Locals unite to sustain environment

Five women from Lee and Collier counties have gathered environmental, community and business leaders for a seminar to inspire positive changes that affect society, spiritually and the environment. Those in attendance will be encouraged to form groups that focus on creating active change in the community. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Edison State College, Taeni Student Services Hall, Room S106, near the cafeteria.

Keynote speaker Linda Tarr-Whelan served as Ambassador to the UN Commission on the Status of Women during the Clinton Administration. She was deputy assistant for women's concerns in the Carter White House and Ladies Home Journal named her one of the 50 most powerful women in Washington.

Seminar topics include

• "Greening Your Home and Business," led by Jennifer Languell, Ph.D., founder and president of Trifecta Construction Solutions.

• "Organic Farming," led by Frank Oakes, owner of Food and Thought Organic Market and Restaurant in Naples. Mr. Oakes is a certified organic grower with 30 years in farming and 15 years in organic farming.

• "Responsible Entrepreneurship," led by Cynthia Mitchell, SBA's 2008 Women in Business Champion of the Year and Deborah Shane of Fort Myers-based Train with Shane, providing education for sales, marketing, business development and customer service.

• "Social Change and Action," led by Heather Vega, on staff with Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida, a partner organization of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.

• "Clean Energy," led by Rhonda Roff, environmental advocate and scientist who organized Save It Now, Glades! In opposition of a coal-fired power plant in Glades County.

"Preservation Of Nature - North," led by Karen Kamener, an activist studying the watersheds in Bayshore and North Lee County and the historical flows of the Northern Everglades, the composition and functions of the aquifers and wetlands and their role in providing our water and a habitat for wildlife.

• "Preservation Of Nature - South," led by Marcia Cravens, founder of the Friends of Clam Bay organization and member of the Mangrove Action Group.

Other discussion topics include "Health Freedom" and "The 3 R's: Recycle, Reduce and Re-Use." Tickets are $55, and include lunch and refreshments. Guests may bring a friend for half price. To register, visit WomenLeadingThe- Way.com or contact Ann Smith at 596- 2881 or Caroline Ravelo at 791-6749.