SGA Environmental Committee

Welcome!

Welcome to the homepage for the SGA Environmental Committee (SGAEC) at UMass Amherst! We are a branch-off committee of the student government working to implement new policies and practices that will make the UMass Amherst campus community more sustainable.

Our Goals
         Fall 2010 Semester
         Hold a Deepwater Horizon 6-month Anniversary Rally

         Spring 2011 Semester
         Host a Sustainability Summit on campus

As stakeholders at this university, it is our right and responsibility to play a role in making positive change for our campus. Find out what our committee , other students, and the university administration  are working on and how you can Get Involved. See our Calendar to find out about sustainability related events in the area, and view our Blog for more updates.

Questions? Feel free to contact us at [email protected]
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Latest News and Events:

    Latest News - Featured on WWLP Newscenter 22
    UMass students promote recycling
    Updated: Monday, 18 Oct 2010, 5:49 PM EDT
    Published : Monday, 18 Oct 2010, 4:23 PM EDT
    AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Students were picking through the trash at UMass Amherst on Monday, they were doing it to prove a point.  They went through barrels from local residence halls just to show how much trash could have been recycled.  All of the students had to wear protective clothing and gloves but their clothing couldn't protect them from the smell.

    Josh Stoffel, the sustainability coordinator for UMass Amherst, told us about some of the items they found while going through the trash.   "Half eaten food, what happens to food after you've eaten it, lots of bottles, cans, smashed glass,” said Stoffel.  They separated all that junk and recycled what they could.   Stoffel recommended that people at home use separate waste baskets so they can separate recyclable items and trash before they get to this point.

    **** NEW EVENT ****
    Preserving Food: Canning, Freezing, Drying, Storage
    Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 6:30pm-8:30
    GCC Downtown Center, 270 Main St, Greenfield
    Part of the Foodies of Franklin County series, this workshop is led by CISA's Margaret Christie.  Register today with Greenfield Community College, by     email or phone (413-775-1803).
    **** NEW EVENT ****
    “The Original Green: How Agriculture is Fueling the Green Economy” -- Keynote Address
    Clean Energy Connections conference
    Wednesday, October 20th, 1pm
    MassMutual Center, Springfield
    Clean Energy Connections, the 3rd annual conference and opportunity fair, is the region’s premier forum for green career- and business-development information and networking. The event convenes business owners, entrepreneurs, financiers, educators, career seekers, community leaders, and public agencies.

    **** NEW EVENT ****
    Explore Corn Furnace Heat and High Tunnel Farming
    Thursday, October 21, 4pm
    Indian Head Farm, Berlin, MA
    Learn more about high tunnel farming and using local grain corn as a heat source. For more information email UMass Extension Vegetable Program. 

    ****     NEW EVENT **** Northampton Cooperative Auction Association's annual Fall Dairy Cattle/Feeder and Equipment Sale
    Saturday, October 23, 11am
    353 Long Plain Road, Whately
    Consignments are being recorded now- call Ed Land 413 253 9654.  Look for a listing of consignments on our website. Consignments will be accepted on Friday Oct 22 from noon to 6pm and Sat Oct 23 from 6am to 11am. 

    **** NEW EVENT ****

    Solidarity Saturday
    Saturday October 23rd, 10-11:30am
    Seeds of Solidarity Education Center, Orange, MA
    Expereince our farm, home and education center that integrate solargreenhouses, energy efficient buildings, abundant market gardens, solar electric and hot water sysem, biodiesel vehicles. Free!  If you wish, bring a potluck lunch then stay for the afternoon workshop.

    **** NEW EVENT ****
    GFN's premier of "Fresh"
    Friday, November 5, 7pm
    Academy of Music, Northampton
    Come for a screening of the food documentary Fresh, and help benefit the Northampton Community Farm Campaign.
    For more information, contact Lilly and John Lombard.
    **** NEW EVENT ****
    It Takes a Region: A Conference to Build our NE Food System
    Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13
    Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, Albany, NY
    This conference will look at exciting efforts underway in our region. There will be updates from work groups established at last year's conference, including alternative supply chain networks, research and food system assessments, infrastructure initiatives, and policy advocacy. New participants are welcome, and pressing new issues will be addressed

    **** NEW EVENT ****
    Nutrient Dense Farming Training with Dan Kittredge
    Sunday, November 14, 9am to 4pm
    Enterprise Farm, Whately MA    Part 6, Working with Plants, of 6-part series (contact organizers if you missed earlier sessions).  Principles and practices for growing nutrient dense crops will be discussed and demonstrated throughout the series.  The course is based on the premise that if all of the environmental factors are ideal for the crop that is being grown, it will perform to the potential of its DNA.  This series will also help farmers to network and share their experiences using these techniques in the western Mass and New England region.  For more information:  www.realfoodcampaign.org, [email protected].

    **** NEW EVENT ****
    Local Hero Fall Meet and Greet
    Monday, November 15, 6-8:30pm
    Hope and Olive, Greenfield Farmers, retailers, restaurateurs and specialty producers are invited to join CISA for an evening of conversation, community-building, and networking. Don't miss out on this opportunity to support local and build relationships that will strengthen your business! Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP for refreshments by Thursday, November 11th to Devon at 413-665-7100 or [email protected]. This session is funded in part by the USDA/Risk Management Agency.








    For more information on upcoming events, check our calendar page!!!
    ANNOUNCEMENT
    The Student Government Association Environmental Committee is searching for any members of the campus community that are interested in working on various sustainability initiatives.  Please stop by an SGAEC meeting,.  Meetings are held every Wednesday at 8:00 pm in the Blue Wall.

    SGAEC members have the opportunity to serve on the campus Environmental Performance Advisory Committiee and or it's associated subcommittees.  Click here to learn more about this project and how you can get involved! 

    Members may also participate in generating proposals for sustainable practices here on campus.  See our past initiatives under "About SGAEC" for successful projects the SGAEC was involved in.
      Are you interested in getting involved but feel like you need more guidance? Do you want to sit down with a REAL   
      person  to talk about your ideas and learn more about what we are doing? The SGAEC will be holding office hours
      every  during the Fall 2010 semester Monday from 10-12 and Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 in the SGA Office (422
      Student Union). Join us!

Recent News and Events

Date:       Sat/Sun Oct 2-3, 2010 North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival 
Location: Forsters Farm    - 60 Chestnut Hill Road,  Orange, Mass
Admission: $5.00 /  under-12 free    (Weekend Pass- $8)
Website    http://www.garlicandarts.org/  

Date:       Thur/Fri  Oct 14-15, 2010  Holyoke Community College/ Eastern Native Tree Society Forest Summit
Location:  Holyoke Community College - Homestead Ave, Holyoke Mass   (Building - HCC Forum)
Admission: 
Website     http://www.hcc.edu/forest/