|
Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 3/20/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
Earth Hour and Lights Out Boston
Saturday, March 28 will mark a celebration of energy conservation on both the local and international levels with the launches of Earth Hour and Lights Out Boston 2009. Sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund and Polar Bears International, Earth Hour is a chance for participants in over 80 countries to show their commitment to energy conservation by turning off their lights from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., local time. Please visit the Earth Hour website to sign up or for more information. After a highly successful fall season, Lights Out Boston is back! The spring session officially begins in conjunction with Earth Hour, and will run until May 31, 2009. The result of a partnership between the City of Boston, Mass Audubon, and local building owners, Lights Out Boston calls for buildings throughout the city to dim or extinguish internal lighting between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. in order to save energy and lessen impacts on bird migration. 47 buildings will be participating this year. Thank you to all involved in this impressive display of dedication to the environment!
FSC Questionnaire
As part of the review process for the Forest Stewardship Council's "green certification" of Massachusetts' state forestlands, a survey is being conducted. The survey is open to all interested parties, or submit your comments directly to dwager@scscertified.com.
Massachusetts Ocean Management
With the Massachusetts Ocean Management Act having been signed into law, and a gubernatorial appointment of Mass Audubon to the 17-member Ocean Advisory Commission, implementation of one of Mass Audubon's Legislative Priorities is underway as we work with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to craft an ocean plan for Bay State waters. To see the latest on ocean management progress, visit our Ocean Coalition web site at: www.massoceanaction.org.
Calendar
The Great Marsh Symposium: A Coastal Treasure in our Backyard
Saturday, April 11, 2009
8:30 a.m.-- 2:30 p.m.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters
6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
$15, registration required
To register, please call 978-462-9998, or download a registration form. The Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters and the Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative will co-host a series of environmental and legislative briefings over the next few months. All hearings will be in room 348 in the State House. DEP Stormwater Regulations and
The Sustainable Water Resources Act
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
10:00 a.m.--11:30 a.m. Water quality, quantity and conservation are critical to the environmental and economic future of the Commonwealth. Are pollutants from stormwater run-off killing our rivers? Join a discussion of proposed Department of Environmental Protection stormwater regulations and how they affect both water quality and economic development in your district.
Attendees will also discuss The Sustainable Water Resources Act (HB834; Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Frank Smizik) and the importance of managing water resources for the long-term, protecting both drinking water and the environment.
Presenters: Trout Unlimited, Charles River Watershed Association and The Nature Conservancy
Environmental Budget
Thursday, April 16, 2009
10:00 a.m. These are lean times for all agencies in the Commonwealth, but especially for environmental programs. The "Green Budget FY '10" will be discussed: what have we cut and what have we lost?
Presenters: Mass Audubon and Environmental League of Massachusetts
Safer Alternatives
Thursday, April 30, 2009
10:00 a.m.
A wide array of toxic chemicals we encounter in our everyday lives contribute to an epidemic of chronic diseases, including asthma, birth defects, and cancer. Yet many of the most toxic chemicals can safely and cost-effectively be replaced with alternatives. Join a discussion of the "Safer Alternatives" bill (SB442; Sen. Steven Tolman and Rep. Jay Kaufman).
Presenter: Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow Land Conservation
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:00 a.m.
Massachusetts loses 40 acres of open space a day to development. Ironically, some of it is disposed of by municipal and state government. How do we respect municipal needs while preserving open space? Come learn about the Public Lands Preservation Act ("PLPA") (SB396; Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Ruth Balser). Other bills may be discussed and updates to the schedule will be posted in the Roundup.
Presenters: Mass Audubon and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club
Please contact us if you have any questions at: action@massaudubon.org.
About The Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup
The Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup tracks the legislative priorities of Mass Audubon, focusing on the protection of the nature of Massachusetts. We encourage you to forward this newsletter to friends, family, and colleagues and to enlist their support.
If you are not already a member of Mass Audubon's Action Network, we encourage you to join by filling out our online form or by e-mailing us. Membership dues provide vital support for Mass Audubon's advocacy work on Beacon Hill and across the state. If you are not already a Mass Audubon member please join today.
Legislative Tool Kit
Stay In Touch
Senators and Representatives need to hear from their constituents! Contact your legislators and share with them the environmental issues that are important to you.
Find out who represents you in the Senate and House.
Senate and House Sessions Go Live
Consistent with the theme that decision-makers act differently when they know they are being watched, House and Senate sessions are now available on live webcast. Tune in to view live web stream broadcastings of the Senate and House and watch as the Massachusetts legislative process unfolds!
Current Legislation
Access the text of current legislation, bill histories and Massachusetts General Law by visiting one site. We encourage you to visit The General Court's website frequently as it is an important tool for conservation advocates like you!
How to Lobby
Discover effective ways to convey your environmental interests to your Senator or Representative.
View Mass Audubon’s How to Lobby document, and get started now!
How the Law is Made
Learn about the steps a bill takes before becoming law. You can also use our graphic charts to guide you through the life of a bill, from when it is first filed, to when it is signed into law.
 Mass Audubon Advocacy
6 Beacon Street, Suite 1025
Boston, MA 02108
617-523-8448 (phone)
617-523-4183 (fax)
|
print
e-mail
go back