Vermont Environmental Consortium

And

BRATTLEBORO REFORMER

September 11, 2007
Fall Brings a Rich Harvest of Environmental Events
by
Daniel Hecht

Fall is conference season. Along with the abundance of harvest edibles, each autumn brings a wealth of forums that highlight environment-related activity in Vermont. These are excellent opportunities to learn more about the ideas, technologies, people, and community initiatives that are changing our lives. The more we know, the more effective we can be; don’t miss this fall’s exceptional lineup of events! There’s a seat at this feast for everyone.

September 25: Greening UP Your Bottom Line, Sheraton Conference Center, Burlington, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is designed to show business people how to implement energy-efficiency measures and green business practices. New ideas, technologies, and practices can greatly reduce environmental impact and save money. This event’s presenters are business owners, CEOs, managers, and program administrators from many of Vermont’s leading companies, offering inspiring success stories and practical advice.

Keynote speaker: Will Rapp, of Gardeners’ Supply, on “Climate Change: the Tipping Point from the Industrial Age to the Ecological Age.”
Panel topics include Green Buildings, Environmental Management and Planning, How to Green Up Your Business, Best Green Management Practice Case Studies, Building Green Brand Association. Exhibits feature innumerable resources for businesses wanting to go green.
Info: pcrawfor@vtsbdc.org, (802) 728-1428; register online at www.vbep.org.

October 10: Biodiesel Conference, Davis Center, UVM, Burlington, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Growing biodiesel crops has great promise for farmers, and using locally-produced fuel can provide energy security and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Presented by Vermont Biofuels Association, this exciting conference is the foremost venue for information on how to use, produce, or distribute biodiesel, a goldmine for anyone concerned about our energy future.

Keynote: Nathan Rudgers, former commissioner of the N.Y. Department of Agriculture and steering committee member of the national “25 by 25” initiative.
Panels: Biodiesel Basics & Beyond, Market Development, and Technical & Environmental Issues. Exhibits by renewable energy businesses and organizations.
Info: info@vermontbiofuels.org; register online at www.vermontbiofuels.org.

October 17: Growing Renewable Energy, Sheraton Conference Center, Burlington, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Renewable Energy Vermont’s annual conferences are not to be missed. From technology to policy, environmental impact to economic opportunity, this event provides essential information for engaged citizens as well as policymakers, environmental professionals, farmers, educators, and students.

Keynote: Paul Gipe, renewable energy policy expert and author, on the most effective policies for advancing the renewable energy industry.
Panels: Powering Up the Vermont Wind Industry, Rural Energy Opportunities, The Growing Solar Industry, Climate Change Solution Opportunities, Energy Policy – 2008 Legislative Priorities, Creating Jobs from the Ground Up, and Empowering the Press. Exhibits by renewable energy businesses and organizations will provide months’ worth of reading materials and food for thought.
Info: (802) 229-0099, info@REVermont.org. Register online at www.REVermont.org.

October 23 – 25: Community Matters ’07, Main Street Landing, Burlington. This three-day event is for people involved in planning, from professionals to citizens who want to learn about new ideas, tools, and resources to plan stronger communities in Vermont. Hosted by the Orton Family Foundation, it focuses on how to sustain, enrich, and celebrate our cities, towns, and lands.

Keynotes: James Surowiecki, author of The Wisdom of Crowds, on how large groups of people are often smarter, wiser, more creative, and better able to anticipate the future than individuals or elite groups of “experts.” Also: Michelle Long, founder of Sustainable Connections, an organization devoted to developing community collaborations that foster environmental and economic sustainability.
Panels include 16 sessions devoted to human, environmental, cultural, technological, and physical aspects of communities. Topics include geographical information systems (GIS), scenic roads and vistas, local responses to global warming, public participation, better buildings and landscapes, environmental and economic sustainability, and aging populations.
Info: See agenda and register online at www.communitymatters.org.

November 3: Education in the New Environmental Economy, Norwich University, Northfield, 9 a.m. to 4:00 pm. Environment-related education at Vermont’s colleges and universities is crucially important to greening our economy and providing graduates with skills needed in a rapidly-changing world. Vermont Environmental Consortium’s major fall conference looks at trends in environmental enterprise and considers how Vermont’s schools can develop better programs. What skills do graduates need for careers in the emerging green economy? How can Vermont institutions work together to strengthen environmental education statewide and help build sustainable communities?

Keynote: Dr. Grant Trump, CEO of Eco Canada, on building human resources capacity in environmental professions and methods of creating a statewide education network.
Panels: Environmental Education & the Green Enterprise Sector, Environmental Careers in the Era of Fossil Fuel Depletion & Climate Change, and Opportunities for Inter-Institutional Collaboration. Exhibits showcase environment-related education programs, community initiatives, organizations, businesses, and research projects.
Info: (802) 485-2455, vec@norwich.edu; register online at www.VECgreenvalley.org

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These are only a few of the superb events forthcoming this fall! For more information on others, write to vec@norwich.edu.

Daniel Hecht is a novelist and executive director of Vermont Environmental Consortium. For more information on any Green Grapevine topic, contact vec@norwich.edu.

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