Westmoreland Center for Conservation Education

On October 26 the Westmoreland County Conservation District will host a “Sustainable Energy Field Day” at the Donohoe Center conservation campus in Greensburg.

At this first-ever conservation event, visitors can get the facts on wind power, solar power, and a variety of green building/remodeling approaches that can reduce the overall amount of energy your home or business.

Participants can see firsthand: a 10-kilowatt wind turbine and a 2-kilowatt solar array; a geothermal system, structural insulated panels, water saving toilets, wood from “cull” trees, recycled tires used as decking, and native landscaping; a 125-year old barn adapted and reused for conservation offices and an education center; and the first green rehabilitation of a commercial building in Westmoreland County, complete with a roof covered with green, living plants.

The all-day event is divided into two parts: workshop sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in which regional experts will present the technical aspects of the green materials and alternative technologies, and an open house from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. where visitors can tour the campus and ask questions of the experts.

Participants can attend one or both parts.

The workshop sessions cover four separate tracks: Green Roof Technology, Geothermal, Adaptive Reuse and Green Building, and Wind Power and Solar Power. Participants can choose to attend two tracks.

Among the scheduled speakers are: Jorg Breuning, Green Roof Service, Ryan Snow, Green Building Alliance, Gary Sheppard, Penn State Cooperative Extension , Richard Glance, Glance & Associates, Inc. Architecture & Planning, and Bernard Linn, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

The $20 workshop cost also includes lunch, and an afternoon “Ask the Experts” session where participants can choose to talk individually with the event’s morning speakers, or learn more about sustainable-energy financing and investments from representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Department of Environmental Protection.

Space is limited for the workshop sessions, and registration is necessary. Interested parties should call the Conservation District at 724-837-5271, ext. 210 or send email to: christie@wcdpa.com .

Vendors representing radiant floor heat, structural insulated panels, recovered iron oxide, and recycled tires will be among those on hand throughout the day.

For more information, contact the Westmoreland Conservation District at 724-837-5271 or send email to: leanne@wcdpa.com.

· Link: Read More on the Westmoreland Center for Conservation Education.

10/7/2006