Former Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist, Venice Williams of Alice's Garden and more to lead the 2015 Alverno Community Conference

October 1, 2015

The Alverno Community Conference, an annual day of learning that provides an opportunity for the extended Alverno community to share current research around a central theme, will be held on Friday, October 9, from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. The event is open to the public and will explore the theme: A Tapestry of Sustainability. Through workshops, discussions, and creative activities, the conference aims to connect our local and global sustainability efforts while providing an opportunity for thought-provoking discussion. Participants can choose from more than 30 topics - all connected to sustainability - during three sessions. Half-day and full-day registration options are available.

The day will begin with an opening session hosted by Venice Williams, award-winning executive director of Alice's Garden, an urban, community garden that provides models of sustainable farming, community cultural development and economic agricultural enterprises for the global landscape.

A keynote presentation will be given byLinda and Mark Keane, co-founders of NEXT.cc. Leaders in design education, the Keanes create animated films, lecture and publish about theaesthetics of sustainabilityand need foreco-literacy.Their presentation, Eco-literacy and the Imagination: Networked Sustainable Practices, will explore the connections between the places we love and the complex systems in our natural and built environments.

A plenary panel will offer their perspectives in response to the keynote address and consider how each of us can promote a sustainable, livable community. The panelists are Sharon Adams, co-founder of Walnut Way Conservation Corp.; John Norquist, former Milwaukee mayor and head of Congress for the New Urbanism; and Jessy Servi, sustainability manager at Outpost Natural Foods. The panel will be moderated byGary Grunau, Alverno College Board of Trustees, Milwaukee Riverwalk board chair and board director of the Milwaukee Water Council.

Participants may also choose to take part in the Growing Power lunch. For an $8 fee, diners will be treated to a salad lunch featuring greens, apples, yellow peppers, tomatoes, roasted soy nuts and warm rolls. All produce will be from Milwaukee's own Growing Power urban farm. Will Allen, CEO of Growing Power, will make a presentation during the lunch. An exclusive environmental tour of Milwaukee's Lakefront Brewery will also be offered in the afternoon.

Some of the speakers at the 2015 Alverno Community Conference include:

Kristi Luzar, executive director of the of the Urban Economic Development Association Steve Hiniker, executive director of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Chet Keizer, CEO of IRIS USA Young Kim, executive director of the Fondy Food Center Anna Marie Opgenorth, former executive director of Historic Milwaukee Ben Gramling, Director of Environmental Health of the 16th Street Community Health Center.

For more information about the 2015 Alverno Community Conference, or to register, visit http://www.alverno.edu/communityconference/. Additional questions can be directed to 414-382-6087, or email institute@alverno.edu.