Prof. shows environment work

All of FARMbloomington’s seats were filled Monday night with people who care about the environment and wanted to hear the words and works of IU professor Scott Russell Sanders.

The event, “An evening with Scott Russell Sanders,” premiered his latest work, “The Conservationist Manifesto,” and was a discussion of the concept of local sustainability in a culture where wasteful consumerism threatens the existence of life on earth.

Sanders began by telling the audience a story of a billboard he came across. He said “Grab. Gulp. Go.” struck him, and he said he regarded it as a fitting slogan for wasteful culture and people’s attitude toward natural resources.

“We need to stop grabbing, gulping and going and start savoring the things in our lives and local culture,” Sanders said.

When Sanders took the stage, the crowd fell silent. He read pieces with visual language, and many audience members closed their eyes while he read.

This event also served as a  fundraiser for Sycamore Land Trust. A portion of every ticket sale went to the organization.

“He certainly has a lot to say,” said Marcia Meyer, one of the many members of Sycamore Land Trust, the conservationist organization of southern Indiana.

Sanders’ longtime friend and colleague Tom Roznowski played with his band, the Living Daylights, during the dinner.

People ate locally grown tapas prepared by chef and FARM owner Daniel Orr. There was also local wine and beer tastings courtesy of the Brewers of Indiana Guild.

“Thank you to those of you who came out,” Orr said to the crowd. “And if it’s your first time at the FARM, well, what’s taken you so long?”

He explained the many green practices FARM uses to make a small difference. Everything at FARM, from food to take-out boxes, is all locally produced and easily recyclable, Orr said, and all of those are practices Sanders asks readers of his book to employ.

After Orr spoke, Christian Freitag, Sycamore Land Trust executive director, took to the stage to garner more support for the nonprofit organization that does so much to protect this region.

“You can do it,” Freitag said. “Indiana’s your home, and you can make a difference.”

The night ended with music from Roznowski and the band, but Sanders took the stage one last time to read part of the final chapter: a letter to his grandchildren and all children who will inherit the world, about his hope that this generation can save nature so the next can enjoy all the wondrous parts of it that he loves so much.

“I believe we can change our ways,” Sanders said.