KCC Annual Meeting
and Legislative Summit 2019
Registration now closed, thank you for attending!
Thanks to all who came to this year’s Summit! See below for conference materials!
January 12, 2019: Kentucky Conservation Committee’s Annual Meeting and Legislative Summit, featuring detailed information for conservation audiences on the 2019 Legislative Session. KCC works to protect Kentucky’s land, air, water and biodiversity by working on legislative solutions in Frankfort.
Thanks to all who attended! We were glad to provide you with the latest news and opportunities to learn about conservation issues all around Kentucky. Legislative experts will be on hand to answer your most pressing questions on energy, public lands, biodiversity, climate change and more.
Links to materials below (check for updates). Information can also be found at kyconservation.org
The sessions were held at the Shumaker Research Building at the University of Louisville Campus, 2210 S. Brook Street, Louisville, Room 139. Paid parking available at the Speed Museum garage, and Floyd Street Garage. Parking in campus permit lots (blue and green lots) are free on weekends.
Registration Options:
- All-Day Option: You may register for the full day, all sessions for only $20 donation (includes lunch).
- KCC Member Discount:Current KCC members can attend all sessions for $15 donation (includes lunch)
- Student Registration: students may attend for free with advance registration, lunch included. Limit: 20.
Sponsored by The Kentucky Conservation Committee and University of Louisville Office of Sustainability.
Note: Documents marked with * will be provided at the conference.
Proposed Schedule, subject to updates:
9:00-9:15 am: Registration
9:15-9:30 am: KCC Welcome –
Sarah Lynn Cunningham, KCC President; Lane Boldman, KCC Exec. Director
- Background: About KCC*
- Guide to Citizen Lobbying*
- KCC resource link: Introduction to Citizen Lobbying
- KCC resource link: How a Bill Becomes a Law in Ky.
- Kentucky Conservation Committee’s “Key Steps” Climate Action Guide
9:30 am-10:30 am
2019 Legislative Session Overview: Kentucky Conservation Committee Legislative Agent Randy Strobo and Kentucky Resources Council Executive Director Tom FitzGerald will offer anticipated highlights for the 2019 State General Assembly.
10:30 am-11:30 am
Special Keynote:
Mayor Dale Ross of Georgetown, Texas
We are excited to host Mayor Ross, mayor of the first city in the U.S. to convert to 100% renewable energy to power its grid.
Ross, a certified public accountant, moved to Georgetown in 2004 and became mayor in 2014. He has expanded the city’s park system, begun composting fruits in local schools, and installed nine charging stations for electric vehicles. This year, Georgetown won a Bloomberg Mayor’s Challenge grant to create a virtual solar plant by renting out space for panels on the city’s businesses and homes.
Background information:
- “Georgetown, Texas Redefining Neighborhoods Through Renewable Energy”
- “Why This Republican Mayor Spoke at Bernie Sander’s Climate Town Hall”
- Presentation Materials to KCC from Mayor Ross
11:30-11:45: Lunch
Participants gather lunch, (lobby), and return to plenary room for lunchtime program.
KCC Board Election: Current members, please fill out your ballot. Candidate biographies can be found HERE.
11:45 am-12:45 pm
Lunchtime Presentation and Panel Discussion: Legislative and Regulatory ideas/Regional Solutions for Cities and Counties
Session Facilitator: KCC Exec. Director Lane Boldman
Learn how cities and counties are addressing a range of important sustainability topics including climate preparedness, rising energy costs, smart building design, transportation and integration of public open space.
Presenters and Panelists:
- Mayor Dale Ross of Georgetown, TX
- Chris Zitelli, US Green Building Council Kentucky Chapter
- Dr. Lauren Heberle, University of Louisville. Director, Center for Environmental Policy
12:45-1:00 pm Break
1:00-1:45 pm – State Cabinet Panel:
Session Facilitator: KCC Legislative Agent Randy Strobo
We will discuss recent changes to the Office of Nature Preserves and also the state’s challenges with water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Zeb Weese, Kentucky Office of Nature Preserves
- Peter Goodman, Kentucky Division of Water
1:45-2:30 pm – State Legislative Panel:
A bipartisan panel will answer your questions about the General Assembly and key current conservation issues.
2:30-3:30 pm
Presentations and Panel Discussion:
Biodiversity, Resiliency and Climate Change in Kentucky
Session Facilitator: KCC Board Member Don Dott
The Kentucky Conservation Committee is working this year with allies and partner groups on a fall conference focused on biodiversity and climate in the Upper Cumberland River watershed. In preparation, our Annual Meeting panel will detail other work already happening around climate and biodiversity, economic opportunities to support our wild habitats, and options for policy solutions.
Presenters and Panelists:
- David Phemister, Kentucky Chapter of The Nature Conservancy
- Greg Abernathy, Kentucky Natural Lands Trust
- Margaret Carreiro, University of Louisville (retired)
Background Links:
- Udall, Beyer, Introduce the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act
- Scientific American article on Natural Climate Solutions
- Pine Mountain Wildlands Corridor
- KNLT Pine Mountain Fact Sheet
- KCC’s Biodiversity web page
3:30 pm: Closing/Wrap up
Additional Background Information:
Federal Policies:
- “How the Farm Bill Can Scale Conservation” – Environmental Defense Fund
- Summary of Federal Environmental Policy Actions, 2017-2020