North America's Largest Environmental Conference Beamed via Satellite at UNH Oct. 17-19
Part of a 3-Day Northeast Sustainability Conference

Contact: Leigh Dunkelberger
603-862-4088
Office of Sustainability Programs

October 2, 2003



DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire's Office of Sustainability Programs, in partnership with campus groups and regional organizations, will present a three-day conference entitled “Bioneers Northeast: Revolution from the Heart of Nature” Friday through Sunday, Oct. 17-19, 2003.

UNH is one of 10 "Beaming Bioneers" satellite sites for the annual conference that is held in California by the Collective Heritage Group. The annual Bioneers conference (www.bioneers.org) is considered the largest annual environmental conference in North America bringing together more than 3,000 attendees each year to focus on social and environmental challenges. This will be the second year that UNH will host the Northeast conference.

The three-day conference begins with a Sustainability Fair Friday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. in the MUB Strafford Room. The fair will convene more than 20 regional organizations representing sustainability efforts both at UNH and in the Northeast.

Of particular interest to students will be the attending organizations that focus on career development for individuals interested in working in the environmental and social fields such as City Year NH, Student Conservation Organization, Environmental Careers Organization, Green Organization, Green Corps, EcoQuest, and Living Routes.

Plenary sessions will be telecast live from the national conference in California, with daily satellite telecasts featuring speakers such as David Suzuki, Devra Davis Lee, and Terry Tempest Williams. To complement the satellite feed, local workshops focusing on issues ranging from climate protection in New England, to the building northeast Slow Food movement will be held. These workshops will be hosted by organizations such as NH National Environmental Trust, MASS PIRG, Clean Air Cool Planet, and Chelsea Green Publishing Co.

Networking opportunities will be possible through programming such as the "Bioneer Cafe" on Friday and the Saturday night Community Reception. The reception will feature a menu that includes locally grown and produced foods, as well as entertainment by 35th Parallel, a regional band featuring "MediterrAsian jazz" which blends global music styles with flavors of ambient soundscapes and modern electronics.

This conference is open to all. Student scholarships are available and pre-registration is encouraged. Daily cost is $30 for non-students and $15 for students. All conference events will take place on the Durham campus in the Memorial Union Building. For more information and registration materials please visit http://www.sustainableunh.unh.edu/bioneers_evnt.htm or call the UNH Office of Sustainability Programs at 603-862-4088.