KCC Upcoming Events

2011 Annual Meeting Report

KCC Annual Meeting, Saturday
March 12, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM -2:30 PM
University of Louisville
Belknap Campus
Room 311 Vogt Hall

Link to Slide Show of 2011 Annual Meeting

KCC's Annual Meeting was held on March 12th, 2011 at the University of Louisville, where distinguished speakers outlined our progress in conservation and energy. Terry Cook, Kentucky Nature Conservancy Director, updated the group on the progress of the Commonwealth Challenge, a broad coalition that includes a number of nonprofit groups, the Conservancy and Lands for Public Trust, dedicated to developing a steady stream of funding for serious conservation in Kentucky, one that would allow better coordination of existing state land conservation programs and increase the total funding levels. Terry's message included examples from many other states, whose citizens' have transcended party lines and traditional boundaries between groups to form a comprehensive plan. He is convinced that Kentucky can move forward, to protect crucial habitats for rare species, to provide for enhanced recreation and to guard more of our precious farmlands from degradation.

Andy McDonald, Director of the Kentucky Solar Partnership, spoke about the Kentucky Sustainable Energy Alliance (KySEA) and KCC's part in this initiative to lead Kentucky toward more energy efficiency and progressive choices. Andy debunked many of the myths that are commonly used to diminish the confidence that the public and consumers have in renewable energy sources. Using examples from a number of locales, including Ontario, Andy described the advantages of pursuing production based incentives (also known as feed-in tariffs) to establish a competitive industry on the national or municipal scale. Legislation in the coming year, based on these models and on renewable portfolio standards, embraced by a number of other states, will likely be the cornerstones of the future legislative efforts.

Dr. Dan Jones, CEO of 21st Century Parks presented an overview of the Floyds Fork Urban Park, as a model for the ecological restoration of urban lands. His inspired vision is a multi-use plan, linking green areas and protecting watersheds, with recreation integrated into the whole. Louisville's ambitious and highly innovative public/private project will use the water as a focal point, providing canoe trails and fishing opportunities, improving habitat for wildlife, and the quality of life for people simultaneously. Horseback riding, playground and picnic areas are part of the long term strategy.

This year's Legislative Forum featured Representatives Joni Jenkins and Mary Lou Marizan who voiced their hopes for remediating some of Kentucky's environmental problems. Their inspirations come from concern for health and quality of life. As they struggle with long standing pockets of pollution in the urban setting, with waste that threatens human health, and with legislative realities, they gave us an overview of the challenges that are faced by many other municipalities in the Commonwealth. They reported some success in having the Natural Resources and Environmental Joint Committee agree to come to Louisville this summer to better understand the health issues associated with the proposed Cane Run power plant's coal sludge disposal plan.

The meeting concluded with the introduction of several new Board members and with the election of new officers.
Local foods were catered by Expressions of You.

Past Events

2011 Annual Meeting (Link to summary)
2009 Annual Meeting: (Link to report)
2008 Annual Meeting: (Link to report)