Environmental Preservation is Main Focus of Sustainability Network Conference

By The Oklahoman

Mar. 6–NORMAN — The seventh annual Oklahoma Sustainability Network Conference, in Norman on March 28 and 29, will include lectures about preserving the environment and strengthening communities.

The conference will have more than 30 speakers and workshops on topics that include transportation, biofuels, community building and conflict resolution, alternative energy, religion and environmental ethics.

Events will take place in downtown Norman.

Friday’s keynote speaker, Julie Frieder, is an environmental analyst for the Calvert Group, a mutual fund company. She has worked for the Environmental Protection Agency and served on the President’s Council on Sustainable Development.

Agriculture pioneer The keynote speaker Saturday will be Joel Salatin, a nationally known sustainable agriculture pioneer. He owns Polyface Farms in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and has written several books.

A reception and book signing with Salatin and author Diane Leafe Christian is 6 p.m. Saturday in the Santa Fe Train Depot.

Other scheduled presenters include state Energy Secretary David Fleischaker and Fenton Rood of the state Department of Environmental Quality.

A Saturday session for children age 3 to 12 will feature storytelling and other programs on what to do to protect the environment.

For more information about the conference, go to www.normansustainability.org/blog or call 640-9119. For information about the Oklahoma Sustainability Network, go to www.oksustainability.org/.

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Copyright (c) 2008, The Oklahoman

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