Welcome to the first "e" Update of 2009!  With Spring in bloom, we want to keep you informed of all the wonderful things your support has allowed us to plan for the coming months!  From our exciting educational curricula like the new teen afterschool program, Green Team Mattapan, and our in-demand Global Warming workshops, to our much anticipated environmental film festival and Rainforest exhibit at the Prudential Center, there's a lot going on at "e" inc. this Spring!  If you would like a closer look at what we have accomplished together thus far, please visit our website at www.e-action.us.

 Be prepared to be Inspired! 
Tickets on sale now!

 The largest environmental film festival in the United States, the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival, sponsored by Patagonia, has chosen "e" inc. to host its only Boston venue during their 2009 tour!

Join us APRIL 25, 2009 

The event will be held at Boston's Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT), in their newly refurbished theater. The venue is easily accessible by T and there is also parking available. Tickets for the fundraiser are $30, which includes a cocktail reception, entry to all films, a light supper at intermission, a silent auction and a closing dessert with action activities.
 
All proceeds benefit "e" inc. science and civics programs with urban children and youth.
 
Please note: the Franklin Institute Theater is wheelchair accessible.  
 
Lots has been going on with the film festival since our last newsletter, and we want to make sure you stay in the know!

We have secured five sponsors:  WXRV 92.5 The River, National Grid, Whole Foods Market, Alteris Renewables and Revolve Nation!  We are very proud and excited to have the support of these innovative companies, as their strong stances on sustainability and community giving have served as models in their respective industries. 

 
WXRV 92.5 The River has uniquely positioned itself as a trailblazer not only in the radio industry, but in the community as well.  As Boston's independent solar powered radio station, The River has demonstrated to local businesses the many great benefits of going green!   

National Grid has become a leader in pushing the energy industry toward higher efficiency standards in an effort to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce pollution in our communities.

Whole Foods Market, purveyor of fine natural and organic products, has been a cornerstone of the conscientious agricultural movement for many years.  Realizing that companies have a large impact on our environment, Whole Foods has committed itself to sustainability and social responsibility.

Revolve Nation is the largest entrepreneur networking community in the greater Boston area, boasting more than 1,700 members to date.  Their "Green and Sustainable Business Group" brings local entrepreneurs together to discuss issues facing emerging businesses with sustainable models, services, and products. 

Alteris Renewables is the leading renewable energy systems integrator in the Northeast with over 2,000 solar and thermal energy installations.  With over 125 projects completed, they are a national leader for solar on school buildings.

WCVB's David Brown to emcee Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival! 

David is WCVB's Environmental Reporter and the main contributor to the "Going Green" section on TheBostonChannel.com.
Deeply immersed in the community, David dedicates much of his free time to support local charities. He is involved with AIDS Action and serves as the Host and emcee of the annual Boston AIDS Walk. David was recently awarded their community service award for continued involvement in many of the organization's community based services. He is also active with the Ellie Fund and Project Place, a Boston organization dedicated to homelessness.  David is a key participant in WCVB's annual Jerry Lewis Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). A familiar figure at schools across the region, he teaches thousands of school children during his many visits throughout the year.

A big heartfelt thanks to David for supporting "e" inc. at the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival! 

Notes from the Field!
Here our educators give you a glimpse of the everyday activities of "e" kids!

From the Rainforest to Roxbury

Kim Guerra, Lead "e" Educator

    I am currently teaching "e" inc.'s Rainforest curriculum at the Orchard Gardens Community Center in Roxbury, MA.  The center serves all girls, most of whom attend the Orchard Gardens School next door.  I have taught at this site since the fall of 2008 when I brought them our "Ocean Explorers" curriculum and later continued with the team teaching about backyard habitats.  A few of the girls have therefore had the opportunity to participate in a number of "e" inc. action projects with me, including projects on water conservation, cleaning up litter, and a summer recycling program at the community center. Those students who have worked with me before continually impress me with the science and civics they have retained from past lessons.

On a chilly afternoon last February, I took the twelve 2nd and 3rd grade girls in my group outside to observe the local trees growing in Roxbury as a way of using local trees to make comparisons to trees in the rainforest. "That tree is about 40 feet tall. Now imagine three of them stacked on top of each other and that will give you an idea of how tall the trees in the rainforest get to be." The girls were thrilled to be outside after months of horrible weather confining us to indoor activities, and so exuberantly ran through the park filling in their data sheets.

As we continued our way through the park though, the girls began to notice the inordinate amount of trash in the area.  They were clearly distressed by the garbage strewn about them and, on their own initiative, began to clean it up.  The girls hurriedly wrapped up their tree observations in order to begin loading their arms with chip bags and soda bottles to carry back into the building to dispose of.   They asked me if we could come out in upcoming weeks with bags to continue the clean up.  

It was delightful to see how the girls have held onto the principles of our action curriculum. They often detail their plans to me, elaborating ways to make a difference in the world and have taken steps to carry out these plans in ways as simple as addressing the problem of litter outdoors.

We hope that you enjoyed hearing about all the wonderful things going on at "e", and we hope to see you at one or more of our upcoming events!  And as always, feel free to pass this on to friends and colleagues!

Thank you so much for your interest in

"e" inc!

Sincerely,

The Board and Staff of "e" inc. 

"e" inc. - The Environmental Learning and Action Center