Fox Valley environmental forum Feb. 20
On Saturday, Feb. 20, a group of regional environmental groups will host the second annual Fox Valley Conference on Environment, Energy and Conservation at Batavia City Hall, 100 N. Island Ave. Starting at 9 a.m., this conference will bring together different environmental groups in the Fox Valley to recognize the span of the interest in environmental change and to strategize about how to make that change happen.
"For this year's conference, we have departed from the traditional format of presentations and exhibits," said Betsy Zinser of Batavians for Clean Energy and Conservation. "Our communities are brimming with motivated, determined environmentalists and everyday individuals who want to make a difference. This day gives us an opportunity to meet one another, share ideas and provide support for one another."
They will have two presenters who will discuss the wide range of environmental issues. These presentations will be followed by facilitated sessions where they can come together and discuss ideas.
"This is something that we have been discussing since last years conference" said Jim Kirkhoff of the Batavia Environmental Commission. "Many people consider themselves as an environmentalist or conservationist, but they can have different specific passions. The intent of this conference is to discuss the high points through the presentations and allow work groups to get into the details."
Keynote speakers will include Kay McKeen of SCARCE and Sarah Wochos of the Environmental Law and Policy Center.
McKeen is founder and executive director of SCARCE providing innovative environmental educational programs. She is energetic, passionate, tireless, inspiring, knowledgeable and just plain wonderful. She was a recipient of the Governor's Environmental Hero Award and was recognized by the Daily Herald as one of the Top 10 Environmentalists in DuPage County as a Conservation Champion.
Wochos is a policy advocate and government relations specialist promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy resources in Illinois. In addition to lobbying state and local government, she has provided guidance and advice to Batavia and Geneva environmental volunteers.
Event sponsors include Batavia Environmental Commission, Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners, Batavia Woman's Club Conservation Department, Batavians for a Healthy River, Batavians for Clean Energy and Conservation, City of Batavia, The Conservation Foundation, Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Geneva Natural Resource Committee, GREEN Geneva, Geneva Green Market, Kane County, League of Women Voters of Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles Environmental Group, Northern Kane County Chapter of the Wild Ones, Saint Charles Park District, The Spiritual Green Connection, and Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva Green Sanctuary Committee.
Bring used cell phones, old ink cartridges and used athletic shoes for proper recycling.
For details, visit greenbatavia.org or www.cityofbatavia.net/environmental.
If interested in applying or need further information, contact Jim Kirkhoff at (630) 879-9045, JimKirkhoff@comcast.net or Betsy Zinser at (630) 879-8877, Betsy@farnsworthoffice.com.