Lake County thanks its participants, sponsors at Green Symposium with eye on upcoming Green Fair

TAVARES — More than 100 individuals, including participants, speakers and presenters, spent two days last week at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills sharing ideas about conserving and maximizing natural resources during the Second Annual Lake County Green Symposium.

The “Water Consumption Policy” panel during the Second Annual Green Symposium featured (left to right) Lake County Water Authority Chairman Keith Farner, St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Kirby Green, Lake County Commissioner Elaine Renick and Mount Dora Mayor Melissa DeMarco.

“This was an excellent opportunity to communicate our support for green technologies and companies and it helped to open new doors for informational exchange,” said Lake County Commissioner Elaine Renick.

The agenda of presentations at the symposium covered a variety of topics including energy conservation, green job creation, green transportation, water consumption policy, green tourism and natural waste to power.

The two-day workshop also featured free homeowner’s educational classes and three keynote speakers: Billy Hattaway, Managing Director for Transportation at Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; Daniel Parker, Assistant Division Director of Environmental Health, Florida Department of Health; and Doug Alderson, author and Florida Paddling Trails Coordinator for Florida's Office of Greenways and Trails.

The symposium was sponsored by Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure Inc., Waste Management, Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization, Florida Department of Health, Covanta Energy, First Green Bank, Florida Planning & Zoning Association and Mission Inn Resort & Club.

“If nothing else, the Green Symposium is important because it makes sure that Lake County continues to push forward in becoming more sustainable," said Lake County Commissioner Linda Stewart. “Not only is an opportunity to share ideas about sustainability, but it also gets many residents involved on a personal level.”

With the completion of the Green Symposium, the Lake County Green Team, which is comprised of employees from a variety of County departments and the Lake County Health Department, is planning for its next event. The Third Annual Green Fair is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13, at Wooton Park in Tavares. The Green Fair features free admission and showcases educational programs and informative displays that highlight best practices in environmental issues. Last year more than 70 exhibitors and 1,500 residents attended the Green Fair.

For more information about Green Fair sponsorships, call the Lake County Department of Growth Management at (352) 343-9647 or log on to www.lakecountyfl.gov/green_team.