Colorado River Management Plan Litigation Update

In March, Rock the Earth, along with River Runners for Wilderness, Living Rivers and Wilderness Watch sued the National Park Service in Federal District Court for their mismanagement of the Colorado River. To read more about the Colorado River Management Plan go here. Also available are a copy of the Complaint as well as a Press Release. The outcome of this challenge will impact how all wilderness areas are managed in this country, either resulting in free rein for motorized concessionaires in some of this country's most treasured wild lands, or a restoration and protection of these critical ecosystems for future generations.

On June 9, the government responded in routine fashion, denying all claims that we had made. A copy of the response will be posted shortly on our website at http://www.rocktheearth.org/projects/project_crmp.html. Next up will be a certification of the record by the government and possibly a supplementation of the record by the plaintiffs and then the case will move forward in federal court.

Expenses associated with this litigation are expected to exceed $15,000. This marks a turning point in Rock the Earth's growth and we need your assistance more than ever! Please help support this important case by renewing your membership, signing up for membership if you are not already a member, or making an additional donation to RtE.

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Factory Farms
by RtE Legal Intern Leah Berntsen

Factory Farms
Factory farms, or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), are large-scale farming operations that densely confine cattle, swine, sheep, or poultry. CAFOs produce large numbers of animals more quickly and for less money, but the real costs of these operations are generally ignored. CAFOS can have disastrous impacts on the environment, public health, animal health and family farms.

Family Farms
As the number of CAFOs has increased over the last 20 years, family farms are forced out of business by their inability to compete. From 1982 to 2002, the number of farms and ranches decreased by 330,000. The loss of family farms not only affects food production but also economy and society. Family farms support and create rural economies and communities. In addition, family farms engage in crop rotation integrated with livestock production resulting in biological diversity and ecological resilience not found in CAFOs. Family farms also provide urban people with a social connection to farming and rural communities. This place-based identification of food products provides intrinsic value beyond food production alone. Dave Matthews has noted in his support of family farms: "There was also this growing urge to sustain the family farmer. Those things became apparent to me in my interest in the quality of food I was eating and soon thereafter the quality of food my family was eating. I'm involved for the big picture, and it seems the natural battle to support. It is one that is concerned on so many different levels with things I am concerned with: the health of the environment, the health of citizens, the health of the farm, the health of our culture. All of those fall on a very basic level right at how we grow food and what we eat. I can't think of a more universal purpose than the support and nurturing of healthy food from healthy farms."

Continue Reading this article...

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Rollin' Down the Road

moe.'s Al Schnier educates fans about Rock the Earth

For the second year in a row, Rock the Earth started its tour at Summer Camp - moe.'s Springtime 4-day festival at the Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL and once again, RtE had a very successful kickoff to the tour. Following the weekend, we began our summer-long tour with one of the biggest tours of the summer - the Dave Matthews Band! Our first shows with DMB since 2004, and already we know that we're having an impact, speaking with dozens of folks a night, educating them about important environmental issues and signing up many members along the way. As if that wasn't enough for our first month of tour, RtE also had teams at Smilefest in North Carolina, Gov't Mule's Mountain Jam at Hunter Mountain, NY, Strange Creek Festival in MA, Harmony Festival in CA, moe. & Umphrey's McGee at Red Rocks in CO and the grand-daddy of them all - Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN (see below).

Joining RtE Executive Director, Marc Ross, on tour for Rock the Earth this Summer are seven enthusiastic and inspired interns: Chandra Ruff, Kathryn Blau, Bridget Carey, Sara Tell, Raphael Schiffman, Jenny Schumacher and Liz Pattison. We couldn't be more pleased with the quality of students and recent graduates that will be representing RtE this summer!

Coming up are stints on the Acoustic Planet Tour with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, a large part of Bonnie Raitt's Summer Tour as well as on the Guster/Ray LaMontagne tour, seven shows with RtE supporters the String Cheese Incident and a handful of dates with our friends Gov't Mule and the Allman Brothers Band. In addition to work with these artists, RtE will also be at several festivals this summer including High Sierra Music Festival, 10,000 Lakes Festival, Folks Fest in Lyons, CO, Gathering of the Vibes in Mariahville, NY, and a bevy of shows at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre in the Poudre Canyon, outside of Ft. Collins, CO.

For stories from the road, show reviews, pictures and set lists, check out our Tour Blog. For the latest news and tour dates, see the RtE website.

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Bonnie-roo 2006!

Marc Ross Interviews Bonnie Raitt at the Solar Stage

For the first time in RtE's history, we played a significant role in programming at a festival and what a festival it was! The grand-daddy of all festivals in the U.S. settled into Machester, TN for its fifth year. 80,000 tickets were sold and fans from around the world flocked to witness the most diverse line-up to date. Headlining 'Roo 2006 was the classic rock of Tom Petty, the alternative rock of Radiohead, and the Jamband rock of Phil Lesh & Friends. Also on the line-up were bands as diverse as Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Bonnie Raitt, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Earle, Atmosphere, the Motet, Death Cab for Cutie, Matisyahu, Umphrey's McGee and many, many more.

RtE's role was to create some of the programming for the Solar Stage in Planet Roo. Planet Roo is the village within Centeroo dedicated to preserving the environment as well as promoting sustainable and healthy living. Nonprofit organizations, eco-friendly vendors and performers on the Solar Stage gather to interact and educate the public about what we can all do to protect the health of the planet. In furtherance of that mission, Rock the Earth, held a series of panel discussions and artist environmental question and answer sessions live on the Solar Stage each day. Moderated by Rock the Earth Executive Director, Marc Ross, the theme of the panel discussions was "Social Change Through Music," and explored the synergies between the artists that create music and its interconnectedness to the environment and the world around us.

Marc Ross with Victor Wooten, Brendan Bayliss, Grady O'Shaughnesey and Futureman

Friday's panel consisted of keyboardist extraordinaire, John Medeski, Marc Brownstein (Disco Biscuits), and Justin Baker (Conscious Alliance). Saturday it was Liz Berlin (Rusted Root), Aaron Redner and Zac Matthews (Hot Buttered Rum), Anna Borofsky (Clean Vibes), and Andy Bernstein (Headcount), followed by an interview, bio-fuel tutorial and musical performance by all of Hot Buttered Rum. Sunday, the panel consisted of Victor Wooten and Futureman (Bela Fleck & the Flecktones), Brendan Bayliss (Umphrey's McGee) and last minute substitute, Grady O'Shaughnesey (Clif Bar). Topping off the weekend was a compelling and interesting one-hour interview of Bonnie Raitt conducted by Marc. Hopefully we'll have access to audio and video of the experience available in the near future.

All in all, it was an incredibly productive weekend for RtE. Over 300 folks were added to our mailing list and over 30 new members were registered! Special thanks to the RtE volunteers, Chandra and Kathryn (our touring team), Corinne and RtE Staffer, Ryan Camp, Sarah and Jenny as well as RtE Staffer Pari Beigi for filling in when we needed. Thanks also to Chris Crowell, Nick Algee, Rich Goodstone and the kind folks from Superfly and AC Entertainment who liked our idea to bring musicians to the Solar Stage in a way that was new and unique, and then gave us the resources to run with it. We are already talking about next year and Rock the Earth is looking forward to being involved in Bonnaroo 2007!

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Rock the Festival Circuit this Summer with Rock the Earth!

Are you taking advantage of your membership benefits? RtE Members receive discounts on concerts & festivals, special members-only merchandise offers, 10% off EcoExpress gift baskets and 20% off SCIGear and Bamboosa products! Send your friends (or yourself!) great gift baskets of bath & beauty products, music from around the world, scrumptious organic treats or games and gardening kits from EcoExpress! Visit their website, www.ecoexpress.com to see their wide selection!

Support sustainability and enjoy breathable, durable clothing that is as soft as silk with Bamboosa's 100% bamboo clothing. Bamboo clothing you say? Yes! Bamboo is nature's most sustainable resource, grown without pesticides and 100% biodegradable. Bamboosa is a member of 1% for the Planet and all products are made in America. Go to www.bamboosa.com to read more!

RtE has a limited number of discount tickets still available for our Members to the following festivals:

All Good Music Festival - only $89 for RtE Members!
The 10th annual All Good Music Festival, held July 14-16, 2006 at Marvin's Mountaintop in wild, wonderful, WV, features 3 days of music, camping, workshops, microbrews and more. Enjoy music by Trey Anastasio & Mike Gordon with the Benevento/Russo Duo, The Black Crowes, Umphrey's McGee, Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO), Hot Buttered Rum String Band and many more bands with no overlapping sets!

10,000 Lakes Festival - only $100 for RtE Members!
Want to volunteer? Save even more! Email us at Membership@RockTheEarth.org. Join RtE in Detroit Lakes, MN, July 19-22! 10KLF is held at the Soo Pass Ranch, a 600-acre state-of-the-art concert and camping venue with 4 stages, vendors, activities, huge restroom facilities with running water and beautiful wooded and lakeside camping. Featuring artists such as Phil Lesh & Friends, String Cheese Incident, Trey Anastasio, O.A.R., and Benevento/Russo Duo featuring Mike Gordon, 10KLF is surely a festival not to be missed in 2006.

Stay tuned to our website, www.RockTheEarth.org, and our monthly newsletter for more information about discounts for RtE Members!

Party Like a Rock Star and Support Rock the Earth!

Rock the Earth is auctioning off 2 pairs of VIP passes to the Gathering of the Vibes, August 17-20, in Mariaville, NY, with all proceeds benefiting our outreach & education programs. Enjoy this top-notch festival with all the perks, including early access to the VIP entrance and camping areas, comfy couches, catered meals, refreshments, video games, VIP facilities & showers, event merchandise and maybe even the chance to hang out with some of your favorite artists!

In its 11th year, this festival brings a variety of music to two stages to inspire, illuminate and expand our collective consciousness. This year brings many inspirational musicians, such as Bob Weir & Ratdog, Keller Williams, Yonder Mountain String Band, Hot Tuna, North Mississippi Allstars, RtE Advisory Board Member David Gans and The Everyone Orchestra. With a variety of music and art, on-site camping accommodations and nearby hotels, this festival has something for everyone!

Visit our online auction and place your bid today! These VIP passes have are valued at $325 each, bidding starts at $350 per pair. Join RtE for one of the best festivals in the northeast!

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Lauren Sullivan of Reverb Rocks the Earth: Interview

Jack Johnson visits with Adam Gardner and Lauren Sullivan of Reverb

Lauren Sullivan is the Executive Director of Reverb, a project of the nonprofit organization ARIA Foundation (Artistic Resources In Action). Reverb's aim is to raise awareness and support for the environment by connecting touring bands and their fan-base to environmental issues and organizations via an interactive eco-village. Born from the success of the "Green Highway" eco-village created by musician/activist Bonnie Raitt and executive producer Kathy Kane, Reverb seeks to spread their eco-village model to new tours and audiences throughout North America. Since 2004, Rock the Earth has been one of the non-profits on the Reverb tour, working with artists such as the Barenaked Ladies, Alanis Morissette, Bonnie Raitt, Jack Johnson, and Guster. Look for Reverb (and Rock the Earth) this Summer on the Bonnie Raitt and Guster/Ray LaMontagne tours!

What environmental issue(s) do you consider to be the most critical at this time?

I think that Climate Change is the most daunting, earth-shattering issue that we're facing today. But having said that, I believe that activating people to make changes in their own life to curb global warming may be an even larger issue. Identifying the issue is just one tiny piece of the whole equation. Many of us have identified it, but the critical piece that I feel needs to be addressed is making that next step of saying "What can I do?" "What can we do together to effect change?"

What steps can I and every one of us take to do something on a daily basis to change our own ecological footprint? It's a challenging question, and one with no perfect answer. But again doing something - doing anything is hugely important. Even if it just means buying a petroleum-free lip balm...you're carrying that awareness with you from that point on. When I think about some of the big ticket items that could alter our personal and global health in a dramatic and positive way, I think about:

• Using renewable energy to power our homes (many suppliers have a green power option that often cost only $5 more per month)
• Driving a hybrid, a greasecar, using biodiesel or a high mpg car -- and driving less.
• Making our homes as toxin-free as possible (i.e. Use low VOC paints, use earth friendly products, - homemade ones work well and they're cheap)
• Becoming a vegetarian or vegan (according to the USDA growing crops for farm animals requires half of the U.S. Water supply and 80% of our agricultural land, not to mention clear cutting for cattle, topsoil erosion which leads to desertification, the list goes on...)

There are so many issues and so little time… So I think doing something, doing anything is critical. We don't and likely can't be purists. Life is hypocritical by nature, so we need to give room for that in our efforts to be green -- but if we all carry the awareness that things need to change immediately, we'll feel more apt to take risks and sacrifice a bit more in order to create a sane, healthy planet.

What has inspired you to combine environmental activism with your music?

I started out working with the Rainforest Action Newtwork (RAN). While I was a campaigner there, RAN collaborated with Bonnie Raitt and Dave Matthews on several issues and I saw how absolutely powerful their voices were in growing the grassroots campaigns and effecting change on a much larger scale.

I also have been in the enviro-field for eight years prior to starting Reverb, and my husband, Adam Gardner of Guster, has been in the music industry for 15 years. We wanted to connect our two worlds and use the musical realm to catalyze environmental campaigns both locally and nationally. The impact of Bonnie and Dave's work with RAN never left my mind….and so Adam and I started Reverb with the support of Bonnie Raitt's manager, Kathy Kane. It's been a great partnership that keeps growing with each touring season. We are so grateful to be working with them and with other artists that are equally as committed like the Barenaked Ladies, Guster, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson and the like. It's so inspiring musically and environmentally.

Where is your favorite place in nature to go to find solace or inspiration?

A source of great inspiration and solace for me is definitely the ocean. I was raised in "the sticks" in Maine on the southern coast and always spent a good deal of time near the water. I think the ocean helps me to feel expansive and open, and much like looking at the stars at night, puts life in perspective very quickly. The waves are rhythmic and soothing and yet simultaneously, the cool, salty air is often invigorating and cleansing. There are also many beautiful stones found on Maine's beaches that have been worn away year after year by the water and waves. I love holding those beach stones because like the stars and sea, they give me a much larger sense of the passage of time. Geologic time is magnificent that way. It makes problems or sadness seem wonderfully insignificant. I like to encourage a visit to some of Maine's beaches in winter if you're interested in a good dose of natural therapy. It's oh so cold, but so very worth it.

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Rockin' the Earth at Summer Camp: Photo

RtE Executive Director Marc Ross & Al Schnier of moe.

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