LAWRENCE: Sustainable Lawrence to hold ‘community conversation’

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   Nearly 10 years ago, in the middle of a snowstorm, more than 100 Lawrence Township residents gathered to discuss how they could embark on a sustainable lifestyle — one that did not use up natural resources faster than they could be replaced.
   That daylong conversation gave birth to Sustainable Lawrence, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging residents to adopt a sustainable lifestyle — whether it is switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent ones, or upgrading windows, doors and insulation to reduce energy waste.
   On May 9 and May 10, Sustainable Lawrence will revisit the original “community conversation” in a region-wide event that will also serve as the unveiling of “My Journey with the Eco-Municipality: How to Change the World through Local Action,” written by Torbjorn Lahti.
   It was Mr. Lahti and Sarah James who co-wrote “The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns Can Change to Sustainable Practices” — the book that provided the foundation for Sustainable Lawrence and inspired its backers.
   In addition to Sustainable Lawrence, the “community conversation” is being co-sponsored by the Lawrence Township Community Foundation, The Lawrenceville School and Sustainable Jersey.
   The May 9 reception and dinner is limited to 50 people to encourage informal conversations with the author and each other, said Tahirih Smith, executive director of Sustainable Lawrence. Attendees may purchase the book, which will be signed by Mr. Lahti.
   Mr. Lahti and Ms. James will be back May 10 as the keynote speakers at the conference, which begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. It will be held in the Cavalla Room at the Bart Ludeke Student Center at Rider University. The cost is $10 to cover a light breakfast and lunch.
   Representatives from Lawrence, Ewing, Hopewell and Hillsborough townships, as well as Princeton and Jersey City, are expected to attend, said Ms. Smith, the executive director of Sustainable Lawrence, and Pam Mount, who serves on its board of directors.
   ”We want to plot out the next 10 years for sustainable development for the region. After the keynote speakers, we will break out into different groups that ‘touch’ each other, either geographically or by interest. We are excited,” Ms. Mount said.
   The groups will report back with realistic goals in the afternoon, she said. It is not a think tank, she said, adding that “we want to be practical. If people don’t buy into it, no matter how great it all sounds, it won’t work.”
   Ms. Mount said the conference is not just for “the converted” — those who believe in sustainability. She said the conference is open to everyone. The organizers “want people who have questions or who are just becoming interested in sustainability,” she said.
   ”In the afternoon, we will come up with action items — an action plan,” Ms. Smith said. “We are looking for input from everyone. We want to move forward. We will leave at the end of the day with more knowledge and more commitment and collaboration.”
   To register for the event by the May 5 deadline, visit www.sustainablelawrence.org or call Tahirih Smith at 609-731-1818.