2nd Annual National Conference to Bring Experts Together to Discuss
Integrating Sustainability into Disaster Recovery
Greensburg GreenTown, the Saint Louis University Center for Sustainability, and
GreenTown Joplin are collaborating once again to present the 2013 Sustainable
Disaster Recovery Conference, which will be held November 14 and 15 on the
campus of Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Last year's Sustainable Disaster Recovery Conference was a great success.
Approximately 200 people - ranging from government officials to students to industry
professionals - attended educational sessions focused on weaving the principles of
sustainability and energy efficiency into disaster recovery efforts, while increasing
collaboration among all the parties who are working toward this goal. Building on the
success of the inaugural year, the 2013 conference will continue the exploration of
sustainable disaster recovery, with added emphases on sustainable approaches to predisaster planning, emergency response, long-term recovery, and community resilience.
The two-day event will bring together leaders in the fields of disaster response and
recovery, government, urban planning, emergency management, design, renewable
energy, public and private enterprise, green building, and sustainability. As you can see
from the conference program, an impressive line-up of speakers and exhibitors will
share information and resources to help cities and towns plan and rebuild sustainable
communities that are as efficient as they are resilient.
This national gathering will feature people from disaster areas all over the country who
are using their experiences to help others learn about what works - and what doesn't as impacted people come together to make decisions post-disaster.
GreenTown has pioneered the concept of sustainable disaster recovery since its
inception in 2007. Joining forces with the Saint Louis University Center for
Sustainability, together they are able offer a dynamic, inspiring line-up of speakers and
learning opportunities. Every type of natural disaster the United States faces will be
covered at the conference - tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes.
Conference highlights include:
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Lisa LaDue, Assistant Director of Field Education, School of Social Work,
Colorado State University, who will discuss personal and community resilience in
the face of widespread death and destruction.
Steve Hewitt, former City Administrator of Greensburg, Kansas, who will discuss
integrating sustainable disaster response and recovery contingencies before
disaster strikes.
Community representatives and leadership from communities who are integrating
sustainable principles into their rebuilding: David Greenwell (Councilman,
Oklahoma City Ward 5) will discuss the tornadoes this past May in Oklahoma;
Tim Conley (Judge, Morgan County, Kentucky) and Bobby Clark (Director of
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Business Development, Midwest Clean Energy Enterprise) will present the green
efforts being employed in West Liberty, Kentucky; Ashley Fallon (Program
Coordinator, Breezy Point Green Committee) will talk about community
organizing and advocating green in the rebuilding of Breezy Point, New York in
the wake of Hurricane Sandy; Phil Benstein (NoCo Rebuilding Network) will
present his work in promoting green building in the Fort Collins, Colorado area
after devastating wildfires last year and flooding this fall.
The use of social media for disaster recovery, presented by the two Joplin
women (Rebecca and Genevieve Williams, Joplin Tornado Info) who launched
a Facebook page within 2 hours after the tornado in May of 2011 and who are
not only still going strong, but have expanded their efforts into other communities.
National green building experts will discuss integrating resilience into rebuilding
projects.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
the National Renewable Energy Lab, and FEMA will discuss the role of federal
government in sustainable disaster response and recovery.
There are many more compelling presentations outlined in the program. Please visit
the conference home page for more information, including the conference program
and list of speakers and exhibitors. Registration is open to the public.
Contact:
To learn more about this conference, please contact:
Daniel Wallach
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Greensburg GreenTown and GreenTown Joplin
620-388-5558
daniel@greensburggreentown.org
~or~
David E. Webb
Program Manager
Saint Louis University Center for Sustainability
314-977-5153
dwebb@slu.edu
About Greensburg GreenTown:
Greensburg GreenTown is a nonprofit organization established to assist the people of
Greensburg, Kansas to rebuild the town as a model "green" community following the
devastating tornado in May of 2007. The town has made a remarkable comeback,
reinventing itself as a showcase for sustainable building and green living now
recognized around the world. GreenTown works to make green building and living
easily understood, appealing and accessible to all. More information is available at the
organization's website.
About GreenTown Joplin:
GreenTown Joplin is a project of Greensburg GreenTown, the nonprofit organization
that helped Greensburg, Kansas rebuild a "green," energy-efficient community after the
tornado of May 2007. GreenTown staff have been working in Joplin since August 2011,
having assembled an advisory group of sustainability experts from the area who assist
residents, business owners, and the City as they recover and rebuild after a devastating
tornado hit the community in May of 2011. More information is available at GreenTown
Joplin's website.
About the Center for Sustainability:
Building on the Jesuit tradition of leadership and service, Saint Louis University's Center
for Sustainability uses interdisciplinary research, education, and development to
advance sustainable approaches to the world's social, economic and environmental
challenges. The Center develops partnerships across businesses, government
agencies, communities, and academic institutions that steward Earth's resources to help
build socially responsible, environmentally conscious, and economically prosperous
communities. More information is available at the Center's website.