Sustainable Long Island’s Sixth Annual Sustainability Conference will be held Friday, June 1, 2012 from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Carlyle on the Green in Bethpage State Park.
For more information please visit http://sustainableli.org/
WORKSHOPS/PANELSMorning Plenary
TOPIC – The Many Facets of Sustainability
Over the past decade sustainability has evolved to incorporate many different meanings, including elements of environmental health, economic development, and social equity. By definition, sustainability means using or harvesting resources without depleting or damaging them. Literally, sustainability means being able to keep things going – having the ability to sustain itself – continuing into the future working properly.
Specifically in regards to the land and environment, sustainability means making sure the communities we live in can continue to achieve what they are meant to achieve; clear water, fresh air, clean land, healthy food, and being able to provide all people with a high quality of life. A recent surge in awareness of this concept has transformed the sustainability movement into a modern, local, global, trend that has moved from the meeting halls of community centers to the mainstream public eye.
This morning plenary, “The Many Facets of Sustainability,” will present a brief overview of what sustainability represented when it first came on the scene and how it has now grown into a nationwide trend, as well as what the future of sustainability might look like.
Panelists will trace the history of sustainability in terms of water, sustainable land use planning, storm water management, equity, and economic development and provide examples of local and regional efforts to tackle these issues in a sustainable manner. Attendees will better understand how sustainability has evolved and hear panelists’ thoughts on the need for continued focus on the three core elements of sustainability – economy, environment, and equity.
- MODERATOR – Larry Levy, Center for Suburban Studies @ Hofstra – confirmed
- SPEAKER 1 – Chris Kent, Farrell Fritz – confirmed
- SPEAKER 2 – Elaine Gross, Erase Racism – confirmed
- SPEAKER 3 – Bob Brinkmann, Sustainability Institute @ Hofstra – confirmed
- SPEAKER 4 – Resi Cooper, Accelerate LI – invited
- SPEAKER 5 – Carrie Meek Gallagher, Suffolk County Water Authority – confirmed
WORKSHOP 1
TOPIC – Brownfield Redevelopment
By redeveloping brownfields, a community can eliminate blight and environmental contamination, create methods for downtown revitalization, and use existing infrastructure to benefit the future. Whether it’s cleaning up an abandoned gas station to pump life back into a community or revitalizing closed auto-dealership corridors to jump-start neighborhood resurgence, using an area-wide approach throughout this process is crucial to the future of sustainability on Long Island. This panel will discuss successful brownfield projects across the region, as well as specific areas where brownfield redevelopment has an opportunity to succeed.
During this session, panelists will highlight case studies of local and regional brownfields projects and discuss the benefits of an area-wide approach to brownfield redevelopment. The session will shed light on how we incorporate brownfield revitalization into regional economic development planning and the need to incorporate sustainability into brownfields projects. Attendees will gain insight into areas where brownfield redevelopment can be successful and how to incorporate sustainability into their projects.
- MODERATOR – Gary Rozmus, Gannett Fleming – confirmed
- SPEAKER 1 Rabi Keiber, US EPA
- SPEAKER 2 Curtis Craven, NYS DOS
- SPEAKER 3 Jamie Stein, Professor, Pratt Institute
WORKSHOP 2
TOPIC – Food, Health, and The Economy
Entering 2012, the food equity movement has become a major component of sustainability issues nationwide. Ensuring all consumers have access to nutritious, fresh food, brings about social benefits, such as having healthier options to choose and becoming informed about the where your produce comes from. This panel will discuss local projects and programs that aim to improve Long Island’s regional food system. Topics will include how food access can stimulate local economies and local agriculture, while also bringing communities together. Attendees will leave the workshop with new insights into the regional food system; how farmers and community projects enhance the local economy and the pivotal role that planning plays in bringing together business, community and economic opportunity.
- MODERATOR – Bob Keeler, Newsday – confirmed
- SPEAKER 1 Joe Gergela, LI Farm Bureau – confirmed
- SPEAKER 2 Iman Marghoob, SUNY Stony Brook – confirmed
- SPEAKER 3 Bob Nolan, local LI farmer – confirmed
- SPEAKER 4 NYS Department of Health representative TBD
WORKSHOP 3
TOPIC – Economic Recovery and Growth
By empowering those who know their regions best, the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council identified opportunities and projects that were best positioned to create jobs quickly. Due to the Council’s hard work, Long Island was recently awarded over $101 million in State funding that will benefit numerous transformative projects Island-wide. This panel will highlight the process and success stories from the job market and discuss how this funding – along with additional development projects – is leading to financial recovery and growth in both Nassau and Suffolk County. During this session, planners and others will learn through the LIREDC case example how state-wide economic development efforts can combine regional approaches and local planning efforts; advancing multiple goals, including jobs, while building upon separate community planning projects.
- MODERATOR – TBD (reaching out to Jim Morgo)
- SPEAKER 1 Mark Lesko, Supervisor, Town of Brookhaven – invited
- SPEAKER 2 Mark Fasciano, Thoughtbox -confirmed
- SPEAKER 3 Vanessa Pugh- Suffolk County Dept. of Economic Development –tentative
- SPEAKER 4 Robert Strickoff – Town of Babylon, Industrial Development Agency
WORKSHOP 4
TOPIC – Greening Long Island
Going green… Long Islanders often hear it and encourage it, but are we actually practicing what we preach? It is imperative that we all take advantage of the unique opportunity to make a positive impact through environment friendly, resourceful initiatives and policies. This panel will discuss how Long Island can work to save money through green projects, reduce energy and resource consumption through green buildings and homes, create jobs and employment within the green market, and produce healthier environments in which to work, live, and learn. Participants in this session will learn about local initiatives to green LI, from policies to projects, and the importance of core components of the sustainable movement in planning.
- MODERATOR – TBD
- SPEAKER 1 Barry Allen, Lime Energy – confirmed
- SPEAKER 2 Prof. Jonathan Lane, SUNY Farmingdale – confirmed
- SPEAKER 3 USGBC-LI Chapter – awaiting confirmation
