Posts Tagged ‘Sustainable Development’
Sustainable Site Development – Rain Water Harvesting Presentation In Chicago March 1, 2012
New Tools for Sustainable Site Development
Rain Water Harvesting and Condensate Recovery
Presentation by Tom Barrett
WHEN:
Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE:
The Chicago Center for Green Technology
445 N. Sacramento Blvd
(between Chicago Ave. and Lake St.)
Chicago, Illinois
COST: FREE
AIS Continuing Eduction Units: 2
“Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.” wrote Samuel Taylor Coleridge in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. In its Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers rated our nation’s wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water systems a “D” minus. This is the lowest grade in any infrastructure category. The most alarming conclusion is the next lowest grade is “F” – FAILURE. Over the last fifty years America has not invested in new practices and technologies which can enhance our infrastructure and our environment. Rainwater harvesting and condensate recovery are transformative approaches to sustainable site development.
“The over-borrowing, over-consuming, and under-innovation (is) now in the US. . .,” Antonio van Aqtmael said in an October 2007 issue of Newsweek. As engineering solutions to water management that protects, restores, and mimics the natural water cycle. Rainwater harvesting and condensate recovery incorporates both the natural environment and engineered systems to provide clean water, conserve ecosystems, and provide a wide variety of benefits for people and wildlife. Additionally, all this can be accomplished at a significantly lower cost than conventional concrete and mortar infrastructure.
Join Tom Barrett as he explains how the use of locally produced water helps develop a “natural approach” to efficient use of water and relieves stormwater management issues.
WHAT OTHER SAID ABOUT THIS PRESENTATION
“. . . best class at CCGT so far, rainwater data, new ideas, charts and stats, all the different ways I can use the rainwater for my home.”
” . . . great speaker, the positive outlook, no blame game, examples (drip system), knowledgeable, class got to participate.
Speaker’s Biography – Tom Barrett
Tom Barrett is an accomplished corporate growth and change agent with over thirty years of industry experience. Tom’s leadership experience, holding executive level positions, drives corporate revenue growth through change and innovation for business start-ups, corporate expansions, and divisional turnarounds.
Tom Barrett has been delivering energetic, dynamic presentations and training for over twenty years. These presentations empower people to become masters of change rather than victims of circumstance by developing tools for transformational thinking.
“Tom’s been a leader with smart water technologies, green roofs, rainwater harvesting and other emerging technologies well before they became buzzwords at water conferences. It’s impressive to work with Tom because he knows his stuff from the ground up.”
- Jeff Carowitz, Strategic Force Marketing
Putting Green to Work by American Rivers
Economic Recovery Investments for Clean and Reliable Water
As many of you who have heard me speak, you know my passion for developing sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions to our nation’s water infrastructure. Stormwater from rainfall events are the biggest source of pollution in America. The civil engineers call it non-point source pollution.
In 2006, the American Society of Civil Engineers graded our nation’s water infrastructure D-. The lowest grade of all the infrastructure categories examined. Although this grade is unacceptably low, the next lowest grade is F – Failure. An “F” is simply unacceptable. Without access to clean, sanitary water supplies people perish. Click here to see the 2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.
American Rivers, funded by the Park Foundation, the Kresege Foundation, the William Penn Foundation, Keith Campbel Foundation, and the Turner Foundation, has created report which examines the efforts of nineteen states with “bright green” projects. Here are some key findings:
- The demand for funding is far, far greater than currently provided on both the Federal and state level.
- Future funding should be targeted to “bright green” projects. “Bright green” project types includes:
- Bioswales
- Green Roofs
- Permeable Paving
- Rain Gardens
- Riparian Habitate Resotoration
- Wetlands Restoration
- States must act quickly to remove barriers, eg. statutes, regulation, and policies, that are roadblocks to integrated approaches to our communities’ implementation of infrastructure improvements.
- An integrated approach is necessary to understand the complete benefit of green infrastructure.
For me, the most important elements are the job creation and economic output.
A $10 billion investment in water efficient projects would produce a total economic output of $25-28 billion and create 150,000 to 220,000 jobs.
For every dollar invested the return is $2.65. It doesn’t take a financial wizard to understand this concept. Investing in green infrastructure is good for the economy, the environment and the communities in which we live.
There is a tremendous opportunity to combine our existing gray infrastructure with newer green infrastructure creating sustainable communities.
Click here to download the report, “Putting Green to Work.”
Brave New World: Trends & Opportunities in the Emerging Green Environment
Recently, I spoke to the Independent Turf and Ornamental Distributors Association in Nashville, Tennessee
I created two presentations for this group of landscape industry professionals.
Brave New World: Trends & Opportunities in the Emerging Green Environment(ITODA)
- Excess Capacity: Competition is increasing and margins are shrinking
- The Impact of Local Businesses on the Economy
- The EPA: Friend or Foe
- The Impact of Downsizing on Employee Engagement
- The Dramatically Increasing Presence of Women in Work
- Transforming Your Business by Creating Value
- Business is rapidly changing
- Opportunities exist in areas unavailable five years ago
- Customers have different needs and require a new approach
- Companies investing in marketing are growing
I feel the presentations were incredibly helpful to the folks in the audience. Based on conversations I had with audience members, some of the points they found most interesting were:
- The dramatically changing social environment, especially women in the workforce.
- Getting sales people to make more sales calls.
- Emerging opportunities in green infrastructure and the role landscaping will play in remediating our environment.
I truly enjoyed speaking for an energetic and enthusiastic crowd at Independent Turf and Ornamental Distributors Association. I hope I can return soon, and I look forward to my next speaking engagement on January 12, 2012 at the Green Industry Expo in Indianapolis. I will be leading a panel of experts on landscape industry trends.
Windridge Condos Breaks Ground on Rain Garden
Windridge Condominium Homes to Build Eco-Friendly Rain Garden
Indianapolis, Indiana—Windridge Condominium Homes, located in the Emerson and Fall Creek Parkway area, has announced that it will build a groundbreaking rain garden. Not only will this garden be beautiful, it will also help to alleviate existing flooding and moisture issues in the neighborhood.
Originally built more than 30 years ago, challenges associated with stormwater drainage have confronted Windridge from its inception. While the original developers installed traditional storm drains and conveyance systems in the neighborhood, ongoing development in the surrounding area has increased the frequency and volume of stormwater flow around and through Windridge. While various solutions have been implemented over the years to control flooding and standing water issues, the neighborhood’s infrastructure has been unable to handle the more than 91 million gallons of rain water that fall on the neighborhood annually.
The rain garden will not only reduce runoff into nearby Fall Creek, it will also improve local water quality by capturing pollution that normally contributes to algae growth, and improve the overall ecology of the local water systems.
“Rain gardens are a green way to solve many traditional storm water problems,” said Tom Barrett, owner of Green Water Infrastructure and a consultant on the project. “They’re also a great retrofit for many older, more established communities with persistent drainage issues.”
Fischer Design, an Indianapolis-based landscape architecture firm, will design the rain garden. Green Water Infrastructure in Westfield will provide green consulting. TERRA Site Development in Westfield will provide the civil engineering for the project. The project is expected to break ground in September 2011.
# # #
About Windridge Condominiums:
The Windridge community is a unique collection of two hundred and twenty one homes located in a natural setting along Fall Creek in Indianapolis, Indiana. Touring the property one easily recognizes our respect for the natural environment. You will see a number of wild animals, birds, countless plants, and trees. The Windridge community takes pride in maintaining our natural surroundings.
About Fischer Design, LLC:
Fischer Design is a landscape architecture design firm focused on the creative integration of man-made and natural environments promoting environmentally responsible, sustainable, functional, and aesthetically beautiful design solutions. For additional information about Fischer Design, please visit www.fischerdesignllc.com.
About Green Water Infrastructure:
Green Water Infrastructure is a consulting company that integrates water resources for sustainable site development. Their goal is to utilize one hundred percent of the on-site water resources at a site. Green Water saves communities money by combining green infrastructure with gray infrastructure and new technology with existing technology to create sustainable growth — environmentally and socially. For more information, please visit www.thinkgwi.com.
About TERRA Site Development, Inc.:
TERRA Site Development, Inc. (TERRA) is a site development consulting firm that provides specialized investigation, engineering design, and testing services for property and projects in all aspects of development. Assisting clients regardless of what stage their project is in – TERRA provides environmental and geotechnical assessment before property is purchased, civil engineering design and permitting assistance prior to construction, and materials testing and inspection during buildout. Located in Westfield and Indianapolis, additional information about TERRA can be found at www.terrasitedev.com.
Tenbarge Seed & Turfgrass Supplies 2011 Education Session Presentation – Trends in Landscaping: Growing Sales in a Down Economy
March 1, 2011
Evansville, Indiana
I presented my talk, “Trends in Landscaping: Growing Sales in a Down Economy” at the 2011 Tenbarge Seed & Turfgrass Supplies Education and Trade Show.
We had a great turnout and a lot of great questions from the audience. The most enjoyable part for me was the diversity of the audience. We had seasoned stormwater professionals to homeowners.
I am look forward to my next speaking engagement at The Chicago Center for Green Technology on March 31, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. when I will speak about “Rain Gardens and Bioswales.”
Here is a copy of the presentation:
Great Presentation! I did exactly as you said, I looked for new business in places I never thought of before, it works!”
— Keith Fisher, Growing Green Lawn Care, LLC
Permeable Paving: A Transformative Approach to Sustainable Development Presentation
February 23, 2011
Chicago, Illinois
I presented my talk, “Permeable Paving: A Transformative Approach to Sustainable Development” at the Chicago Center for Green Technology as part of their Green Tech U educational series.
We had a great turnout and a lot of great questions from the audience. The most enjoyable part for me was the diversity of the audience. We had seasoned stormwater professionals to homeowners.
I am look forward to my next speaking engagement at The Chicago Center for Green Technology on March 31, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. when I will speak about “Rain Gardens and Bioswales.”
Here is a copy of the presentation:
From the homeowner to a experienced professional, you do great job of working with a wide range within the audience.
– Bryan Glosik
It is what is underneath that count!
– Lisa Thomas
I never realized the huge imapact rain has on our sewer system.
– Diego Nunez
Upcoming Presentation – Permeable Paving: A Transformative Approach to Sustainable Development
Presented by Tom Barrett
Chicago Center for Green Technology
Courtesy of Unilock
445 N. Sacramento Blvd.
Chicago, Illinois
Thursday, February 24, 2011
6 p.m. to 8 p.m
Permeable paving is a transformative approach to sustainable site development. Permeable hard surface construction is part of a continuing series of engineering solutions to water management that protects, restores, and mimics the natural water cycle. Permeable paving is an efficient solution for stormwater runoff. It will reduce flooding, increase water infiltration, recharge groundwater and improve water quality.
Join Tom Barrett as he explains how to develop a “more natural approach” to stormwater management issues.
AIA/CES: 2 LU
Learning Objectives
• Understanding that stormwater is the largest source of water pollution in the United States
• Combining “green infrastructure” with existing, conventional “gray infrastructure,” as well as combining new technology with old technology creating a sustainable future.
This program is presented free of charge as part of the Chicago Center for Green Technology’s Green Tech U program. Registration is required by calling 312-746-9642 or by emailing your requested class and contact information to greentech@cityofchicago.org with “Green Tech U” in the subject line.
About Tom Barrett:
Tom Barrett is an accomplished corporate growth and change agent with over thirty years of landscape industry experience. Tom’s leadership experience, holding executive level positions, drives corporate revenue growth through change and innovation for business start-ups, corporate expansions, and divisional turnarounds.
Tom Barrett has been delivering energetic, dynamic presentations and training for over twenty years. These presentations empower people to become masters of change rather than victims of circumstance by developing tools for transformational thinking. For more information, please visit Book Tom Barrett.
About Green Water Infrastructure:
Green Water Infrastructure is a consulting company that integrates water resources for sustainable site development. Their goal is to utilize one hundred percent of the on-site water resources at a site. Green Water saves communities money by combining green infrastructure with gray infrastructure and new technology with existing technology to create sustainable growth — environmentally and socially. For more information, please visit www.thinkgwi.com.
About the Chicago Center for Green Technology: The Chicago Center for Green Technology is the first rehabilitated municipal building in the nation to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ™ (LEED) Platinum rating by the U.S. Green Building Council. Mayor Richard M. Daley dedicated the building in 2002 and it has since become a national model for sustainable design and technology. The Center serves as the most comprehensive green design and educational resource in the Midwest.
“SMART” Landscape Irrigation
Orlando, Florida
Febraury 4, 2011
The water we use to irrigate our crops is vital and still we as a nation continue to practice inefficient irrigation methods. Current irrigation practices waste an exorbitant amount of money and water using our current process.
Commercial and residential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for more than seven billion gallons of water each day, mainly for landscape irrigation.”—U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Learning Objectives
- Understanding that stormwater is the largest source of water pollution in the United States.
- Sustainability starts with the landscape. Developing a functional landscape is the most effective and efficient means of remediating the environment.
- Combining “green infrastructure” with existing, conventional “gray infrastructure,” as well as combining new technology with old technology creating a sustainable future.
Relaxed style with great input!”–Kris Keckley, Rain One Irrigation
Open mined approach to “green” building and use of landscapes.”– Judy Benson, Clearwater Products & ServicesEPA WaterSense 2010 Partner of the Year
Tom, as usual you did a great presentation!”–Brent Mechan, Irrigation Association
