Greetings on this wet and wonderful day in the East Bay and Happy Birthday to Martin Luther King.  My name is Suzy Karasik and I am one of the newer volunteers who is devoted to the success of East Bay Green Tours.  Among many tasks, my main focus is FUNDING, so if you have extra funds you would like to contribute you can contact me at suzy@ebgt.org !   We have all kinds of needs and are greatfull for any way that you might be able to contribute; in kind services included!

I was working on a proposal and began to wonder if you might want to know a little more about what exactly it is that we do...  The cool thing is that in addition to the fascinating excursions that we have in place, we have the ability to craft a tour specifically to the wishes of any kind of audience.  I have some ideas, but would love to hear yours, especially if you have a group that you would like to gift with an East Bay Green Tours adventure.  So here's a bit more information to entice you...

Our tours are inspiring and educational; demonstrating “Sustainable Solutions in Action”, supporting local green businesses and empowering people to bring environmental responsibility and social justice into their personal and professional lives.  We introduce and promote green pioneers and businesses who are driving the engines of the global green economy. Engaging and entertaining, our tours visit innovative green-certified businesses, green buildings, restaurants, farms and rooftop gardens, eco-home products and services, green manufacturers, creative recyclers, alternative transportation providers, and so much more! 

You get insights into how businesses think green, apply these principles and succeed.  We started in the four major "East Bay Green Corridor” municipalities: Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville, and Richmond, and are now extending throughout the Bay Area. Here's a peek: Educational Tours for students seeking a deeper understanding of what this green movement is all about, including the “green collar” opportunities in the region, Group Tours targeting advancements in water restoration, waste management and creative reuse, green buildings and some are crafted for large businesses focused on corporate social responsibility, sustainability and educating their people to the place in which they live and work.

In 2010 we seek to partner with local non-profits to expand our market and awareness.  There will be workshops & seminars led by subject matter experts at a local green hotel and then proceed to see it in action with Green Tours as the experiential learning component. You would be amazed at how life changing these tours can be. I know, I'm one of them and it is really encouraging given the current economic climate.

East Bay Green Tours offers tremendous social value by providing a much needed spark to the local economy, delivering attention to hard-working green businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profits.  We showcase ideas for incorporating these concepts into new businesses and to enable people in job transition to see what is possible in the emerging green economy. 

Anyone can talk about how important it is to focus on the challenges of global warming and renewable energy or economic sustainability.  We take a giant leap and demonstrate what this looks like in the real world.  Through direct experience, students and adults, business people, corporate entities and even tourists have cause to examine and re-evaluate their beliefs and actions.  Our partnerships illustrate how to create models and replicate successful business ventures whether it be the concept of “cradle to grave manufacturing” or  turning fields of garbage into rows of life giving vegetables. 

This is just one example of the ripple effect that comes from community partnerships promoting responsible practices.  Envision eco-industrial parks on land once blighted by brown fields and prisons, non-profit “Solution Centers” training young urban workers in new technologies.  Imagine kids who are now fodder for prisons, instead creating zero-pollution products, healing the land, and harvesting the sun.  We are helping to build a pathway from the present "gulag" economy to the future "green economy” in cities like Oakland and Richmond, and one day Hunter’s Point and East Palo Alto.
 
Welcome aboard!