Presentation Descriptions and Presenter Bios
Dr. Jim Conroy – The Tree Whisperer
“Tree Whispering™ - Listening Heart to Heart with Nature” (12:30 – 1:15 Stage B)
Come feel the growth energy of the trees. It’s a heart-to-heart experience with nature! It will be life-changing! Understand the principles of Tree Whispering and meet The Tree Whisperer, Dr. Jim Conroy. Learn about holistic and alternative Tree Whispering services that reverse tree decline. www.TheTreeWhisperer.com 201.650.1231
Jonathan Cloud – Sustainable Business Incubator at Farleigh Dickinson University
“Emerging Opportunities in Green Business” (1:30 – 2:15 Stage B)
Jonathan Cloud shares information on his own experience, the incubator, client businesses, and developments in areas including renewable energy, clean water technology, biofuels, alternative transportation, green building and construction technologies, waste management, industrial transformation, sustainable and urban agriculture, and carbon sequestration.
Katie Hayes-Natale – Sustainable West Milford
“The Importance of Eating Organic” (10:30 – 11:15 Stage B)
What does organic really mean? Learn the difference between organic & conventional foods. Discover why knowing what you eat is important to your health.
Katie Hayes-Natale is a Holistic Health Counselor and the Director of the West Milford Community Garden. Katie is passionate about food! As an active member of Sustainable West Milford since its birth in August 2006 she is committed to improving the environment, and creating a more sustainable lifestyle and sense of community.
Celeste Stapleton – Sustainable West Milford
“Natural Garden Pest & Disease Controls” (3:30 – 4:15 Stage B)
Learn about new and old botanical products available as well as correct garden culture to prevent & eliminate the need for toxic chemicals.
Celeste Stapleton is a lifelong gardener, chef, organic farmer and landscape consultant. She has found endless inspiration in the myriad of flora and fauna she has encountered during her 22 years as a resident of West Milford.
Patricia Gaylor – Patricia Gaylor Designs
“Going Green is Easier than you Think” (4:30 – 4:45 Stage A)
Learn what it means to be green and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Renee Allessio – WM Beautification and Recycling Committee
“Recycling Makes $ense” (10:30 – 11:15 Stage A)
Renee Allessio will explain what is and what is not recyclable, material reuse, what materials that should be disposed of as hazardous waste, and savings achieved through recycling.
Joseph R. Caravella – TransOptions, Inc.
“It’s All About Energy” (12:30 – 1:15 Stage A)
This program that explores renewable and non-renewable energy sources and their relationship to alternative fuels and today’s alternative fuel vehicles. A tour of a Hybrid Toyota Prius rounds out the program.
Joseph R. Caravella is Environmental Programs Manager for TransOptions, Inc., the Transportation Management Association for northwest New Jersey. As a non-formal educator, Mr. Caravella conducts a wide range of programs in K-12 classrooms as well as corporate “Lunch and Learn” settings.
Donna Wilson – Tom Hitchins Associates Architecture
Phil Luogameno – North Star Building Associates
Barbara Heilmann – Barbara Heilmann Interior Design
“Green Building and Renovating” (2:30 – 3:45 Stage A)
Learn general steps for additions, renovations or new homes, and how to incorporate green elements, LEED program, REGREEN guidelines and the use of an architect and contractor.
Donna Wilson has been with the firm for 10 years as Office Manager and Project Manager. Her expertise in working with regulatory agencies and guiding projects through code compliance issues and red tape is legendary. She makes the concerns of the clients and the contractors her concerns and works successfully to find solutions to the day-to-day problems that inevitably crop up on a project. donnawilson@teharchitecture.com
Ed Schwartz – Green Living Solutions
“Saving Energy and Money at Home and Green Renovations” (1:30 – 2:15 Stage A)
How everyone can reduce their energy use within their home, and reduce their carbon footprint. Also covered, how to make your home improvements green, while not breaking your budget.
Edward Schwartz is a Certified Energy Professional. As a member of the Clean Energy Program, the Building Performance Institute, and the Green Building Council, he also helps residents make their homes more Earth-friendly by offering home energy audits and advising on sustainable building materials for renovations and additions. Ed is also a co-founder of Green Living Solutions, (www.greenlivingsolutionsnj.com), which helps homeowners and businesses reduce energy use, save money, and make better use of natural resources. He is also restoring his own historical pre-revolutionary home using energy saving methods and sustainable practices.
Dr. Stefano Crema – Sierra Club Cool Cities
“Cool Cities: Moving from Talk to Action on Global Warming” (11:30 – 12:15 Stage A)
Lacking clear guidance from the Federal Government, US states and communities have started planning how to meet the 80% reduction in GHG emissions the scientific community thinks is needed by 2050 to limit average global temperature increase by 2C. The US Mayor Climate Protection Agreement asks Mayors of individual communities to pledge to start immediately emission reduction initiatives. At 12:15, a certificate of appreciation will be presented to West Milford Mayor, Bettina Bieri, in recognition of West Milford signing the agreement.
Dr. Stefano Crema is a PhD chemist who has worked for multi-national chemical industries for over 25 years in research and marketing. Recently retired, Dr. Crema dedicates most of his time to Global Warming issues and the development and implementation of educational and advocacy programs aimed at the amelioration of Global Warming effects. In 2007 Dr. Crema and some associates have started a non profit organization, Cooling America thru Local Leadership (CALL) to help municipalities implement cost effective emission reduction initiatives. Dr. Crema received his Bachelor/Master in Chemistry at the University of Padua, Italy and his PhD from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. stefcre@aol.com (973) 627-4354
Robin Rose Bennett – Herbalist, Writer and Spiritual Teacher
“Herbs that lift your Spirits, Calm your Nerves, and Relieve Pain” (5:00 – 5:45 Stage B)
We will explore a variety of commonly available herbal remedies that can provide the healing balm we all can use from time to time. These herbs can be used internally as teas and tinctures and externally as baths and oils. Herbs such as lavender, oats, and motherwort along with fresh spring herbs such as Violets, Dandelions, and Sweet Melissa. You’ll get to see, touch, smell, and taste some of the herbs as Robin describes simple ways to prepare them and benefit from their generous gifts.
Robin Rose Bennett is a nationally renowned, gifted herbalist, writer, and spiritual teacher based in the highlands of N.J. She has been offering classes, weed walks, and apprentice training programs under the name Wisewoman Healing Ways: Herbal Medicine and EarthSpirit Teachings since 1986. She offers client consultations at a family medical center in Riverdale, NY as part of an herbalist-in-residence training program she initiated in 2003, teaches at schools and progressive learning centers, hospitals and clinics, and most joyously, outside with the plants. Robin is also a frequent teacher at the New York Open Center, NYC’s premier holistic center. Robin has been a featured guest on television and radio, is the author of numerous articles, two meditation CD’s, a booklet on Wild Carrot: A Plant for Natural, Conscious Contraception, and is the author of Healing Magic: A Green Witch Guidebook.
Cheryl Rogowski – Rogowski Farm
Rogowski Farm is credited as starting the first low income CSA in the State of New York and The Senior Share of the Harvest a special home town CSA program where senior citizens could receive a home delivered package of produce throughout the growing season. Diverse offerings include ethnic crops, specialty vegetables, Community Supported Agriculture to the farm, and a catering business known as Black Dirt Gourmet, which specializes in using products from regional producers. Hitunnels, which rely on solar energy, allow produce to be grown year round.
In 2003, Cheryl and her family along with Just Food were co-recipients of the first national Glynwood harvest award, Glynwood Harvest Connecting Communities, Farmers and Food Award. In 2004, Cheryl and her family received the Orange Environment award for their land stewardship and farming practices to protect the environment. In 2004 Cheryl was the first farmer to be awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. She also has her own radio talk show entitled “Agriculture – It’s not just Farming” in an effort to bring public awareness and understanding to the issues facing the family farmer today.
“Community Supported Agriculture” (11:30 – 12:15 Stage B)
Learn about Community Supported Agriculture, what it means to our family farms and communities. Find out how to get involved in this exciting opportunity to share in the bounty of your local farms harvest.
“Organic Farming” (2:30 – 3:15 Stage B)
Living the organic life… Learn what it means to be an organic farmer, discuss the differences between certified and non-certified organic. How do I know what’s right for my family?
Allison Hosford – Two Pond Farm (Ongoing throughout the day)
Please visit Two Pond Farm’s booth where you will learn about spinning wool from Allison Hosford and Roger Knight. See wool in various stages, from directly off the sheep, cleaned, carded and spun. See Allison demonstrate how to use the spinning wheel. Sheepskins and handspun wool will be for sale.
Gary Oppenheimer – Sustainable West Milford (4:30 Live Demonstration Area)
“Easy Composting for the Homeowner-Recycling your Kitchen Scraps and Garden Waste”
Gary Oppenheimer is a Master Gardner, and was a member of the first class of the Rutgers University Environmental Stewards program. He and his family have been composting for years
Carroll Sparkes (12:00 Live Demonstration Area)
“Rain Water Collection – Keep it Local”
