Foundation for a Green Future, Inc.

Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. proudly announces the dates for the 10th Anniversary of Boston GreenFest:  Friday-Sunday, August 11-13,  2017

#Positive Solidarity

Boston City Council Plastic Bag Ban Hearing 

Boston City Hall Council Chambers 12-14-2016

Boston City Council President Michelle Wu and Councilor Matt O'Malley spearheaded an initiative to ban plastic bags in the City of Boston.  They held a hearing on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 to hear many viewpoints from environmentalists to concerned businesses.  Dr. Karen Weber, Executive Director of the Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. testified requesting more thought be put into this endeavor voicing concern that this could create unintended consequences that put undue pressure on the environment.  One thing that she did not put forward was an idea to incentivize plastic bag clean up and recycling through a potential payment for the return of plastic bags.  The economics would need to be calculated, however what if someone brought 50 or 100 plastic bags to be recycled and received 5 or 10 cents?  This would help clean up the city and have people be more aware of the use of plastic bags.

Out of Many, One!  

Greater Boston Interfaith Organization Hosts Interfaith Call for Peace

Islamic Center  - Sunday, December 9, 2016

 The Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. attended this amazing call for peace with 2600 others from across the community, all faiths, all cultures.  Senator Ellzabeth Warren and Mayor Marty Walsh reiterated their stand to fight bigotry and provide sanctuary for all peoples.  Leaders from many faith communities were present adding prayers and thoughts that reached into our hearts and souls.

EBASS Searchlight Showcase 2016

at Thunder Road in Somerville, Dec. 6, 2016

Dr. Karen Weber was asked to serve on the panel of judges to select local artists to perform in upcoming opportunities.  With our 10th Annual Boston GreenFest on thehorizon, we were honored to be able to select several of the EBASS musicians for our stages.  Pictured here are guitarist RD King and indie rock performers Jack and Katie.  EBASS supports Emerging Boston Singer-Songwriters and will be partnering with us to run the EcoSoule Stage in 2017.

African Fashion Week in Boston  

November 2016

at Hibernian Hall and Spontaneous Celebrations

The House of Nahdra did a superb job of bringing African Fashion to the Community - some of which included upcycled designs.  We look forward to continued collaboration and conversation to bring the richness of African heritage and modernity to Boston.  Thank you Honest Tea for sponsoring the refreshments and keeping things organic! 

Diwali at the State House with South Asian Arts & Cultural Council

Lighting the Diya with Amit Dixit on October 28, 2016

The Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. was honored to be part of the Diwali Ceremony at the State House.  Diwali is a Hindi festival of lights that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, hope over despair.  Mr. Amit Dixit invited Dr. Karen Weber to say a few words about our environment on behalf of the Foundation.

Back along the timeline... 

The Deed is Done - The Green Learning Center

We signed the deed for the Green Learning Center with the City of Boston on 11-12-13!  Thanks to the help of our attorneys at NixonPeabody - Chris Froeb and Julie Hancock (Julie pictured on right) and Attorney Jim McDonough of the City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development, we will begin a new era in education when we break ground in Spring 2014.

A New Partner:  South Asian Arts Council - Celebration of the Indian Festival of Diwali at the State House on November 4, 2013

Photos:  "Kirtan"; Ceremonial lighting of the avali clay lamps with Gov. Patrick, State Treasurer Steve Grossman and SAAC Director Amit Dixit; Dr. Karen Weber with Ms. Anuradha Koirala of Maiti Nepal (nonprofit working to stop sex trafficking; Gov. Deval Patrick.

Boston Green Academy on the Green Roofs

of the Seaport Hotel

 The Foundation set up an outdoor learning module about green roofs for some students of the Boston Green Academy.  Pictured here with Mr. Michael Duffy, Seaport Hotel's Sustainability Director, on a green roof that produces food and herbs for the hotel's restaurant (Nov. 5, 2013).

Mayor Thomas M. Menino - First Recipient of the

Boston Green Leader Award

The Mayor was recognized for his many green initiatives by the Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. and presented with the award by Dr. Karen L. Weber, Executive Director and George Sabra, Artist who created the award sculpture from the granite of recycled kitchen countertops. (August 2013)

Congratulations to the Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. for winning the prestigious Lewis Mumford Award for Environment!  The ceremony was  held in NYC on June 7, 2013 at the Pratt Institute. More info.

Franziska Amacher, Architect and Board Member of ADPSR with Dr. Karen L. Weber, Executive Director, Foundation for a Green Future, Inc.

News Flash on October 10, 2012:

Dr. Karen Weber, has just been invited to join the

Advisory Board of the International Music and Film Conference Directors

Congratulations, Karen!

SPRING 2012

Dr. Karen Weber was invited to go to the White House to participate in the first White House Summit on Environmental Education.

Dr. Weber  returned from The White House Summit on Environmental Education on Monday, April 16, 2012. Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lisa Jackson, was present along with other high level officials from the White House and federal agencies. This was the first summit on environmental education created by the EPA and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Jackson announced the reconvening of a Federal Interagency Task Force on environmental education which would include a dozen or so federal agencies, including the Department of Education.

Some of the important themes were the integration of environmental education with the standard curriculum, more outdoor time, and the teaching and practicing of good stewardship. The attendees agreed that the lack of financial resources must not stop us from educating our children about the environment.
 

Dr. Weber’s participation in this pertinent event allowed the Massachusetts environmental community’s collective experience and perspective to be represented and voiced. She spoke out during the roundtable session to remind everyone how important play is and that it should be incorporated into everyone’s programs, getting us all outdoors, playing together and being creative. Through play we can find many solutions, regenerate ourselves and our thoughts, and be healthy. Instead of the notion of
environmental education for everyone, K through gray, Why not “play through gray?” she asked.

Our Director Receives NEWIEE Achievement Award

Dr. Karen L. Weber, Executive Director of the Foundation, received a prestigious award given by New England Women in Energy and Environment  - the NEWIEE Achievement Award.  This was to honor Dr. Weber's work at the Foundation and Boston GreenFest in educating the public about greening our urban spaces and our lives, particularly with regard to green roofs and sustainable practices.

The award ceremony took place at the College Club of Boston, the oldest women's college club in the USA., on Monday, April 4, 2011.  Dr. Weber was accompanied by longtime friend, Ms. Arlenn Officer; her mother, Mrs. Norma Weber; her husband, Mr. Edwin Salamanca (photographer!); her friend, Ms. Jacki Wilkins;  and the secretary of the Foundation, Ms. Staci Zarimba.

She was introduced by Massport's Sustainability Officer, Ms. Jacki Wilkins and presented the award by NEWIEE president, Ms. Judy Chang.   Dr. Weber's acceptance speech reminded gala guests that green roofs are not an option.  They are a way that we can give back to the planet to help cool things down, reduce CO2, improve our hydrologic cycle and stormwater management while making our living spaces more beautiful and building a true green economy.

In keeping with the green spirit of the event, Dr. Weber wore a lovely 100% organic cotton top that was intricately embroidered and made entirely by women.  This special gift was presented by Nancy's Gone Green in honor of the occasion.  The unique NEWIEE award plaque was made by Ms. Gail Ahlers from repurposed wood and recycled soda cans.

Dr. Weber had the opportunity to meet Ms. Denise Nappier, Connecticut State Treasurer.  City Councilor Rob Consalvo was also in attendance. Later in the week, he bestowed another honor upon Dr. Weber offered by the City of Boston for her work on Boston GreenFest.  Congratulations, Karen!