CHESTORY Project Coordinator —
Joan Clement
Chestory was originally founded by Tom Wisner and Sara Leeland in 1999 for the purpose of bringing the artist in each of us to express our role in the ongoing story of Chesapeake life and culture; and creating resources for all who want to bring their communities into deeper relationship to the Chesapeake river lands. In January, 2010, Chestory was adopted by Chears to carry on Tom Wisner's legacy and Chestory's mission. Check the Monthly Newsletter for schedule of upcoming CHESTORY projects.
Arts Workshops — Eco-Nature Arts Workshops Project Coordinator —
Marcia Freeman
Facilitate artistic expression through nature arts workshops
Environmental Films & Community Discussions Project Coordinator —
Robert Cahalan
Since fall 2007, CHEARS develops and presents films related to the health of the Chesapeake bioregion. Our purpose is 1) to foster co-learning and community of endeavor among participants about timely environmental and social justice issues; 2) to foster local and sustainable food alternatives. 3) to support and fund raise for local, national, and international endeavors that are consistent with our goals.
GCAN — Greenbelt Climate Action Network Project Coordinator —
Lore Rosenthal
GCANS mission is to educate residents about climate change, how they can change their behavior and take political action. From September to June monthly meetings are held at the Greenbelt Community Center on the Second Wednesday of the month.
GreenmanFestival — Greenbelt Greenman Festival Project Coordinator —
Richard McMullin
The Green Man Festival in Greenbelt started in May of 2005. It has been held on Mother's Day Weekend for the last seven years. The Green Man came to life in many cultures from the shadowy, forested world of early man. He made his way through the ages in folklore, songs, stone carvings in cathedrals and art in humble cottages. The Green Man is known to many as the Spirit of the Natural World, but takes on many different roles. Stay tuned for the 2012 planning meeting schedule!
Wild Meadows Farm — Permaculture Design Project Coordinator —
Kimberly Walsh
The word
"permaculture" was coined in 1978 by Bill Mollison, an Australian ecologist, and one of his students, David Holmgren. It has been defined as: "the use of ecology as the basis for designing integrated systems of food production, housing, appropriate technology, and community development." Look for the Wild Meadows farm newsletter for a schedule of CHEARS co-sponsored permaculture events.
Stone Soup Music — Stone Soup Music Project Coordinator —
Richard McMullin
On October 2 2011 Chears will sponsor the 8th Annual Harvest Festival in Greenbelt Center, that will include music, arts and crafts, white elephants, fairy gardens and a visit to the Community Center site of one of the 3 Sisters Gardens, where we will "put the garden to bed" for the winter. For more information on this and other upcoming activities, please contact Rich Green at stonesoup@chears.org or call 301-806-8796
TapRoots Project Coordinator —
Anthony DiMeglio
TapRoots seeks to enhance middle school science by integrating an agricultural educational program committed to introducing topics of environmental sustainability, agroecology, food safety and nutrition. Through rigorous hands-on learning activities, students will relate to the environment on a more personal level while simultaneously broadening their ecological understandings.
Three Sisters Garden — Three Sisters Diversity-Circle Demonstration Gardens Project Coordinator —
Maggie Cahalan
Check the Monthly Newsletter for schedules of events. Check
HERE for an update on the Three Sisters Garden project. CHEARS strategic objective is to significantly reduce urban and suburban run off by changing our dominant monoculture lawn-based form of landscaping.
Flows — Water Quality Tracing Project Coordinator —
Robert Cahalan
Place Based Education and Research Project---Follow the water from a spring on Wild Meadows Farm near the Eastern Divide in Pennsylvania as it joins Bobs Creek, then observe its transformations as it joins successively Dunnings Creek, the Juniata River, the Susquehanna River, the Cheseapeake Bay, and finally the Atlantic Ocean.. To join, contact
Bob and keep an eye on the
Flows Blog.