The "Trees Mean Business: Understanding the Economic Benefits of Designing Green Commercial Districts" conference will be held September 30 in Wilkes-Barre.

This conference will explore recent research about tree-lined business districts and explain how communities can plan for greener business districts that provide a wealth of social, economic and environmental benefits. Presenters will also explain how to properly design downtowns where trees will flourish yet avoid conflicts with shop signs and sidewalks.

Participants will learn how shading parking lots can reduce air and water pollution, and affect energy consumption. Presenters will illustrate how low maintenance commercial landscapes are being created that provide wildlife habitat and reduce storm water.

Dr. Kathleen L. Wolf, a research scientist with the University of Washington will discuss her research in U.S. cities that focused on better understanding consumer preferences and designing commercial habitat.

Kelleann Foster, an Associate Professor and Assistant Department Head at Penn State's Landscape Architecture Department will share her expertise in community design and planning. Her work on PA Blueprints and Penscapes, interactive CD Rom tools for community planners, has received national and international recognition.

Dr. Jeff Keller, a restoration ecologist with 20 years of experience will focus on designing low maintenance, natural landscapes for commercial properties. His firm, Habitat by Design, focuses on naturalization and NPS reduction of golf courses and assisting municipalities in reducing the impacts of proposed developments.

Vincent Cotrone, an Urban Forester with Penn State Cooperative Extension since 1991 will share his expertise designing and planting downtowns and parking lots. He has designed plantings in New York City, downtown Sunbury, Towanda, Jim Thorpe and other communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The conference was developed in cooperation with DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry; Penn State School of Forest Resources; USDA Forest Service, Pennsylvania Urban & Community Forestry Council; and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry.

For more information about the conference or how to register, contact Penn State Cooperative Extension at 570-825-1701 or via email - vjc1@psu.edu

9/17/2004