Children's Presentation
10:30 - 11:15 Closing Speaker - Stephanie Mills "Continuing to
Continue: Apocalypse When?"
Noon Closing Circle - Pine Point
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch
1:30 - ? Socialize, Clean up, Pack up, Departure
REGISTRATION FORM:
*************************************************************************
NOTE: 20% Discount on total for all first time adult Eco Registrants
- Plus a Free Gift!
Registration
Name__________________________________
Address_________________________________
City___________________________________
State/Province __________________Zip______
Telephone Day ( )____________________
Telephone Evening ( )____________________
List the persons registered with this form.:
Please give complete names and information on
each person. Attach additional sheet if needed.
Name
Adult(M/F) Child Age (M/F)
Name Adult(M/F) Child Age (M/F)
Name Adult(M/F) Child Age (M/F)
Name Adult(M/F) Child Age (M/F)
Conference Fees:
Adult Registration 50.00 x = $________
Student (with ID) 25.00 x =$________
Youth Program 25.00 x =$________
FOOD:
Meal Pass - 5 meals 25.00 x =$________
Single Meal Ticket 5.50 x =$________
Child's Meal Pass 12.00 x =$________
Single Child's Meal 3.00 x =$________
(Child 8-14, free below 8, 15 + adult
HOUSING:
Cabin (per person) 20.00 x =$_______
Rough camping (tent /site) 5.00 =$_______
Name Adult(M/F) Child Age (M/F)
RV Parking (no hookups) /site 7.50 =$_______
[ ] Reservation for Technical Tree Climbing (limit 6 adults)
CACC Membership
Individual 25.00 $_______
Family 30.00 $_______
Organization 50.00 $_______
Donation $_______
Total Amount $_______
Send with your check made out to CACC to:
Eco Conference Registrar
564 Parkway
Gladwin, MI 48624
Full refunds granted prior to May 5, No refunds thereafter.
Early Registration Bonus! - All adult registrations postmarked by May
5 will receive a Backyard Eco Conference tote bag featuring the CACC
logo. Registrants after that date will have the opportunity to
purchase a bag at Eco.
Attention College Students - A discounted registration: fee and free
camping is offered to students with college/ university
identiÞcation. Please bring you ID with you to the conference to
conÞrm your discount.
Scholarships - A limited number of work scholarships are available.
Call the Eco Registrar at 517-426-5540 (evenings) for details.
Eco Registrar:
Karen Freel Klein
(517) 426-5540
E-Mail: kfklein@voyager.net
************************************************************************
CACC
8735 Maple Grove Road
Lake, MI 48632-9511
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