Sustainable Tuesdays, a weekly presentation on topics related to environmental and sustainability issues presented by Bemidji State University’s Sustainability Office, will focus on food sovereignty and simple outdoor building projects during its July schedule.
Sustainable Tuesdays are typically held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Rail River Folk School, located at 303 Railroad St. SW in Bemidji. They are open free to the public unless otherwise noted.
July 2: “Regaining Food Sovereignty” documentary screening
Sustainable Tuesdays will host an airing of the locally produced documentary “Regaining Food Sovereignty” and visit with guest speakers featured in the production. The documentary explores issues regarding tradition and culture around food.
July 9: Birdhouse Building Workshop
Local builder Rocky Carpenter will teach participants how to build a number of different birdhouses. Participants can learn the basics of construction while helping to create a habitat for birds of the region. No prior experience with tools or building is necessary; all basic skills will be covered. Participants interested in taking a birdhouse home with them after the class must pre-register by July 7 by contacting Caityln Schuchhardt at the Sustainability Office, and must bring $10 to the workshop to cover material costs.
July 16: Make-and-Take Rain Barrel Workshop
Andreas Nordrum will show participants how to build a rain barrel for their garden or yard. Participants interested in taking a rain barrel home with them after the class must pre-register by July 12 by contacting Caityln Schuchhardt at the Sustainability Office, and must bring $30 to the workshop to cover material costs.
July 23: Permaculture and Community Resilience
Permaculturists Diana Kuklinski and Megan Arndt will lead a discussion about resilience – what it means, why it’s important and how to assess individual and community resilience. Participants will learn practical planning and practices to increase our resilience for future food, water, energy and other resources. Participants will leave with a better understanding of how to take steps to increase their own resilience and have the opportunity to participate in a continued community dialogue.
July 30: Northwest Community Garden Workshop (special time: 3-7 p.m.)
This free workshop will be hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension and will focus on the community-building and organizational skills that make community or school gardens a success. Participants can network with other gardeners and community-oriented people for an afternoon focused around growing a community. Pre-registration is encouraged at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Reg_Comm_Gardens.
Sustainable Tuesdays are a partnership between Bemidji State’s Sustainability Office, the Indigenous Environmental Network, Minnesota GreenCorps and the Rail River Folk School. The Sustainable Tuesdays presentations aim to draw upon the strengths of the region’s diversity to create a sustainable Bemidji.
For more information, contact Caitlyn Schuchhardt in the BSU Sustainability Office, (218) 755-3765.