Archive for the ‘Speaking’ Category
Stormwater – A Watershed Plan for Green Infrastructure
The Rain Garden at Chicago Center for Green Technology
Stormwater Mitigation Presentation at the Chicago Center for Green Technology
I had the pleasure of presenting “A Watershed Plan for Green Infrastructute” at the Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT) on Thursday, May 22nd. The audience realized that stormwater is everyone’s problem and, over the years we have polluted our waterways beyond what most of us realize.
Our current development techniques disrupt the natural hydrologic cycle. Filtration is the key to cleaning our stormwater. Keeping rainfall on-site is the least expensive and most effective method to improving our environment
The highlight of the presentation was when Bryan Glosik, of the Chicago Center for Green Technology, led a tour of the sophisticated and natural stormwater management system at CCGT. Bryan did an excellent job of explaining the effectiveness of the rain gardens in mitigating the local stormwater problem.
Here is a copy of the presentation:
Bryan Glosik, Chicago Center for Green Technology, Chicago, Illinois
Comments
Here are comments and feedback about the presentation:
Filtration is key. Water run off disrupt the water cycle. Keeping water in your yard is important.– Stephen Meyer
The video was great.
The outside tour was my favorite part.
I like the combination of field trip, short video, lecture and case study.– Armando Median Jr.
What can a small homeowner do?– David Lindstrom
There are small things that I can do that will make a difference.– Maureen McCabe
Related articles across the web
Internet Marketing & Social Media for Irrigation Contractors Presentation
by Tom Barrett
Internet Marketing is Just Plain Confusing!
On June 12, 2013, I had fun presenting “Internet Marketing & Social Media for Irrigation Contractors” at webinar hosted by the Ohio Irrigation Association. Here are my thoughts and comments.
Why a Website?
Why Not a Camel?
I’d Walk a Mile for a Camel”– Groucho Marx
Most irrigation contractors are as confused about website, internet marketing, and social media as Groucho was about Camels. There is an overload of information available about the which social media channel to use and how to use it.
And a lot of doesn’t work for irrigation contractors.
In this presentation Tom Barrett cleared up a lot of the myths about internet marketing, websites, social media, and email.
Comments
This is excellent information. Just what I am looking for to help my customers.”
– John McKay, Rain Bird
This really cleared up a lot of my confusion. I like seeing the great results we received from our (Ohio Irrigation Association) test of Facebook Advertising.”
– J.C. Wheaton, Centerville Landscaping and Irrigation
Key Points on Internet Marketing
- Why you, as an irrigation contractor, need a website.
- You can not judge the effectiveness of a website by its appearance.
- What you pay for a website varies dramatically and is not always a reflection of its effectiveness in bringing in new business.
- The audience for your website is both the consumer and the search engines. Here a small change in wording can have a huge impact on being found by an internet search.
- How social media, and Facebook in particular, can amplify your marketing.
- Internet marketing is less expensive but more time consuming than conventional marketing.
- Email converts consumers from looking to buying your product and services.
Here is a copy of the presentation. Feel free to share it with others…
Windridge Condominium Ravine Stormwater Study
In January of 2012, the Windridge Condominium Board of Directors commissioned Fischer Design LLC to conduct a comprehensive stormwater study. This a presentation of the findings and possible green infrastructure solutions.
The presentation to Windridge Condominium Board of Directors and interested homeowners on the Ravine Stormwater Presentation went extremely well last night.
The highlights of the presentation are:
- There is a lot of water falling in a one inch rainfall event. The largest stormwater basin is almost sixty acres and receives over 1.6 million gallons of water in a one inch rain. This is the equivalent of allowing your kitchen sink to run fully open 24 four hours a day for 225 days continuously.
- Going upstream to fix the stormwater issue will provide the greatest return in mitigating the current stormwater issues.
- The majority of the stormwater problems experienced by the Windridge property owners is coming from the adjacent properties. Developing a cooperative plan with the adjacent property owners will have a large impact on the Windridge ravine erosion issue.
Here is a copy of the presentation:
Rainwater Harvesting & Condensate Recovery Presentation at the Chicago Center for Green Technology
Chicago Center for Green Technology Presentation
Chicago, Illinois
March 1, 2012
Rainwater Harvesting and Condensate Recovery are two tools used in implementing sustainable water practices. Although not widely used in the United States, rainwater harvesting is used extensively in less developed parts of the world. Mistakenly, the primary benefit of rainwater harvesting is not the extensive water savings that can be achieved. The primary benefit from rainwater harvesting is to reduce the untreated sewer discharge into our local waterways that occurs with almost every rainfall.
In the presentation, Barrett will discuss how rainwater harvesting and condensate recovery not only reduces potable water usage but protects, restores, and mimics the natural water cycle.
Additionally, Tom will explain how rainwater harvest can help develop a natural solution for water efficiency, and relieve storm water management issues. By developing a rainwater harvesting systom or other environmentally responsible landscape solution, we can reduce the contaminants that collect in the sewer systems, and make a significant improvement for a cleaner and healthier environment.
“The American Society for Civil Engineers gave the United States’ water systems a grade of ‘D-,’ the lowest of any America infrastructure,” said Barrett. “Through increased use of rain gardens and bioswales, we can improve our water systems and create a better environment for plants, animals and people. “In his presentation, Barrett will explain just how essential some of these tools are to efficiently utilizing and managing water sources.
Here is the presentation from March 1, 2012. Below are the two movies.
Rainwater Harvesting & Condensate Recovery (Chicago 3.1.12)
How to Build a Rainwater Collection System from VideoJug
Video – A 30,000 Gallon Cistern Installation in Four Minutes
It seems everyone enjoyed the presentation and comments from the participants were great! With thirty-seven participants, it is rewarding to see interest in rainwater harvesting gaining momentum.
Here are some comments:
I really enjoyed the videos, especially making the rain barrel.
– Sheri Yarbrough
I get more than enough rain to water my garden and I flush my toilet. Cisterns are awesome! Condensation should be used.
– Monica Skyora
Austrailia is producing some good water saving solutions. I likes the video on installing barrels; drip irrigation is 90% efficient
– Donna McGuire
I am looking forward to my next presentation at the Chicago Center for Green Technology during the summer.
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
Event Registration
Please fill out your information below to register for this event.
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.
Sustainable Site Development : Rain Gardens & Bioswales Presentation at the Center For Green Technology
The Rain Garden at Chicago Center for Green Technology, Chicago, Illinios
I had the pleasure of presenting “Constructing Rain Gardens & Bioswales” at the Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT) on Thursday, September 29th. The audience, between 30 to 40 people, was great.
We talked about stormwater issues and toured the rain garden at the Chicago Center for Green Technology. Steve Pincuspy, Director of CCGT, led the tour and did an excellent job of explaining the effectiveness of the rain gardens in mitigating the local stormwater problem.
The presentation was followed by over thirty minutes of questions.
Here is a copy of the presentation:
Reflections on the Great Lakes Awareness Event
Recently, I spoke at the Great Lakes Awareness Event hosted by Patagonia Chicago.
The workshop and ensuing panel discussion was incredibly helpful to the people in the audience. Based on conversations I had with audience members, the point they found most interesting was the amount of pollution caused by the sewer water overflow that is created every time it rains. Most people are unaware that our stormwater systems are combined with our sewer systems and untreated sewer water is dumped into our local water ways when it rains.
The Alliance for the Great Lakes received a $10,000 grant from Patagonia for restoration efforts.
Panel members include:
• Mary Lammert Khoury, aquatic ecologist and conservation planner, Great Lakes Project, The Nature Conservancy;
• Tom Barrett, a nationally recognized speaker and authority on sustainable solutions and owner of Green Water Infrastructure;
Tom Barrett presenting stormwater issues to a standing room audience at the Great Lakes Awareness Event at Patagonia Chicago
• Jessica Dexter, staff attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization
Refreshments were provided by Goose Island with live music by Laura Glyda.
I am look forward to my next speaking engagement with the USGBC-IL on June 16th on Water Efficient Landscapes at the Ball Horticultural Center in West Chicago. Here is a link to the Event: http://admin.usgbc-illinois.org/widget/calendar?eventId=266507&EventViewMode=EventDetails
Great Lakes Awareness Charity Event with Patagonia
I am excited to be participating in the Great Lakes Awareness Event with Patagonia, the sportswear and outdoor apparel retialer in Chicago.
Have a Voice in the Future of the Great Lakes and Award a $10,000 Grant. Click here to read more….
Thursday, June 2, 6:30pm
Patagonia Chicago
Did you know there is a movement to privatize the Great Lakes, that they are plagued with invasive species, that raw sewage is regularly dumped into Lake Michigan from the city of Chicago?
Join us and the Alliance for the Great Lakes at Patagonia Chicago for a workshop and panel discussion by local experts about these issues and others surrounding our Great Lakes, and help us to decide which environmental group should receive a $10,000 Patagonia grant for restoration efforts.
Panel members include:
• Mary Lammert Khoury, aquatic ecologist and conservation planner;
• Tom Barrett, a nationally recognized speaker and authority on sustainable solutions and owner of Green Water Infrastructure;
• Jessica Dexter, staff attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization
This event is free. Refreshments will be provided by Goose Island with live music by Laura Glyda.
Patagonia Chicago
1800 N. Clybourn Ave.
312-951-0518
Click here for directions to the store: http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/patagonia.go?assetid=1936
