University News

Prairie Lands Environmental Summit Oct. 22 at WIU

October 17, 2014

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MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University Environmental Summit has a new name and wider focus as those who sponsor it, plan it and are involved with it celebrate its 11th year on campus. According to Timothy Collins, assistant director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at WIU, the summit, now called the "Prairie Lands Environmental Summit," will combine new events and will continue the tradition of highlighting activities that help improve the region's quality of life.

Traditionally held in the spring and partly underwritten by the IIRA and Western's Campus Sustainability Committee, the Prairie Lands Environmental Summit will now be held in the fall. This year the summit is set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 in the University Union. A 3:15-4:30 p.m. reception will follow at the University Art Gallery. The entire event is open free to the public.

This year, the summit includes three tracks:

  • "Greening Your Community" will feature sessions about local foods in the community and Argyle Lake State Park and its programs, as well as campus tours, including Horn Field Campus. Participants in this track will meet in the University Union Fox Room.
  • "Arts on the Prairie Landscape: Main Streets and Country Roads" will feature representatives from Lexington (MO) and Pittsfield and Monmouth (IL), who will discuss how they have worked to revitalize their small communities with historic and arts-related activities. Participants in this track will meet in the University Union Capitol Room.
  • For high school science teachers, the third "Professional Track" focuses on continuing education. It will provide tools and modules teachers can use in the classroom to meet state standards and improve their teaching and student performance. Participants in this track will meet in the University Union Lincoln Room.

Michael Howard, associate director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and a Chicago community activist, will deliver the keynote address, "The Urban Landscape: America's Last Frontier," at 2 p.m. in the Union Grand Ballroom. His presentation will include an overview of his work as a community leader and founder of Eden Place Nature Center. In addition, at 10 a.m. Howard will conduct a public workshop, "Culture Busting: What Is It?"

Onsite registration begins at 9 a.m. in the University Union Grand Ballroom and will feature music performed by Chris Vallillo and Bucky Halker. Vallillo will also perform from 1-2 p.m. in the Union Grand Ballroom.

The summit program is available online at www.wiu.edu/users/miiira/Newsletter/Flyer_Sept.pdf, and online registration is also available at www.iira.org/devconference/register.asp?conferenceid=150.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing