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Protecting Block Island's natural heritage, rural character, and public access to its resources...
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CONSERFEST
www.conserfest.org

2009 Events

Conserfest adds up in 2009

Conserfest has again brought us a different and fun way to help protect the environment and the natural beauty of Block Island. The concept of Conserfest, a grassroots project originating on Block Island, RI, in the fall of 2007, came from a conversation between Conserfest founders Cameron Greenlee and Justin Lewis, and Lewis’ father David.  “My father said to us, ‘if you are friends, and your friends care about this place, it’s time to take some ownership,’” recalled Lewis.
 The efforts of Block Island Conservancy have proven inspirational to the group, who recognize the importance of raising awareness for land conservation among the younger generations.  “We realized that many of our peers were unaware of the personal effort and financial sacrifice required to keep Block Island as open as it is today. It’s time for us to step forward as the next generation of conservation leaders,” Lewis said. With more than 40% of Block Island preserved as open space in perpetuity, it’s a legacy that will be passed to future generations.
Stepping forward!  The 2009 Conserfest events proved to be more successful than the previous year.  Events were numerous and brought together many generations of people under the unified idea of land conservation and environmental awareness. Through the celebration of music and art at a variety of locations, including Fredrick Benson Town Beach, McGovern’s Yellow Kittens, Lewis Farm, and Smuggler’s Cove, Conserfest provided atmospheres fun for all ages. 
There were musical performances by several local musicians, as well as musicians from Boston, Providence, Washington D.C., San Francisco and New York City.  While enjoying the music, people were able to receive more information about BIC and Conserfest, become members, make donations, and purchase merchandise. 
With donors ranging from the age of 8 years old to over 80, Conserfest raised $5,400.00 for Block Island Conservancy.  Along with donations, Conserfest also signed up 120 new or renewed memberships for BIC.  The group is energized about the success of the summer and has already begun plans for 2010!  For more information about Conserfest, and to stay updated on events visit www.Conserfest.org or “friend” them on Facebook!

2008 Events

Block Island was rocking on July 9th at ConserFest.  ConserFest was organized by Cameron Greenlee, Justin Lewis, and their friends to celebrate land conservation and to build awareness of Block Island Conservancy among the young people by reaching out through music.
ConserFest featured performances by regional musicians at two venues designed to attract a broad cross-section of participation.  The conservation festival kicked off at the Town Beach Pavilion at 3:30pm with Travis Greenlee of Homeslice followed by Zox’s Eli Miller playing acoustic sets until 5:00pm.  The beach side setting was a perfect wrap up to a spectacular beach day for an audience of all ages.  ConserFest then reconvened for the main event at 9:30pm at Yellow Kittens for the over 21 crowd.  The Yellow Kittens was packed until closing, with everyone enjoying the music of Eli Miller and Dan Edinburg of Zox, Chachi, the Trenton Street Rockers, and Homeslice.

There was no cover charge at either venue.  At the Town Beach, ConserFest opened-up for that evening’s Blues on the Beach concert, while Yellow Kitten's Ed McGovern and Dan Cahill graciously donated the Kittens venue for the festival’s main event later that evening. Local artists generously donated artwork for a silent auction during the evening event.  ConserFest tee shirts were for sale and bumper stickers were free, in exchange for signup for membership and future mailings.
The inspiration for ConserFest developed from a 2007 conversation that Cameron and Justin had with Justin’s father, David Lewis.  Justin’s grandfather, Rob Lewis, was a founding Director of Block Island Conservancy and Cameron’s grandmother, Dorothy Greenlee, was on BIC Board of Directors in the late 1980s.  The three were discussing the Island’s decades-long commitment to conservation and Block Island Conservancy’s role as the local grass-roots organization.  Across 36 years and two generations, more that 2,500 people have given tirelessly of their energy and generously of their personal funds to protect this cherished Island.  It has been hard and costly work and there is still more to be done!  Justin and Cameron came to the understanding that they and many of their peers were unaware of the personal effort and financial sacrifice required to keep Block Island as open as it is today. They realized a need for young people to step forward as the next generation of conservation leaders.
The financial goal of ConserFest was to provide lodging, food, and boat fare for the off-island musicians.  The musicians donated their talent, and others from the Island community donated needed services.  After expenses, ConserFest presented $2,700 to Block Island Conservancy at their August meeting.
More importantly, the primary goal of ConserFest was to build an awareness of conservation and to reach out to the next generation of young people to assume responsibility for protecting Block Island’s open spaces.  That day, 85 new members were added to the roll of Block Island Conservancy supporters.
In addition to Cameron and Justin, the following were principal ConserFest organizers: Travis Greenlee, Laura Michel Breunig, John Breunig, Scott Michel, Danielle Duffy, Lauren von Bernuth, Robbie Closter, Hanna Greenlee, Alice Ely, Kati Napierkowski, Samantha Price, John Henry Tripler, Dave Flamand, Virginia Dare, Dna Cahill, Ed McGovern, Interstate Navigation, George Dodge, Jessie Edwards, Suzanne Nolter, Lesley Ulrich, the Greenlee Family, the Ely Family, and the musicians of Homeslice, Zox, and Chachi.  A hearty thanks to all!
Was this a first annual event?  We'll see what 2009 brings.
 
©Block Island Conservancy