Spotlight - Sustainable Landscapes Conference: Bridging Human Needs, Natural Resource Protection

Over 160 people gathered in the impressive marble rotunda of Founders Hall at the Milton Hershey School on April 1 for The Sustainable Landscapes Conference.

 

The SLC was a collaborative effort of fourteen organizations including DCNR, the PA Recreation and Parks Society, and Audubon Pennsylvania. The SLC was open to anyone interested in managing lands in a way that saves time, money, and natural resources.

 

This event follows in the foot steps of the highly-successful and well-attended Creating Sustainable Community Parks Conference that took place at DeSales University in the Lehigh Valley back in October.

 

The event kicked off with a welcome from the Milton Hershey School’s President Johnny O’Brien, followed by keynote speaker Rick Darke—author, photographer, and landscaper. Rick showed many beautiful photographs and posed questions to the MHS elementary students that were sitting in the audience.

 

A panel of six case studies followed, highlighting the cost savings and other benefits that can come from sustainable land management. The case studies highlighted a farm, the MHS, a residential development, a township, and a couple local parks. Presenters throughout the afternoon were local experts in their field and their sessions covered a wide range of topics from organic agriculture and retaining a community’s character to invasive species control and natural stormwater management systems.

 

Mayor Leo Lutz from the Borough of Columbia rounded out the enlightening event by discussing the various ways he used the historic and natural resources as a means of revitalizing the borough and restoring the community’s appeal.

 

Conference attendees came from municipal and state government, parks and recreation, landscaping, education, engineering, and agriculture. There were even 30 students from the MHS that sat in on some of the sessions and added a novel element to the event. Various exhibitors had displays arranged throughout the facility, highlighting native plants, species conservation, environmentally-friendly design and construction, among others.

 

Two music groups from MHS entertained conference guests — a guitar ensemble during the continental breakfast and a choral ensemble during the buffet lunch. All agreed that this was a unique and special touch.

 

Comments from attendees were resoundingly positive: “This was very, very good. Well organized, very professional, good presenters, excellent host by Hershey. I would recommend to others. Hope you do it again!” and “One of the best of season. Accessible cost, fabulous facility. Thanks!” Because of the success of this conference and the one that was held at DeSales University last fall, it is likely that this event will be taken to other parts of the state in the coming years.

 

This conference was funded through a Together Green grant – a partnership between Toyota and Audubon, sponsorship and exhibitor fees, a modest registration fee, and many in-kind donations. Particular thanks go to the staff at the Milton Hershey School.

If you were unable to attend the conference, or want to review presentations that you missed, visit the Conference webpage to see most of the presentations. Presentations from the 2008 Creating Sustainable Community Parks Conference can also be viewed there.