Sustainability In The Inland Northwest, 3/2-3, Boise, ID

2005-03-02 08:30:00

The Grove Hotel, Main and Capitol, Boise.

Contact: http://www.sustainableidaho.org 385-9510

Conference will explore how to be both sustainable and profitable

Communities don’t have to choose between a healthy economy, a healthy environment and a healthy community, but can have all three, according to the organizers of the Sustainability in the Inland Northwest conference in Boise.

The two-day conference begins Wednesday at the Grove Hotel in Boise.

Event organizers have scheduled a long list of presenters with stories showing that sustainability isn’t just a concept or a fancy word, but is, in fact, a present-day reality. From the CEOs of major corporations to the owners of small mom-and-pop businesses, people from across the country are contributing to sustainability in their everyday lives, conference organizers say.

"There are so many wonderful success stories that we may not have known about," said Helen Rigg, co-chair of the event and director of Idaho GEMStars, a pollution prevention program.

Rigg said the idea that people need to sacrifice one thing, like a healthy environment, to achieve something else, like a strong economy, is false.

"Most people are interested in the economy, the environment and their community," she said. "Sustainability brings all three of those important goals together."

* Sustainability in the Inland Northwest

What: Sustainability in the Inland Northwest conference

Where: The Grove Hotel, Main and Capitol, Boise.

When: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

How much: $150 for both days. As of Friday, there were a limited number of spaces still available.

Information: To register or check the program schedule, go to the Sustainability in the Inland Northwest Web site at http://www.sustainableidaho.org, or call The Meeting Network at 385-9510.

Jason Kauffman
The Idaho Statesman

Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050226/NEWS02/502260316/1029