The Vermont Environmental Consortium and Vermont Technical College (VTC) have announced that registration is open for its spring conference: “The 4th Annual Water Quality Conference: Learning from Other Successes.” The conference will be held Friday, May 29, 2015 at VTC’s Judd Hall on its Randolph Center campus.
Previous Water Quality Conferences focused on water quality regulations, sources of nutrient pollutants, storm water, modeling, political will, grass-roots efforts and innovative community action, implementation and funding. Progress has been made in understanding the causes and sources of Lake Champlain’s water quality problems. And it is clear that best management practices on farms and beyond can stem the flow of nutrients into the lake and other water bodies. Vermont, and others, still continue to be challenged by organizing and funding implementation of solutions. This year’s Water Quality Conference examines organizational structures and innovative approaches that have succeeded in other areas and might be applied to improvement of water quality. The day's events will include four panels; related exhibitors; tours of the campus; keynote speaker; and a discussion of VTC's future vision for building more carbon conscious communities.
The event runs from 8:00AM – 5:00PM. Pre-registration includes all sessions and lunch. The panels will be focused on the following topics: Update on regulatory changes affecting water quality; A utility model for organizing the drive towards increasing water quality; Enhancing implementation of BMPs through the Current Use Program; Innovative approaches to increasing the value, and decreasing the cost, of nutrients; & Where Does Vermont Go From Here?
Confirmed speakers currently include Trey Martin, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources; Chris Cole, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Transportation; Laura DiPietro, ARM Deputy Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets; Karen Glitman, Director of Transportation Efficiency, VT Energy Investment Corporation; James Houle, Outreach Coordinator & Program Manager, The UNH Stormwater Center; Megan Moir, CPESC, CPSWQ, Stormwater Program Manager, Burlington Dept. of Public Works; Jamey Fidel, General Council & Forest and Wildlife Program Director, VT Natural Resources Council; Eric Clifford, President, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition Inc. Breck Bowden, Professor for Watershed Science and Planning, School of Natural Resources at University of Vermont; Jeff Bernicke, President and CEO of Native Energy; Guy Roberts, Aurora Bioscience; David Mears, Commissioner of Department of Environmental Conservation; Tom Berry, Agriculture Policy Advisor, Senator Leahy’s Office; Monique Oxender, Chief Sustainability Officer, Keurig Green Mountain; Jill Michaels, President, Vermont Environmental Consortium; & Dan Smith, President of VT Technical College.
The VEC would like to thank our current conference sponsors; White + Burke Real Estate Investment Advisors, Inc., Middlebury College, Stone Environmental, Inc, Cardno ATC, Green Mountain Power, Waite-Heindel Environmental Management, Dunkiel Saunders Elliott raubuogel & Hand PLLC, & Geotech Environmental Equipment.
VEC Leads Vermont's Environmental Business Sector
Since 2000, VEC has brought businesses, educational institutions and state and U.S. government officials together to make Vermont a leader in the green economy. VEC promotes growth and job creation in Vermont's environmental business sector through networking, information sharing and special projects.
VEC's vision is to be the go-to organization for the environmental business sector in Vermont. VEC's mission is to promote growth and job creation in Vermont's environmental business sector.
We carry out our mission by:
- Advocating for and promoting Vermont's environmental business sector;
- Forging links among business, government, non-profits and higher education to grow the green economy by promoting research, education, training, and job creation;
- Networking VEC members with potential clients, resources, and support services through conferences, workshops, referrals, and other venues; and
- Planning and initiating projects in partnership with, and for the benefit of, our members.
There are opportunities to attend, exhibit, and sponsor this event. Learn more about the event, see a full agenda, and register online by visiting the event webpage found under “Featured Event” onwww.vectogether.orgor visit VEC’s Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vermont-Environmental-Consortium/277911338887994. Please pre-register by May 22, 2015. Registrations accepted at door will not include lunch.
Questions regarding this event can be directed to802-747-7900or[email protected].
Source: VTC.