2008 National Dump the Pump Day

National Dump the Pump day on Thursday, June 19, 2008.

The day is designed to encourage people to get out of their cars and ride public transportation to raise awareness of the financial and environmental benefits of public transportation. Public transportation has the ability to save people money, conserve gasoline, and reduce the harmful greenhouse gases emitted into our environment.

On June 19, public transit agencies from coast to coast will join together to encourage their communities to dump the pump by leaving their cars at home and riding public transportation.

Personally, I have parked my car and opted to take public transit and transportation (a combination of trains and/or buses) to my job for about a year now. It's definitely a lifestyle adjustment. But I think that if more Americans would do this once or twice a week it could have a great effect in reducing traffic congestion, curbing pollution and create household savings.

Find out more at http://www.apta.com/services/dump_the_pump_08/

Why is gas $4.00 a gallon & what can we do about it?

Gas prices are rising, demand for oil is rising,and yet oil production stopped rising three years ago. Peak oil may be here, and it's taking us unprepared.

The International Conference on Peak Oil and ClimateChange: Paths to Sustainability explores the rootcause of rising gas prices, global warming,biodiversity loss, and unsustainability.

May 30 - June 1, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Join with a broad array of professionals, politicians,business leaders, and concerned citizens to explorethe causes of global problems and discover solutionsto move humanity toward lasting paths ofsustainability.

To learn more and register, visit
http://www.PeakOilConference.org

Anthony A. Lapham River Conservation Fellowship Program

American Rivers has launched the Anthony A. Lapham River Conservation Fellowship program. It provides an excellent professional development opportunity for talented post-graduates pursuing careers as leaders in the field of conservation advocacy. The Fellowship will be supported by a team of conservation staff and members of our Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, which includes some of the nation's foremost experts on freshwater and other conservation science and policy. See attachment for details. Highlights include:

• 12-month fellowship beginning in the summer of 2008 (July - Sept; month negotiable)


• Based in DC


• Focus on an applied research project that in one of the following: (1) sustainably managing our freshwater resources; (2) restoring rivers (through approaches such as dam removal) and achieving natural flood protection by restoring the natural functions of rivers, wetlands and floodplains; (3) conserving America's heritage by protecting our remaining free-flowing rivers and connecting communities to their rivers; and (4) achieving resiliency in natural and human communities in the face of global warming.


• Open to individuals with graduate or terminal degrees in stream ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, public health, public policy, law, economics, engineering or related fields.


• Stipend of $35k plus vacation benefits.


• Application deadline February 15, 2008.

The fellowship honors the memory of Anthony A. Lapham who served for many years on the board of American Rivers, including as its Chairman. He left an indelible mark not only on American Rivers and many other conservation organizations, but on conservation efforts across this land. The program reflects his integrity, intellect, concern for humanity and commitment to excellence. We are seeking candidates who possess these qualities.

More complete i nformation about the fellowship can be found on our website at www.americanrivers.org/fellowship .

Introducing Snap Shots from Snap.com

I just installed a nice little tool on this site called Snap Shots that enhances links with visual previews of the destination site, interactive excerpts of Wikipedia articles, MySpace profiles, IMDb profiles and Amazon products, display inline videos, RSS, MP3s, photos, stock charts and more.

Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need, without your having to leave the site, while other times it lets you "look ahead," before deciding if you want to follow a link or not.
Should you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out. This is a trial. If Idon't like it, I'll remove the feature

Need Contributors and Guest Posters for BICEP Bulletin

I believe that all members of communities should be involved, informed and have the opportunity to participate in issues important to them. With more african americans and other minorities gaining access to the world wide web, It's critical for messages about our community's environmental and development policies reach the people they most effect.

In hopes of increasing breadth and depth in topic areas, I'm looking for like minded potential volunteers to contribute commentary and opinion for the blog and perhaps help with maintaining the website with links and news. If you have knowledge or expertise in:

• regionalism
• browfield redevelopment
• air and water quality
• environmental justice
• community participation in the planning process

I definitely want to hear from you. I'd like to try to keep a geographic focus on the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, and perhaps New England. No big serious time commitment. Professionals and students alike are welcome!

Thanks and Happy Holidays,

George Jackson
Chief Contributor and Editor
Innovation in Community & Environmental Planning
innovationplanningnow@gmail.com

New Website for Innovation in Planning

I've designed a new homepage. Innovation in Community & Environmental Planning is a portal for various environment and community planning information. It includes links and resources with RSS feeds from different sources and I will be adding more features over time.

The BICEP Bulletin will still be a mainstay for up to date commentary and opinion in environment and community planning planning issues. The only differences that you'll notice is that the BICEP will have more original content, be simplified, and focused on issues relating to the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, and New England regions. The homepage will be more of a general resource.

I want to hear from you. I welcome and request any feedback from readers and visitors. Thanks for visiting and Happy Holidays!

1st BICEP Article Coming Soon

Stay tuned for 1st Article dealing with habitat conservation.