"Bioneers" Conference Features Speakers, Arts, Community Events
By Rich Dana

On October 19, 20th and 21st, 2007, Grinnell will host its first "Beaming Bioneers" Conference. Grinnell is one of 20 sites across the US and Canada that will be linked by satellite to the main Bioneers conference in San Rafael, California. Visitors from across the Midwest will converge to attend presentations and talk about creative solutions to our world's most pressing environmental and cultural problems.

"Bioneers is not just for scientists and environmentalists," says Rich Dana of Imagine Grinnell, the events lead organizer. " Anyone who is interested in building a healthy society and a healthy environment will enjoy this conference. We will be hearing from internationally known speakers by satellite, and we will be joined by local and regional leaders here in Grinnell."

Plenary speakers presenting live by satellite will include Winona LaDuke from the White Earth reservation in Minnesota, Eve Ensler, an award-winning author of The Vagina Monologues, Paul T. Anastas, Ph.D., the founder of "green chemistry" and professor at Yale's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Judith F. Baca, a world-renowned painter and muralist, and Wallace J. Nichols, Ph.D., senior scientist at the Ocean Conservancy. Local speakers will include farm activist Denise O'Brien, Des Moines Register columnist Rekha Basu, environmental engineer Kamyar Enshayan and Iowa Poet Laureate Robert Dana.

Dubbed the "Tallgrass Bioneers Conference", the Grinnell event will include workshops on renewable energy, environmental and social issues and community building, as well as arts events, live music, outdoor activities and a banquet featuring locally grown and prepared food. "We have a sliding fee for registration, and we want to make sure anyone who wants to come can come," says Dana. In addition to paid registration, community volunteers are needed, and will receive a free weekend pass. For those who want to get a small taste of Bioneers, there are several free events scheduled throughout the weekend.

For a full schedule of events, to register or to volunteer for the Tallgrass Bioneers Conference, please contact Rich Dana at: rich@gotoplanb.net or 319.530.6051. For more information on the conference, please visit: www.gotoplanb.net/bioneersconference.

Sponsors include: Adbusters Media Foundation, Catnip Farm , Frontier Natural Products, Grinnell Area Arts Council, Grinnell College Center for Prairie Studies, Grinnell College's Peace Studies Program, Grinnell Tourism Group, iDEZiN Digital Workgroup , Imagine Grinnell, Iowa Foundation for Education, Environment and the Arts, Iowa Renewable Energy Association, Radish Magazine, Rosenfield Center and Wildwood Organics.

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Tallgrass Bioneers Local Events

Friday, October 19th
3:15 PM - Panel Discussion on "Diversifying the Heartland" with guest speakers Rekha Basu, Robert Dana, Kamyar Enshayan and Emily Guenther.

6:30 PM - Local Food Banquet, prepared by Kamal Hammouda of the Phoenix Cafe. Denise O'Brien, speaker.

Saturday, October 20th
Workshops on Renewable Energy, Immigration, Globalization, Local Foods, Green Businesses, Natural Building and Water Quality. Also a tour of restored prairie, LEED certified green building and 50kw wind turbine.

Evening - Arts Walk, live Music by "Escape the Floodwater Jug Band" at
Saint's Rest.

Sunday, October 21st
9:00 AM - Community bike ride, Historic walking tour, Canoe trip, workshops on water quality, renewable communities and faith-based environmental initiatives

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please join us!
The Tallgrass Bioneers Conference
October 91-21, 2007
Grinnell, Iowa

for more information:
http://www.gotoplanb.net/bioneersconference/tallhome.html