Join COSC at the Natural Living Expo

COSC's Green Speaker Series

Natural Living Expo, March 27-28, 2010
Polk County Convention Complex, Des Moines, IA

Center on Sustainable Communities (COSC) is Iowa’s trusted educational resource for sustainable building. Join us for five discerning workshops on advancing our state’s building practices. Let’s build a greener Iowa - the benefits are abundant and attainable. 

Our FREE Green Speaker Series schedule:

Saturday, Mar. 27 at 11:00am

MAINTENANCE FOR A HEALTHY HOME
Green building expert Jacob Kvinlaug teaches how to create a healthier, more comfortable living environment by discovering sustainable ways to accomplish home maintenance projects.

Saturday, Mar. 27 at 1:00pm
CONSUMER INTRO TO QUALITY HEATING & COOLING
Cenergy conducts this workshop on how to save money, maintain efficient HVAC systems, improve indoor air quality and make informed decisions when purchasing a new system or retrofitting an existing one.

Saturday, Mar. 27 at 3:00pm
HOW TO CHOOSE A CONTRACTOR
Learn how to ask key questions, gauge expertise and find resources to help determine the right sustainable building contractor for your project. Led by Jacob Kvinlaug and Linda Schemmel.

Sunday, Mar. 28 at 1:00pm
EXISTING HOME ASSESSMENT
Taught by Dave and Julia Fish of FISHAUS Craftsman Builders, this workshop gives insightful information on evaluating a house as an integrated system – establish priorities for greening a home.

Sunday, Mar. 28 at 2:00pm
SUSTAINABILITY AT IOWA CAMPUSES AND BEYOND
Students and directors who are making a difference on campuses across the state join COSC’s Executive Director Lynnae Hentzen to discuss visions for a sustainable Iowa and how Iowa can support these ambitions beyond academic careers.

Find COSC's Green Speaker Series on Facebook and www.icosc.com.

The COSC Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa sessions are offered temporarily for free thanks to funding from IDED and HUD. Read the press release here.

Listen Up: Talk of Iowa talks home improvements with Bill McAnally

COSC's green building instructor Bill McAnally gives his expert insights on winter renovation projects and improving energy efficiency. The Iowa Public Radio "Talk of Iowa" segment is chock full of valuable, and timely, information. Here it all here.

Below, Bill and Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines discuss the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home for the project's video production series (coming soon!).

COSC Brings Affordable Green Building Training to West Union

COSC's "Affordable Green Building Training: West Union" begins tomorrow, January 8. The free workshop series concentrates on each phase of building a cost effective, energy efficient and structurally sound home. 

Professional Series - a valuable opportunity for contractors, subcontractors, planners, architects, appraisers, city officials and other professionals to gain a comprehensive understanding of green building best practices. The free 10-workshop series takes place every other Friday, beginning Jan. 8 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Lunch is provided.

Homeowner Series - An accompanying 3-session gives community residents an overview of green building basics, alternative energy options and essential sustainable elements of new home construction. The workshops are free and lunch is provided.

Both the professional and homeowner series are held at Tap't Out Stein & Din's 2nd floor meeting room at 122 S. Vine Street in West Union, Iowa. Registration is required. Please contact Leslie Berckes at COSC: leslie@icosc.com, 515-707-2783 or www.facebook.com/ICOSC.

"Affordable Green Building Training: West Union" is provided by COSC's Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa statewide program to support Northeast Iowa's disaster recovery efforts and Main Street West Union's Green Pilot Community initiatives. For complete information visit http://icosc.com/westunion.asp.

COSC's Evergreen Party Was a Hit!

Thanks to everyone who made our 2009 Evergreen Party a success! Here's a visual summary of the night's festivities.

COSC's Evergreen Party 2009

Day of Sustainability in Iowa City/Coralville Dec. 1

Center on Sustainable Communities (COSC) and RDG Planning & Design has a full day of sustainable building events planned for Iowa City/Coralville on Tuesday, December 1. Please join us for any or all. Here's what's in store:

DAY OF SUSTAINABILITY
Tuesday, December 1 at the North Ridge Park Pavilion 
The North Ridge Park Pavilion was completed in April 2003 and won the 2003 Governor's Iowa Environmental Excellence Award for its sustainable design. It was designed by Neumann Monson Architects, the environmental elements incorporated into the design include Iowa's first green roof, locally quarried limestone, recycled timbers and passive solar techniques.
9:00am-11:30am:  Green Roofs in an Urban Environment
In the past century Iowa has seen a large population shift from our rural communities to thriving cities. During this urban and suburban explosion, much of the landscape has been altered or changed dramatically. Green roofs, or vegetated roofs, are becoming an increasingly popular choice with a magnitude of sustainable benefits.
11:30am-12:30pm:  Networking Lunch
12:30-4:00pm:  Restorative Design - Infiltration Based Stormwater Management 
Iowa's landscape is one of the most altered ecosystems in the nation - from cities to farms, stormwater management is crucial to creating a sustainable environment. This seminar will review the historical hydrological processes, landscape change, watershed based design and opportunities for Low Impact development. The course will cover specific case studies showing how we can mimic our natural systems.  
4:00-6:00pm:  Evening Social/Reception 

Registration required: Contact Leslie Berckes at leslie@icosc.com or 515.707.2787.
View more details at icosc.com and facebook.com/icosc.