Issues of Sustainibility: Winter/Spring 2009

This course is offered as an enrichment to conventional high school civics curriculum to high school students form Glenwood Springs to Aspen. Taught in the same manner as the American Political System fall semester class, this class can be an taken as part of the Roaring Fork School District's Fundamentals of American Democracy requirement or it can be taken separately. There is no reqiuirement to take the first semester course.

Highlights of the class involve the Environmental Ethics Speaker Series, when local and nationally recognized speakers address our students, partents and teachers. As part of each presentation, we facilitate an intergenerational conversation between those in attendance and the guest speaker. The resulting dialogue is both instructive and powerfully motivational for all.

The focus of this semester's study is upon the very pertinent and increasingly important issues that surround our environment

Participating juniors and seniors earn high school and credit and may earn college credit thorught the University of Colorado's "CU Succeed Gold Program." Classes are typically held on Monday nights beginning the second semester (late January, '09) and running through the end of the school term. Classes are usually held at Roaring Fork High School, but venue changes sometimes occur and will be announced in advance.

We encourage parents to join us both in class and in listening to our guest speakers.

Teachers: AO Forbes, Willard Clapper, Johann Aberger

Tomorrow’s Voices

 2009 Environmental Speaker Series

All speakers will present at Roaring Fork High School Auditoria at 6:45pm.

January 26….Randy Udall: The Big Energy Picture, What Now?

February 9…Cory Lowe: Rocky Mountain Institute on Natural Capitalism and the new Green Economy

February 23…Jon Waterman: Author, explorer and Arctic National Wildlife Reserve activist. He will speak on this and other  efforts to preserve the ANWR area from gas and oil drilling.

March 9…John Broderick: “The Bear Man”  Colorado Division of Wildlife research specialist speaks passionately on his efforts to enable black bears and man to live in accord.

March 23…Matt Hamilton: Aspen Ski Company’s Sustainability head. He will speak on the SkiCo’s efforts to decrease their carbon footprint and enhance their commitment to a greener ski industry.

April 13…Jon Fox-Rubin: Fiberforge. Locally born and raised,  Jon heads a local carbon-fiber industry intent on bringing products to market that are lighter, stronger and more sustainable.

April 20…Clare Bastable: Colorado Mountain Club. Clare spearheads efforts to preserve the Roan Plateau and other local regions from the  current influx of oil and gas  drilling. She explains   how she and her organization work to protect our natural national treasures.

May 4...Piper Foster: “European Sustainability Best Practices”. Piper is the Executive Director of the Sopris Foundation. She will provide education and insight into the best practices currently being used in Europe and the United States.