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Recent Press Releases
October 8, 2008 CONTACT
Nikki Streegan at nstreegan@sbcouncil.org, 530.582.4800 ext. 12 Governor Schwarzenegger endorses conservation partnership, features Sierra Business Council’s work
TRUCKEE, California – The Northern Sierra Partnership is a unique alliance between Sierra Business Council, The Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, Truckee Donner Land Trust, and Feather River Land Trust. Its goal is to conserve the most valuable lands and waters in the region, create new resource economies to anchor regional prosperity, and preserve traditional lifestyles of the northern Sierra.
The Sierra Nevada possesses exceptional natural, cultural, and recreational resources including: - Clean water furnished to 65% of California’s residents
- One of the most carbon-rich forests on the planet
- Globally significant lakes, rivers, wetlands, forests, and wildlife species
- Scenic landscapes visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year
- Family ranches and working forests that provide livelihood for local people
The Northern Sierra Partnership has been in development for more than a year seeking to align economic and community goals with land conservation and climate change adaptation strategies. With Governor Schwarzenegger’s announcement of the Partnership this morning, the five leading organizations can begin to implement the vision of connected landscape, restored forests, improved water quality, and sustainable land-use from south of Lake Tahoe to Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Sierra Business Council’s (SBC) role in the partnership is to plan and manage selected public policy initiatives, drawing on our experience linking the health of our environment, economy, and people. The policy initiatives will focus on: - Protecting and restoring the regions lakes, rivers, and wetlands
- Restoring forest health while also reducing the risk of fire, maintaining sustainable timber harvest, and storing carbon
- Promoting sustainable land use and enhancing community prosperity
- Implementing the California Climate Action Plan in the northern Sierra
Sierra Business Council will achieve these goals through on-the-ground project implementation, land use and policy research, and policy education and advocacy.
“We need a new economy based on thrift, land health, people and place—this is the way to build the new economy for the 21st Century.”—Steve Frisch, President, Sierra Business Council
“This announcement means that State investments will achieve their purposes faster, more efficiently, with greater results, and with more positive impact to our local economies.”—Rich Morrison, Chairman of the Board, Sierra Business Council.
“The Sierra Nevada plays a vital role in achieving California’s Climate Action Plan, its forests and watersheds are the perfect place to meet the challenge.”—Betony Jones, Director of Program Development, Sierra Business Council
The Northern Sierra Partnership will work with private landowners, government agencies, other collaborating organizations, and local communities to provide public benefits such as a high-quality water supply, world-class outdoor recreation, and carbon sequestration; safeguard habitats crucial for native species and species diversity; and maintain a critical mass of working ranches, forests, and tribal lands. The Northern Sierra Partnership will also help residents make the transition to sustainable economic activities that promote community well-being and help keep local communities viable in the future.
How to help
By acting promptly and working together, we can make sure that this region's remarkable natural, cultural, and recreational resources -- and their vital role in ensuring California's future -- will be protected for future generations. To find out how you can help contact Kendra Armer: (650) 591-3482 or info@northernsierrapartnership.org.
Read more about Northern Sierra Partnership at www.northernsierrapartnership.org and www.sbcouncil.org/northernsierrapartnership.
###### October 6, 2008 CONTACT
Media: Pamela Biery pamela@velocity7.com, 530.470.9292 or 530.218.2027
or Nikki Streegan nstreegan@sbcouncil.org, 530.582.4800
Sierra Business Council Sierra Solutions Conference: Big Ideas for a Small Planet
MAMMOTH LAKES, California—The Sierra Business Council and Sierra Nevada Conservancy hosted the Sierra Solutions Conference October 3-4. Over 200 members gathered from across California to share insights and learn from leaders in housing, sustainable development, carbon sequestration, and sound energy policies and practices.
The Sierra Business Council’s (SBC) mission embraces community, environment and the economy, and this was reflected in the broad range of speakers and topics.
During the day Thursday, 20 high school students from urban and rural areas throughout California were out on the trail hiking, rock-climbing and exploring the Sierra through SBC’s Sierra Nevada Youth Empowerment Program. Engendering the next generation of stewards is a priority with Sierra Business Council, and with the support of the Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council, these students participated fully in the entire conference, adding their important voices throughout the conference and to the closing comments.
Thursday evening some 100+ guests shared their experiences at the Sierra Leadership Institute Alumni dinner, celebrating the success of SBC’s Sierra Leadership Institute (SLI). The SLI is an annual collaborative leadership training session founded in 1996 and is designed to improve individual professional skills while enhancing the civic infrastructure of our region, over 250 Sierra Leadership Institute alumni currently work throughout the Sierra, contributing to the quality of life and economic well being of the region.
SBC Founder and Past President, Lucy Blake, opened Sierra Solutions with a return to the values that began the Sierra Business Council, looking forward to a vision where business leads for integrated success in environment, economic and social solutions.
Chief Executive Officer Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, Rusty Gregory, made sure everyone felt at home for the Sierra Solutions Conference. Mammoth Mountain is the first ski resort in California to put in place a measurement program with the California Alpine Resort Environmental Cooperative (CAREC). A tour of the erosion control test plots at Mammoth Mountain was held on Sunday, October 5. In the opening remarks, Gregory noted the need for balance in embracing unique opportunities as an organization. “Mammoth is long-term orientated, but also focused on surviving the short-term, so we get to those long term goals.” Mammoth Mountain Executive Chef Reed Hearon provided memorable meals using local foods, showcasing ranches and farms in the Eastern Sierra with extraordinarily delectable results.
Sierra Business Council honors outstanding community member efforts with the annual Vision 2020 Award. This award is designed to recognize those firms and individuals charting the course for a sustainable future by the year 2020. The conference dinner on Friday opened nominations for this prestigious award.
The SBC's Board of Directors will select the award winners from member nominations and present the 2009 awards on March 19 in Sacramento, California. Sierra Business Council’s 2009 Vision 2020 Awards Celebration will feature presentations from Vision 2020 Award winners, comments from past winners, a Slow Food Dinner and of course, important news from the Sierra Nevada. SBC established the Awards in 1996 to recognize and reward innovation and leadership in the Sierra Nevada region.
“We are honored every year by the remarkable accomplishments of our friends and neighbors; they are the people in our communities who do the heavy lifting to make our futures bright. One of our greatest pleasures is being able to recognize them for their innovation and hard work,” said Rich Morrison, Chairman of the Board, Sierra Business Council.
“The Vision 2020 Awards are being held in Sacramento as a way to bring the importance of the Sierra Nevada in California to the State Capitol. This change is both symbolic and practical in communicating our message to the population of the entire state,” commented Steve Frisch, SBC president.
About Sierra Business Council
The Sierra Business Council serves the entire Sierra Nevada region. As a nonprofit association of more than 750 businesses, agencies, and individual members, Sierra Business Council is committed to promoting a new perspective on regional wealth while emphasizing collaboration in planning and policy making.
Learn more by visiting:
www.sbcouncil.org
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September 22, 2008
From Velocity7
www.velocity7.com
CONTACT
Media: Pamela Biery pamela@velocity7.com, 530.470.9292 or 530.218.2027
Conference: Nikki Streegan nstreegan@sbcouncil.org, 530.582.4800
Details on High Sierra Energy: Rick Phelps, 760.934.4650, phelps@highsierraenergy.org
LOCALIZE ENERGY: Plug-In to LocaVolt Movement
Rick Phelps, Executive Director of the nonprofit High Sierra Energy Foundation, from Mammoth Lakes, California is one of the facilitators at Sierra Solutions conference in Mammoth Lakes, California October 3-4, 2008.
The High Sierra Energy Foundation has been working on transitioning Mammoth Lakes from its dependency on propane as a primary home-heat to geothermal energy, obtained locally. Currently about 75% of Mammoth Lakes heat source comes from propane—going to local energy would radically effect not only the emissions from the production and burning of propane, but the impact of moving the fuel to Mammoth and then delivery to each home’s fuel tank—the trickle down of energy loss gets converted to energy saved when the movement is made to a local energy distribution network.
The California Energy Commission approved a grant of $191,000 from the Geothermal Resource Development Account to the Town of Mammoth Lakes in 2006, which is now underway. “The grant facilitates developing a business model for a geothermal heating district in Mammoth Lakes,” stated Phelps. “Over the last 20 years there have been numerous technical studies confirming that there is hot water under Mammoth Lakes, but this is the first study that will generate a comprehensive business plan,” continued Phelps. “This project has the potential to become a model for local energy creation and distribution. Mammoth Lakes will be a showpiece for energy efficiency and responsible use of local resources.”
Dave Harvey, Board President of the High Sierra Energy Foundation pointed out “this CEC grant, combined with the recent Community Energy Partnership with Southern California Edison, puts the Foundation well on the way to fulfilling its mission of promoting and developing efficiency and renewables in the High Sierra.”
In fact, electric power production and transportation are the two largest sources of carbon emissions in the United States with California producing 47.24 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. It qualifies as one of the biggest emitters in the United States.
Moving towards local economies and local energy sources is a powerful notion for saving energy, reducing carbon and building strong economies. Learn more about local energy generation, and other strategies for building resilient, sustainable communities in the Sierra—and how these practices apply to other regions by attending Sierra Solutions conference.
“The Sierra Nevada is a place that serves as a model for the rest of the nation – it is a place where we pursue a green economy, support valuable ecosystems, and design sustainable communities.”
Steve Frisch, Sierra Business Council
Solution-based tools, processes and opportunities for ensuring sustainable and vibrant Sierra communities, landscapes and local economies are the focus of this 2-day event in scenic Mammoth, California.
Conference details—Nikki Streegan 530.582.4800
www.sbcouncil.org/Events/Schedule
###### September 15, 2008
CONTACT
Media: Pamela Biery pamela@velocity7.com, 530.470.9292 or 530.218.2027
Conference: Nikki Streegan nstreegan@sbcouncil.org, 530.582.4800
Details on Fuels for Schools program: Dave Atkins, datkins@fs.fed.us
Out West: Biomass Energy Curbs Wildfires, Reduces Heating Cost
After the wildfires in the summer of 2000, which burned over 350,000 acres and 70 structures in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, a resident of Darby, Montana began to research ways in which to tie fire hazard reduction work with economic development in the valley. Discovering that waste wood was being used to heat a number of schools in the northeastern U.S., this individual approached community leaders with the idea of using slash (tree limbs, tops and branches) from hazardous fuels reduction projects for heat in Darby’s schools. With the aid of a grant from the Economic Action Program and assistance from the Bitter Root RC&D, USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory and the Biomass Energy Resource Center, a biomass boiler system was planned, designed and installed at Darby and began heating three schools in the fall of 2003.
Today, Fuels for Schools and Beyond is a recognized national leader in community biomass projects, moving into providing biomass energy for schools and private enterprise while maintaining healthy forests.
The Fuels for Schools and Beyond program is a partnership between the USDA Forest Service’s State & Private Forestry Division, the State Foresters of Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, and the Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area, Inc., to promote and facilitate the use of forest biomass waste for heating, cooling and power in public and private buildings.
These organizations are advancing local and national policies in biomass utilization, and ensuring the viability of the nation’s forests and communities.
There are currently 14 biomass boilers operating throughout North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Nevada with two more in the design or construction phase. While continuing to provide support to existing projects, the program is now actively advancing “wood to energy” for private enterprise.
Dave Atkins, Fuels for Schools and Beyond Program Manager, from Missoula Montana, is one of the presenters at Sierra Solutions conference in Mammoth Lakes, California October 3-4, 2008.
Conference details—Nikki Streegan 530.582.4800
www.sbcouncil.org/Events/Schedule
###### September 15, 2008
SIERRA SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE BACKGROUNDER
ATTN: Environment, Energy, Conservation Policy, and Sierra Writers
CONTACT: Pamela Biery, pamela@velocity7.com, 530.218.2027
WHO: Sierra Business Council and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy present
Sierra Solutions Panelist and Presenters, including: - Eric Holst, Environmental Defense Fund
- Michelle Passero, Senior Climate and Policy Advisor, the Nature Conservancy
- John Nickerson, California Climate Action Registry
- Mary Tucker, Energy Program Manager, Office of Sustainability, City of San Jose-Environmental Services Department
- Portia Sinnott, Waste Reduction and Recycling Consultant and Green Mentor, Sonoma County
- Rick Phelps-High Sierra Energy Foundation
- Cheryl Belcher, Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council
- Cheri Chastain-Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
- Marcus Kauffman, Resource Innovations, University of Oregon
- Gareth Mayhead, Forest Products, University of California Berkeley
- Dave Atkins, Fuels for Schools Program Manager, Missoula Montana
- Katie McCamant and Chuck Durrett, Co-Housing Partners
- PK Agarwal, Director of Department of Technology Services, State of California
WHAT: Upcoming conference at Mammoth Lakes, California. Sierra Business Council and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy have organized a dynamic presentation, including leaders in new energy solutions, green economic integrated solutions and issues in climate change and environmental impact reduction.
The conference is the major conference of its type for the Sierra. Can we emphasize this here?
WHY NOW: This is an important moment to bring attention to the Sierra, resources and climate change impacts. The first sentence is awkward. The Sierra is a bellwether for climate change impacts. Leaders working on addressing these impacts through many disciplines are at the cutting edge of energy, conservation and integrated economic solutions for the United States.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE:
SIERRA SOLUTIONS
Tools for Sustainable Communities, Economies and the Environment
October 3-4, 2008
Mammoth Resort Conference Center
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Hosted by The Sierra Business Council and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, SIERRA SOLUTIONS highlights leading sustainability speakers, who believe, (does “who believe” lead off to the quote or to “Solutions” below? Check punctuation and capitalization)
“The Sierra Nevada is a place that serves as a model for the rest of the nation – it is a place where we pursue a green economy, support valuable ecosystems, and design sustainable communities.”
Steve Frisch, Sierra Business Council
Solution-based tools, processes and opportunities for ensuring sustainable and vibrant Sierra communities, landscapes and local economies are the focus of this 2-day event in scenic Mammoth, California.
CONTACT: Media—Pamela Biery 530.470.9292 or 530.218.2027
Conference details—Nikki Streegan 530.582.4800
www.sbcouncil.org/Events/Schedule
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