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Central Ohio Summit on Sustainability and the Environment Invite
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The Summit on Sustainability and the Environment is quickly approaching and the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission has already registered 450 people for this two-day event. There is still time to sign up but registration is limited to the first 500. Check http://www.greenregion.org for more info. Please call or email Ashley Lester at 614.233.4168 or alester@morpc.org to register.
The Summit will be held on Tuesday, November 13 and Wednesday, November 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency and Greater Columbus Convention Center in downtown Columbus. This two-day, zero-waste event will move beyond discussion to planning and implementing environmentally responsible strategies for the region.
November 13: Hyatt Regency
9:00 - 9:30 Welcome: Chester Jourdan, Jr. , MORPC; William Lhota, COTA
9:30- 10:15 Morning Keynote: Bill Petty, Director of the National Climate Campaign, Environmental Defense sponsored by Ohio’s Tomorrow
10:15 - 10:30 Break sponsored by COTA
10:30-11:30 Breakout sessions
Choose one:
• A Hot Subject: All About Climate Change presented by Ann Nelson trained by The Climate Project will give an introduction to climate change followed by Denise King, Director of The Nature Conservatory discussing the impacts both positive and negative climate change will have on central Ohio. Scott Weaver, Strategic Policy Analysis Group for AEP will talk about upcoming legislation and future electricity costs.
• Purifying the Process: Protecting Drinking Water through Watershed Management Dave Warne, New York City
• Density Isn’t a Dirty Word: Embracing Land Use Diversity with Brian Williams, American Farmland Trust as Ohio State Director, talking about that though it may sound counter-intuitive, dense development can preserve rural character. Some communities "cluster" development in ways that preserve farmland and greenspace. Density and infill in cities, county seats and rural towns can have the same effect -- and can save the cities to save the farms.
• Energy Crossroads: Sustaining for the Future with Mark Zappe, Johnson Controls, Inc., and Linda Walls Rominski, Ohio Consumer's Council, will present an overview of the State’s focus on renewable energy and technology, current Ohio programs, and grants and legislation.
• Roots to the Rescue: Using Trees to Improve Air and Water Quality with a presentation by Drew Todd, ODNR Urban Forester on urban forestry as well as the benefits of urban trees for water, air, energy with the challenges trees face in urban sites. Lastly he will discuss how to sustain urban forests including the elements of a comprehensive tree care program, reviews successful community programs, canopy goals, and available resources. Paula Chope, with the City of Dublin will discuss Dublin’s flexible sidewalk program.
• One Yard at a Time: Benefits of Backyard Conservation a panel discussion on rain gardens, rain barrels and wildlife habitat with Laura Shinn of Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District and the National Wildlife Federation.
• Preserving Open Space and Property Rights: Transfer Development Rights with Jill Clark, OSU Director of the Center for Farmland Policy Innovation, Lynne Erickson, Director of the Portage County Regional Planning Commission, will present on how TDR’s promote development in community-identified areas designed for new growth while protecting critical local land resources. TDR’s use market forces to compensate farmers and developers. While TDR’s have never been used in Ohio, they will focus on a program in Portage County that should determine whether they could be a viable tool to protect critical local land resources while developing the Village of Hiram.
• Ohio’s Energy Circuit: Plans for Our Future a panel with Representative Jim McGregor, Amy Gomberg, Environment Ohio, Michael Jung, Ohio Air Quality Development Authority will discuss what is on the horizon for energy in the state.
11:45 Lunch sponsored by Caterpillar and Ohio CAT
12:00-12:45 Launch the Center for Energy & Environment
12:45-1:30 Representative Tracy Maxwell Heard, Chris Korleski, Director, Ohio EPA and Chester Jourdan, Jr. , Executive Director, MORPC– panel moderated by NBC-4 Marshall McPeek
1:30 - 1:45 Break sponsored by COTA
1:45 - 2:45 Breakout sessions
Choose One:
• Take the Driver’s Seat: Green Fleet Management with MORPC’s very own Diesel Specialist, David Abel will lead a panel with Ohio Environmental Council’s, Devan Williamson and Sam Spofforth of Clean Fuels Ohio will introduce Central Ohio’s ozone and particulate matter challenges, Health and economic impacts of failing to meet minimum federal air quality standards, real world examples of retrofit and alternative fuel strategies, and funding sources for diesel projects.
• Building Blocks: Green Infrastructure with Jack Hedge of Design Group presenting the LEED process focusing on the positive impacts realized on building sites and communities. Susan Fisher with EMH&T will join to discuss the use of economic development expertise, specific site studies and interviews to propose incentives, comparing development costs and determining the qualitative benefits of green site design.
• Sustainable Planning in Action: How Central Ohio Communities are Managing Growth a panel discussion between Ellen Walker of Jefferson Township, Patty Huddle of Highland Management and Kirby Date of the Countryside Program to discuss successful growth management projects in central Ohio.
• Raising the Bar: Showcasing Local Energy Smart Communities with Andrew Boatright, P.E., Electric Utility Manager and Jody Stowers Recreation and Parks Director for the City of Westerville will highlight green initiatives in Westerville including alternative energy, energy education, net metering, alternative transportation, energy conservation and the reasoning behind their decision to be energy smart.
• Fresh Air: Achieving Air Quality through Alternative Transportation with national and internationally known speaker, Eric Schreffler, covering Transportation Demand Management and how it impacts air quality.
• Paving with Purpose: Green Streets Lansing Tetra Tech specialist will be traveling to Columbus to present on a Lansing, Michigan project showing commitment to improving water quality through their Go Green! Go Lansing initiative; a new environmental program which focuses on bringing together and promoting various local environmental programs.
• Home Grown: Benefits of Locally Grown Food with Bill Dawson of Franklin Park Conservatory, J.D. Beiting of Children’s Hunger Alliance, and Noreen Warnock of Local Matters.
• Waste to Energy former SWACO Director, Mike Long with Dr. Ben Stuart, Ohio University, Ben Schafer, American Hydrogen Co. , and Scott Weaver, AEP, discuss various ways we can make our waste a resource.
2:45 - 3:00 Break sponsored by Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co., LPA
3:00 - 3:45 Keynote address, Pat Murphy, Community Solutions will present How to Achieve sustainability by reducing energy consumption in the household sectors of food, transportation, and housing.
November 14: Greater Columbus Convention Center
8:00 - 9:30 Breakfast sponsored by The Fund for Conservation at the Columbus Foundation, with exhibits and poster session
9:30 - 10:15 Morning Keynote- Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy
10:15 - 10:30 Break
10:30 - 11:30 Breakout sessions
Choose one:
• Your Legacy: What is Your Carbon Footprint? Robyn Kenny and Carolina Prada, Ohio EPA – hands on workshop to walk through the steps and resources available to help local governments inventory greenhouse gas emissions.
• First Step to Protection: Mapping Sensitive Areas Kyle Wilson- Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District. 1,000 miles of Streams Walked In Franklin County– stream resource mapping database.
• Innovative Brownfield Redevelopment Strategies: Urban and Rural Success Stories Stories Joe Recchie – Jeffrey Place and Kara Allison - Hull & Associates.
• Bright Ideas: Energy Efficiency Case Studies
Energy Audits--How to make your home energy efficient. Jack Wagoner- MORPC Residential Energy Conservation Program, Jack Laverty- Columbia Gas of Ohio, Tom Andrews- Ohio Department of Development.
11:30 - 11:45 Break
11:45 - 1:00 Lunch Keynote presented by MORPC RideSolutions: Ellen Mosley Thompson of OSU Byrd Polar Research Center and Dr. David Robinson trained by the The Climate Project to present a overview of climate change and sustainability related to material presented throughout the Summit.
1:00 - 4:00 Breakout sessions
Choose one:
• Wedge Game: Participate in an activity of the Carbon Mitigation Initiative (CMI) of the Princeton Environmental Institute with the goal of building a plausible and politically acceptable portfolio of strategies to keep global carbon emissions flat for the next 50 years considering the potential physical and economic limitations of each strategy.
• Ideas into Action sessions: Innovative meeting methodology where participants are asked to generate the meeting agenda as well as participate by leading small group break-out sessions led by a facilitator.
4:15 - 5:30 Closing remarks on engaging community citizens and business in the green process and leading by example with Christine Nardecchia with the City of Dublin and Susan Ashbrook, City of Columbus, Environmental Steward.
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