Joslyn Institute for Sustainable Communities

News

October 22 , 2009

Workshop Series to Teach Energy, Resource Conservation Across State

LINCOLN— With cold weather coming early, it is important for property owners to be aware of energy-saving strategies. According to W. Cecil Steward, president of the Joslyn Institute for Sustainable Communities, “Small changes to building practices and extra attention to detail can add up to significant savings to the builder, the homeowner and the environment.”

On November 13 and 20, EcoStores Nebraska presents these strategies through three resource conservation workshops. Homeowners, developers, realtors, construction contractors, design and planning professionals, and business owners are encouraged to attend.

The first workshop, “Deconstruction and Construction Waste Reduction,” will provide strategies to recycle and re-use materials where possible and deconstruct rather than demolish buildings. This workshop will be held on Friday, November 13, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The second workshop, “Retrofitting Buildings for Efficiency,” will present strategies to retrofit buildings for greater energy and resource efficiency. Held on Friday, November 13, this workshop will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

And the third workshop, “Auditing Buildings for Energy Efficiency,” begins to train a pool of neighborhood-based energy auditors. These auditors will help building owners identify resource conservation measures that provide the greatest economic and environmental benefits. This workshop will be held on Friday, November 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

After these November workshops in Lincoln, EcoStores Nebraska will expand its training for resource efficiency to Omaha, Grand Island, North Platte and surrounding communities.

The Joslyn Institute for Sustainable Communities, primary sponsor of the workshops, is receiving funding from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to bring these energy efficiency workshops to home and business owners in Nebraska.

Workshop partners include the City of Lincoln, Lincoln Electric System, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and WasteCap Nebraska.

A $10.00 registration fee is required for each workshop. All workshops will be held at the Lancaster County Cooperative Extension, 444 Cherrycreek Road. Since seating is limited, interested parties should reserve seats by calling EcoStores Nebraska at 477-3606 or by mailing the payment and registration form to EcoStores Nebraska, 530 W. “P” Street, Lincoln, NE 68528. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.ecostoresne.org. More information and updates on the Resource Conservation Workshops can be found at www.ecostoresne.org and www.facebook.com/EcoStoresNebraska.