Grand Rapids
July 23, 2009

Whether you are a mayor, city manager, public works director, planner, developer, builder, engineer, architect, landscape architect, school leader or other community stakeholder, gather to hear from inspiring speakers, learn from been-there case studies and discuss actionable procedures to make communities more eco-effective.

This event brings together visionaries, national and local leaders who are at the forefront in sustainable urbanism, economics of sustainability, renewable energy, municipal food scrap recycling, transit-oriented development, energy-efficient housing, zero waste schools, local food systems and more.

Hear prominent speakers such as 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. recognized nationally for their efforts in reducing their carbon footprint on today's environment.

View conference agenda online.

GreenTown features two pre-conference events focused specifically on schools

Greening K-12 Schools on a Budget
2009 Pre-conference Workshops
July 22, 2009
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Grand Valley State University

1. Greening the Campus: How Educational
   Institutions Combat Climate Issues
   Sponsor: Integrated Architecture
   Join the signatories of the American College & Universities Presidents' Climate Commitment and Grand Valley State University to discuss climate change and share strategies for integrating sustainability into the curriculum and operations to help achieve climate neutrality. Campuses that address the climate challenge by eliminating global warming emissions and by integrating sustainability will better serve their students and meet their social mandate to help create a thriving, ethical and civil society.

2. Greening the K-12 School System
   Sponsors: Nichols & GMB Architecture + Engineering
   This session draws from local practitioners supporting statewide efforts to make Michigan a leader in the green schools movement. Learn from farm to school advocates and food service directors about initiatives that are changing the face of school food in Michigan, and providing Michigan farmers opportunities to serve school lunch programs. Discover zero waste school programs, and how schools are saving thousands of dollars through energy efficiency, reducing ghg emissions and educating the next generation. Learn about schools using LEED green building standards, and create a green action plan to get you started with greening your school on a budget!