SeaGate Centre hosting GreenTown conference

10/25/2012

GreenTown, an event aimed at helping to create sustainable communities, will host a conference at the SeaGate Convention Centre today and Friday.

For the last five years, the event, which has made stops in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, has brought local officials, school leaders, and environmental advocates together to discuss local and national issues affecting the planet.

The keynote speaker is Mark Fenton, the host of America's Walking, on PBS. Mr. Fenton will lead attendees in a walk of downtown Toledo on Friday at 7:30 a.m. He speaks at 9 a.m. about creating walkable communities.

Alexandra Cousteau, a National Geographic emerging explorer, and the granddaughter of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, will give a presentation on saving water globally and locally at 10 a.m.

GreenTown attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss local food issues, sustainability and community planning, green building, and energy topics. Panel discussions about Lake Erie and the Ottawa River will also take place on Friday afternoon.

Sponsors include the the city, the county, the Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission, the University of Toledo, the Lathrop Co., Owens-Corning, Mercy Health Partners, and The Blade.

Several activities take place today as well. For a complete schedule, visit www.greentownconference.com.