News Release - NBN Sector 6 to Host Urban GreenScape Conference; Rediscover Your Neighborhood!

City of Rochester

News Release

(Thursday, September 17, 2009) – Neighbors Building Neighborhoods Sector 6 will hold an Urban GreenScape Conference this Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Roundhouse Pavilion in Genesee Valley Park. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. NBN Sector 6 is a group of business and neighborhood leaders in southeast Rochester that focuses on planning and collaboration among neighborhoods, businesses and government.  The South Wedge, Highland Park, Lilac, Swillburg, Upper Mt. Hope and Azalea neighborhoods are in Sector 6.      

The Urban GreenScape Conference is a follow-up to the highly successful State of the Sector Conference held in 2007, which focused on land use planning.   This next conference will focus on the green assets the southeast has to offer while educating participants about ways to reduce their carbon footprint and be more “green.”     

“Going Green takes everyone getting involved,” said Jerdine Johnson, the City’s Green Team Coordinator. “Sector 6 is doing exactly what it takes to educate residents, businesses and colleges on the need and how to of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.’ The City of Rochester is happy to be a part of this event.”      

Beginning at 9 a.m., Lynda H. Schneekloth will give the keynote speech. Schneekloth is a research professor at the School of Architecture and Planning, landscape director of the Urban Design Project and one of the founders and board members of the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. A panel discussion moderated by Jerdine Johnson will follow. Peter Siegrist, City of Rochester Preservation, Jim Tappon, Cool Rochester, and Lynn Sullivan of ABVI will participate.     

Conference participants will be able to visit a LEED certified commercial building and solar powered home, canoe on the Genesee River, bicycle down the Erie Canal, take an arboretum tour of the University of Rochester campus, join a walking tour of Highland Park, Genesee Valley Park, Mt. Hope Cemetery and neighborhood gardens.     

The Summer of Power, NYSERDA, RGRTA, Cool Rochester, Monroe County Parks, South Wedge Farmers Market, ABVI, Landmark Society, Historic Houseparts and others will have information tables set up to help educate participants.     

“The city’s green assets, like those in Sector 6, are one of the things that make Rochester so wonderful,” said David Chappius, Chair of NBN Sector 6. “I’m excited that we’ve put together this conference to highlight these assets.”     

Participants will also enjoy a free lunch featuring all neighborhood businesses, courtesy of the University of Rochester. The event is also held in conjunction with the City of Rochester and the Monroe County Parks Department.

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News Media: For more information, contact David Chappius, Sector 6 Chair, 752-3700 or visit the Sector 6 Web site at www.NBNSector6.org for more information.