Environmental conference to focus on how to change
People passionate about the environment -- whether your thing is water conservation, local food, energy use or gardening - are invited to meet each other and share ideas at the second annual Fox Valley Conference on Environment, Energy and Conservation.
The free event meets from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave.
The purpose is to determine how to act upon interest in environmental change.
"We work best when we work together," said Betsy Zinser, a member of Batavians for Clean Energy and Conservation, one of the sponsors. People interested in different issues find "they overlap quite a bit," she said.
No registration is necessary. But you have to sign up by 9:30 a.m. Saturday if you want to purchase a lunch for $4.50. Otherwise, bring your own. And bring your own coffee mug and water bottle.
Keynote speakers are Kay McKeen of School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Compost Education, and Sarah Wochos of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, a Midwest public interest group.
McKeen founded SCARCE, which is based on Glen Ellyn. Wochos is a policy advocate and government relations specialist promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.
The morning's theme is "Why Change is Necessary." After the introduction and 9 a.m., McKeen speaks on "Greening Up." Then there are five breakout sessions from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. on local food, native Illinois ecology, water preservation and conservation, energy conservation and "The Economics of Green."
During the lunch break, a representative of the Citizens Utilities Board will demonstrate its online home energy audit.
The afternoon theme is "Avenues of Change." Wochos speaks at 1 p.m., followed by breakouts from 2:15 to 3 p.m. on legislative change, behavioral change advocacy, student activism, personal change and community gardens.
Attendees can bring used cell phones, ink cartridges and used gym shoes for proper recycling.
More information is available at greenbatavia.org and CityOfBatavia.net/Environmental, or contact Jim Kirkhoff at (630) 879-9045 or Zinser at (630) 879-8877.