It's been a while since we've updated but we have still been working very hard.
Our biggest news is that we will be participating in the Living Green Expo at the fairgrounds in Saint Paul, MN on May 2-3.
"The Living Green Expo is a free, annual event that provides information and products to help Minnesotans improve the environmental and social impacts of their day-to-day living. The Expo features over 200 exhibitors of products, services, and information, along with workshops on a variety of sustainability and green living topics. Expo attractions include music, art, food, demonstrations, and activities for youth and children."
For more information, visit their website: www.livinggreen.org.
I will also be featured on the the Everything Green radio show on Saturday, April 18th. The program starts at noon and runs an hour. I will be giving a brief introduction to green burial and let you know what's happening locally to get a conservation cemetery up and running.
We currently have a graphic designer, and close friend of mine, named Aaron Shapiro working on a new logo for TNL. Once it's completed we'll be making a bunch of buttons and other items that will be available at the Green Expo. We're all super excited about this.
That's about it for now. As things continue to progress I'll try and do a better job about updating. I hope to see you at the Green Expo! It's free! Don't hesitate to stop by our booth and introduce yourself.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, December 8, 2008
Minnesotans inquiring about 'green' burials
Minnesotans inquiring about 'green' burials
Associated Press
Updated: 12/06/2008 05:14:27 PM CST
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Tradition and laws have kept "green" burials from becoming widespread in Minnesota, but funeral directors say more people are inquiring about them.
"There are people talking about it and people mentioning it," said Mark Benson, funeral director at Benson Funeral Home in St. Cloud. "They've seen the stories. They're talking about it, whether it was something they'd do themselves."
Minnesota state law requires bodies to be embalmed for public viewing, but natural options are available.
Theresa Purcell helped start the Minnesota chapter of Trust for Natural Legacies, which promotes green burial and is looking for suitable land within 45 minutes of the Twin Cities for a natural conservation cemetery.
"The more people learn what it is and the more people learn it's actually an option, we're getting a very strong, positive response from people," she said.
Purcell envisions the cemetery to be 25-30 acres that would also serve as a nature preserve and recreational area, with opportunities for cross-country skiing and birdwatching. People could use the property whether they have loved ones buried there or not, she said.
Green graveyards have also begun in Wisconsin.
In Milwaukee, Forest Home Cemetery set aside three of its 200 acres for green burials this year and Circle Cemetery, an arm of Circle Sanctuary near Barneveld, expanded its one-acre cremains-only cemetery to 20 acres to allow natural burials.
Purcell said she's gotten many calls and e-mails from people interested in the natural cemetery. Some elderly people have said they hope it's open by the time they pass away, she said.
Ken Peterson, president of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association, said he expects the trend toward environmental awareness will affect death practices in Minnesota as it has other areas of society.
People already are asking to use recycled paper for memorial programs and biodegradable containers for graveside flowers, he said.
"I think what we're going to see in our area is different shades of green," Peterson said.
Information from: St. Cloud Times, www.sctimes.com
Associated Press
Updated: 12/06/2008 05:14:27 PM CST
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Tradition and laws have kept "green" burials from becoming widespread in Minnesota, but funeral directors say more people are inquiring about them.
"There are people talking about it and people mentioning it," said Mark Benson, funeral director at Benson Funeral Home in St. Cloud. "They've seen the stories. They're talking about it, whether it was something they'd do themselves."
Minnesota state law requires bodies to be embalmed for public viewing, but natural options are available.
Theresa Purcell helped start the Minnesota chapter of Trust for Natural Legacies, which promotes green burial and is looking for suitable land within 45 minutes of the Twin Cities for a natural conservation cemetery.
"The more people learn what it is and the more people learn it's actually an option, we're getting a very strong, positive response from people," she said.
Purcell envisions the cemetery to be 25-30 acres that would also serve as a nature preserve and recreational area, with opportunities for cross-country skiing and birdwatching. People could use the property whether they have loved ones buried there or not, she said.
Green graveyards have also begun in Wisconsin.
In Milwaukee, Forest Home Cemetery set aside three of its 200 acres for green burials this year and Circle Cemetery, an arm of Circle Sanctuary near Barneveld, expanded its one-acre cremains-only cemetery to 20 acres to allow natural burials.
Purcell said she's gotten many calls and e-mails from people interested in the natural cemetery. Some elderly people have said they hope it's open by the time they pass away, she said.
Ken Peterson, president of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association, said he expects the trend toward environmental awareness will affect death practices in Minnesota as it has other areas of society.
People already are asking to use recycled paper for memorial programs and biodegradable containers for graveside flowers, he said.
"I think what we're going to see in our area is different shades of green," Peterson said.
Information from: St. Cloud Times, www.sctimes.com
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
WCCO-TV Interview
Here is a link to our WCCO-TV story which aired last night on the 10pm news.
http://wcco.com/video/?id=50350@wcco.dayport.com
http://wcco.com/video/?id=50350@wcco.dayport.com
Monday, November 10, 2008
WCCO News
Tomorrow, 11/11, the Minnesota Chapter of TNL is going to be featured on WCCO News at 10pm! A big thanks to Liz Collin, Megan Brown, and everyone else at WCCO-TV who found this topic to be interesting and worthy of doing a story on. I can't wait to see it!
In other news, Nicole, Derek, and I went to Madison this week for the annual TNL Planning Retreat. We discussed the goals set a year ago, our progress, and our plans for the future. Now that we officially have IRS 501(c)3 Nonprofit Status we will have a lot more donation and grant opportunities. We worked on establishing a land search committee and our executive director, Mark, is developing a conservation cemetery operator's manual which will help us transition smoothly when appropriate land is found and acquired. We have a great team and a lot of passionate people working hard to make this happen. I feel confident that within a few years we will have a conservation cemetery up and running.
Right now we just need to get the word out. Watch WCCO tomorrow night! Tell your friends! Invite us to come and give a presentation! And finally, think about becoming a member!
In other news, Nicole, Derek, and I went to Madison this week for the annual TNL Planning Retreat. We discussed the goals set a year ago, our progress, and our plans for the future. Now that we officially have IRS 501(c)3 Nonprofit Status we will have a lot more donation and grant opportunities. We worked on establishing a land search committee and our executive director, Mark, is developing a conservation cemetery operator's manual which will help us transition smoothly when appropriate land is found and acquired. We have a great team and a lot of passionate people working hard to make this happen. I feel confident that within a few years we will have a conservation cemetery up and running.
Right now we just need to get the word out. Watch WCCO tomorrow night! Tell your friends! Invite us to come and give a presentation! And finally, think about becoming a member!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
TNL Fall Newsletter
TNL's Fall Newsletter is now ready and you can read it by clicking HERE. This issue focuses on the establishment of our Minnesota Chapter and discusses the exciting new opportunities this opens up for us and all green burial supporters in the Midwest.
Again, i urge you to become a member and support TNL. Great things are happening but we need your help. Please, follow this link and join TNL. Be sure to specify that you're joining TNL Minnesota! Thanks for all your help and we'll be in touch soon.
Again, i urge you to become a member and support TNL. Great things are happening but we need your help. Please, follow this link and join TNL. Be sure to specify that you're joining TNL Minnesota! Thanks for all your help and we'll be in touch soon.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Big news!
Trust for Natural Legacies has been officially approved by the IRS as a 501(c)3 nonprofit!!
This is huge because that means that YOU (our donors and members) can now deduct your contributions on your taxes.
So congratulations and thank you to Mark Dahlby, the executive director of TNL, for all his hard work and perseverance in getting this approved.
Are you interested in becoming a member of TNL Minnesota? It's easy and it's getting even easier! Right now all you have to do is go to THIS PAGE and send in your membership. Make sure to specify that you are joining TNL Minnesota on your check and membership form. Within the next month or so we plan to have a PayPal option as well.
This is huge because that means that YOU (our donors and members) can now deduct your contributions on your taxes.
So congratulations and thank you to Mark Dahlby, the executive director of TNL, for all his hard work and perseverance in getting this approved.
Are you interested in becoming a member of TNL Minnesota? It's easy and it's getting even easier! Right now all you have to do is go to THIS PAGE and send in your membership. Make sure to specify that you are joining TNL Minnesota on your check and membership form. Within the next month or so we plan to have a PayPal option as well.
Monday, October 13, 2008
TNL Pumpkin Carving
This Saturday, Trust for Natural Legacies will be hosting a community pumpkin carving and picnic! We will be meeting at noon in Como Park across from the lakeside pavilion. The parking lot is on the corner of Lexington Pkwy N and Nausbaumer Dr. Click for a Map.
We're meeting at noon and will be done in time to get ready for the Zombie Pub Crawl at 4! Or show up already zombied up if that's your thing. And bring some kids if you know any! If they're zombie kids, that's even better.
This is a TNL event so if you're interested in Green Burial in Minnesota we can chat about what's happening locally and how you can get involved.
Email us at NaturalBurialProject@gmail.com if you have any questions.
We're meeting at noon and will be done in time to get ready for the Zombie Pub Crawl at 4! Or show up already zombied up if that's your thing. And bring some kids if you know any! If they're zombie kids, that's even better.
This is a TNL event so if you're interested in Green Burial in Minnesota we can chat about what's happening locally and how you can get involved.
Email us at NaturalBurialProject@gmail.com if you have any questions.
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