Conserving Biodiversity in Subdivision Development Webinar Series

Many residential developments and rural properties are situated near or in habitats that sustain native plant and animal communities. Conserving or restoring the unique natural features inherent on every parcel of land benefits the local environment, property owners and the region’s heritage. When land is subdivided, how does one conserve local biodiversity and minimize impacts on surrounding landscapes? Design, construction, and post-construction phases are often not discussed holistically when green developments are built.

To address these issues, American Citizen Planner and the University of Florida are co-hosting an online course in May on “Conserving Biodiversity in Subdivision Development.” Presented by Dr. Mark Hostetler, Associate Professor at the University of Florida’s (UFL) Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, this continuing education webinar course was developed by the UFL Program for Resource Efficient Communities. The online course is devoted to defining, recognizing, restoring and managing residential communities for biodiversity within the urban and rural matrix. It is relevant to county and city planners, landscape architects, architects, civil engineers, environmental consultants, developers, private landowners, and interested citizens.

Webinars in the series will take place from 2pm-3pm Eastern Time on the following days:

• Tuesday, May 17, 2011


• Thursday, May 19, 2011


• Thursday, May 26, 2011


• Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Participants in the course series will have access to all four 60-minute live webinars, and will also gain access to an online course site offering additional resources. The course will cover the following four modules:

• Key Players and Principles


• How to Do it: Design


• How to Do it: Construction


• How to Do It: Post-construction

A 120-page course manual will be available for download by participants. The manual has specific details and resources that are presented in each of the PowerPoint presentations.

Registration is available online. Cost to attend/participate is $110. Continuing education credits will be provided through the American Planning Association (3.5 AICP credits - Confirmation Pending).

Note: In order to participate in this webcast you must be on a high-speed Internet connection.

For questions about the webinar series, please contact Julie Orler, ACP Customer Service, orlerj@msu.edu or call 517.353.3123. Learn more at ACP Webinar Series.

Conserving Biodiversity in Subdivision Development

Please join us this free webinar on Tuesday March 22, 2011 beginning at 2 pm. The presentation will last about 1 hour followed by 15 minutes of Questions and Answers.

Many residential developments and rural properties are situated near or in habitats that sustain native plant and animal communities. Conserving or restoring the unique natural features inherent on every parcel of land benefits the local environment, property owners, and the region’s heritage. When land is subdivided, how does one conserve local biodiversity and minimize impacts on surrounding landscapes? Design, construction, and post-construction phases are often not discussed holistically when green developments are built.

This webinar introduces participants to the key principles and practices required to create conservation subdivisions. The webinar is part of a four module continuing education course developed by the Program for Resource Efficient Communities at the University of Florida. This continuing education course is devoted to defining, recognizing, restoring, and managing residential communities for biodiversity within the urban and rural matrix. The course is being offered in May in association with American Citizen Planner and Michigan State University. It is relevant to county and city planners, landscape architects, architects, civil engineers, environmental consultants, developers, private landowners, and interested citizens. More information will be presented during the webinar.

No pre-registration is required for this webinar. On Tuesday March 22nd at 1:45 pm just click:

http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/landuse

Then select enter as guest.

Speaker Bio:
Dr. Mark Hostetler is an Associate Professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida. With over twenty years of experience in urban wildlife issues and natural resource management, Dr. Hostetler conducts research and outreach on how urban landscapes could be designed and managed, from small to large scales, to conserve biodiversity. He has extensive experience in working with homeowners, developers, and policymakers on ways to manage and design residential developments for biodiversity. Dr. Hostetler co-founded UF’s Program for Resource Efficient Communities (PREC) and collaborates with an interdisciplinary team of scientists and graduate students. In conjunction with PREC, Mark is working with policymakers and developers to establish natural resource conservation strategies in communities that are billed as “green” developments. In particular, he works with planners and built environment professionals to establish management programs for conservation subdivisions. Dr. Hostetler has a bachelor’s in biology from Purdue University (1987) and his master’s (1992) and doctorate in zoology (1997) are both from University of Florida.

Please attend this timely and informative webinar and to learn more about the Land Use Planning Community of Practice through “eXtension.”

Upcoming Sustainability Events

Conserving and Restoring Biodiversity in Urban and Rural Environments
Join Dr. Mark Hostetler, Associate Professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
on January 13th at the Brooker Creek Preserve for this 4-hour workshop. You will learn about tools, methodologies and strategies to conserve and restore urban environments and promote biodiversity and water conservation; how to evaluate the positive or negative impacts of a proposed policy or development design on biodiversity and water conservation; and how to retrofit older neighborhoods.

Register Here!

Florida Seafood Safety and Sustainability
2011 Brown Bag Lunch Webinar Series

This series will provide educators, resource managers, and seafood lovers a brief overview of the selected sea food. Including management, economic values, harvest methods & gear, food safety measures, nutrition and purchasing tips associated with selected products.

The webinars will be held the third Wednesday of each month from 12:15 to 12:45pm.


January 19 Why Local Seafood?
February 16 Grouper
March 16 Shrimp
May 18 Snapper
July 20 SpinyLobster
September21 Stone Crab
November 16 Oysters


To register contact Bryan Fluech at fluech@ufl.edu.

Making Sustainability a Corporate Norm in 2011

On January 26th head for 140 4th St. N. in downtown St. Petersburg for a complimentary workshop that will expand your sustainability knowledge-base. Start building your “green map” to sustainability with the many cost-effective, practical ideas you learn in this seminar.

The Presenters:

Dr. Charles Kibert Arlene Stewart Bert Henderson Robert Mitchell Bill Krimmel

Register Here!