The theme is to ease your conscience locally by promoting sustainability-focused businesses and organizations.
We have 4 workshop tracks:
There will be over forty workshops offered throughout the weekend including sessions on energy efficiency and renewable energy for your home. We hope to save you money, reduce our region’s use of fossil fuels, and boost the local economy. Workshops cover topics such as renewable energy, organic farming and bio-intensive home gardening, forest issues, conservation, recycling, verma-composting, local foods, bicycle maintenance and repair, geothermal energy, bio-fuels, composting, solar power, straw baling and permaculture, off-grid living and power smart pricing for your home.
In addition to educational workshops and vendor showcases, the weekend will feature speakers, tours of the Green Retreat, music, food, a kid’s tent and a whole lot more! The cost of the event is $7 per day or $10 for the entire weekend if you pre register, otherwise $8 at the gate. Tickets are now available here.
Click on the title of a workshop to view a more detailed description.
Mr. Whitney's keynote will be on the subject: Getting to a Sustainable Energy Future: What Can We Do at the Public Policy Level? While much of the Shawnee Energy Fest will appropriately focus on actions that we can take as consumers (or producers) to lower our dependence on nonrenewable, greenhouse-gas emitting energy, it is also important to consider what must be done at the macro level as well, by exercising our power as citizens and voters to win the public policy changes we need. Mr. Whitney's talk will focus on this other, vital part of the struggle to reach a sustainable energy future."
Deborah Bouton of ENVIRONMENTAL HARMONIES will conduct a sustainable living quiz that will cover energy in its many forms: food, fuel, health, utilities, home and finances. This quiz is designed to get participants thinking about the many ways they use energy
The history of wind machines is a narrated pictorial including over 100 pictures depicting the history of wind machines from 200 BC to the present. This presentation is suited for high school students and adults.
In this, hands on, workshop participants of all ages are taught how to build and cook with a solar oven made out of recycled cardboard and drycleaner bags. Participants are encouraged to take their oven home and demonstrate this technology to others. The cardboard oven can be used as a template for a longlasting oven made out of 1" foam board. The workshop takes aprox. 45 minutes to one hour. Classes are limited to 25 participants.
Rodney Wright will give a presentation about greening your existing home or building a new green home, energy efficient, using alternate energy resources and providing a healthy environment for residents.
In the fall of 2007 the General Assemly of the State of Illinois unanimously approved a bill to create the Illinois Local Food and Farms Taskforce. The mission of the Taskforce was to inform the Assembly on how to create a local food and farm system for Illinois. The report set out the obstacles and opportunity of capturing the 48 billion dollars worth of food that the people of Illinois eat each year. The Taskforce completed its work in March 2009 and the House approved a house bill with 115 of 118 representatives voting in favor of the recommendations in the report. On the Taskforce there were three representatives from the Carbondale area: Chuck Paprocki, Manager of Dayempur Farm, Leslie Durham, Dean of the Department of Geography, SIU; and Tom Grant, Neighborhood Services Division, City of Carbondale. These Taskforce members will explain the history of the local food and farms movement and discuss future opportunities for local food growers.
Are you unhappy with our country's response to climate change and the energy crisis? Find out what you can do to turn that frustration into action. Saving money and energy through energy efficiency and energy conservation is an important critical first step to save ourselves. Discover Renewable Energy in a way to alleviate your energy usage and help your finances. Learn the 12 step program of Oil Addicts Anonymous International while working towards a sustainable future. Our presenter has lived "off grid" (aka the electric company) with renewable energy for 18 years.
Abundant evidence of global warming tells us there IS a climate crisis. Yet we already have the knowledge and technology needed to solve this crisis NOW. Aur, along with a 1000 people worldwide, has been trained by Al Gore and The Climate Project (www.theClimateProject.org ) to present climate information (as in the movie 'An Inconvenient Truth') and to facilitate discussion about solutions. Please come to explore YOUR contributions toward reversing global climate change.
Learn what is renewable energy and how to use it in an entertaining interesting way.
We are all addicted to cheap energy and we know it. But, when it comes to the connection to climate-changing greenhouse gas pollution, it's hard to know what impact our actions really have, and it's easy to feel that any significant efforts to reduce our emissions may be too austere or expensive to undertake. This workshop will uncover the link between our energy use and greenhouse gas impacts and will teach you a perspective on energy very seldom heard in our national debate. It will demonstrate that energy efficiency is, by far, the most cost-effective near-term solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will show you how to take advantage of efficiency to reduce your carbon footprint AND save money at the same time. This workshop may change the way you think about energy!
This workshop will teach you the basics of building energy science and show you how to conduct a simple energy audit of your home or small business. You'll learn how to analyze your energy bills and what an amazing tool they can be to show you where you may be wasting energy. You'll also learn how to tell where and where not to spend your money in order to get the best return on your investment. You'll also learn about the free or low cost tools available to you and the about the tools the professionals use. Why pay hundreds of dollars for an energy audit when, with a little effort, you can get most of the information for free!
Mary and Jim Maginel will share their experiences of transition from more or less conventional living to a solar-powered home in the woods. Information will include how we reduced energy usage, an overview of the photoelectric system, which electric appliances are practical, solar-heated H2O, solar cooking, a rainwater collection system for household use, why we keep worms in the basement, and a low-tech composting toilet. Also talk to Da Energy Mon who has lived off grid for 18 years and so could you! FREE while the Sun lasts.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. This workshop will outline the LEED program, how buildings get certified, and how the ranking system works.
Learn different aspects of passive solar building design and how to maximize solar heat gain through building orientation on the site, windows and window protection, thermal mass, the chimney effect and more.
The presentation will include an overview of Power Smart Pricing, an hourly pricing program for residential electric customers served by Ameren Illinois Utilities. We’ll talk about how it works, who can benefit from this program and will also discuss specific examples of how individuals can cut household electricity use whether or not they choose Power Smart Pricing.
This presentation will include how to use plants to lower heating and cooling costs in your home. It will also explain xeriscaping: types of plants to use to conserve water, plus mulches and watering devices for conserving water. Methods for conserving soil resources will also be covered. In addition, Ed will give examples of how to incorporate recycling into your gardening practices.
A simple 101 session providing information on how to locate and stop air infiltration into a home's living area; Weatherization "Tips and Tricks" homeowners may not know but should; and a general overview of the Illinois Home Weatherization Program.
This workshop will feature construction pictures and pictures of finished homes. Questions about basic construction techniques will be answered, as well as design techniques and options. Davis Caves also holds an annual energy fair and tour of homes called Earth Fest. This year, it is on May 16th from 10 AM till 5 PM.
The power point program focuses on the renewed campaign to protect three areas in the Shawnee National Forest as Wilderness Areas. A brief overview of Camp Hutchins, Ripple Hollow and Burke Branch will examine the benefits of Wilderness protection as well as the threats each area faces without it. Gill will then answer questions and lead a discussion on the strategy for the campaign and various opportunities available for getting involved.
Come watch a picture slideshow hosted by students from SIU Carbondale who recently attended Powershift 2009, a youth led conference where 12,000 descended on Washington to hold our elected officials accountable for rebuilding our economy and reclaiming our future through bold climate and clean energy policy. Presenters: Jon Dyer [bio], Megan Pulliam, Katie Lenza, and Will Sutphin.
Socially Responsible Investing, or SRI, is an exciting and timely field of investing wherein conscientious investors can align their investment portfolio with their social or environmental values, while simultaneously promoting social responsibility and/or alternative sources of clean energy. This workshop will provide an overview and history of SRI, followed by a more detailed look into the alternative energy market. Along with clean energy categories and drivers, the session will describe the various ways investors can (attempt to) capture the expected growth of this clean & green energy industry.
Learn about a unique, energy efficient building design using insulated concrete forms. The speaker will explain the process and advantages of using this building method and material. Got ICFs?
In this workshop, you will learn what geothermal is; different components of a geothermal system; loops, different types and their role in the system; what makes geothermal systems so efficient; what type of applications are geothermal systems suited for; and beyond. Includes question and answer session.
Two panelists representing the City of Carbondale will describe what has been done on energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy by the city. Then two representatives at SIU-C will describe the university's and students' efforts. They will each also talk about their vision for a greener city or a greener university. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer/ discussion.
In this workshop, you will learn the details of using a solar electric system (photovoltaic) - how it works, the components, and the costs involved. This includes a small demonstration unit.
Brian Rodely from the Illinois EPA will discuss the feasibility of on farm canola to biodiesel production. The discussion will point out the optimum location(s) for raising winter canola that is harvested in late spring allowing the land to produce soybeans as a secondary crop. Processing of the canola seed to vegetable oil and transesterification processing will be discussed including the beneficial use of by-products. Finally, additional possibilities for vegetable oil production, use, and carbon sequestration will be identified.
Permaculture is an approach to the design of human infrastructure and agricultural systems that focuses on observing and mimicking the relationships found in natural ecologies. This workshop introduces the basic principles and practices of permaculture, including first steps that you can take to apply permaculture in your personal and professional life.
This workshop will introduce you to the basics of greening your small business. It will look at ways to quickly reduce energy and water use, how to reduce waste and increase recycling, methods to green your transportation, and green product and services. Quick and easy ways to look at the economics of green business decisions will also be covered. A handout detailing dozens of useful websites on all the topics covered will also be available.
This workshop covers thermal collector roof and ground mounting installations using the latest solar components, with the correct angle choice for hot water and heat assist. It will examine the advantages of a drainback solar thermal system versus a closed loop thermal choice. It will also cover the latest research showing BTU performance of flat plate collectors versus evacuated tube collectors.
A question and answer based presentation covering advances in spray foam chemicals over time, the soy-based products we currently use, appropriate applications, techniques, and our equipment. Technical and chemical specs will be available as handouts. This insulation is great for sealing buildings, sound proofing and retrofit insulation in existing buildings.
This work shop will include information on the most cost effective ways of making a home energy efficient. Subjects will include how to identify good and bad air flow in a home and how to correct these issues. I will also talk about the energy ratings on heating and cooling systems and water heaters. I will touch on consulting for new home construction and the benefits of a building contractor working with an energy consultant. I will also briefly touch on some of the items a true “Green Home” should contain and how they should be constructed.
Topics covered will include: different types of construction techniques used, and the pros and cons of each; the benefits of straw bale versus conventional construction; the history of straw bale construction and why it fell out of favor for so long; Question & Answer period; photos of completed projects in Southern Illinois.
Discussion of solar house design and what it means to have and build a solar powered house, from a construction/design point of view. Discussion of regional variations and the concept of houses being self-sufficient (short of cable and internet service). FIU's 2005 Solar Decathelon entry will be used as a case study. Ted's goal will be to inform, de-mystify, and inspire the participants. All levels of questions are welcome.
