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2012 Conference

 

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Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this conference! It included nearly 500 sustainability experts and peers from government, business, education and nonprofits from 2 countries, 9 states, 45 Campuses, 64 Businesses, and 94 Massachusetts communities who are contributing to local and global sustainability.

THE SPONSORS

Platinum SPONSOR
Silver SPONSORS  

THE EXHIBITORS
Please patronize our local businesses and resources!

THE CONFERENCE

Come and delve into Community and Campus Sustainability for one or two days!

The Sustainable Communities and Campuses Conference connects leading experts and peers from municipalities, college campuses, government, businesses and nonprofits. Everyone wanting to learn more about sustainability best practices and resources will find this conference timely, practical and valuable. Our previous conferences had full audiences (www.MaSustainableCommunities.com and www.MassGreenCareers.com). We hope you join us!

THE OBJECTIVES

  • Engage in cross-sector dialogues to support collaboration, partnerships and action.
  • Learn about best practices, services and products for sustainability.
  • Network with local, regional and statewide stakeholders.
  • Go home with knowledge and resources to improve campus and community sustainability.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

  • Municipal elected and non-elected officials, facilities, planning, conservation, DPW, sustainability/energy, environment, school committees
  • Higher education administrators, sustainability coordinators, career services, workforce development, community relations, faculty, facilities managers, researchers, innovators, students, graduates
  • Business owners, staff and business organization reps
  • Non-profit community group members and leaders
  • Everyone interested in learning about sustainability

THE SPEAKERS, TOPICS & SCHEDULE – SEE SCHEDULE BELOW

Leading experts and peers from communities, campuses, businesses, government, and non-profits

THE EXHIBITORS

  • Businesses with products and services
  • College certificate and degree programs
  • Government agencies
  • Community organizations and non-profits
  • Student organizations

SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Exhibits and networking all day: 7am-4pm Friday and 7:30am-4:30pm Saturday
  • Lunchtime options: Visit exhibitors, join an informal roundtable discussion, enjoy a view of the bay
  • Display and FREE raffle of ten excellent books about campus and community sustainability
  • College student poster session on Saturday
  • Breakfast includes muffins, yogurt and coffee; and lunch includes a selection of delicious chicken and veggie wraps and cookies from one of the best caterers in the Boston area

GREEN EVENT FEATURES

  • Reduced printing, packaging and conference materials
  • Carbon offset for conference travel and building energy is a donation to three local environmental groups
  • Some LEED building features
  • Easily reached by public transportation: Red Line to UMass T station and free shuttle bus to the conference front door! Nearby parking is available

REGISTRATION FEES

  • Early registration is $60, advance registration is $75. Students are $45. $95 at the door. Benefit from a 10% discount for groups of 5 or more.
  • This registration fee covers speaker sessions, exhibitors, lunch, breakfast and FREE book raffle. Advance registration is recommended as previous conferences have filled in advance. Parking is $6
  • Register @ http://masccc.eventbrite.com

HOST

An advisory team of sustainability professionals – representing communities, academia, business, government and nonprofits – and an on-site conference team help with this conference which is hosted by Green Workforce Training.

CONTACT

For sponsor, exhibitor and speaker information and general questions contact Jen Boudrie, Conference Director, 508-481-0569 or JenBoudrie@gmail.com

This website will be updated as the conference date approaches.
Read about our well attended conference last year at History.
Interested in green careers? See our other conference at www.MassGreenCareers.com

2nd Massachusetts Sustainable Communities Conference
Friday, April 20, 2012
Registration:  7 – 8am
Exhibits and Networking:  7am – 4pm

8:00 – 9:00 am
Keynote Presentation – The Greening of Massachusetts  86 Green Communities have received state funding and green enterprises are growing.  Unprecedented collaboration and novel partnerships are bearing fruit.  What are some of the projects?  Who’s partnering with whom?  What are the achievements? What are future plans?  Hear from:
Meg Lusardi  Director of the Green Communities Division at Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER)
Geoff Chapin  Founder and CEO of Next Step Living

9:15 – 10:15 am
What is Community Sustainability?   Common criteria for sustainability exist but each community from urban to rural is approaching the topic its own unique way.  This session presents three different perspectives on the measuring and implementing of sustainability initiatives.
Daniella Hirschfeld  STAR Community Index Program Officer & Resilience Specialist
Wayne Feiden  Director of Planning and Development, City of Northampton

Community and Campus Connections – Shared Footprints
Two universities have gone to extraordinary lengths to connect their campuses to surrounding communities.  Hear from speakers whose individual and collective efforts are helping shape a new generation of conscientious citizens.
Tom Kelly  Chief Sustainability Officer, University of New Hampshire; co-author of The Sustainable Learning Community:  One University’s Journey to the Future
Nancy Wilson   Dean ad interim of Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship & Public Service, Tufts University

Massachusetts Green Communities – A Tale of Three Cities  We’ve seen a significant shift towards greener communities, no matter how big or small.  Hear what Lowell, the fourth largest city in Massachusetts with a population of 106,519 and the historic city of Salem with 41,240 residents are doing to make life greener.  Worcester, our second largest city with 182,000, is also changing.
Paul Marquis  Energy and Sustainability Manager, City of Salem
Allegra Williams  Neighborhood Planner, Department of Planning & Development, City of Lowell
John Odell  Energy Efficiency and Conservation Manager, City of Worcester

Green Business Development Strategies in Communities  Economic prosperity, environmental health, and local jobs start with a vision. Forward thinking businesses help make it a reality.  In Boston’s Innovation District and the MetroWest, movers and shakers are playing their part to green the economy.
Nolan Browne  Managing Director of the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems
Arthur Robert  MetroWest Region Director of MA Office of Business Development

10:30 – 11:30 am
Sustainable Community Success Stories  Municipal sustainability initiatives in energy, water, land use, food, transportation, purchasing/materials management are inspiring and the successes worth sharing. Hear how the town of Easton with a population of 22,000, and Boston with a population 604,000 are both taking forward steps.
David Colton  Easton Town Administrator
Brad Swing  Director of Energy Policy, City of Boston

Meet the Facilities Directors Implementing Energy Solutions  Better, smarter buildings protect our environment, our health, our finances and our children. The role of the Facilities Director is gaining prominence as the quest for cost-cutting, green solutions gains prominence.
Ken Wertz  President of MA Facilities Administrators Association; Director of Maintenance & Operations at Sharon Public Schools
Larry Schoff  Former Technical Analyst for the US DOE EnergySmart Schools Program & USGBC LEED for Schools

Massachusetts Clean Energy Initiatives – Big Steps  Taking bold, forward strides, Massachusetts has leapt from 3 MW to 77 MW of installed solar in just five years.  The Mass Clean Energy Center programs like Solarize Mass are popularizing renewables. The town of Harvard went from 13 to 75 installed residential solar systems in 2011.
Elizabeth Kennedy  Program Director, Renewable Energy Generation, Mass Clean Energy Center
Jim Elkind  Principal at Elkind Associates; Town of Harvard Solarize Mass representative

Sustainable Food Systems – Our Local Markets  Farmers’ markets and urban farming have seen record growth, heralding a new era of health and environmental consciousness.  In Massachusetts the local food message is finally coming home.
David Webber  Farmers’ Market Coordinator at Massachusetts Department of Agriculture
Fred Yen  Manager of Winchester Farmers’ Market
Lyndsay Rose Outreach Manager, Green City Growers

LUNCH   Enjoy lunch.  Visit exhibits.  Join a roundtable discussion.  Network.  Enjoy a view of the bay.

1:00 – 2:00 pm
Regional Initiatives from Coast to Valley  Cooperation among regional communities has risen in recent years, resulting in more collective power to share resources and knowledge.  Learn about three regions working on sustainability:  Cape Cod, the Southeastern Coast & Pioneer Valley.
Susan Jennings  Co-Chair of Southeastern MA Council on Sustainability; Director of Campus and Community Sustainability at UMass Dartmouth
Catherine Ratte  Principal Planner & Manager at Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Megan Amsler  Executive Director of Cape & Islands Self-Reliance

Education’s Role in Sustainability – Our Children are the Future  It’s never too early to inculcate good habits and equip youth with the knowledge and tools that can help change the world.  Two teachers and their students describe empowering school programs and how they connect to the surrounding community.
Cate Arnold  Boston Latin School Faculty & Student Advisor for YouthCAN
Karen DiFranza  Founder of Hands to Earth:  Educating for a Sustainable Future

Local Regulations and Resources – Problems and Solutions  As we add new sustainability elements to communities, fresh concerns arise. How do we manage the challenge of change and sustainable development?  Hear from experts about problems and solutions at the local level.
Kurt Gaertner  Director of Sustainable Development, State of Massachusetts
Steven Strong  President of Solar Design Associates
Ted Carman  President of Concord Square Planning and Development

Energy and Buildings  Where can you find a sustainable housing project with zero-net energy homes? Where can you find a local company that makes insulation?  Right here in Massachusetts.  Hear from two of the experts who make it all come together.
Bill Hulstrunk  Technical Manager at National Fiber
Neil Angus  Environmental Planner for the Devens Enterprise Commission

2:15 – 3:15 pm
Local Organizations that Engage People – The Ripple Effect   Meet three leaders from community organizations renowned for engaging the community.  Hear about their work, the ripple effect and far-reaching solutions.
Rob Garrity  Executive Director of Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN)
Audrey Schulman  President of Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET)
Sylvia Broude  Executive Director of Toxics Action Center (TAC)

College Student Projects in Communities – Learning While Doing  Student projects can elevate the sometimes theoretical learning process to real life learning experiences, connecting education to community and business interests.  From research to action, students are important sustainability stakeholders.
Laura Goldin  Chair, Environmental Studies and Director of Environmental Internship Program at Brandeis University
Eric Olson  Senior Lecturer at Brandeis University

Financing – A Practical Guide   Learn how others have organized the financing needed to renovate their downtowns or install solar arrays. Renovations and solar installations can change underutilized buildings and spaces to become attractive and profitable solutions.
Ted Carman  President of Concord Square Planning and Development
Michelle Mulcahy  Director of Bids and Proposals, RGS Energy

Local Sustainability Success Stories – The Headliners   Communities with environmental organizations see more success when more people are invested and the results are real.  Hear success stories from across the state!
Nancy Hazard  Greening Greenfield Energy Committee member; previous director of NESEA & Tour de Sol
Joel Wool  Green Dorchester Community Advocate; Clean Water Action Organizer
Michael Greis Green Needham Chair; Needham School Committee Member

1st Massachusetts Sustainable Campuses Conference
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Registration:  7:30 – 8:30am
Exhibits and Networking:  7:30am – 4:30pm 

8:30 – 9:30 am
Keynote Presentation – Green Campus Trailblazers  Schools can achieve much more than they think they can in implementing energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction, and sustainability solutions. By taking advantage of their “wasted energy assets,” utilizing innovative financing, and finding ways to engage their student body and key stakeholders, colleges can enhance their sustainability profile and achieve long lasting results. Mount Wachusett Community College is a sustainability model in Massachusetts with renewable energy generation for 100% of its energy needs, a “Green Society” of students, a community garden, and sustainability in the curriculum. UMass Lowell has initiatives, too, engaging many stakeholders.
Henrietta Davis  Mayor, City of Cambridge
Rob Pratt Chairman & CEO, Greener U
Ed Terceiro  The “sustainability architect,” retired VP & Chief Operations Officer and Resident Engineer at Mount Wachusett Community College
Juliette Rooney-Varga  Associate Professor, Biological Sciences; Director, Climate Change Initiative, UMass Lowell

9:45 – 10:45 am
What is Campus Sustainability?  Learn about sustainability – the metrics, measures and criteria for greener campuses.  Hear perspectives from the campus point of view as well as a developer’s viewpoint.
Jenny Isler  Sustainability Coordinator at Clark University
Scott Lindgren PE LEED AP  Managing Design Engineer at Pare Corporation

Higher Education and Community Leadership   Colleges and communities each have essential roles in sustainable development as these two experts demonstrate. Mayor Davis and Professor Michaels will each discuss the benefits of campuses impacting with communities.  Then they will have an open dialogue with each other and invite the audience to participate in a discussion about campuses and communities to explore boundaries, connections, and cross-overs.
Henrietta Davis  Mayor, City of Cambridge
Harvey Michaels  Energy Efficiency Scientist and Lecturer, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, MIT

Sustainable Product Choices  It is common knowledge that our natural resources are strained and the race to identify new and reused materials is revving up.  Businesses today are looking at product and practice options.  Campuses are seeking more sustainable choices from their vendors.  Learn more about environmentally-preferred products and cutting edge LED lighting.
Erica Mattison   Campus Sustainability Coordinator, Suffolk University
Kelly Cota LC LEED AP  Horizon Energy Services Business Development Manager

Faculty Engagement and Learning Communities   Engaging people comes from a place of knowledge, experience and passion.  It involves media, events and messaging.  It stirs people to learn and change. Hear about exceptional learning communities in this session.
Jaclyn Olson  Assistant Director, Office of Sustainability, Harvard University
Juliette Rooney-Varga  Associate Professor, Biological Sciences; Director, Climate Change Initiative, UMass Lowell

11:00 – 12:00 noon
Campus Success Stories – Win, Win, Win  Three leading institutions have implemented impressive energy, water, food, materials, transportation, student engagement, and management initiatives.  Sustainability leaders speak about efforts on their campuses.
Ezra Small  Sustainability Manager, UMass Amherst
Steve Lanou  Deputy Director, Sustainability Program, MIT
Tina Woolston  Office of Sustainability Director, Tufts University

Expanding Connections between Campuses and Communities   Collaborative efforts advance sustainability beyond traditional campus boundaries. Today we are witnessing never before seen partnerships between campuses and utility companies, providing novel models for others to follow.
Peter Cooper  Manager of Sustainable Engineering and Utility Planning at MIT
John Kibbee  Energy Efficiency Program Manager at NStar

Clean Energy Initiatives on Campus   A campus is a self-contained community, a microcosm that can serve as a testing ground for renewable energy initiatives.  Learn about recent installations and emerging initiatives like the campus micro-grid.
Eric Friedman  Director of Massachusetts Leading by Example Program; Deputy Director of Green Communities Division at MA Department of Energy Resources (MassDOER)
Steven Strong  President of Solar Design Associates
Paul Popinchalk  PE, LEED AP, CMVP, Director of Engineering

College Students – Voices and Visionaries   Today’s students who are engaging in sustainability efforts are our ambassadors who will carry solutions and visions into the future.  In this session college students describe campus sustainability projects they are currently working on.
Sharon Bort  Student, Clark University
Jen Gonet  Student, UMass Dartmouth
Mary Corrado  Student, Northeastern University

LUNCH  Enjoy lunch.  Visit exhibits.  View posters.  Join a roundtable discussion.  Network.  Enjoy a view of the bay.

1:30 – 2:30 pm
Creating a Culture that Values Sustainability  How can sustainability be part of our campus culture?  It begins with teacher training incentives, sustainability in the curriculum, and a physical environment with natural features for students to learn in.
Halina Brown  Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, Clark University
Judy Lindamood  Department Chair of Early Childhood Education and Human Services, Bunker Hill Community College

Facilities Directors and Sustainability – What does the Job Involve?   Campus Facilities staff are often charged with making changes on campus and are key people on sustainability committees.  Hear about what the job entails.
Patrick Willoughby  Sustainability Director, Wellesley College
Marc Fournier LEED AP  Director of Plant Operations & Sustainability, Lasell College
Kathy Driscoll Sustainability Coordinator/Facilities and EHS Officer, Mass Maritime Academy

Career Preparation for Sustainable Development  How should we train people for community sustainability? What are the challenges?  What are the solutions?
Tamika Correia, Ed.D., Director of Workforce Development, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
David Levy  Director, Center for Sustainable Enterprise and Regional Competitiveness, UMass Boston

Project Financing and Getting to Net Zero Energy on Campus  Campuses are looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions and save money. Learn about load reduction, project financing and strategies to create a net zero energy campus, net metering in Massachusetts and renewable energy options like Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
John Kibbee  Energy Efficiency Program Manager at NStar
Emma Kosiack  Revenue Services Manager, NexAmp
Brad Hunter  Commercial Solar Manager, NexAmp
Ed Terceiro  Retired VP, Chief Operations Officer and Resident Engineer at Mount Wachusett Community College; Current Consultant

2:45 – 3:45 pm
Sustainability Across the Curriculum   Many campuses are trying to figure out how to implement sustainability.  Some colleges have a sustainability program and some weave it into their curriculum.  Hear from a college that has accomplished both.
Lance Fletcher  Director of the Sustainable Design Institute at Boston Architectural College (BAC)
Shaun O’Rourke  Landscape Ecologist in Boston Urban Landscape Lab at Boston Architectural College (BAC)

Campus Success Stories  Energy, Water, Food, Materials, Transportation, Student Engagement, Management – each of these areas has yielded remarkable results on campuses across Massachusetts.  Hear how these three campuses are approaching it!
Charles Kaminski  Dean of Academic Affairs, Business, Science, Math & Technology;  Green Team Chair, Berkshire Community College
Janice Forsstrom  VP Administration and CFO, North Shore Community College

Enterprises, Ventures, Incubators & Interns  Sustainability enterprises need to be nurtured because they have the mindset to make sustainability happen.  They are open to opportunities and solutions.  Where do today’s students fit in?  Find out at this session.
Tamika Correia Ed.D., Director of Workforce Development, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
Adrian Dahlin  President and CEO of Rising Green

Sustainable Food Systems and Campuses – Coming Full Circle   Food practices are changing on campus and this is very good news.  We’re seeing the implementation of complete sustainable food systems – from farm to dining table to compost.  Hear how one leading university makes the system work.
Louisa Denison  Food Literacy Project Coordinator, Harvard Dining Services
Crista Martin  Director of Marketing & Communications, Harvard Dining Services
Lori Besegai  Marketing Manager, EOMS Recycling In

2012 SCHEDULE

 

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