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GSA Events

GSA-Tucson at Green Week
Teaching young kids about the importance of environmental stewardship is crucial. In June, GSA-Tucson ecoplayers Marylyn Goldstein and Missy Russum, along with Navigator Greg Hockensmith led several functions to educate over 150 youth about environmental issues, and having fun with a recycled art program that transformed garbage into sculptures. Greg, a Paralympian and world champion hand-cyclist, inspired the kids with a presentation about his GSA-sponsored summit of Mt. Fuji last year, which broke previous hand-cycling ascent records. The events were part of Tucson’s Jewish Community Center’s Green Week.

GSA-NY Presents Award to Forest Manager 
When you’re out among the pines, it’s easy to forget the hard work needed to maintain America’s great outdoors. GSA-New York has recognized some of that dedication with its first environmental stewardship award, given to John Brady, Forest Manager of Black Rock Forest in Cornwall, NY. On top of endless recreation – running, hiking, biking, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, fishing, birding or just soaking in the scenery – the nearly 4000-acre living laboratory is a haven for research. GSA-NY’s Kevin Trotta said "As the first recipient of this award, John has set the bar very high.  In his work he studies and defends nature and points the way to a future where humankind lives, and plays, in balance with the natural world."

Ecoflag Flies Over Martial Arts Tournament
Chiu Chuk Kai Tai Chi Praying Mantis Federation: this glorious name belongs to a California-based Martial Arts organization that held its 8th Annual Memorial Martial Art tournament in July. GSA-Concord, CA partnered with the Federation to help raise environmental awareness in local schools and at the Chu Kai Memorial Tournament. The competition hosted a myriad of martial arts styles while spectators and competitors alike basked in the green glow of the Ecoflag.

Upcoming Events

Olympian to represent GSA-USA in El Tour de Mt. Fuji, Japan
Former velodrome Olympian Jame Carney could not resist an opportunity to ride El Tour de Mt. Fuji, a cycling race that winds around Japan’s highest peak. The GSA-supported event in early September highlights the beautiful landscape on the slopes of the sacred mountain. “I jumped at the chance to ride El Tour de Mt. Fuji.” Carney said. “As a two-time Olympian and three-time winner of El Tour de Tucson, I know that cycling can change a life.  Do I think bicycles can change the world?  You bet I do.  I'm proud to ride under the Ecoflag movement to represent Tucson's environmental awareness and activism in Japan." 

El Tour de Tucson Bike Patrol Goes Green
At El Tour de Tucson, the southwest’s largest cycling race, Bike Patrol has always played a vital role: assisting with crashes and break-downs, and even providing moral support to exhausted cyclists. At GSA’s suggestion, patrollers now have a new task: reminding cyclists to protect the beautiful areas they ride through from litter and other hazards. This message is crucial for cyclists whose sport is deeply enhanced by the environment in which it takes place. The Bike Patrol’s new charter goes into action at El Tour de Tucson XXVI, November 22nd and at future “El Tour” events across Southern Arizona.

Reminder:
International Coastal Cleanup effort on September 20th
To get involved in your area, please contact Kevin Trotta. If you’re curious about the life of a plastic bag, or why such a huge annual cleanup effort is necessary, have a peak at this slide show.

Ecoplayer Spotlight

Laszlo Otvos Sets the Bar High for Low Impact Events
When it comes to sporting events, simple things like picking up your mess make a big difference. Laszlo Otvos, founder of Blue Pants Racing in Tucson, AZ, understands this philosophy and sets a great example of how to hold a sporting event with minimum environmental impact. BPR limits dumpster-doomed materials at its running races and training programs. Organizers encourage participants to car-pool, use online (instead of paper) registration, and stay after events to pick up trash. Laszlo says his goal is, “To leave the venue in better condition than we found it.”

Sports Eco-tip

Whether you’re trying to take advantage of summer’s sunny rays or just trying to beat the heat, sunscreen is a must have. But it’s important what kind of lotion you lather on. Recent FDA testing of 1,000 sunscreens showed that many leading brands don’t deliver top-notch protection and soak cancer-causing chemicals into your skin.  Also, European studies found sunscreen chemicals in fish we eat. For a cheat sheet on what to look for in ingredients lists, and the best sunscreens to use and how to use them, check out The Cosmetic Safety Database sunscreen guide.