COC Green Up – Conference, Second Annual  on Oct. 18

In an effort to promote water and energy sustainability efforts amid record drought conditions, College of the Canyons will host the second annual Green Up: Community Action and Education Conference presented by the SCV Family of Water Suppliers and the Santa Clarita Environmental Education Consortium on Saturday, Oct. 18.

The Santa Clarita Environmental Education Consortium (SCEEC) is an initiative of College of the Canyons, which operates as a private-public partnership with a mission to promote environmental literacy throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.

It is dedicated to promoting sustainability awareness and practices both on campus and in the community by hosting events and activities that help teachers and learners in the Santa Clarita Valley become more involved with environmental issues.

The conference will include panels and workshops on green careers, architecture, and business education; vendors displaying green and environmentally conscious products for home use; and green activities for children provided by the college’s Early Child Education Center.

The event will also feature discussions on topics related to water and energy conservation, including:

Lawn replacement and sustainable landscaping strategies with Tim Wheeler
Water and energy conservation strategies with Robert McLaughlan and Matt Dickens
Sustainability in academia, including waste management with Debbi Mercado and COC’s campus initiative “Meatless Mondays” with Sheri Barke
Non-toxic pest control with Fred Rozo
Sustainability in theory and action with Christine Carmichael and Rebecca Kroll

In addition, Dan Masnada, General Manager of Castaic Lake Water Agency, will deliver the day’s keynote address. Masnada will address the drought and its effects on Santa Clarita.

The conference takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center located on the college’s Valencia campus (University Center Drive entrance).

The conference – including lunch – is free and open to the public. To reserve a spot, however, attendees are asked to register in advance by visiting www.sceec.org/2014/09/green-up-conference-register-here.

For more information about the Green Up: Community Action and Education Conference or the Santa Clarita Environmental Educational Consortium visit www.sceec.org or contact Dr. Jia-Yi Cheng-Levine at (661) 362-3188.