Bill McKibben Joins Sustainable Food Experts In Discussing "Food For The Parks" at the Institute at the Golden Gate

November 2, 2010

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Media Contacts:  
Kat English or Cindy MacKenzie
(415) 403 0800
kenglish@mackenziesf.com

Co-hosted by Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Program Addresses Benefits of Local Food Systems in America’s National Parks

WHAT: Environmentalist, educator, 350.org co-founder and author Bill McKibben will be at Fort Baker in the Golden Gate National Parks on Sunday, November 7, 2010, to discuss “Food for the Parks,” the latest environmental initiative of the Institute at the Golden Gate. Presented in partnership with Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) and the National Park Service (NPS), McKibben will join NPS and Bay Area sustainable food experts to explore how the Park Service can serve as a model for building environmentally responsible local food systems across the U.S.

WHO: Among the nation’s leading environmentalists, McKibben has written a number of books on climate change and the importance of local food systems and is a frequent contributor to national publications, including the New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, Harper's and Mother Jones.  He co-founded the environmental action group 350.org, whose recent 10/10/10 Global Work Party organized 7,347 simultaneous events, across 188 countries, to take action against global warming at a local level. In his latest book, Eaarth, McKibben argues that we must shift to more durable localized economies—especially in food and energy production—to maintain global and national wealth and resources.

McKibben will be joined on the program by Aaron Roth, acting deputy superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; and Larry Bain, chef, food activist and co-founder of Let’s Be Frank, a non-profit partner of the National Park Service.  They will discuss how the Institute’s Food for the Parks initiative can provide support and expertise to accelerate the adoption and implementation of sustainable food policies throughout the 392 park National Park Service system. The panel will be moderated by Constance Washburn, MALT education director.

WHY: The Institute at the Golden Gate is a program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the National Park Service, dedicated to fostering a broader view of parks and the environment by promoting dialogue, collaboration, and action for a sustainable world. The Institute’s new Food for the Parks initiative complements its recent Park Prescriptions campaign, a growing national movement to increase the connection between parks and public lands and health care.  Still in its infancy, Food for the Parks is envisioned as a catalyst for spurring healthy and sustainable food decisions, such as those made at Muir Woods—in every U.S. National Park.

WHEN: The program will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2010 from 3:00-5:00pm. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased online at www.instituteatgoldengate.org or by calling (415) 561 3560.
 
WHERE: Cavallo Point–the Lodge at the Golden Gate, Mission Blue Chapel, 601 Murray  Circle, Sausalito, CA 95965 (Alexander Ave. exit off Hwy.101 North)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Advance phone and/or day of event interviews with Bill McKibben and Food for the Parks representatives may be arranged by calling Kat English at (415) 403 0800 or Nickie Kluge at (415) 561 3560.
 
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