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.

Solutions in 30 – What is a Green Job?

With concerns about pollution, climate change and energy dependence, green industries – those businesses that focus on sustainability - will become more important in the future economy. This will ultimately lead to more jobs in these new and exciting fields.

Join Pinellas County Extension Services at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20 for a 30-minute introductory webinar addressing these newly-emerging green jobs.

Vestina Crayton, Extension Urban Sustainability Specialist, will describe what a green job is, what training is required, where to apply for employment and what experts are predicting for the industry.

A webinar is an audio and visual seminar transmitted over the Internet through the computer so internal or external speakers are necessary to get the full benefit. Webinars also allow visitors to interact with the presenter and the content. Solutions in 30 seminars also make sense because the format offers time saving results by eliminating travel, looking for parking spaces and the hassles of scheduling. Participation is fast, convenient, easy and ideal for multiple listeners.

To register and learn more about this free webinar, visit www.pinellascountyextension.org, click on the “Online Class Registration” button and click on the Solutions in 30 button or call (727) 582-2100.

Florida Awarded $1.25 M Grant

Courtesy of the American Reinvestment Recovery Act 2009 (ARRA), Florida has received a grant for $1.25 million to conduct a statewide survey to identify green job opportunities. Once this information is compiled, the jobs will be listed on Florida’s online job bank Web site. This is just one of the many ways the stimulus dollars will be used to move Florida toward being more sustainable. Click here for more details on this story.

For more information about what is happening with ‘green’ jobs locally, register for the Green Job Market in Pinellas County Webinar at www.pinellascountyextension.org.

Green Jobs

Vestina F. Crayton, Pinellas County Extension Specialist, Urban Sustainability.

What exactly is a ‘green’ job? There has been much debate about this question. Workforce Florida, Inc. defines a green job as ‘” a green job increases the conservation and sustainability of natural resources for the benefit of Floridians. This includes jobs that reduce energy usage or lower carbon emissions, and protect Florida’s natural resources. Green jobs should provide worker-friendly conditions, pay sustainable wages and offer opportunities for continued skill training and career growth.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was created and nearly 800 billion dollars were allocated to help reenergize the economy and to support the need for our nation to become more sustainable.

Employers are diligently working to secure funds from these stimulus dollars to create jobs as well as design and implement training programs that will develop and enhance the skills of existing employees in targeted industries such as energy efficiency and renewable energy.

To learn more about the ‘green’ job industry, such as where are the stimulus dollars going, what jobs are being created, what training is required, and what the experts are saying about the employment forecast for this industry, register for the “Green Jobs” Webinar on Thursday, October 22, from 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm.

New GREEN Programs offered at Pinellas County Extension

Mary Campbell, Pinellas County Extension Director and Urban Sustainability Director

Pinellas County Extension has some new programs to get your life going in the “green” direction. Have you been wondering what all the talk is about with “green”? Everywhere we turn, businesses, governments and residents are talking about making more green (environmentally friendly) or sustainable (good for the economy, environment and society) decisions. Extension programs offer an easy and inexpensive way to learn all the newest information on going green.

Here is a sample of upcoming programs: (click here to register)

Green Office - Everyone is going "green". Learn some simple and practical ways to create a "green office." Go green and save resources, money and reduce impacts on our environment. Learn the basic principles of green purchasing to make better decisions about what you buy.

Green Living – Learn about easy ways to green up your life through energy conservation, green purchasing and sustainable living. See what everyone is talking about to reduce impacts on our environment, save money and reduce your Ecological Footprint. It would take four Earths to sustain the world at the level we are currently using resources and generating waste in the U.S. Be a part of the solution for future generations.

Green Purchasing – Learn the basics of how to find and select greener products for the home and office. Have you ever wondered if the “green” product you bought is really green? Find out how to evaluate products based on standard criteria and the importance of buying recycled and energy efficient products.

Green Home - Learn easy ways to green-up your home through energy conservation, green purchasing and sustainable living. Have you ever though about protecting your home’s indoor environment? We will explore ways to save money and the environment with simple steps to get you started.

Check the Calendar on the Pinellas County Extension website http://www.pinellascountyextension.org/ for a full listing of programs.

Sign up today to learn fun and easy ways to go green. Programs are also offered on-line through Webinar. It is a quick and convenient way to take one of our classes at your own computer. No special equipment necessary. You may listen on-line or by phone (long distance charges apply). Questions may be submitted on-line to the instructor.

Advantages of Webinar:
FAST - No wasted time here. Get right to the heart of the matter in a1-hour block designed to easily fit into your busy schedule.

CONVENIENT - No travel. No time out of the office.Listen from the comfort and convenience of your desk.

EASY - A telephone is all the equipment you need. Just dial in, punch in your access code, and you're in. That's it. Follow along with the audio conference handouts provided in advance.

ACTIONABLE - Our audio conferences provide practical information you can start using right when you hang up the phone.

IDEAL FOR MULTIPLE LISTENERS - Use a speakerphone and as many people asyou want can listen in - at no extra cost to you.