Lake County Green conference highlights public, private efforts
Lake County Green 2016, an April 29 conference sponsored by the College of Lake County, will bring together local business, education, nonprofit, municipal and county leaders for presentations and panel discussions on the theme of local response to global environmental issues, from climate change to sustainable water and food supplies.
The keynote speaker is Dale Sands, a Deer Park village trustee and senior vice president and global director of metro, regions and climate adaptation services for AECOM Inc. A global, Fortune 500 company, AECOM provides technical and management support services for a range of markets, from infrastructure to energy and water.
From 2011-15, Sands served on the United Nations' Private Sector Advisory Group for the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction. He provides leadership to the rapidly expanding service area of climate adaptation and resilience to the public and private sectors.
Sands will draw the connection between global challenges associated with climate change and what Lake County citizens can do to lessen their impact on the environment, reduce their carbon footprint and adapt to climate change.
Following Sands' presentation, a plenary discussion will highlight how Lake County initiatives connect with the National Climate Assessment, a U.S. government interagency effort whose goal is to enhance the ability of the United States to adapt to changes in the global environment.
The panel includes representatives from the Lake County Board, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and private consulting firms.
Gary Mitchiner of Conserve Lake County will lead a session highlighting action taken by community groups. The panel includes representatives from a church's outdoor education program, Clean Power Lake County and Fremont Township's community garden.
Following lunch, Ronald Meissen of Baxter International Inc. will facilitate the first afternoon breakout session exploring local businesses initiatives. Panelists include representatives from Grainger Inc., Timothy O'Toole's Pub in Libertyville and the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center's Green Office Challenge.
In the second afternoon session, K.C. Doyle, sustainability coordinator for Lake County, will lead a panel discussion on government efforts. The panel includes representatives from the village of Green Oaks' stormwater management efforts, the city of Highland Park's Sustainable City program and Lake County's efforts to safeguard drinking water supplies.
The day will conclude with a brainstorming session to implement ideas, a tour of the new construction on CLC's Grayslake Campus and a reception.
Lake County Green is designed to attract businesses that want to "go green," along with educators, those working with nonprofits and municipalities and others interested in sustainability.
It will bring together around 200 attendees, plus speakers and exhibitors to learn, network, share information and be inspired by the opportunities the new green economy will provide.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University Center of Lake County, 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake. Registration is $50 for citizens, $25 for teachers and free for college students. The fee includes the workshops, a locally-grown breakfast, lunch, organic snacks and a microbrew reception from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
For a complete schedule and to register, visit www.clcillinois.edu/events/lake-county-green. For more information or to become a sponsor, contact David Husemoller, CLC sustainability manager, at (847) 543-2643 or dhusemoller@clcillinois.edu.
Sponsors include Illinois Green Economy Network.