Overview

Community Stewardship for Economic Benefits

Theme

Community Stewardship for Economic Benefits will explore sustainability from the perspective of cost-savings and economic development in small communities and mid-sized cities.  The conference will focus on topics related to sustainability and identified by communities as high priority: wastewater treatment and solid waste management. Student sessions will provide insight into challenges faced by communities, inspiration from student successes at other colleges and networking opportunities with professionals from a variety of organizations.

Objectives

• Showcase cost-saving practices, scale-appropriate technologies, and economic development opportunities.
• Provide practical information to move from concept to funding and implementation.
• Facilitate networking and partnerships between communities, businesses, government and higher education.

Target Audiences

Community leaders, economic development professionals, and elected officials and staff from communities, tribes, counties and the state.

Venues

The conference will be held at both North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene and the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls.  Participants at the two sites will be joined through videoconferencing. Our goal in using this ground-breaking, two-site format is to make high-quality presentations and interactions available to people across the state, while minimizing travel time and expenses for conference participants.

For more information:

• Priscilla Salant, Director, 208.364.4549 psalant@uidaho.edu
• Darin Saul, Associate Director, 208.885.0124 dsaul@uidaho.edu
• Debbie Gray, Community Engagement Coordinator, 208.885.4017 dgray@uidaho.edu

Background on the President’s Sustainability Symposium

As a signature University of Idaho event, the President’s Sustainability Symposium addresses critical issues related to Idaho’s economy and environment.  This is the fifth annual symposium and the first to focus on linking community needs with practical, innovative solutions from public, private and university efforts. Previous events have educated, demonstrated and inspired attendees on sustainability issues such as energy, climate, health and the built environment. This year’s event will be co-hosted by UI President M. Duane Nellis, College of Southern Idaho President Jerry Beck and North Idaho College President Joe Dunlap.