The Global Transformation Festival, set for Saturday, October 15, is a free, day-long celebration intended to empower local folks on how they can help lay the foundation for a more sustainable world. Area environmental organizations, businesses and activists will be providing their expertise on a breadth of topics, including climate change, renewable energy and solar building, natural beekeeping, edible landscapes, clean air and water, livable communities, and "an evolving a new planetary consciousness."
Special guest, acclaimed environmental author Bill McKibben of 350.org, will beam in to provide a keynote address live via Skype at 2 p.m..
The setting is definitely worth a visit: The Laughing Waters Community Center was recently constructed on a bold stream at the site of a 19th century gristmill. It's a handsome structure built with sustainability in mind; like several of the homes in the community it anchors, it was built largely from wood harvested on-site. An enormous poplar trunk provides support for the roof at the center of the airy great room at Laughing Water.
The Center is the nexus of the Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community, where founder/developer John Myers has led the development of a community of green-built homes emphasizing renewable energy and nestled in an extensive mature forest that’s contiguous with a network of protected lands in the area. Residents share the existing 10-acre organic garden and heirloom orchard.
Event organizer Jackie Dobrinska says she's excited by the synergistic possibilities for action that may be spawned at the event. "Together — by sharing solutions, raising our awareness, making new connections and friends, and actively participating — the shift to a more sustainable future is inevitable," she says. "Come join us for a fun, exciting day!"
WHAT: The Global Transformation Festival: Emerging Solutions for the Coming Shift to a Sustainable World
WHEN: October 15, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
WHERE: Laughing Waters Retreat Center at Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community near Asheville in Gerton.
COST: FREE
CO-SPONSORS: Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, ECO-Environmental Conservation Organization, Equinox Environmental, Riverlink, Sundance Power, WNC Green Building Council, NC Sustainable Energy Association, and MountainXpress.
CARPOOLING is recommended as parking is limited.
For more info, point your Web browser to: www.LaughingWatersNC.com or www.HickoryNutForest.com, or call: 712-4926.
UPDATE: Here's a collection of short videos that provide a preview of festival speakers, all local experts:
Global Transformation Festival preview video #1
Global Transformation Festival preview video #2
Global Transformation Festival Preview #3
Global Transformation Festival Preview #4
Global Transformation Festival #5
Global Transformation Festival #6
Subscribe to XpressMail. Free Sneak Peek. Every Week.
Want to know what's coming out in Xpress this week before the paper even hits the stands?
We've got your free sneak peek, along with deals available in XpressMail, our weekly email newsletter. (It's the best we can do without time travel.)
-
Comments
-
Related Articles
-
Comments
Make a comment
As a Gerton local, this "laughing waters" guy is really just another developer. Rich homes for rich folks. Give me a break with the global nonsense; this guy is part of the problem.
By chriscrosson
10/04/2011
I too live in Gerton and in getting to know the owners of Laughing Waters do not believe that they and/or the Land Conservancy would be participants in wanting to promote that which you speak of.But we are all entitled to our opinions and I respect yours while adding my own.
By trthhappiness
10/13/2011
I attended the well planned and organized event today and came away enthused to get involved and be part of the solution to the many growing concerns within our environment and the diminishing protective laws. This was a most worthwhile program; I thank all those who made contributions of information, education and time and energy to make it a dynamic resource. I hope that the low attendance will not discourage from making this an annual
offering. Eyes are opened; the word will get out and citizens will
get more involved to protect our earth starting here at home.
Thank you.
By Gail Waldeck
10/16/2011