Getting Involved - Networks and Links - Root Systems Institute

Business & Economy

Co-op America
Co-op America offers "Practical steps for using your consumer and investor power for social
change" such as supporting fair trade and labor, conserving forests, learning about socially
responsible investing, and buying green products. To attend one of their Green Festivals, obtain a
copy of the "National Green Pages" or other publications, learn more about what you or your
business can do to promote sustainable economic practices, or to join go to www.coopamerica.org.

eco-resolutions
"eco-resolutions is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help you and your company transition
into creating environmentally sustainable business practices and lifestyle by helping to create a
better standard of living, higher pay, less stress, more leisure, and an overall higher quality of life for
the whole planet." To find out more about how their services can help your organization focus on
the triple bottom line, see their website at www.ecoresolutions.org.

Social Investment Forum
The Social Investment Forum is “dedicated to promoting the concept and practice of Socially
Responsible Investing.” To learn more about socially responsible investing, conduct research in
the field, or find a financial advisor go to www.socialinvest.org.

Buying

Center for a New American Dream
The Center for a New American Dream is a “non-profit that helps Americans consume responsibly
to protect the environment, enhance quality of life and promote social justice.” To take their Nine
Actions for the Planet, learn how to be a Conscious Consumer, reduce your junk mail, join the
Action Network, see their publications or find out what kids can do go to www.newdream.org.

Eco Mall
Eco Mall bills itself as “The Earth’s Largest Environmental Living Center;” on their website you can
search literally hundreds of categorized sites offering green products. You can also get information
on activism, eco-links, eco-investing, eco-quotes, eco-restaurants, renewable energy, networking,
and their on-line publication Green Living Magazine at www.ecomall.com.

Simple Living Network
This is an international network offering “tools, examples, and contacts for conscious, simple,
healthy and restorative living,” a.k.a. “voluntary simplicity.” Get an introduction to these ideas in The
Web Of SimplicityTM , join a local discussion group, discover tools for sustainable living, subscribe
to their free newsletter or search their vast database of resources at www.simpleliving.net.

Real Goods
Real Goods offers products for an ecologically sustainable future, featuring items for the home,
garden and healthy living. To review the Real Goods & Renewable Energy catalogs, learn more
about the Solar Living Institute, or check out their vast library of resources go to www.realgoods.
com.

Eating

Boulder Co-op
“The Boulder Co-op Market is a community-owned, vegetarian natural foods store and
vegetarian/vegan cafe located walking distance from the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado.
They provide healthy alternatives by offering products that are organic, socially and environmentally
responsible, and locally produced.” To find out more, peruse their calendar of events and classes,
or to join go to www.bouldercoop.com.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) & Farmer’s Markets
This website is a part of the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center and allows you to
search for the CSA and/or Farmer’s Market closest to you. To learn about CSAs and sustainable
agriculture, discover the value in eating regionally and seasonally, and locate recipes and nutrition
information see www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa. For memberships to a local organic farm try
contacting Stonebridge Farm just outside of Lyons at (303) 823-0975; Pachamama Farm in
Longmont (www.pachamamafarm.com); or Sweet Peas Farm connected with the Longmont Co-op
at (303) 684-6789.

Co-op Directory
This website explains what a “co-op” is and also contains information about the environmental and
social benefits of participating in one. The directory allows you to locate the co-op closest to you,
www.coopdirectory.org.

Educational Resources

Authentic Happiness
This is the website for the book Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize
Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E.P. Seligman (Free Press, 2002). To learn more
about the book or take a series of free, scored questionnaires that examine your life satisfaction,
level of gratitude, signature strengths, work-life, relationships and many more see www.
authentichappiness.com.

Better World Handbook: From Good Intentions to Everyday Actions
This book, by Ellis Jones, Ross Haenfler and Brett Johnson with Brian Klocke (New Society
Publishers, 2001) is by far the single best resource I have found for learning what I can DO to be a
part of the solution. The majority of the book offers hundreds of simple ACTIONS that you can take
in areas of your life such as: "Money, Shopping, Food, Personal Life, Friends and Family,
Community, Home, Work, Media, Politics, Transportation, Travel and Organizations." To order the
book or find out more go to www.betterworldhandbook.com.

Bioneers
Bioneers is an "educational nonprofit that strengthens and expands networks of practical
visionaries working on behalf of the environment and people to spread solutions-oriented stories
— including both ecological models and social strategies — for restoring the earth." To find out
more about their conferences, youth initiative, radio or book series, food & farming network,
resources or publications check out www.bioneers.org.

EnviroLink Network
The EnviroLink Network maintains a database of thousands of environmental resources and
provides free internet services to non-profit organizations within the environmental and animal
rights communities. To search their gigantic volume of resources and links by category, location or
topic, see their website at www.envirolink.org.

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
The Extension offers a vast array of research-based information on topics such as healthy living,
nutrition, money matters, farming, ranching, family issues and gardening, just to name a few. Most
of these facts are available for little or cost, and can be accessed by phone, fact sheet, modem,
educational conferences, CD-ROM, or old-fashioned face-to-face discussion; get started at www.ext.
colostate.edu.

Sustainable Communities Network
The Sustainable Communities Network “links citizens to resources and to one another to create
healthy, vital, sustainable communities.” To access their well organized lists of hundreds of links
and publications on “creating community, smart growth, growing a sustainable economy, protecting
natural resources, governing sustainably and living sustainably” see their website at www.
sustainable.org.

Environment

ConservED Project
This Boulder based nonprofit Co-Founded by Jennifer White publishes the Green Heart Guide and
helps individuals and businesses address climate change by "understanding the global impact of
their choices, connecting with their deepest values, and living sustainably from the heart." To
receive an Energy Impact Analysis™, sign up for the 100th Human Initiative™, or buy Renewable
Energy Credits through Driven by the Wind™ go to their website at www.conserved.org.

Eco-Cycle
Eco-Cycle is the local recycling center in Boulder County but it’s also a vast resource for
understanding the recycling process, learning how to begin composting, discovering where to buy
recycled products, or finding out about Zero Waste. To utilize their services or volunteer go to www.
ecocycle.org.

Renewable Choice Energy
Renewable Choice seeks to create sustainable infrastructure within the U.S. to meet our current
and future energy needs by working directly with power producers to provide their customers with
clean energy for their home or business. To find out how to purchase renewable energy or to learn
more about renewable energy check out www.renewablechoice.com.

Simplicity Forum
Jennifer White is the Executive Director of the Simplicity Forum which is a think tank of academics
and authors, activist and artists, educators and entrepreneurs who seek to promote simplicity in
their work and practice it in their lives. Together they are committed to achieving and honoring
simple, just and sustainable ways of life. To find a speaker for your event or to locate resources for
achieving more meaning and quality of life go to www.simplicityforum.org.

Media

Democracy Now!
Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program featuring the War
and Peace Report. The report "provides access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the
U.S. corporate-sponsored media, including independent and international journalists, ordinary
people from around the world who are directly affected by U.S. foreign policy, grassroots leaders
and peace activists, artists, academics and independent analysts." To find the radio or TV station
nearest you that broadcasts this program check them out at www.democracynow.org.

Link TV
"Link TV is the first national network offering a global perspective on news, current events and
culture, presenting viewpoints seldom covered in the U.S. media." Their mission coincides with
RSI's as they seek to "serve the millions of Americans who desire to make positive change in our
world....and hope to become their indispensable, daily point of reference - a trusted resource to
enhance a life-long journey of personal, civic, humanitarian and intellectual growth." To check out
their programming schedule, locate the broadcast nearest you or become a member go to www.
linktv.org.

Social Justice

Project Vote Smart
Project Vote Smart (PVS) is an independent nonpartisan organization that provides an objective,
comprehensive database about thousands of candidates and elected officials for President,
Congress, Governors and State Legislators. Before you vote (AND PLEASE DO VOTE!) find out
about the candidates backgrounds, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances and
interest group ratings at www.vote-smart.org.

Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center
Created in the spirit of unconditional nonviolence, the Rocky Mountain Peace and
Justice Center is dedicated to research, education and action in nonviolence, and as a multi-issue
organization, they work to restore and protect earth and human rights. Check out their excellent
website to find out more about activism, educational programs, local events, and membership go to
www.rmpjc.org.

Transportation

Boulder Biodiesel Cooperative
The Boulder Biodiesel Cooperative is a coalition of environmental scientists, citizen activists,
students and Permaculture Design consultants who advocate the use of biodiesel as an alternative
fuel source. To find out more about Biodiesel, that sustainable, domestically produced, renewable,
biodegradable and nontoxic fuel made from vegetable oils, or to join the coop go to www.
boulderbiodiesel.com.