The Westport River Watershed Alliance’s mission is to restore, protect, celebrate, and sustain the natural resources of the Westport River and its watershed.

The Watershed Alliance has three areas of focus:
• Education-To provide hands on learning experience about the Westport River watershed for students of all ages.
• Watershed Improvement- To improve water quality and health index of the entire Westport River Watershed and protect groundwater resources.
• Advocacy-To be a consistent, proactive supporter of river and groundwater protection.

Mission Statement
The Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA) is a nonprofit, environmental education and advocacy group formed in 1976 to protect and conserve the natural resources of the Westport River and its 100-square mile watershed located in Southeastern Massachusetts at the entrance to Buzzards Bay. The Westport River watershed encompasses the Massachusetts communities of Westport, Dartmouth, Fall River, and Freetown as well as Tiverton and Little Compton in Rhode Island.

The goals of WRWA are:
• To promote the environmental integrity of the watershed and its coastal environs.
• To advocate the wise use and preservation of natural resources in the watershed for the aesthetic, recreational, and economic benefit of the citizens of the area.
• To educate the general public about the interrelationship of our waters, soils, plants, animals, and people.

www.wrwa.com

The Trustees of Reservations preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts.

In the Southeastern part of the state, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) have protected more than 10,000 acres in the last decade, including more than 50 farms. Locally, The Trustees own and manage 37 properties, including: working farms such as Powisset Farm, Weir River Farm, and Moose Hill Farm; tranquil woodlands such as Rocky Woods, Rocky Narrows, Whitney Thayer Woods, Copicut Woods, and Noanet Woodlands; formal gardens and historic homesteads such as the Bradley Estate and the Old Manse; and beautiful landscapes such as World’s End and Lyman Reserve. For the South Coast office, please call 508.679.2115.

More about The Trustees of Reservations Statewide

The Trustees are 100,000 people like you, from every corner of Massachusetts, who love the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, and believe in celebrating and protecting them for future generations. Trustees’ volunteers, members, donors, staff, and governing board all “hold in trust,” and care for special places called “reservations,” hence the name, The Trustees of Reservations.

In addition to owning and caring for 100 reservations-nearly 25,000 acres in more than 70 communities, all of which are open to the public-The Trustees hold conservation restrictions on more than 16,000 acres of privately owned land and have worked with communities and other conservation partners to assist in the protection of an additional 16,000 acres. In addition, The Trustees’ affiliate, Boston Natural Areas Network, owns 39 community gardens and advocates for urban wilds and greenways in the city of Boston.

A member-, donor- and endowment-supported organization, The Trustees provide hundreds of year-round programs and events that inspire people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate and care for natural, scenic and cultural landscapes and landmarks across the Commonwealth. Most events are free-of-charge or heavily discounted for members.

As land is being developed and open space is being fragmented at a rapid pace around the state, time is running out to save the best of Massachusetts’ landscapes and landmarks. To find out how you can help, consider becoming a volunteer and/or member by calling The Trustees at 781.784.0567 or emailing membership@ttor.org. Starting at $45 for an individual membership ($35 for students and seniors), member benefits include free/reduced admission to The Trustees 100 stunning reservations across the state of Massachusetts, discounts on stays at Trustees bed & breakfasts, discounts on the hundreds of events, programs and workshops offered year-round for all ages, a 200-page Trustees property guide, and a year’s subscription to Special Places, keeping you up to date on important conservation, nature, history, cultural and environmentally important news, issues and events.

As one of Massachusetts’ largest nonprofits, The Trustees employ 165 full-time, 46 regular part-time, and 350-400 seasonal staff with expertise in resource protection, land management, historic preservation, ecology, public policy, and outdoor education. For more information, please visit www.thetrustees.org.

New Bedford’s Operation CleanSweep helps to organize the City’s residents to clean litter from several neighborhood streets.

About

Operation Clean Sweep, an all volunteer anti-litter campaign was formed in early 2006 as a result of citizen concern for the amount of trash and litter throughout New Bedford. Rather than ask newly elected Mayor Scott Lang to solve the problem, concerned citizens offered solutions to the problem. Realizing the value of citizen participation he swiftly introduced the people who now, in part, form the committee of Operation Clean Sweep.

With passion and enthusiasm the committee has succeeded in organizing a series of cleanups throughout the city with the help of hundreds of civic minded volunteers and community service groups. City employees volunteer their time and with the help and support of city resources, Operation Clean Sweep has been able to clean up over 24 tons of trash and litter from the neighborhoods of New Bedford since its inception

Education is a key component of Operation Clean Sweep. By creating awareness through classroom presentations, members of the committee reach out to New Bedford’s youth and ask them to think about their trash and how to dispose of it properly. We encourage everyone to recycle and NOT Litter.

Advocating for enforcement of litter laws is another important part of Operation Clean Sweep. Because of this awareness raising anti – litter campaign, city officials have heard the people of New Bedford and are working to improve the enforcement structure with regard to litter and improper disposal of trash.

Operation Clean Sweep is still in its infancy and has much work to do. We encourage everyone to get involved. We hope to instill a mindset that will help create a cleaner, safer environment for generations.

Working together we will make a difference.

Take Action at Home – Tips on keeping your neighborhood clean.

Put a Lid On It!

Dispose of your trash properly. Put trash in tied trash bags and place in a barrel, then put a lid on it! This will keep trash in the barrel and out of your neighborhood. It will also prevent wildlife from spilling out trash while foraging for left over food.
Clean up Your Little Part of the World

If you see trash, pick it up! Dispose of it in the nearest receptacle, even if that means carrying it with you for a few steps.

Organize your own neighborhood cleanup. Just ask a few neighbors to pitch in. You’ll feel good about yourselves.

Adopt-An-Area Simply decide to keep an area clean. Set some guidelines for yourself and maintain that area on a regular basis.

Recycle

Recycle all of your newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes, telephone books, glass bottles, tin cans, and plastic bottles.

Just Do It!

It’s not rocket science, just good sense.

Watch for more information coming soon!

And of course…Please Don’t Litter!

Click here to visit Operation CleanSweep >

Founded in 1992, the Marion Institute seeks to engage the widest possible number of people in seeing, connecting and participating in new ways that best support their own lives, and those of the wider community at large. We believe in the interdependence of all life and the critical balance necessary for a sustainable future.

The Marion Institute introduces innovative models for creating deep and positive change, empowering individuals by connecting them to these programs, thus encouraging effective transformation. We believe that when individuals are offered practical and visionary solutions, they become inspired, realize their potential and will act to restore a healthier balance.

From the start, we have always sought to see more deeply – beneath the radar of the everyday – and to bring the views of the latest thinkers to new audiences and by sharing articles and mailings. The Marion Institute is always looking to create, support or simply showcase programs and innovators that go deeper – that address root causes, create systemic change, and are a little more likely to help tilt the world on its axis.

Mission
The Marion Institute is dedicated to identifying and promoting programs that seek to enhance life for the Earth and its inhabitants.

We are committed to uniting people who want to heal the planet – and themselves – by encouraging a deeper understanding of the past, a dynamic experience of the present, and a passionate vision of a healthy future.

Programs
At the Marion Institute, we seek to identify groundbreaking and inspirational programs, projects, organizations and innovators that we feel are doing groundbreaking work to help restore the planet. The Marion Institute is unique in the generous and diverse array of interest areas we seek to cover. We believe in the essential interconnectedness of all things.

We, at the Marion Institute, dedicate ourselves to the gathering and disseminating this information in hopes that our members become inspired, engaged, connected – and then seek to lend their support to this broad range of work.

For more information on our diverse array of Programs and Serendipity Projects, please visit marioninstitute.org

Local Initiatives
With a focus on “thinking globally, acting locally,” the Marion Institute supports a wide range of local initiatives, seminars and projects – all of which seek to promote replicable models for deep and positive change. Please view www.marioninstitute.org for a current and comprehensive list of community based work. An example of a few such programs are below.

Bioneers by the Bay: Connecting for Change
The Fourth Annual Bioneers by the Bay: Connecting for Change conference has moved to downtown New Bedford, October 24-26, 2008.

Bioneers by the Bay: Connecting for Change is an internationally acclaimed annual gathering of environmental, industry and social justice innovators who have demonstrated visionary and practical models for restoring the Earth and its inhabitants.

Thousands of students, teachers, green business innovators, scientists, grassroots leaders and every day folks from across the East Coast have gathered to embrace, share, brainstorm, network, heal, learn, teach, celebrate, recharge and connect for change.

To stay connected throughout the year with other Bioneers and concerned South Coast citizens or to register for the conference through our interactive website and calendar of events, please visit connectingforchange.org

We appreciate any feedback regarding Bioneers by the Bay and can be reached at, info@connectingforchange.org or 508.748.0816.

How On Earth
With rising gas prices, shifts in seasonal groning patterns and global climate change, there are increasing concerns about our nation’s monolithic aribusiness industry – and how it has become wholly dependent upon what was abundant and cheap fossil fuel to grown and transport food from the field tour plates. Scientists now predict that global oil production is about to peak – or may have already done so. Soon, fossil fuel will be far too expensive to support the modern agriculture system, which the vast majority of Americans depend upon.

This is no small concern. It has been estimated that producing food by means of modern agriculture requires six to ten times more energy than by using sustainable agricultural methods. Agriculture and food now account for nearly 30% of goods transported on our roads and the entire process is responsible for 25% of the world’s CO2 imissions. The average distance food travels from where it is grown tour kitchen is now 1,700 miles.

What it will take are innovative models for change like the Marion Institute’s How on Earth Initiative. The Institute is establishing a visionary yet replicable experiment to create working farms dedicated to the principles of innovation, community and the ancient, indigenous wisdoms that yielded the notion of sustainable agriculture.
How On Earth is an organization which seeks to reestablish the diverse agricultural use of our remaining farmlands and the vibrant economy that accompanies quality local food production. The goal is to redevelop the local food supply, the local agricultural economy, and reconnect local people to the land. Relying less on food sourced from around the globe, and more on locally grown food is healthier for you and the planet. Supporting local agriculture has benefits that enhance the quality of life both locally and globally.

For more information on the How On Earth Store, CSA, or Farms, please visit howonearth.net

To call or stop by the store,
How On Earth, The Store
62 Marion Rd
Mattapoisett , MA
508-758-1341

Membership
The Marion Institute is dedicated to helping connect individuals with a wide array of innovative, effective and practical solutions that help heal the planet and its inhabitants.

The Institute has identified and researched a diverse range of progressive social, environmental and medical projects. To help support this great and vital work, one we depend on support from our members.

We have three levels of membership at the Marion Institute. You may become an Explorer Member, a Full Member or a Reader.

For more information on becoming a member, please visit marioninstitute.org or call us at 508.748.0816.

Contact
To contact us please visit, call or e-mail us at,
web: marioninstitute.org
phone: 508.748.0816
e-mail: info@marioninstitute.org

We offer a small nuturing learning environment that provides students with:

• More individualized attention
• Unique course
• State of the art technology
• A hands-on approach
• Presentation skills
• A variety of after school programs and activities

Mission and Vision

Mission Statement – The mission of the Global Learning Charter Public School is to have all students achieve academic excellence and master essential skills needed for a productive life in a global society. We intend to contribute to public education at large by preparing all students for post-secondary education and sharing our best practices with colleagues in New Bedford and beyond.

At GLCPS, we define the terms academic excellence and essential skills as follows:

- Academic excellence is achieved when a student demonstrates proficiency in mathematics, science and the Humanities.

- Essential skills include technology literacy, public speaking, global citizenship and arts exploration.

Vision Statement – At GLCPS, we have a vision for our student that goes beyond standardized tests to demonstrate academic excellence and mastery of essential skills. We envision a school where the development of standards and frameworks for school accountability are matched by:

- preparing young people for the new global, multi-cultural, and technology-rich society and economy;
- teaching methods that ensure that the special learning needs of each student are fully met; and school culture that promotes the personal qualities of initiative, responsibility, and community connectedness.

Visit http://www.glcps.org/nbglcs_home.htm