Ecology Emerges

Shaping San Francisco presents

ECOLOGY EMERGES, a four-part Public Talk Series, Spring 2010

March 18, March 31, April 28, and May 17, 2010

San Francisco, February 2010 - Legendary and inspiring examples of Bay Area ecological activism over the past 50 years unfold in four events in San Francisco and Berkeley this spring. From a collection of 23 oral histories gathered by local historian Chris Carlsson, we trace the birth of the modern ecology movement, the founding of dozens of environmentally-focused nonprofit organizations, through to today's recognition of the need for environmental justice. 12 speakers will investigate their own personal involvement in the evolution of ecological activism, the role of the Bay Area in shaping national and international ecological movements, nature in the cities, and the problem of sustainability within a growth-based economy.

“The organizational ecology in the Bay Area is totally filled out. There's not been much effort to tell what's gone on here...the clarity that marries the people, the politics, the institutions. Systems that sit on the land. The Bay Area is a pointillist painting.”

- Larry Orman, Longtime director of the Greenbelt Alliance, now with GreenInfo.net

Each event will be intimate and informative spotlights on a life of Bay Area ecological activism. Jon Christensen, Executive Director of the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University, will host each set of speakers, conversing with them and the audience. Each event will highlight a short video synthesizing the gathered oral histories and imagery from the Bay Area. All events are free and accessible. Donations welcome.

1. Evolution of Eco-Activism
Thursday, March 18, Humanist Hall, Oakland, 390 27th Street, Oakland

Jerry Mander, Karen Pickett, Carla Pérez

2. Bay Area as Incubator
Wednesday, March 31, Koret Auditorium, SF Main Library, 100 Larkin St, SF

co-sponsored by the SF History Center

Larry Orman, Kirsten Schwind, Harold Gilliam

3. Nature in Cities
Wednesday, April 28, CounterPULSE, 1310 Mission St (at 9th), SF

part of the Shaping San Francisco Public Talks series

Peter Berg, Miya Yoshitani, Jason Mark

4. Economies of Nature
Monday, May 17, SPUR Public Assembly Hall 2nd Flr, 654 Mission St (at 3rd), SF

Dick Walker, Rebecca Solnit, Antonio Roman-Alcalá