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Green Business Roundtable Speakers 2002-2008 January 9, 2008 – Solar Energy Case Study February 13, 2008 – Green Marketing vs. Greenwashing March 12, 2008 – Local Land Use January 10, 2007 – Steve Andrews, Co-founder Association for the Study of Peak Oil February 14, 2007 – Local foods- The Farm to School Program March 14, 2007 – Solar Incentives- Why now is the time April 11, 2007 – Scott Case, The Responsible-Green Purchaser September 12, 2007 – Built Green Colorado October 10, 2007 – Systematic Improvement for Any Business November 14, 2007 – Life in the (Stormwater) Gutter December 12, 2007 – "Go Local"...Santa Fe Business Alliance Case Study May 10, 2006 (Wednesday) - Greening our getting around... Hope Bleecker (City of Durango Transit Manager) 375-4949 could discuss transit -- bus and trolley service, and the upcoming summer schedule April 12, 2006 (Wednesday) - Wind Energy in the future. Tony Frank of Colorado Working Landscapes joins with Larry Flowers, director of Wind Powering America at the National Renewable Energy Lab, to describe the potential of wind energy and the process of developing more. March 8, 2006 (Wednesday) - Keeping it local - Independent Business Alliances. http://www.amiba.net/ for more info. Peter Schertz 247-1438 February 8, 2006 (Wednesday) - Sustainable Community Development Efforts in the West and Beyond Heidi VanGenderen, Wirth Chair in Environmental and Community Development Policy University of Colorado at Denver January 11, 2006 (Wednesday)- Simple Steps for your office, store, or home: Saving Money while doing the right thing. This presentation will include examples of initiatives easy to implement in Durango. Michael Rendon Director of the Fort Lewis Environmental Center. 247-7091 December 14, 2005 (Wednesday) - Panel Discussion "Greening the Doctors Office" A case study by Durango's leading Doctors implementing new and old ideas and technologies. This presentation includes ideas applicable to ANY business office. With Panelists: Dr Art Zemach, Pediatric Partners of the Southwest, Dr Pakhi Chaudhuri, Pediatric Associates of Durango, Dr Bill Palko-Schraa, Spiral Health Clinic. November 9, 2005 (Wednesday) - Electronics Disposal: Many common products fit the Hazardous Material category with one or more of these characteristics: Toxicity, Ignitability, Corrosively, Reactivity. Learn the impacts of improper disposal, and where to dispose properly. Annie Pollett of the City of Durango Resource Conservation office. 375-4831 October12, 2005 (Wednesday) - Sustainability: How It Applies to La Plata County and the Four Corners Region *Practical examples of building community by keeping money in the local economy: supporting local businesses, connecting local agricultural producers with local markets, reducing energy costs with renewables and conservation, and more. Projects of the Alliance for Sustainability update. the economic benefits of using local products and of energy conservation. Specifically, rather than farm-to-school, we are looking at specifics of local food production and how that can contribute to the vitality of the local economy. In addition, we plan to mention two other topics more briefly, probably use of local lumber and on energy efficiency in buildings. Dick White by the Alliance for Sustainability of Southwest Colorado September 13, 2005 (Tuesday) - The Energy Audit: a case study. Presentation of results of a case study energy audit performed on a local business, with economic and practical consideration of the results. Appropriate for any business interested in auditing their own energy consumption. Audit consultation conducted by: Mark Stetz 385-4932 of Nexant and Walt Venable of Alternative Engineering. Nov. 10, 2004 Lighting Efficiency Opportunities for Businesses. This presentation will focus upon lighting efficiency opportunities commonly found in small commercial buildings. Discussion will include accepted lighting levels for a given task and appropriate energy consumption to achieve that design. Simple calculations will be illustrated that will help to determine the efficiency of your own lighting systems and the potential for a lighting retrofit. Lighting is typically 40% to 50% of total commercial building electrical consumption and as such, offers one of the largest opportunities for energy conservation. Guest speaker Jeremy Rivera, of Quest Energy Group, is a licensed engineer with over 15 years of experience in the field of energy efficient building design. Oct. 13, 2004 Biodiesel in Durango. This presentation will explain Brennan Oil¹s recent addition of Blue Sun Biodiesel to several local stations, focusing on their decision process, and the pros and cons of biodiesel blends. Come learn more about this clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Guest speaker Kyle McCracken is a 25-year veteran at Brennan Oil and has extensive personal experience with biodiesel. In addition, Roy Petersen, Manager of Facilities and Equipment for the City of Durango, will give an update on the city¹s short history with biodiesel. Since early July all city vehicles that use diesel have switched to the biodiesel blend. Sept. 8, 2004 Recycling Opportunities and Challenges for Businesses presented by Mark Thompson and Alex Arribau of Phoenix Recycling and Jeff Baker of Steamworks. Learn about how your business can make a difference through implementing a recycling program and/or buying recycled products. Sept. 8, 2004 Recycling Opportunities and Challenges for Businesses presented by Mark Thompson and Alex Arribau of Phoenix Recycling and Jeff Baker of Steamworks. Learn about how your business can make a difference through implementing a recycling program and/or buying recycled products. May 12th, 2004 Possibilities GBR Season Finale "Possibilities: People friendly urban planning from Buildings to Bike paths" Kent Ford/Charles Shaw April 7th, 2004 Exploring Permaculture. The presentation will examine examples of Permaculture, and look at the meaning behind the Oakhaven motto: "Think, Grow, Eat & Buy Locally." Discover the ethics and principles at the core of permaculture, such as "Integrating rather than Segregating." Guest speaker: Tom Riesing, a former investment banker. Tom, along with his partner Christie Berven operate Oakhaven Permaculture Center (oakhavenpc.org) near Hesperus. March 10th, 2004 : The Triple Bottom Line Challenge The "triple bottom line" of people-planet-profit encourages companies to put an environmental perspective into their planning. Come hear an overview of trends in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development and discuss implications for improving the triple bottom line for local businesses. Guest Speaker Katherine Holt established Peakinsight LLC to impact how business will operate profitably and evolve sustainably in the future. As a ZERI practitioner, she promotes the adoption of practices to eliminate waste and achieve triple bottom line results. February 11th, 2004 Global Warming, Regional Impacts, and Possible Responses Scientific consensus attributes the warming of the last 20 years substantially to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning. Policy responses range from the Kyoto Protocol, to regional initiatives under the auspices of the international Cities for Climate Protection program. What can we do locally to address our contributions to this problem and to catalyze regional responses? Guest Speaker: Dick White, Prof. Emeritus of Astronomy, Smith College, member of Green House Network speakers bureau, and certified by Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives. January 14th, 2004 Sustainable Economic Development In the past year, a local study circle developed guiding principles for Sustainable Economic Development in our area, with many discussions addressing green-environmental-sustainable issues relevant to the Roundtable. These include development of strategies & solutions including transportation, renewable energy sources, maximizing the multiplier effect, growing and selling food locally, and environmental issues. This study circle was convened by Operation Healthy Communities, and is seeking feedback on their definition and guiding principles, so as to be reflective of our broader community. Tami Graham, the facilitator of the study circle process, will present the groups findings and give an update of current activities. December 10th, 2003: Sustainable Building Strategies. Guest speaker Glen Harcourt is one of the inspiring (and humorous) visionaries behind Steeprock Joinery, a solar powered artisans guild located just outside of Telluride. Steeprock's projects include everything from custom solar powered homes, to business remodels, wetland wastewater systems, and custom furniture. Steeprock's mission is to develop and implement practical sustainable building strategies and to foster conscientious craftsmanship as a foundation for progressive steps to sustainable living. October 29, 2003: How to help people understand and change their energy consumption habits. Guest speaker Randy Udall is director of the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE), a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy. CORE promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency in partnership with Holy Cross Energy, a rural electric utility serving 40,000 customers. Holy Cross leads the U.S. in the percentage of its customers who buy wind power. Holy Cross has more grid-connected photovoltaic systems than any of the 930 rural electric utilities in the nation. Holy Cross¹ wind, solar, and hydropower programs will keep 500 million pounds of greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere over the next 20 years. In 2000, CORE started the nation¹s first Renewable Energy Mitigation Fund, which has collected $1,000,000 in building permit fees to install renewable energy systems. October 8th, 2003: BP Production¹s Move Into Alternative Energy. Come hear Dan Larson speaking on why BP is investing heavily in alternative energy and how this will give them an advantage over other energy companies in the future. Guest speaker Dan Larson is Director of Public Affairs for BP America Production Company, Durango, CO. October 8th, 2003: BP Production¹s Move Into Alternative Energy. Come hear Dan Larson speaking on why BP is investing heavily in alternative energy and how this will give them an advantage over other energy companies in the future. Guest speaker Dan Larson is Director of Public Affairs for BP America Production Company, Durango, CO. September 10th, 2003, A Virtual Solar Tour: Preview homes and businesses on the Solar Tour here in LaPlata County, our own part of the American Solar Energy Society National Solar Tour. The tour allows people to see for themselves how solar can be affordable, comfortable, and practical. With the Durango area enjoying over 300 days of sunshine a year, it is refreshing to see a sample of homes and businesses that take advantage of a southern sun to keep heating bills low. Guest speaker Paul Senecal helps coordinate the LaPlata County solar tour, and resides in a solar home in Rafter J. May 14, 2003 The market for local food in La Plata County. The topic includes reasons to buy locally produced goods to help sustain local ag, the 2003 Durango Farmers Market, and the recently completed feasibility study for the shared use commercial kitchen incubator. Guest speaker Greg Vlaming is a Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Agent and Administrative Director of the Durango Farmers Market. April 9, 2003 The Multiplier Effect: the benefit of keeping money local. The presentation will address the money multiplier effect in a community and the effects of money leaking out of the community and what causes leakage. Guest speaker Clyde Church is a management consultant and field engineer with MAMTC (Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center) branch office at the Small Business Development Center at Fort Lewis College. March 12th, 2003 Xeriscaping - water efficient landscaping using more drought tolerant plants, less bluegrass, drip irrigation and other water saving techniques. Guest speaker Sherry Fuller is the author of the Green Thumbs and Dirty Fingernails column in the Durango Herald and is co-owner of Cliffrose, a garden center in Cortez. Feb. 12, 2003 Five for Five ... Green Business Leaders for five minutes each. Hear about each of the 5 nominees for the Chamber of Commerce Green Business Leadership Award. Each nominee will give a three minute overview of the greener aspects of their business, then answer questions from the audience. Through powerpoint, we will learn about each of the nominees and their contributions to the community. Come network, learn, and congratulate all of them! The nominees were: The Abbey Theater Host for environmental films, fundraisers, and educational events. Phoenix Recycling La Plata County¹s top notch recycler. Sunnyside Meats, Inc. Local livestock harvesting plant and how it helps the local community. Smiley Building The building¹s transformation from energy hog to model efficiency. Fort Lewis College Student Life Center How FLC approached sustainability. Additionally, local environmental artist Shan Wells will speak about his development of the Green Business Leadership Award traveling trophy. Panel Discussion. January 8th 2003 Sustainable Features of the Fort Lewis College Student Life Center This presentation will explain how the SLC joined the short list of large sustainability oriented buildings in the four corners area. Goals stated upfront included minimizing consumption of limited resources and minimizing pollution by utilizing energy as a resource, and not a pollutant. Our guest speakers include Jack Krider Director of SLC, and Michael Rendon of the Environmental Center, and Robert Lea, project manager for Colorado Jaynes Construction, Inc. Their presentation gives a behind the scenes look at the building's design process and construction. For more see http://envcenter.fortlewis.edu/SLC Renewable Energy Workshop Saturday, December 14th, 2002 LPEA- History of Electricity in La Plata County/Net Metering/ an outlook for the future(tentative) … Renewable Energy Basics/ Solar (Interactive) Demonstration. Importance and logistics of doing an energy audit for your home or business. Practical and simple changes that can be made to a business or home. Hands on demonstration of a solar set up. The Solar set up is an initial investment kit for someone to get started with solar for the lowest initial investment. Started Project: The 2002 Green Business Leadership Award Presented as part of DACRA annual awards Recognizing the business that demonstrates leadership, risk, and innovation in utilizing environmentally responsible, healthy, and profitable business practices. December 1, 2002 A Local Case Study for Sustainable Building Techniques: Turning an Eyesore into a Gem. The Durango Discovery Museum is a new science and energy museum to be housed in Durango's historic Power House on Camino Del Rio. The project includes rehabilitating the old building and turn-of-the-century equipment and employing sustainable building techniques to showcase energy technologies past, present, and future. Project Manager Jeff Vierling will present plans for the new museum and discuss its relevance for every local business owner. November 13, 2002 Transferable Development Rights A primer on how TDRs allow local governments to preserve a community's rural character, and natural, historic and scenic resources. Hear how TDRs could protect property values and accommodate growth in a manner that enhances our tourist based economy. Guest speaker Tom Maynard is a member of the American Planning Association and its professional branch, the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). As a Principal of Four Corners Planning and Design Group, he has prepared comprehensive plans and trails plans for many communities in western Colorado, including for the City of Fruita, which recently received an award from the Colorado Chapter of the American Planning Association. The Fruita plan included a TDR program which is now being implemented. He recently co-authored an article on a new approach to TDR that was published in a national planning periodical. Tom is now developing a TDR demonstration program for the City of Durango and La Plata County. October 9, 2002 Energy Efficient Building Strategies as an Investment This presentation will look at some considerations and strategies for improving the energy usage performance for residential or small commercial buildings, and the investment return you can expect. Guest speaker Mike Frisoni is an engineer and building science consultant focusing on energy efficiency and air quality control for residential and small commercial buildings. His company is Annadel Building Solutions, LLC. September 11, 2002 The Colorado Business Energy Partnership: Building Improved Energy Management. Heidi VanGenderen, Senior Associate for the Wirth Chair, CU Denver will speak on how the Partnership helps for-profit, non-profit and public sector member develop money saving strategies to boost energy efficiency, and protect Colorado's and the nations climate. A few of the organizations involved in the Partnership include: Coors Brewery, Lockheed Martin, The Denver Post, the City and County of Denver, URS Corporation, Samsonite Corporation, Oakwood Homes, and the Colorado Energy Assistance Foundation. Ms. VanGenderen has a twenty-year work history in environmental sustainability and energy issues. She has worked with a broad range of organizations ranging from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to the Business Council for Sustainable Development, as well as with universities and the NGO community. June 6, 02 The Environmental Agenda, What a Business Can Do to Make A Difference. Bill Meadows, President of the national organization The Wilderness Society, will speak on the political climate for advancing the environmental agenda, including what a business can do to make a difference. His talk will also explain some of the sustainability features built into the Society headquarters in Washington, DC, and articulate the role of the business community in protecting open space and wilderness. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Society has eight regional offices across the country, including the Wilderness Support Center here in Durango. May 02 The Smiley Building, A Local Case Study by Charles Shaw. A slide show and talk on how the Shaw brothers have transformed the Smiley Building from one of Durango¹s biggest energy hogs to one of the most efficient. The talk covers everything from simple water saving devices, compact florescent and occupancy sensor lighting, to solar hydronic heating and producing electricity with photovoltiacs. Best of all, the talk will include a handout that has a complete list of the best products and where to get them. You will leave with all the info you need to get started saving energy in your own business location. April 10, 02 The Path to Sustainable Development... Sustainable Building Consultant Michelle Reott, owner of Earthly Ideas, will speak on "green" development strategies and their benefits for construction, renovation, and day-to-day operations. Come see how these strategies can help provide a healthy and safe workplace, while reducing resource consumption and operating costs. Earthly Ideas helps architects, home and building owners, engineers, and contractors find long term building solutions that meet design and budget requirements as well as social and environmental objectives. April 4, 02 Friday afternoon, 4-5 pm. Dave Foreman Wilderness Advocay. Foreman has worked as a wilderness advocate since 1971. From 1973 to 1980, he worked for the Wilderness Society as Southwest Regional Representative in New Mexico and Director of Wilderness Affairs in Washington, D.C. From 1982 to 1988, he was editor of the Earth First! Journal. After splitting off from Earth First! in 1990, he became a co-founder, board member and chairman of The Wildlands Project and serves as publisher of the Project¹s journal Wild Earth. He is also a member of the board of directors of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. Mar 13, 02 Preserving the nighttime environment. An introduction to protecting our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting. Presentation provided by www.darksky.org presentation by Kent Ford. Feb 13, 02 Investing your values. Independent financial consultant Paul Lemon of Integrated Financial Planning. He will speak on investing with your values, explaining how to invest while upholding your social and environmental values. Jan 2002 Doing our part: what small business can do for the environment Cheryl Wiescamp Colorado Pollution Prevention Board and Executive Director Durango Nature Studies |