Thursday Field Sessions for ASLE 2007

Here is a tentative list for Thursday's (June 14, 2007) field sessions. The sessions are two- to three-hour educational excursions organized to complement and expand the interests of ASLE participants.

1. The ReGenesis Project: Harold Mitchell has quite a tale to tell about fighting for environmental justice. When Harold began investigating the strange and all-to-common illnesses that he, his family members, and neighbors were experiencing in the Awkright community (on the south side of Spartanburg), little did he know where his inquiries would lead. Harold uncovered the frightening environmental contamination surrounding his home, navigating the state and federal bureaucracies that eventually identified several sites with Superfund and Brownfield status, receiving funding to establish a health care center and rebuild/revitalize the area, being appointed to the U.S. Environmental Advisory Council, and most recently, being elected to the SC House of Representatives. Harold's story is sure to make you believe that one person can make a huge and positive impact with perseverance and seemingly foolish hope. In this field session you will head out and tour the sites that are key to "ReGenesis." There will be some leisurely outdoor walking on this trip, so bring an umbrella or sun cap as the forecast indicates. (Cost: $10 per person)

2. The Conestee Foundation: Trapped in the sediment behind the dam of the Lake Conestee mill pond near Greenville, SC is the evidence of the south's environmental history. From high concentrations of PCBs to enough chromium for a profitable mining operation, if the dam were to break, the various toxic compounds released from the sediments would travel downstream and wipe out the drinking water supply of the city of Greenwood, SC. So who could possibly want to take on ownership and responsibility for such a contaminated site? Dave Hargett and a group of like-minded activists, that's who.Dave is a Senior Scholar at the Strom Thurmond Institute and SC Water Resources Center at Clemson University and a newly elected member of the National Wildlife Federation Board of Directors. Meet Dave at Lake Conestee (formerly referred to as Lake "Co-Nasty" by locals) to hear about how a small group of concerned and visionary citizens not only did the hard scientific work of determining what toxicants were present, but raised the funds to create a foundation to restore the dam and turn the lake and its surrounding woodlands into an environmental education center and green space. There will be some mildly strenuous hiking on this trip, so wear good walking shoes and bring an umbrella or sun cap as the forecast indicates. (Cost: $10 per person)

3. Hatcher Garden: Located within an urban suburb on the west side of Spartanburg is a uniquely beautiful oasis that was the recipient of the tender loving care of Harold Hatcher, who died in 2005. Open to the public and maintained in perpetuity by the private funds donated by those who love it, this destination is meant for those who don't want to travel far to leisurely stroll amidst the beauty of early summer blooms. You'll be met by one of the staff for a short guided tour and overview the garden's history and its species. So positive an influence was Mr. Hatcher on this community that Wofford awarded him the 2004 Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award for exemplary community service. (Cost: $5 per person)

4. Milliken Research Center and arboretum: One of the largest privately held textile and chemical manufacturers in the world, Milliken and Company is headquartered here in Spartanburg. The company was run under the watchful eye of Mr. Roger Milliken from 1947 until 2006, when he retired from being the company CEO (he's still the Chairman). Mr. Milliken grew his textile company to lead the industry in state-of-the-art processes for weaving, dying, and finishing as well as building a highly successful chemical research center (ever wonder what took Tupperware from opaque to clear, how carpets became "stain-free," or who makes all the "masterpiece tapestries" that hang on the walls of Wofford?). You'll be met at the company headquarters to tour the research center, learn why the Millken company has been awarded for protecting the environment, and take a leisurely stroll of the grounds and national arboretum that Mr. Millken keeps open to the public year-round. (Cost: $5 per person)

5. A Walking Tour of "Green" Spartanburg- Fountains, boulevards, "spots of pride," and a green building! You will walk from Wofford's campus through downtown Spartanburg and tour the new LEED-certified Mary Black Foundation Headquarters and explore the challenges of transforming Spartanburg into a sustainable community. Jean Crowe, Partners for Active Living's Associate Director, will be your guide (Free).

6. Teaching in Place Workshop: Designing Field-Study Trips for Your Eco-Region: This interactive workshop will provide participants with a regionally-specific, interdisciplinary, environmental field studies curriculum. Instructors of American, Environmental, and Regional literature, as well as Environmental writing (poetry, fiction, composition, and nonfiction) will find that this workshop provides them with a variety of valuable resources, from suggested readings and writing assignments, to recommended local outings and field-based activities. This workshop will be facilitated by environmental educator, Corey Lewis, whose book, Reading the Trail: Exploring the Literature and Natural History of the California Crest, is currently a nominee for the MLA’s Best First Book Award. The workshop will begin with a short presentation on Reading the Trail, and the interdisciplinary field-based methods Dr. Lewis has developed for ecocritics and environmental educators alike. (Free. Light activity level to include walking on campus).  If you are interested in attending, please contact Corey Lewis so he can plan his workshop accordingly cll35@humboldt.edu.

7.  Be one of the first to see Everything's Cool, a new documentary film by
Daniel B. Gold & Judith Helfand. "EVERYTHING'S COOL follows the struggle of very dedicated, sometimes a bit depressed, but always compassionate and passionate global-warming messengers...[as well as]... the fossil fuel-funded skeptics who, like sprinters at the end of a marathon, are pushing even harder to maintain their perverse campaign of injecting doubt and uncertainty into what is clearly a dwindling public debate about global warming."

Paula Willoquet, Marist College, will introduce the film and facilitate a discussion after the showing.