Environmental Leadership Program

Sep 9, 2004

Metropolitan Building
Long Island City, NY

If ever there was an organization that was so devoted to cause of the environment, this is it. From the very outset, the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) was founded for the purpose of seeking out the leaders of today for the cause of a safer environment tomorrow.

Paul Sabin, the ELP’s Executive Director, opened the evening with a warm introduction, and gave us insight into the some of the endeavors that the ELP is involved with, Include working toward the passing of legislation to better control activities which can adversely affect the environment and the balance of nature.

The audience heard from a number of speakers working in different capacities, including Carlos Alicea, an environmental scientist with For a Better Bronx (FABB), a non-profit community based organization that is dedicated to the struggle for environmental and social justice for the people of the Bronx. FABB is undertaking the task of education, policy intervention, community organizing, and environmental and social issues in the Bronx. Carlos helps facilitate community based research that emphasizes community knowledge in understanding challenges and designing solutions. Carlos also is working towards his doctoral degree in environmental management and policy at Rutgers University.Other speakers included Tracey Austin, from the Mitsubishi Foundation, an organization, which proudly supports the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Tracey spoke about a number of the different ventures that her organization is affiliated with, such as the Mitsubishi Riverwalk, which has the purpose of promoting environmental conservation and preserving biodiversity. The WCS has scientific research projects all over the world, which have enhanced their understanding of the delicate balance in which people and nature coexists. At the Bronx Zoo, for example, they are doing a wonderful job of presenting a scientific understanding of this delicate balance in a way that is accessible to ordinary people, of all ages and all walks of life.We heard from Margaret Lydecker, the organizer for the event. Margaret is the founder of BriteGreen, an organization that works with the Environmental Business Association of New York and the Center for Economic and Environmental Projects to initiate specific environmental programs bridging the Manhattan business community. She spoke about BriteGreen's Green Hotel Conference, which connects hoteliers and businesses from all over New York with environmental groups to train managers, engineers and housekeeping personnel on energy efficiency, resource reduction, and environmentally preferable products.Margaret also explained that BriteGreen consults architects and product designers on low-impact material options as well as links manufacturers of those materials with new markets. She is is a consultant with Robin Reigi, Inc., where she advises NYC architects and designers, including clients such as DuPont, Knoll, Gensler, and Disney, about environmentally preferable materials.Margaret is the NYC founder of networking group made up of over 600 people from various parts of New York City and Brooklyn. These folks either work in the environmental field, or have a strong interest in it.Chip Geller, the President and Editor of Grist Magazine, also spoke, explaining how his magazine, which is online, is devoted to matters of the environment. Mr. Geller he utilizes his magazine to help share information between people for the cause of environmental preservation and awareness. His magazine gives activists the opportunity to speak out on a wide variety of environmental topics.The entertainment also sounded environmentally friendly, as the Near East River Trio played relaxing songs on their string instruments.

This was a great event, with plenty of natural-style food along with it. We at Liberty News Online would like to thank Margaret Lydecker, the organizer for the event, and for inviting us to cover it.

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