From Berkeley to The South Bronx: Environmental Issues

Community Forums on Environmental Matters

For Immediate Release
Contact: Event/Communications Coordinator JK: (917) 534-1193.

Hello to the unfolding and stirring of life underfoot, the slowly returning sun, the faint taste of spring, old leaves under the snow adding their stories whispering to the ground, roots beginning to stretch. We're inviting you to come to hear some very special people talk about their (and our) work on behalf of the earth. We are anticipating food and music to round out the presentations. These events are free, but donations are very welcome! We wish to support Redwood Mary in bringing her work to the world.

The Times And Places

Friday, March 2, at Bluestocking Books,
172 Allen Street, below Stanton, 7-8:30 pm.
Phone: (212) 777-6028

Sunday, March 4, at St. Mark's Church (Parish Hall),
E. 10th St. and 2nd Ave,
6:30-8 pm (following Reverend Billy's show).
Phone: (212) 674-6377

The Presenters



Redwood Mary
Joel Kupferman
Harry J. Bubbins
Marina Ortiz
Aresh Javadi

Redwood Mary, a dedicated voice for peace, the environment and for the respect and support for women everywhere, is coming to town from Berkeley California and will give two talks about her work with grassroots women at the U.N. and also about her joining her community and tree-sitters in the Memorial Oak Grove threatened with destruction by the University of California at Berkeley (UCB). The oaks are at the center of a raging controversy between the University and the local community with growing opposition to their destruction.

Six trees have been occupied by tree-sitters since Dec. 2, 2006. She was joined last month by the ex-mayor of Berkeley (74 years old) and two other women community leaders, one in her 80's and one 90 years old. These wonderful women actually made national news: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/23/us/23tree.html.

Redwood Mary is currently Executive Director of Circle the Earth, Grassroots Women Working for a Sustainable Future and the Environmental Co-Chair For the California Women's Agenda. Her work has included close partnerships with Julia Butterfly Hill, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Dr. Wangari Maathai of Kenya and the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development Non-Governmental International Women's Caucus, Global Exchange and many grassroots organizations here in NYC and elsewhere. As founder of the Plight of the Redwoods Campaign, Mary has inspired new generations of activists to take action in protecting the world's forests and creating earth-friendly solutions.

She will be joined by Joel Kupferman, Director of the New York Environmental Law and Justice Project (www.nyenvirolaw.org) and Chair of the National Lawyer's Guild Environmental Committee. Joel will speak about our parallel situation in Washington Square Park, where many trees are also endangered by an ill-conceived plan to move the fountain, funded by NYU and the Tisch family.

Also presenting will be Harry Bubbins, Founding Director of Friends of Brook Park (www.friendsofbrookpark.org). Harry is a graduate of the Cornell University College of Architecture, Art and Planning, and served on Community Board #1 in the South Bronx for over 7 years. He has created publicly accessible open space and has been an activist, advocate and environmental educator for new and existing gardens, parks and green and waterways of the South Bronx for over 12 years. Harry and Joel will update us on the recent efforts to stop the development of an aquatic development facility and private beach club on 26 acres of Randall's Island including a sensitive wetland area.

Also presenting about Randal's island will be Marina Ortiz. Born and raised in East Harlem/El Barrio and the South Bronx, Marina is an independent journalist who has served as an associate producer and co-host of Pacifica-WBAI Radio's "Latino Journal," "Friday Talkback!” and news and other special programming. From 1992 to 2000, she conducted interviews with community activists, journalists, elected officials, and artists and presented reports and feature segments on the politics and culture of New York City and Puerto Rico. Her expository columns and reviews have also been published in Liberator, El Pitirre, The Daily Challenge, The Shadow, The New York Planet, IndyMedia, and Tiempo NY. Marina currently lives and works in East Harlem, and edits a number of websites and blogs, including: www.vitualboricua.org, www.eastharlempreservation.org, and www.lacasa.org. Since 2004, she has worked to address environmental, housing, and economic development issues in El Barrio.

In addition, Aresh Javadi of The More Gardens! Coalition (www.moregardens.org) will bring us the latest news about Nueva Esperanza Community Garden, an endangered garden in East Harlem where the city plans to allow construction of an African Museum of Art, with luxury condos built on top.