Science Fair: TIP gives out "Less Toxic Living" awards at the Rhode Island State Science Fair
WHAT DID WE DO IN 2007?
NETWORKING: ECRI Meetings, EJ Working Group, GCD Legislation Committee,
SLF Planning Committee, Landscaping Committee, Miriam Hospital, Providence,
Environment Roundtable, RI DEM Chemically Safe Schools Ad Hoc Group, Conference Calls.
JANUARY:
Preparation of 2007 Supplement to the 2006 RI Less Toxic Landscaping Resource Directory.
RICAPE Event, URI (Attended)
FEBRUARY:
RI Flower & Garden Show, Convention Center - (TIP Booth, 4 days)
MARCH:
“Organics & You” Workshop for Land Care Professionals & Municipal Employees ,
Don Bishop, President, Gardens Are,
Aspray Boathouse, Warwick (Sponsored)
North Kingstown Environmental Fair (Table)
RI State Science Fair,Judging & Awards Ceremony. (TIP Special Awards given)
RIPIN , Partnership Conference (TIP Table)
Go Green, Pawtucket Memorial,(Attended)
Living on a Lake (Attended)
APRIL:
“Working With Nature” Workshop, Frank Crandall, Wood River Evergreens (Sponsored)
School Nurse Teachers Conference (TIP Table)
Step It Up Day, URI Providence (TIP Table)
Brown Earth Day , Brown University (TIP Table)
Amgen Earth Day (TIP Table)
Earth Day Breakfast of Champions , Clean Water Action, Aspray Boathouse (Attended)
Earth Day Celebrations, Warwick Mall & Audubon Environmental Center (Two TIP Tables)
NK Spirit Day Environmental Fair, North Kingstown - (TIP Table)
Environment Council of RI (ECRI) Lobby Day, (TIP Table), RI State House
Whole Foods Market Seminars (Attended)
Home Access Event, Warwick (Attended)
MAY
Protecting Pets: Natural Health for Furry & Feathered Friends, Laurie Lofton, DVM, CVH, Crowing Hen Veterinary Homeopathy
Rochambeau Library (Sponsored)
Compass School Eco Fair (TIP Table)
Spring Festival at East Farm, URI, North Kingstown (TIP Table)
JUNE
Link to flyer for the RI Sustainable Living Festival, 6/9/07 , APEIRON CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LIVING, COVENTRY, RI. We had an informational table and presented the following two workshops: ALTERNATIVES TO LAWNS: Eco-Friendly & Easy Options, REDUCING YOUR TOXIC FOOTPRINT AT HOME.
Tysh McGrail, Woodscapes, Inc. and
Melanie Brown, Wildesigns Gardening
“Reducing Your Toxic Footprint at Home”,
Joy Onash, Community Program Manager, Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), UMASS, Lowell & Harris Parnell, Maine State Director for Toxics Action Center (TAC
Shape It Up RI (TIP Table)
JULY
Fragrance-Free Samples Project, Friends General Conference, WI. Books sold at that and another Quaker conference.
AUGUST
Book sales at NEYM.
East Farm Open House (Attended)
RIVA Picnic, Colt State Park (Attended)
Sustainable Landscaping Event - AIA (Attended)
SEPTEMBER
Health-Fit Expo, Convention Center, Providence (TIP Table - 2 days)
Greenshare Field Day, URI, North Kingstown
(TIP Table)
Child Health Safety Day, North Smithfield Elementary (TIP Table)
Women’s Cancer Screening Coalition, Crowne Plaza (Table?)
OCTOBER
TIP 5th Anniversary Gathering & Board Meeting, Chris Pontus house, Warwick
Environmental Factors & Breast Cancer Risk Talk,
MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2007. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS & BREAST CANCER RISK (click to link to flyer): Are Chemicals in Common, Everyday Products Linked to Breast Cancer?
ERIN BOLES, MSW, ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MASSACHUSETTS BREAST CANCER COALITION (MBCC)
University of Rhode Island. Kingston Campus
Memorial Union, Atrium One
A presentation provided by the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC), in partnership with the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition (RIBCC). Co-Sponsors of the event include: Toxics Information Project (TIP), URI Women's Center and URI Women's Studies Department. A reception will follow the talk, with further opportunity for questions/discussion.
Pink Ribbon Tea, State House (Attended)
Bioneers Conference, (Attended - 3 days)
Devra Davis Talk, Brown University (Attended)
NOVEMBER
Environmental Justice Forum, Johnson & Wales Harborside Campus, Providence (CO-SPONSOR) Children’s Health Workshop (Panelist)
WHAT ARE OUR PLANS FOR 2008?
NEW PROJECT: KIDS & TOXICS INFORMATION EXCHANGE
EVENT: ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTIONS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES (A proposed joint event with the Rhode Island Autism Project. Possible speakers: Deirdre Imus, The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology; Wendy Fournier, President, National Autism Association, Lynn Ruggeri, Ph.D. Professor Emerita, Psychology Department, UMass Dartmouth and/or Laura Costa, PhD., co-author of “Safer for Your Baby” with Dr. Ruggeri.
PETITION/ACTION: Calling upon Hasbro Shareholders Meeting in May to observe EU standards in U.S.)
NETWORKING: Determining present level and sources of knowledge among parents, school and health professionals, and directing educational efforts based on this research, for greater effectiveness.
CONTINUATION OF LESS TOXIC LANDSCAPING CAMPAIGN :
WORKSHOP: Greenhouse, Indoor, & Seed Starter Gardening: For Professionals & Individuals
(Leader(s): John Holscher, Will Allen?)
RESOURCE DIRECTORY: Preparation in January of 2008 Edition for distribution at Flower Show.
FOLLOW-UP ON PREVIOUSLY PASSED LEGISLATION (With Agency People)
SCHOOL HEALTH & SAFETY AD HOC GROUP: Inform and encourage to take action on:
**2007 S 0560 SUBSTITUTE A (Passed by RI Senate & House, June 2007)
Calling for a report on lawn pesticide use at school facilities, with regard to: health risks, best practices, how other jurisdictions are handling, what is being done in RI to implement IPM, recommended program, enforcement needs. RI DEM to set up an interagency working group on this, to include DOH & RIDE +.
**2006 -- S 2627 SUBSTITUTE A S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N RESPECTFULLY URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO USE ENVIRONMENTALLY-SAFE AND HEALTH-FRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS IN STATE FACILITIES AND WORKPLACES (Passed by Senate 5-23-06)
(Establish minimum accessibility standards regarding fragrance-free, less-toxic and low volatile organic compound cleaning product, pest control, and indoor air and environmental quality policies)
OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS (So far)
JANUARY
Preparation of 2008 Less Toxic Landscaping Resource Directory.
FEBRUARY
RI Flower & Garden Show, Convention Center, Providence (TIP Booth - 4 Days)
MARCH
**RI State Science Fair: TIP Special Awards
APRIL
Earth Day Events at Warwick Mall & Audubon Environmental Center (TIP Tables)
Spring Festival at East Farm, URI (TIP Table)
Compass School Eco Fair (TIP Table)
JUNE
RI Sustainable Living Festival, Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living, (TIP Table & Workshop):
JULY
Fragrance-Free Samples Project, Friends General Conference, Johnstown, PA
Books sales at that and another Quaker conference.
AUGUST
Book sales at NEYM.
SEPTEMBER
Health-Fit Expo, Convention Center, Providence (TIP Table - 2 days)
Greenshare Field Day, URI, North Kingstown (TIP Table)
P
AST EVENTS
WHAT DID WE DO IN 2006?
JANUARY: Preparation of 2006 RI Less Toxic Landscaping Resource Directory.
FEBRUARY: RI Flower & Garden Show, Convention Center - (TIP booth, 4 days) and Urban Gardening Workshop, led by Alex Knott of East Side Eden.
MARCH: Hearings on S2627, H7256 - Minimum Indoor Environmental Quality Standards
TIP Organic Turf Management Workshop, Chip Osborne, Aspray Boathouse, Warwick
RI State Science Fair, Judging & Awards Ceremony. (Four TIP Special Awards given)
Breast Cancer Forum, Brown University (Attended)
Accessible Housing Workshop, Save the Bay. (Attended)
APRIL: NK Spirit Day Environmental Fair, North Kingstown - (TIP Booth)
Meeting with Carol Westinghouse, Inform, Inc. Cleaning for Health, and Noel Sullivan, Warwick Schools Facilities Manager, at Winman JHS, Warwick.
Green Cleaners Workshop , led by Carol of Inform, Rochambeau Library, Providence
Hearing on H7095 , (Indoor Environmental Quality)
Environment Council of RI (ECRI) Lobby Day , (TIP Booth), RI State House
Brown Earth Day , Brown University (Booth)
Earth Day Breakfast of Champions , Clean Water Action, Aspray Boathouse (Attended)
Earth Day Celebrations, Warwick Mall & Audubon Environmental Center (Two TIP booths)
MAY School Nurse Teachers Conference. (TIP Table)
TIP School Toxics Forum, RI State House, State Room. (Panel Discussion)
Hope for the Earth, Miriam Hospital Event, Hope St., Providence (TIP Table)
Trading TIPs Organic Gardening Discussion, Rochambeau Library, Providence
Spring Festival at East Farm, URI, North Kingstown (TIP Table)
Hearing on S2627, HHS Committee, IEQ bill
JUNE RI Sustainable Living Festival, Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living (TIP Booth & 2 workshops - “Going Organic - The Environmentally Friendly Yard”, Carl Brodeur
Arborcare with Ropes 'n Saddles, Inc. and “ Tips on Less Toxic Pest Control - Two Perspectives”, David Jones, Bio-Tech Pest Control; Ben Daniels, Ultimate Organics.
Hearing on Pesticide Regulations, RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM)
TIP Hispanic Health Education Initiative, Women & Infants Hospital (Planning Meeting)
AUGUST Progreso Latino Family Health Fair, Jenks Park, Central Falls (TIP Table)
SEPTEMBER Health-Fit Expo, Convention Center, Providence (TIP Table - 2 days)
Greenshares Field Day, URI, North Kingstown (TIP Table)
NOVEMBER TIP Fall Get-Together & Pizza Party, Rochambeau Library, Providence
2005 TIP ACTIVITIES
FEBRUARY
THURS. to SUN., FEB. 17- 20 RI Flower & Garden Show
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Environment Committee Hearing, State House (on lawn pesticide bills).
MARCH
TUESDAY, MARCH 1 Clean Air Press Conference, State House.
TUESDAY, MARCH 8 Environment Committee, Miriam Hospital, Providence
SAT. –SUN., MARCH 12-13 RI State Science Fair (Judging), CCRI, Warwick
THURSDAY, MARCH 17 RI State Science Fair(Award Ceremony), CCRI, Warwick
THURSDAY, MARCH 24 Breast CancerTruth or Consequences Conference, Harvard Medical School
APRIL
FRIDAY, APRIL 1 St. Mary’s Academy – Bay View Health Fair
7:30 a.m. Set-Up. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2 Toxics Action Conference – Boston (Lib)
North Kingstown Spirit Day Environmental Fair
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 – Hearing – RI State Senate Environment & Agriculture Committee
4:30 p.m. at State House -re: lawn pesticide bills S302 & S769.
FRIDAY, APRIL 9 - Issue press release about testimony, upcoming April 13 launching of National Pesticide-Free Coalition, April 27 Press Conference at Richmond Elementary School, Non-Toxic Lawn Care Workshop.
TUESDAY, APRIL 12 ECRI Lobby Day, 2-5 p.m. State House (Bring Table)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 School Nurse Teacher’s Conference, 3 p.m. Crowne Plaza, Warwick (Table)
THURSDAY, APRIL 14 India Point Park Meeting, 7 p.m. Gregorian School, Providence
MONDAY, APRIL 18 TIP Board Meeting, Domenic’s, Cranston
FRIDAY, APRIL 22 Earth Day Breakfast of Champions, Asprey Boat House, Pawtuxet
SATURDAY, APRIL 23 EARTH DAY EVENTS
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Audubon Environment Center, Bristol
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 6:30 to 8 p.m. Richmond Elementary School Cafeteria
Press Conference & Non-Toxic Lawn Care Workshop. Present awards to Town Council & Conservation Commission honoring town’s decision to go organic on their property, and their sponsorship of the workshop. Invite participation in Pesticide-Free Playing Fields Initiative and Less Toxic Landscaping Resource Guide.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28 Litter Task Force Meeting, 3-4 p.m., RIDEM Rm. 425 (Fester Rm,)
MAY
PREPARE & DISTRIBUTE TIP SPRING NEWSLETTER
TUESDAY, MAY 3 RI Asthma Coalition Press Conference, State House – World Asthma Day
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 Better Breathers Talk, 1-2 p.m. Vasa Hall, Cranston
SATURDAY, MAY 14 Compass School Eco-Fair, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. S. Kingstown. (Need table)
TUESDAY, MAY 17 Health Conference Expo, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., RI Convention Center, Providence
(and multicultural lunch)
THURSDAY, MAY 19 Environmental Roundtable, RIDEM, 3-5 p.m. Rm. 300
SATURDAY, MAY 28 Growing Organic Workshop, RWP Zoo, Providence (SCLT)
JUNE
THURSDAY, JUNE 2 Ribbon Cutting – New Save the Bay Center
SATURDAY, JUNE 4 RI Sustainable Living Festival, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living, Coventry. “Canaries & Kids” talk (Lib) and “Alternative Lawns” talk (Kate L.)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 2 p.m. Hearing before RI House Environment & Natural Resources Committee on lawn pesticide bills, H6415 & H6416.
THURSDAY, JUNE 9 “Speaking of Kids” talk (on autism, etc.), Tollgate H.S., Warwick
TUESDAY, JUNE 14 NOFA-RI Meeting, Wakefield
SATURDAY, JUNE 18 Noon to Dusk, River Sing on the Blackstone, Slater Mill, Pawtucket (Table)
THURSDAY, JUNE 23 Pollster Forum for RI Conservation Leaders, Providence Chamber of
Commerce Auditorium
JULY
JULY 2 to JULY 9 2005 FGC Gathering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
“Less Toxic Living” Interest Group. Table space at bookstore.
MONDAY, JULY 11 Governor’s Commission on Disabilities Meeting, Pastore Center, Cranston
FRIDAY, JULY 15 AAPD Building the Disability Vote meeting, Dept. of Labor & Training, Cranston
THURSDAY, JULY 21 RICC Meeting, Gordon Ave., Providence
JULY 24 to JULY 30 NYYM, Silver Bay, NY. Table space at bookstore.
AUGUST
PREPARE TIP SUMMER 2005 NEWSLETTER & DISTRIBUTE
AUGUST 6 to AUGUST 10 NEYM, Bryant College, Smithfield, RI (Table)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 “Protecting Pets” show on RI Soapbox, Pawtucket
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 Forum on problems of those suffering health effects from chemicals.
10 a.m. American Lung Association-RI, West Exchange St., Providence.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25 RIVA Meeting, Warwick
SEPTEMBER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Bio-Based Products Workshop, CCRI (Apeiron-sponsored)
SAT. to SUN., SEPT. 10-11 NBC10 HealthFit Expo, RI Convention Center, Providence.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Talk to Leisure Club at Temple Eman-uel, Taft Ave., Providence.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Environmental Roundtable, 3-5 p.m. RIDEM, Rm. 300.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Table at Seven Arrows Farm, Attleboro, MA
Table on Thayer Street, Providence
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Community Opportunities for All Conference, Crowne Plaza, Warwick
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 RI Cancer Council Conference, Crowne Plaza, Warwick
OCTOBER
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 “Urban Gardening” show, RI Soapbox, Pawtucket.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 Fall Festival on Hope Street (Table)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17 Meeting with Bob Vanderslice at RI DOH.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 Meeting with Judy at Seven Arrows.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Women’s Health & Environment Conference, Boston
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 GCD Health Care Working Group, RI DOH, Providence
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 Meeting with Liz Duguay, RI DEM, Providence
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 TIP Board Meeting, Domenic’s, Cranston
MEETINGS & ACTIVITIES, NOVEMBER to DECEMBER: SLF 2006 Planning, Membership Mailing, Preparation of Autumn TIP Newsletter, Website Updates, Grant Writing, Governor’s Commission on Disabilities Legislative Committee, ECRI meetings, Enviroveteran’s Day at Apeiron (Networking for Science Projects in Schools), Environment Roundtable.
TIP ACTIVITIES 2004
COMPLETED TALKS
February 20, 2004, Flower Show, RI Convention Center, Providence,“Healthy Lawns & Creative Alternatives” and February 20, 2004, “How to Keep A Pet-Safe Yard”.
INFORMATIONAL TABLES
February 19-22, 2004, Flower Show, RI Convention Center, Providence.
Monday, March 8, Clean Water Festival, Rhode Island College.
Saturday, March 20, RI Land & Water Conservation Summit, North Kingstown H.S.
Saturday, April 3, North Kingstown Environmental Fair, North Kingstown H.S. Exhibit.
Saturday, April 17, Earth Day Celebration, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence. Exhibit.
Sunday, April 18, Less Toxic Landscaping Campaign Info Table, 1 to 6 p.m. Eastside Marketplace, Providence.
Thursday, April 22, Earth Day Lobbying, 3-5, State House, Providence
Saturday, April 24, Earth Day Celebration, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Audubon Environmental Center, Bristol. Exhibit.
Saturday, May 1, Less Toxic Community Gardening Fair (A TIP Event), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Rochambeau Library, Hope Street, Providence. Exhibit.
Saturday, May 15, Compass School Eco-Fair, South Kingstown High School. Exhibit.
TIP ACTIVITIES 2003
COMPLETED WORKSHOPS
March 27, 2003, 4-6 p.m., at ALARI. “Understanding Neurological Health Effects From Household Chemicals”. Led by Lynn Tondat Ruggeri, PhD., Physiological Psychology, Professor Emerita UMass Dartmouth. How and why common offenders in the school environment can cause health symptoms, behavioral and emotional problems. A workshop for school nurses, school psychologists, guidance counselors, school social workers and teachers.
March 29, 2003, 10-11:00 a.m. Healthy Kitchen Forum, Providence Cooks Show, RI Convention Center, Providence, RI. Chemicals in your kitchen can have health effects that the ads don’t mention. This forum provided some surprising questions - and answers - on keeping a non-toxic kitchen. A knowledgeable panel discussed cleaning products, food and cookware choices, non-toxic pest control, and odor management.
April 2, 2003, 9-10:30 a.m., “Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Schools”, at the Warwick Library. Led by Charles Obert, certified pest control operator & sanitarian. A follow-up to recent school pesticide use legislation was provided by Elizabeth Duguay, RIDEM, & Jackie Ascrizzi, RIDE. A workshop for School Facilities Managers.
Wednesday, July 2 2003, 7-8:45 p.m. “Less Toxic Living (Ways to a Healthier Life Style)”, an Interest Group at FGC (Friends General Conference) Gathering, Johnstown Univ., Johnstown, PA.
INFORMATIONAL TABLES:
TIP provided materials and opportunity for questions and discussion at:
April 19, 2003, Earth Day Celebration, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence.
April 26, 2003, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. North Kingstown Environmental Fair.
May 21, 2003, 4 to 8:30 p.m., Breast Cancer & the Environment Lecture, Cape Cod Community College, Tilden Arts Center Auditorium, West Barnstable, MA
June 21, 2003, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eco-Pavilion, 30th Anniversary ZAP Blackstone River Celebration , Cumberland, RI
Saturday, September 6 & Sunday, September 7, 2003 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. NBC10 HealthFit Expo, RI Convention Center. Providence, RI
Saturday, September 20, 2003 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Greenshare Field Day, URI Learning Landscape Gardens, Kingston, RI Informational Table.
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, Texas Instruments Wellness Fair, North Attleboro, MA
OTHER EVENTS
June 7, 2003 RI Sustainable Living Festival, Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living, Coventry, RI. Seminar: 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, “Healthy Homes, Healthy People: TIPs Toward A Less Toxic Life Style”, led by Liberty Goodwin, TIP Director. Informational Table: Debut of the newly created TIP Traveling Exhibit.
Wednesday, September 3, 2003, 7 to 8 p.m. Presentation at Highland Court Retirement Living, 101 Highland Ave., Providence, RI
Monday, November 3, 2003 1 p.m. Presentation at Washington Park Community Center, 42 Jillson St., Providence, RI
state ranking
last updated 1/12/05
