Visionary and practical, GreenTown is a great opportunity to think and act on how your community can be more eco-effective and prosperous. Join us at GreenTown Grand Rapids for unique and innovative commentary on sustainability in today’s society. Notable speakers include Mayor George Heartwell of Grand Rapids, Mayor Bob Dixson of Greensburg, Kansas, and Doug Farr, Author, Founder of Farr Associates Architecture and Urban Design, Inc. Check back soon for more updates on GreenTown Grand Rapids.
Below is the conference agenda for July 22-23, 2009 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For questions about GreenTown speakers and content, please contact us.
| 1:00pm to 5:00pm |
Welcome and Overview
John Harris, Principal, a5 group
Michelle Dyer, ACUPCC
Norman Christopher, Director of Sustainability, GVSU
Greening the Campus: How Educational Institutions Combat Climate Issues
Join the signatories of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment to discuss climate change and share strategies for integrating sustainability into curriculum and operations to achieve climate neutrality.
Grand Valley State University Assistant Vice President of Facilities Planning James Moyer, LEED AP, and Integrated Architecture Vice President of Design Mike Corby, LEED AP, AIA, will share their efforts to combat global warming through manipulation of the built environment. Moyer offers a pragmatic cost / budget / benefit approach while Corby transcends the status quo with innovative design. The combination results in cost-effective, sustainable and human-centered venues that support learning and living.
Additional topics will include:
- How Grand Valley State University is Implementing the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)
- LEED Principles: Balancing Pragmatism and Innovation
- Implementing the Commitment: Challenges and Opportunities
Speakers will include:
- Norman Christopher, Director of Sustainability, GVSU
- James Moyer, LEED AP, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Planning, GVSU
- Mike Corby, LEED AP, AIA, Vice President of Design, Integrated Architecture
|
| 1:00pm to 5:00pm |
Welcome and Overview
Gary Cuneen, Executive Director, Seven Generations Ahead
Renae Hesselink, Vice President of Sustainability, Nichols; Vice Chair of U.S. Green Building Council, West Michigan Board of Directors and LEED for Schools Advocate
Greening the K-12 School System
Become a part of the effort to integrate sustainability and ‘green education’ into your local education system. Greening schools doesn't have to cost money - you can go green and save green at the same time. Learn how one school is saving money through zero waste strategies that include source reduction, recycling and composting. Discover how schools are saving thousands of dollars through energy efficiency, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving natural resources and educating the next generation to be energy smart. Learn from school case studies on greening your building and grounds utilizing LEED standards. Meet people in your area who can help you succeed and provide assistance. Engage with others to create a sample green action plan to get you started on your path to greening your school on a budget!
Additional topics will include:
- Holmes Zero Waste: A Case Study in Saving Money and Reducing Waste
- Energy Essentials
- LEED Existing Building and New Construction
- Forest Hills Public School District: A Case Study of an Energy Efficient and Energy Star School District
- Michigan Farm to School: Engaging Farmers and Cafeterias
- Statewide Initiatives Fueling the Michigan Farm to School Movement
- Michigan Local Food Procurement School District Case Studies
Speakers will include:
- Janet Allen, Food Service Director, Clarkston Public Schools; President, School Nutrition Association of Michigan
- Rob De Boer, Energy Essentials Program Associate, Michigan School Business Officials
- Stephen Hamstra, Executive VP and Director of Sustainability, GMB Architecture + Engineering
- Michelle Hickey, Sustainability Project Manager, Seven Generations Ahead
- Colleen Matts, C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University
- Kristen Misiak, Food Service Director, Traverse City Area Public Schools
- Tom Walters, Director of Energy Management, Forest Hills Public School District
- Paul Yettaw, Food Service Director, Battle Creek Public Schools
|
| 1:00pm to 3:00pm |
Low Impact Development (LID) Fundamentals and Implementation Strategies
Steve Rice, Regional Director, JFNew
Scott Dierks, Senior Water Resources Engineer, JFNew
Learn from JFNew, a full-service ecological solutions firm, why LID is practical and fiscally feasible, the benefits of LID in relationship to other community assets and opportunities and how to overcome institutional hurdles associated with implementing LID. |
| 7:00am to 8:15am |
Registration & Healthy, Locally Grown Breakfast |
| 8:15am to 8:40am |
Welcome |
| 8:45am to 9:00am |
Video Presentation "Green Jobs and the Future of Michigan's Economy"
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan |
| 9:00am to 9:45am |
Keynote: “Rebuilding Greensburg, Kansas”: Re-envisioning a Community Destroyed by a Tornado
Mayor Bob Dixson, City of Greensburg, Kansas |
| 9:45am to 10:00am |
Break |
| 10:00am to 11:00am |
“The Mayors Roundtable”
Building Sustainable Communities using the Triple Bottom Line
Moderated by Greg Northrup, President, West Michigan Strategic Alliance, Mayor George Heartwell, City of Grand Rapids, Mayor Albert McGeehan of Holland, Michigan and John Snider II, District 3 Commissioner - Muskegon County Board of Commissioners |
| 11:00am to 11:15am |
Break |
| 11:15am to 12:15pm |
Michigan Economic Development: Opportunities Through Local, Sustainable Agriculture
Speaker: Mike Hamm, C.S. Mott Professor of Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University
This presentation will analyze the opportunities for economic growth through local agriculture in Michigan, including economic data and case study assessment. Professor Hamm will outline priorities for local agriculture development in Michigan, and the potential impact of local agriculture on Michigan’s overall economy. |
| 12:15pm to 1:00pm |
Lunch |
|
Track One - Economic Development #1
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (Room 136E - Lecture Hall)
Title: A Renewable Future: Developing, Harnessing and Deploying Renewable Energy
Moderator: Boezaart, Interim Director, Grand Valley State University's Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center
Panel: Mark Bauer, President and Owner, Bauer Power, Stephen Hamstra, Executive VP and Director of Sustainability, GMB Architecture + Engineering, Bruce Thompson, Partner, Rockford Berge
About: This session discusses the economic and environmental impact of renewable energy technologies in today's society - including wind power, solar power, geothermal and bio energy.
Track One - Economic Development #2
2:15 pm to 3:15 pm (Room 136E - Lecture Hall)
Title: Sustainable Agriculture and Local Economy: How Michigan is Utilizing its Local Food Supply to Promote Sustainability
Introduction: Cynthia Price, Chair and Co-founder of the Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council
Speaker: Jennifer Fike, Executive Director, Food System Economic Partnership, Jane Bush, Business Development, Economic Partnership
About: This session will discuss statewide initiatives in Michigan to overcome local food distribution barriers, increase local supply, and cultivate wholesale markets using season extension and other strategies. Learn about the role that local communities can play to promote the procurement of local and sustainably grown food.
Track One - Economic Development #3
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Room 136E - Lecture Hall)
Title: Eco-Tourism: Greening Tourism for a New Generation of Travel
Speaker: Brett Olson, Co-Founder and President of Green Routes and Renewing the Countryside
About: This session will feature Brett Olson, co-founder and President of Green Routes, a "triple bottom line" tourism initiative of Renewing the Countryside. With towns and cities struggling in today's economy, discover the potential economic engines of culture and sense of place that these destinations can offer. Find out ways to sustain a vibrant rural America for future generations!
|
|
Track Two - Design and Building #1
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (Loosemore Auditorium Room 122E)
Title: Sustainable Urbanism: Integrating Planning, Architecture and the Environment into Community
Speaker: Douglas Farr, Farr Associates, Author of “Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature”
About: This session will focus on the growing design reform movement that combines the creation and enhancement of walkable diverse places with the need to build high-performance infrastructure and buildings. Doug Farr makes a powerful case for sustainable urbanism, showing where we went wrong and where we need to go, while also explaining how to implement sustainable urbanism through leadership and communication in cities, communities and neighborhoods.
Track Two - Design and Building #2
2:15 pm to 3:15 pm (Loosemore Auditorium Room 122E)
Title: Brownfield Redevelopment: Successes and Approaches in Grand Rapids
Moderator: Kara Wood, Director of Economic Development, City of Grand Rapids
About: This panel discussion will focus on the use of Brownfield and other incentives to stimulate economic development in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner. Panelists will provide a state and local perspective while discussing various economic incentives and other creative technical and legal solutions to address existing and future changes.
Track Two – Design and Building #3
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Loosemore Auditorium Room 122E)
Title: Green Homes: How Babylon, NY is Creating Energy Efficient Houses
Speaker: Steve Bellone, Town Supervisor of Town of Babylon (Long Island Green Homes Program)
About: Long Island Green Homes (LIGH) is an unprecedented program created by the Town of Babylon that lets you make energy-saving improvements to your home with almost no upfront costs, resulting in lower utility bills for you and less pollution for everyone. This program fixes drafty, hot, and cold rooms, lets you add value to your home without increasing your taxes, and makes your community a healthier place to live – bridging the gap between going green and saving green.
|
|
Track Three – Healthy Eco-systems #1
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (Room 138E)
Title: Economics of Natural Area Sustainability: The Benefits of “Green” Investments
Speaker: Sam Miller, VP Sales & Marketing JFNew, Will Ditzler, President and CEO
About: session will focus on natural resources sustainability and how municipalities can leverage the ecosystem services they provide - providing an economic justification for ecosystem management and restoration projects.
Track Three – Healthy Eco-systems #2
2:15 pm to 3:15 pm (Room 138E)
Title: Healthy Water Management: Protecting and Preserving the Lake Michigan Water Basin
Moderator: John Koches, Research Scientist, Annis Water Resources Institute, GVSU
Speaker: Alan Steinman, Director of Annis Water Resources Institute, GVSU, Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, Jack Pizzo, President, Pizzo & Associates, Wetland Restoration
About: From wetlands to the Great Lakes, water quality and water management have never been more critical. Learn from three experts about issues facing Great Lakes water and how you can protect and enhance the water quality of rivers and lakes.
Track Three – Healthy Eco-systems #3
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Room 138E)
Title: Food Scraps to Compost: Commercial Efforts to Combat Global Warming
Speaker: John Connolly, Founder, JF Connolly & Associates
About: This session will highlight leading state and local commercial food residuals diversion and composting initiatives that are economically viable and achieve waste reduction and global warming mitigation goals. Learn How state and local governments, waste generators, haulers and compost facilities are collaborating in a synergistic partnership to achieve stakeholder goals and generate profits, while diverting food residuals from landfills. Understand the operational and economic parameters of successful food waste diversion strategies at the state and local level, with examples of efforts and programs in varied regions of the country. Learn about the relationships of receiving transportation infrastructure, generator communication and education, public/private collaboration, and program economics leading to pilot programs in new locations and program growth in established models.
|
|
Track Four – Healthy Communities #1
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (Classroom 119E)
Title: Western Michigan Trends in Green Purchasing
Speaker: Abigal Corso, PE, Senior Associate Director, Delta Institute, West Michigan Sustainable Purchasing Consortium, Mary Ellen Mika, Supply Chain Manager, Environment and Energy, Steelcase
About: The West Michigan Sustainable Purchasing Consortium (WMSPC) is developing and providing access to professional procurement contracts that support sustainable purchasing in the West Michigan Community. Learn how green purchasing can improve regional environmental quality, grow local economies and increase social responsibility. Join a discussion of challenges and recent successes, and learn how you can get connected.
Track Four – Healthy Communities #2
2:15 pm to 3:15 pm (Classroom 119E)
Title: ICLEI - Climate Protection Toolkit for Small Communities
Speaker: Dave Konkle, Energy Office Director, ICLEI
About: ICLEI is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. Over 1,089 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLEI's growing membership. This session will discuss ICLEI’s results-oriented campaigns and programs as well as tools and software to help local governments achieve their sustainability goals.
Track Four – Healthy Communities #3
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Classroom 119E)
Title: Sustainable Transportation: Improving Mobility While Preserving the Environment
Speaker: Donald Stypula, Executive Director, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council
About: This session focuses on the entire transportation network, and how the Metro Council - as the region's Metropolitan Planning Organization - is working with cities, villages, townships, county road commissions, the airport, the bus system and Amtrak to improve mobility in a fashion that preserve the environment and natural resources. Natural resource management, protection of watersheds, wise land use planning and transportation planning are woven into one master planning activity at Grand Valley Metro Council, on behalf of the hometowns in the Grand Rapids region.
|
Join the Community Sustainability Partnerships from around the Midwest to address the ways to create your own sustainable community.
