Mary Walker, Executive Director of Alaska Interfaith Power & Light

Topic: Living the Golden Rules by Practicing the Green Rule

Mary has served in the environmental stewardship field for more than 19 years and has spent the last 10 years in Alaska. Currently, Mary serves as the Executive Director of Alaska Interfaith Power & Light. Mary's previous work experience includes: Climate Change Coordinator for Alaska Conservation Solutions in Anchorage, Alaska; Environmental Interpreter in Coldfoot, Alaska; Outdoor Recreation Planner for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Maryland; and an Audubon Environmental Educator in Arizona. Mary holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Arizona and an M.S. in Conservation Social Science from the University of Idaho.

The Golden Rule of caring for one another and the Green Rule of caring for the earth, are two theological threads weaving through the moral fabric of all mainstream religions. Alaska Interfaith Power & Light, a religious environmental stewardship nonprofit, is helping Alaskans understand that these rules not only go hand-in-hand but also are part of walking one’s faithful talk. Illustrating this inextricable connection, Alaska IPL’s Golden-Green Program provides tangible projects that demonstrate how to simultaneously “walk” these two important moral imperatives.

Mary Walker, Executive Director of Alaska IPL, will share the heart-warming and inspiring story of the Fairbanks Rescue Mission Recycling Center and its highly successful Green Collar Job training program for the Mission's homeless residents.
Ms. Walker has worked in the environmental stewardship field for more than 19 years and has spent the last 10 years in Alaska. In 2008, Mary was honored with the Environmental Excellence Award from the Alaska Forum on the Environment for the development of a green job program for Anchorage homeless. Mary also serves as an Oxfam Ambassador for Alaska.

Date: March 24, 2011

Location: Silverbow Inn and Bakery, Juneau

Time: Doors open at 5:00 PM, Lecture begins at 5:30 PM

Cost: Cascadia Members and students; Free (RSVP MANDATORY)
General Audience; $10

The Transformational Lecture Series aims to inspire all building industry professionals to embrace their role in creating as sustainable built environment now, as well as ensuring that sustainability becomes integral to all development in the future. In an effort to both reduce cost and carbon emissions, and to inspire the local community, most speakers are notable local heroes and reside in the Pacific Northwest.