June 25-28, UC Santa Barbara
www.sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference 

UC Santa Barbara will host the fifth annual statewide University of California/California State University/California Community Colleges sustainability conference on campus from June 25-28. 

With a theme of "Turning the Tide: Implementing Sustainable Strategies," the conference provides a forum to explore sustainable practices on college and university campuses and workshops for more than 600 attendees from 42 public and private colleges and universities, in addition to representatives from state and federal agencies and the business community.

Participants will look at best practices and new technologies in all aspects of "greening" campus life, and explore how to meet the challenges of responsible growth with stewardship. 

Successes of staff, faculty, students, and others from institutions and agencies throughout the state will be explored, and participants will discuss how to influence policy and build collaborations and partnerships. 

Matthew St. Clair, sustainability specialist with the UC Office of the President, said, "New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman recently called on college students to stage protests until their university presidents agree to do something about climate change. The UC Board of Regents and Office of the President have already passed strong policies on climate protection and related areas. 

"This conference, with presentations from over 100 campus leaders, demonstrates the momentum that is transforming UC campuses into models of sustainable practices. It will serve to energize and inspire the participants to go back to their campuses and expand those efforts." 

St. Clair said that campus sustainability programs and initiatives have been driven in large part by students, and many of the conference presentations are given jointly by students and staff or faculty members working collaboratively on the projects. 

Keynote lectures will be given by David Oakley, a designer and principal of the Boone Oakley advertising agency of Charlotte, NC; Rick Fedrizzi, CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council; and architect James Timberlake of Kieran Timberlake Associates LLP of Philadelphia. 

Sessions at the conference will address "green" building, energy, waste management, sustainable transportation, institutionalizing sustainability, water, food systems, and procurement. 

Additionally, an awards banquet will celebrate the work of staff on statewide college and university campuses. 

Also, there will be pre- and post-conference trainings on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for existing buildings and on greening laboratory design and operations. 

Participants will come from UC, CSU, community college, and private university campuses, government agencies, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and the general public.

Comprised of 10 campuses, the University of California system has been at the forefront in promoting environmental sustainability policies among U.S. universities and colleges since adopting a "green" building design and clean energy standards policy three years ago.

For more information, please visit the conference Web site at:
www.sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference

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