|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
Robert J. Prout
“Green Funerals and Natural Burials”
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
www.proutfuneralhome.com |
|
Nick Smith Sebasto, Kean University
“Green Careers”
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY |
Bob Prout was licensed as a Funeral Director in 1978 and is a third generation, co-owner of Prout Funeral Home in Verona NJ.
Professionally, Bob is a member of the Essex, Union & West Hudson Funeral Directors Association (Chair of the Cemetery Committee since 1989 and Association Trustee 2003-2007), the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association (Board of Trustees 1994-1999, Chair of Board 1998-1999, Chair of NJ Pre-paid Funeral Trust Fund and a member of the Cemetery Committee 1995-2003). He served on the concept committee, was a founding Board member, Membership Chair and Nominating Chair of Thanexus Inc, a co-op offering training, payroll & pension services to independent funeral homes.
He is the first Funeral Director in the State of New Jersey, and one of the first in the nation to be certified by the Green Burial Council and the first Funeral Director in the nation to receive the Green Funeral Practices Award from NFDA.
Bob has been a guest on radio talk shows, featured in articles and has presented Seminars nationally on Integrating Green Management Practices into the Funeral Business and on Natural Burials / Green Funerals.
In 2004/2005 he was involved in the conversion of his business to Solar Electric, and in 2007 received the New Jersey Clean Energy Small Business Leader of the Year Award for his work in Solar education. In October of 2007, he received the Conservation Award from the Friends of Camp Glen Gray, County of Bergen for efforts in replanting after a forest fire and conservation efforts at camp and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in October 2009.
He has been a member of the Verona Shade Tree Commission since 1979 (serving as Chairman and Secretary), a Supervisor with the Hudson Essex & Passaic Soil Conservation District for the State of New Jersey (Vice Chair 1982, Chair 1983-1985, Secretary 1991-1998 and Secretary-Treasurer since 1998) and a long time member & Treasurer of BSA Troop 2, Verona.
He lives in Verona with his wife Meg, his son Steven (a junior at the University of Michigan) and daughter Julia (a freshman at George Washington University) |
|
Prior to joining Kean University, Dr. Smith-Sebasto served as the Associate and Interim Director of the New Jersey School of Conservation (a division of the College of Science and Mathematics at Montclair State University) from 2000 until 2006. He was a faculty member of the Department of Earth and Environmental Studies at Montclair State .University from 2006 until 2009. From 1993 until 2000, he was a member of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where is was also the Extension State Specialist for Environmental Education. He has also taught at Mercer County Community College, Rider College (now Rider University), and Sussex County Community College.
For the past two decades, Dr. Smith-Sebasto has been recognized as one of the global leaders in the field of environmental education. He is the only person ever to serve simultaneously on the editorial boards of the Journal of Environmental Education, Environmental Education Research, and International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education. He served on the Board of Directors of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), the largest professional society dedicated to environmental education in the world.
He is the recipient of the NAAEE’s award for Outstanding Contributions to Research in Environmental Education. He has authored more original research articles in the Journal of Environmental Education, five of which have included his students as co-authors, than any other author in the 40-year history of the journal. He is the recipient of 7 teaching excellence recognitions, appearing in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers twice. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
Winne Fatton
“Your School as a Learning Opportunity for Energy Conservation”
FRIDAY |
|
Gray Russell
"Your School as a Learning Opportunity for Energy Conservation”, "Energy 101" and "Green Home Energy Tips"
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY |
Winnie Fatton is currently serving as a Project Manager for Sustainable Jersey, an innovative certification program for municipalities that want to go green, control costs and save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term. Sustainable Jersey offers over 100 different actions from which communities can choose to become more sustainable. All of the actions are supported by fully resourced “tools” which explain what to do, who should be involved, how much it will cost and how long it will take, as well as providing resources for helping municipalities to accomplish the action. All of the information is available on the website: www.sustainablejersey.com as well as through training programs and workshops.
Previously, Winnie worked on a program called “Green Jobs for NJ” which was designed to add value to current career and technical high school programs by educating students about green jobs and technologies.
Winnie has been an educator for over 30 years, and is a certified teacher in both elementary education and English. She has worked as in both formal and informal education settings. Her academic background includes a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Missouri and 30 credits toward a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey). Winnie was formerly the Director of Education for the South Branch Watershed Association, Inc. in Flemington, NJ.
Working at MLUC@TCNJ allows Winnie to combine her passions for education, and the environment as she works to infuse education for sustainability into our schools and communities. |
|
Gray Russell is the Environmental Coordinator for the Township of Montclair, in Essex County, N.J. He implements sustainability programs and provides information for residents, schools, local businesses, and the municipal government.
As part of the NJ League of Municipalities’ Sustainable Communities Working Group, Gray helped forge the Sustainable Jersey Program; Montclair was among the inaugural group of towns to earn certification as a Sustainable Community in 2009.
Montclair won the NJ B.P.U.’s first-ever Clean Energy Leadership Award in 2005. In 2010, the U.S. EPA designated Montclair as a “Climate Showcase Community”, initiating a town-wide energy-reduction campaign.
Thanks to a Sustainable Jersey/Walmart Small Grant, last year Montclair became the first N. J. municipality to install a networked series of public charging stations for electric vehicles.
The town’s newest public school is a high-performance building, featuring a geothermal heating and cooling system, solar panels on the roof, daylighting, plus open space for recreation and a garden. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
Connie Coriell
“Your School as a Learning Opportunity for Energy Conservation”
FRIDAY |
|
John Henry
“Your School as a Learning Opportunity for Energy Conservation”
www.eirc.org
FRIDAY |
Connie Coriell has been delivering energy conservation programs in public schools for the past several years, helping school districts save energy and money. She led the Bridgewater-Raritan School District to receive New Jersey’s first ENERGY STAR Leader Award and the first ENERGY STAR Label for school buildings in the state. She was named Outstanding Woman in Somerset County for 2010 in Environmental Initiatives.
Ms. Coriell holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Education from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ and then went on to study History at Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ. |
|
John began his career in 1981 working on a two-year research and development solar energy grant from the Department of Energy. He earned a Master’s Degree in K-12 Industrial Studies and Technology Education. Currently, he works for the Educational Information and Resource Center (EIRC) as the Program Director for the NJ Sustainable Schools Consortium, as well as directing the NJ Sustainable Schools research project and assists with the management of the Green Ribbon Schools award recognition program for NJ.
Prior to joining the EIRC he spent thirteen years in the classroom. During that time, he coordinated an electric vehicle program at Woodbury HS and participated in the American Tour de Sol. He co-authored a NASA Explorer Schools grant resulting in Woodbury High School receiving the designation as a NASA Explorer School.
In 2002 he was NJ’s Technologist of the Year and Radio Shack’s National Teacher in Math, Science, and Technology and in 2004 and 2005 he served as a NASA Einstein Fellow, at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC in the Office of Education.
John also was a board member for the Alliance for NJ Environmental Education (ANJEE), as well as spending two years on the board of directors for the US Green Building Council- NJ
He is currently a Co-Principal Investigator for a National Science Foundation (NSF) engineering Cyberlearning grant with Rowan University and serves on the advisory |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
 |
Robbi S. Acampora
“Your School as a Learning Opportunity for Energy Conservation”
FRIDAY |
|
Randy Solomon, Co-Director
Co-Director, Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey
“How Towns can Save Money and Energy and Implement Sustainable Jersey Energy Actions”
FRIDAY |
Ms. Acampora has over twenty years of public finance experience through New Jersey financial advisory firms. Additionally she has nine years of municipal fund accounting, public finance and hospital finance experience. As Chief Financial Officer of a county government, Ms. Acampora managed a $180 million budget and coordinated the financing and project management of a capital budget in excess of $135 million.
Ms. Acampora has extensive experience in budget development and analysis, long-term debt management and the development of capital financing alternatives. In addition, she has developed continuing education programs on various budgeting and program monitoring topics which were presented to employees at all levels of government.
Ms. Acampora earned a Bachelors Degree in accounting from Rutgers University. |
|
Mr. Solomon is one of the principals that developed and manages the Sustainable Jersey Certification program. Prior this he was the founder and Executive Director of the New Jersey Sustainable State Institute at Rutgers where he worked to expand the capacity of public decision making to address sustainability. Mr. Solomon's policy experience includes positions as a policy advisor on sustainable development for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities integrating land use and energy policy, director of the States Campaign for the Resource Renewal Institute in San Francisco, and policy director for the non-profit New Jersey Future. Other jobs include a stint as a national Park Ranger and serving in the inaugural class of AmeriCorps volunteers. He has participated on advisory boards for federal and state government, civic organizations, and has advised major corporations. He writes and speaks frequently on sustainable development, land use policy, using indicators in public decision making, and governance issues. He has a BS in Biology, an MS in Public Policy, and is a doctoral candidate in Planning and Policy at Rutgers University |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
 |
Alan Rhode
Vice President and co-founder of Tri-State Light & Energy, Inc.
“How Towns can Save Money and Energy and Implement Sustainable Jersey Energy Actions”
FRIDAY |
|
Harriet Shugarman
District Manager, NYC Metro, DE, NJ, PA
“The Climate Reality Project”
SATURDAY |
Mr. Rhode, an engineering graduate of Drexel University, began his professional career with Westinghouse's Combustion Turbine Division supporting electric generating stations for public utility companies located across the continental United States and Alaska.
Today, with thirty years experience in the electrical and energy sectors, Mr. Rhode is considered an industry expert on both energy efficient lighting upgrades and automatic lighting controls. He has spent much of his career consulting to architectural and engineering firms on their lighting control applications. Mr. Rhode frequently speaks to professional associations and industry groups sharing his energy efficiency and lighting expertise.
In addition, Tri-State Light & Energy is among a select group of contractors qualified to provide Energy Assessments and installations for NJ Clean Energy Program's Direct Install. They are also honored by their recent selection for PSE&G's Municipal Direct Install program. |
|
Harriet Shugarman, District Manager for The Climate Reality Project and Founder and Executive Director of ClimateMama has worn many “hats” over the course of her life. Ski instructor, Orchard worker, Educator, Policy Analyst and one time Sky Diver, Harriet also spent 13 years working for the international Monetary Fund at the United Nations. Harriet will tell you that the most “important hat” she wears is one she put on in 1998, and that’s “Mom”to her two children, Elliot and Alana. Harriet sees climate change as the greatest challenge any of us will face in our lifetime, and speaks to audiences around the county on climate change policies and issues. Harriet is proud to have been one of the “1,253 arrested” this past summer at the White House, for protesting the Keystone XL project pipeline. In her spare time she chairs several regional environmental; committees and commissions including the NJ towns environmental commission and green team. Harriet serves as a mentor for Green Faith and is a blogger with Lifetime’s “The Balancing Act!” Harriet lives in NJ with her husband Andrew and kids Elliot and Alana, who are the inspiration for everything she does. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
Christy Morgan
Author of “Blissful Bites”
“The Importance of Seasonal Eating and Cooking Demo”
SATURDAY |
|
Chris Murphy
Smart Little House
“Indoor Air Quality, Health & Wellness in Buildings”
SATURDAY |
The Blissful Chef will show you the way to bliss with delicious recipes, cooking classes for any skill level, a blog filled with helpful information and tips, and tasty alternatives that are free of processed foods, totally plant-based and good for you. We are on a mission to show that clean food can be delicious, easy to make, and will bring more energy and bliss into your life!
What you'll find here is helpful information for those flirting with plant-based diets, and everything to do with living a eco-friendly, cruelty-free life. |
|
As a partner at SmartLittleHouse in Roseland, NJ, an alternative building materials distributor, Chris Murphy is responsible for vetting healthy building products that can work in the general construction market as well as the green building industry.
With a product showroom that is a refuge for people who suffer from asthma, allergies and chemical sensitivities SmartLittleHouse has made a name for itself as a source for natural, non toxic and less toxic alternatives to design and build a home, school or office building….all without spending more.
Chris Murphy has been in the industry for almost 35 years, purchasing materials, working in various interrelated aspects of the building business, including interior design, space planning and new building construction. He has earned his LEED AP as well as his NCIDQ and is a resource for anyone wanting to migrate from steel, glass and plastic to natural building materials. His specialty is finding materials that perform cheaper, faster and better. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
Penny Jones aka Glinda Garbahj
“I Pledge Allegiance to Home Sweet Home”
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY |
|
Renee Koublladis
“Using the Sustainability Toolkit to Build Healthier Communities”
SATURDAY |
| Penny Jones was instrumental in starting a comprehensive recycling program in Morris Plains, NJ during the early 1980s. Since February 1985, she has served as the recycling education specialist for the County of Morris, and she has had the privilege of coordinating 24 annual recycling awards dinners. As a Certified NJ Recycling Professional, she is a member of the board of the Association of NJ Recyclers. One of the Highlights of her life was tracking down Gary Anderson, the creator of the three-chasing-armory recycling symbol. Penny loves butterflies, dung beetles, turtles, and flowers; in addition, she has a very strong affinity for coffee ice cream and |
|
Renee Kouiadis is the Assistant State Campaigning Director for the Citizens Campaign, a statewide non-partisan, non-profit dedicated to recruiting, educating, and mentoring regular citizens in to mostly non-elected leadership positions in their communities to get results on issues they care about. Renee has been an advocate and community organizer for years, helping New Jersey citizens use their voices for social change. She holds a Masters degree from Temple University in Social Work- Administration and Social Planning and a Bachelors degree in Social Work from Rutgers University. |
|
|
|
 |
Marnie Vyff
“The Co-operative: Local Solutions for Healthier Food” and "The How and Why of Composting"
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY |
|
Dr. Vinay Desai
“The Importance of Green Body Care"
SATURDAY |
|
Marie Vyff, a local environmentalist will speak on how to compost, and how to set up residential composting in your Municpality. Participants will learn about the environmental, economic and social benefits of backyard composting |
|
Dr. Vinay Desai is a naturalist and a pharmaceutical scientist with a
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and an MBA. He holds 15+ patents & 15+
publications in a wide variety of scientific disciplines and has invented novel
targeted therapeutic agents. Dr. Desai is the co-founder and CEO of Dr. Desai
Soap which is a manufacturer of premium all natural goat’s milk ayurvedic
herbal skin care solutions. Dr. Desai Soap is a Green America Approved
business. Dr. Desai is a naturalist who lives on a family owned solar powered
farm in Tewksbury NJ featured in the New Jersey Country Side Magazine. Through
community awareness programs, Dr. Desai has helped educate people in the
sustainable practices of using solar power and green personal care products.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Eric Packer
"Investing in Your Values"
SATURDAY |
|
Dr. Jim Conroy
“Partner With Your Backyard EcoSystem"
SATURDAY |
|
Eric Packer has been involved in the investment business for over 18 years as an Investment Advisor, specializing in Socially and Environmentally Responsible Investing (SRI). Initially trained on Wall Street with Prudential Securities, he joined the Progressive Asset Management Group over 15 years ago, which is the SRI division of Financial West Group, member FNRA/SIPC/MSRB. We offer the full range of investment services, focusing on Fee based account management for individual and retirement accounts, College Saving Plans and Community Investing. We also work with small companies and non profits managing their retirement plans. |
|
Jim Conroy earned his PhD in plant pathology from Purdue University. After more than 20 years as a corporate executive in a Fortune 500 chemical company, he now saves trees in a decline and balances the health of ecosystems. Calling himself the "Tree Whisperer," he is an expert in Nature Communication- providing his own hands-on, no-product, earth-friendly,. holistic bioenergy healing approach to reverse stress in trees, plants, crops, and ecosystems. He is a long-time member of the faculties at The Omega Institute and The Nature Lyceum. As c0-author of the popular Tree Whispering series of books, he inspires people to touch and love their trees for healthy gardening success. He is also a keynote speaker, teacher, certified organic land care professional, and rose grower. He co-founded the Institute for Cooperative BioBalance with Basia. |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Ms. Basia Alexander
“Partner With Your Backyard EcoSystem"
SATURDAY |
|
Winnie Wong
“Urban Gardening"
SATURDAY |
|
Ms. Basia Alexander earned her B.A. in Communications from Beloit College. She is a catalyst for positive change and a leader in the new field of conscious co-creativity. An expert Nature communicator, Basia leads workshops and produces innovative and practical curriculum. A favored member of the faculties at The Omega Institute and the Nature Lyceum, she invites people into a new kind of relationships with the beings of Nature. As a co-author of the popular Tree Whispering series of book, she leads people into do-it yourself environmentalism, visionary tree advocacy, and practical spirituality. She is also a writer on the topics of creativity and personal transformation, a teacher, coach, workshop leader, futurist, and gourmet vegetarian cook. She co-founded the Institute for Cooperative BioBalance with Dr. Jim. |
|
Winnie is a film-maker and
blogger; see her work at:www.seismologik.com and
http://www.350.org/en/about/blogs/guerrilla-gardening-occupy-wall-street.
Seismologik has currently produced six short films on sustainability, and are
preparing to shoot a short film which will profile three sustainable innovators
and showcase the work that they are doing.
Winnie is also an urban
gardener/designer and coordinator for Occupy Wall Street Sustainability.
In the upcoming spring,
Winne plans to participate in starting a 16,000 sq foot Roof Farm in
Bushwick. The farm project aims to achieve 3 goals : 1) address hunger in
a food desert community by producing real, nutrition dense natural food for the
community. 2) Re-skill members of the community by offering work/learn/volunteer
days 3) Create sustainable green jobs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jim R. Walsh
“Genetically Engineered Foods"
FRIDAY |
|
Rachel Dawn Davis
“Fracking: a Global Problem"
SATURDAY |
|
Monsanto has developed GE sweet corn for direct consumer consumption. Food and water watch and it's allies are collecting thousands of signatures to deliver to Walmart to demand that they refuse to sell GS sweet corn. Learn more about GE food and FWW's strategy to combat it. |
|
Who stands to benefit from fracking? This process of natural gas extraction is wrecking havoc across the globe, but there are local movements of dedicated people working to stop it in its tracks. |
| | |
