The legendary American icon Willie Nelson will be the guest of honor at this first ever pairing of environmental nonprofits Amazon Watch and Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance. The event will focus on how living local can have a positive effect on people around the world. Friday July 22nd at the former U.S. Mint now known as the Bently Reserve in San Francisco, Nelson will receive the 2011 Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance Visionary Award. The award is presented to individuals and organizations that demonstrate leadership in protecting the environment while challenging the status quo through actions and life style. Past recipients of the award are Jack Johnson and the non profit Reverb for their work on environmental education. Mr. Nelson has long been a supporter of environmental and social causes throughout his career and most recently highlighting the value of sustainable community based biodiesel as a way to displace foreign oil and support local economies. The multi Grammy winning performer will be in attendance to accept the award and support the work of these two organizations. The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance and Amazon Watch are teaming up to clear the air about biodiesel and how this locally produced renewable fuel can benefit not only local communities where it is produced but also communities globally. “We hope to highlight how increased independence here at home can reduce pressure on the indigenous peoples of the rainforest,” said Jenny O’Connor of Amazon Watch. Increasing pressure to quantify the impacts of biofuel production has led to much more stringent evaluation of claims made by renewable fuels. “Just because you can grow it doesn’t mean that it is a sustainable proposition,” said Jeff Plowman, Executive Director of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance. “Coming together with Amazon Watch is an important partnership to educate folks on the benefit of non-commodity fuel that we can produce from our own community resources”. The two organizations will be hosting the joint fundraiser on Friday, July 22nd in San Francisco at the Bently Reserve to share success stories and build awareness of their missions. The evening’s program includes musical performances including Sara Wasserman and friends, a locally sourced dinner and a very special charity auction. To learn more about how keeping it local will benefit the world, please join us on July 22nd in San Francisco to support these organizations. To learn more or to purchase tickets visit www.fuelresponsibly.org. *** Amazon Watch partners with indigenous and environmental organizations campaigning for human rights, corporate accountability and the preservation of the Amazon’s fragile and priceless ecological systems. Amazon Watch is a known leader in protecting the rainforest and advancing the rights of indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin. To learn more about the great work of Amazon Watch check out their website at www.amazonwatch.org The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance has been dedicated to supporting sustainable, community-based biodiesel programs since 2006 and works closely with artists like Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson and Guster, educating fans and sourcing locally produced biodiesel and blends for tours, festivals and large scale fleets. The organization is also focused on creating transparency for the consumer through the development of a certification system for local, sustainable biodiesel in the United States. I encourage you to learn more about the SBA and our work by contacting me directly or visiting www.fuelresponsibly.org

7pm
bentlyreserve.com » 301 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 288-0202

For More Information Contact: Jeff Plowman Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance 512.825.1211 jeff@fuelresponsibly.org

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www.wnti.org