Green Summit Conference

“A GREEN FUTURE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT”
The Dollars and Sense of Open Space

In February 2009, over 800 people participated in Reality Check, a visioning exercise, to plan for the anticipated growth of 1.2 million new residents in a 15-county region. Consensus was formed on three guiding principles for quality growth and for the past two years an Action Committee has been implementing those principles in the areas of transit, vibrant centers and green space. The green space guiding principle is:

SUSTAINED GREEN SPACE: Define appropriate growth & preservation areas to protect open space, agricultural land and resources, especially water supply and quality.

A green space task force has worked to inventory our region’s open space plans and to impress upon our region the importance of open space to economic development. These findings will be presented at a summit on January 26, 2010, featuring keynote speakers Chuck Flink, Founder and President of Greenways, Inc. and Ed McMahon, Urban Land Institute Charles Frazer Senior Resident Fellow. Mr. Flink and Mr. McMahon are well known around the country for their expertise in economic development and how it is improved by appropriate growth and preservation of open space. The economic benefits of open space are being recognized by the business community as an excellent return on investment. A variety of workshops will address this, and other issues and a green space toolbox and resource center will be available throughout the day for participants.

Keynote Speakers: Chuck Flink
Founder and Owner
Greenways, Inc.
Bio

Ed McMahon
Charles Fraser Senior Resident
Fellow for Sustainable Development
Urban Land Institute
Bio

When: January 26, 2011
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Agenda

Where: McKimmon Center
1101 Gorman St.
Raleigh, NC 27606

Education breakout sessions will provide you with tools, success stories and resources for open space planning and economic growth.

C.E.U. Credits available.

MORE PROGRAM AND REGISTRATION INFO HERE

It was a great summit - great speakers with a lot of insight and passion for the cause. The luncheon was excellent (as in healthy) and the breakouts were very informative. They will be having the first National Green Infrastructure Conference in mid-February. There is a link on the greeninfrastructureresources.com home page.