From Bark to Bottle: Patrick Spencer at TEDxSalem

Patrick Spencer has long been passionate about sustainability. During his career as a chef and restaurant
owner, he focused on sustainable business practices and was a member of the Slow Food Movement.
After moving to Oregon, he became the Sustainability Coordinator for Willamette Valley Vineyards and while there he created the Cork ReHarvest natural cork recycling program. Through the efforts and success of Cork ReHarvest, Patrick went on to found the Cork Forest Conservation Alliance (CFCA) in 2008. As Executive Director, Patrick has helped the organization grow to become a world leader in the efforts to preserve and protect the cork forests. The CFCA has established partnerships with many
major environmental and forest conservation organizations and has Special Consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)