SARASOTA COUNTY – With populations continuing to surge across Florida, finding the tools to build healthy, resilient, thriving communities becomes increasingly important.
Sarasota County’s 13th Annual Sustainable Communities Workshop on Nov. 29 provides an entire tool box of ideas and approaches.
“We’ve all heard about the environmental issues we face, but we often don’t know what we can do to help,” said Sara Kane, sustainability program coordinator with the county’s UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability Department. “At this year’s workshop, speakers will give their unique perspectives on how we can improve the quality of life in our area.”
That quality of life is stressed by a population influx that saw the Sarasota-Manatee area add more than 100,000 people since 2010, and the state add more than 2 million new residents in that time. The workshop explores sustainable approaches to areas stretched by that surge: energy use, construction, healthy living, transportation and more.
Under the “Unique Perspectives for Community Solutions” theme, the event draws residents, business owners and employees, non-profit leaders, and government officials eager to learn about environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainability. Experts will discuss the latest strategies, resources and best practices, and offer hands-on learning sessions.
The workshop, to be held 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Event and Conference Center, at 4740 Cattlemen Road in Sarasota, will tackle a range of topics, including:
The “overview effect,” with “Artistic Astronaut” Nicole Stott.
Nicole Stott, the “Artistic Astronaut.”
[CREDIT: Photo provided]
Plastic pollution solutions.
Environmental communication.
Habitat restoration.
Transportation approaches.
Food systems.
Nicole Stott (www.theartisticastronaut.com), who has explored from the heights of outer space to the depths of our oceans, will deliver the main keynote address. In awe of what she experienced from these very special vantage points, Stott has dedicated her life to sharing the beauty of Earth from space with others. She believes that sharing these orbital and inner-space perspectives has the power to increase everyone’s appreciation of, and obligation to care for, our home planet and each other.
Registration costs $45, and includes continental breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Students pay just $25. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities also are available.
Sarasota County’s 13th Annual Sustainable Communities Workshop on Nov. 29 provides an entire tool box of ideas and approaches.
