Whetstone Beer Company returns with a fall brew for its Pints for Parks program. (Image courtesy of Whetstone Beer Company)
VBSR Member News Round Up – 9/27
Whetstone Beer Company: Whetstone Beer Company is back with its second Pints for Parks brew: Quechee Gorge Maple Amber Ale. Pints for Parks is a collaboration between Whetstone Beer Co. and Vermont State Parks – twice per year, Whetstone creates a unique, limited-edition beer celebrating a different state park. Proceeds from all Pints for Parks beers will support Vermont Parks Forever, Vermont State Parks’ supporting foundation. Learn more here.
Renewable Energy Vermont (REV): Now in its 23rd year, the annual REV Conference (Oct. 18 & 19) has become the largest comprehensive renewable energy gathering in the region. After the hottest summer in history, the urgency of transitioning to renewables has never been more apparent. At REV2023, attendees will dive into the factors that are pushing the renewable revolution forward – as well as the challenges that are holding it back. As always, many, many VBSR members are sponsoring and contributing expertise to this yearly gathering. Kristin Warner, VBSR’s Public Policy Manager, will also be moderating the “Business Activism to Accelerate the Clean Energy Transition” session. Learn more here.
TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design: Governor Scott recently appointed David Epstein, AIA, of Champion Member TruexCullins, to the Vermont School Construction Aid Task Force, a group created by the Vermont Legislature to examine issues relating to Vermont school construction aid. David has been a longtime advocate for Vermont public schools and has worked for many years to reinstate a new Vermont school construction program. David brings to the Task Force his experience working with VT public school districts around the state, including the recently completed Winooski Schools project with many features that support collaboration, community, and team-based learning inclusively and equitably. Learn more here.
Spectrum Youth and Family Services: Spectrum Youth and Family Services in Burlington is trying something new to help youth facing homelessness − $30,000 in direct payments to 10 young people selected for a pilot program to help them make progress toward securing housing and a job. Spectrum’s Direct Cash Transfer program provides $1,500 per month, distributed bi-weekly for 18 months, to each of the 10 youth selected for the program. They can use the money however they see fit, to go after a job, an education, housing − whatever they need. Learn more here.
Chittenden Solid Waste District: Through its Waste Warrior volunteer program, CSWD had a successful summer of diverting waste from the landfill and educating the community on proper waste sorting. The Waste Warriors volunteered at 35 different events including the South End Get Down, the Burlington Farmers’ Market, and many different Higher Ground concerts at the Waterfront and Shelburne Museum. Those who missed out on volunteering this summer, keep an eye out next spring for opportunities to become a Waste Warrior volunteer. Learn more here.
Energy Action Network: A new report from the non-profit Energy Action Network (EAN) finds that Vermont has made the least progress of any state in the Northeast toward the Paris Climate Accord emissions reduction commitment made by the U.S. and is not on track to meet its own state legal obligations by 2025 and 2030 under the Global Warming Solutions Act. To ensure that all Vermonters can access pollution-reducing, money-saving options, the report highlights the importance of equitable design of policies and incentives to prioritize Vermonters with lower incomes, in particular. Learn more here.
Outright Vermont: The Fire Truck Pull, Outright Vermont’s annual, peer-to-peer fundraiser (and street party), is back. Costumes, cheering, dancing, sweat, glitter, love and queer joy – this event has it all. To raise money that supports LGBTQ+ youth, teams pull a fire truck up Church Street in Burlington. You read that right: they pull a fire truck up the street. Vermont’s LGBTQ+ youth face escalating attacks on their basic rights to live authentically in their communities – this event seeks to counter those attacks. Learn more here.
University of Vermont (UVM): New research finds that replacing 50% of meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forest and natural land. “To reduce the global GHG emissions driving climate change…this study shows us a path forward,” said study co-author Eva Wollenberg of UVM. The study is the first to look at the global food security and environmental impacts of plant-based meat and milk consumption at large scales that considers the complexity of food systems. Learn more here.
