This content was published: December 12, 2003. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

PCC teams up with Ecotrust to offer easy ways to go ?green'

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PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon is hailed across the country for its progressive vision and commitment concerning the environment. But practicing sustainability techniques is not just good for the earth – it’s also good for you. Now you can learn how to incorporate these earth-friendly benefits into your own daily life with a new non-credit series offered by Portland Community College and the environmental non-profit, Ecotrust.Environmental Series with Ecotrust is a unique opportunity to learn from experts how to practice alternative ways to live, build and eat. Students will discover how being "green"can be less costly and greatly increase personal health, as well as make a positive difference on our world. The series of eight classes will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 12 through March 8, at the Ecotrust Building, 721 N.W. 9th Ave. Cost is $25 per class. Topics are as follows:? Watershed Restoration (Jan. 12). The best things in life are free, such as our ecosystem. Nature cleans our air and water, pollinates our crops, and protects us from floods and harmful solar radiation. Find out what is being done to restore our watersheds.? Salmon Nation Divided (Jan. 26). Explore the Tribal Treaty History of the Pacific Northwest, and the placing into historical context the Treaty Fishing Wars of the 1970’s.? Ecoroof Construction (Feb. 9). What would our cities look like if acres of asphalt and tar were replaced with soil and plants? Ecoroofs Everywhere seeks to further the use of green roof technologies to connect the natural and the built environments.? Building a Regional Food Economy (Feb. 16). There are alternatives to our globalize food industry. Ecotrust’s Food & Farms program acts as a values-based regional food economy where access, quality, resource stewardship and local control are the norm.? Why Build Green (Feb. 23). The growing number of Oregon companies, organizations, and residents are opting to build green. What does this mean? What are the benefits of building green, and what resources can you use?? Build it Green (Mar. 1). Buildings define communities for generations. In Portland, good urban design and progressive development practices are helping to shape a 21st century city where people want to live, work and play.? So What Fish Can We Eat (Mar. 8). Oregon’s water life is more important than ever. Explore the link between watershed health, fish preservation, and the challenge of balancing environmental, recreational and economic needs.For more information, contact PCC Community Education at 503-614-7308. To download this news release, go to www.pcc.edu and click on the News and Events bar, then click on Community Education News.

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »