HUNTINGTON -- Educational leaders in elementary, secondary and higher education from across the Mountain State can now register online for the Sustainable Schools West Virginia Summit, which will be held at Marshall University Sunday and Monday, Sept. 19 and 20.

The summit is designed to bring together leaders in education to discuss the important roles schools, colleges and universities have in creating sustainable campuses. The event is open to public and private higher education, as well as public and private K-12 schools.

Registration is available online at http://apps.dep.wv.gov/registration.

The summit will offer sessions on sustainable flooring solutions, benchmarking, sustainable lighting solutions and real-world examples of sustainability, as well as the importance of federal partners.

Margie Phillips, Marshall's sustainability manager, said she believes the summit is a valuable tool for all campuses - K-12 or higher education, public or private.

In the past three years since President Stephen Kopp gathered faculty, staff and students in a room to talk about sustainability, a Greening Marshall Committee and a campus and stadium recycling program have started. In addition, students voted on their own to institute a Green Fee to support sustainability on campus.

Organizer Greg Adolfson of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection said that developing sustainable energy, water and waste conservation, pollution prevention, and other innovative practices in harmony with preserving our economy, environment and society for future generations are some of the biggest challenges the state faces.

The event also is open to fiscal and financial officers; facilities, maintenance or operations professionals; and civic engagement and community volunteer coordinators. An agenda also will be available at that site. Registrants may sign up for a reception Sunday evening as well as the summit and breakout sessions offered on Monday. Meals during the Monday session will be provided to participants. All activities will take place at the Marshall University Memorial Student Center.

Lodging at a special discount rate will be available at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites on 3rd Avenue. Parking will be free for attendees and vendors. Details are available at the registration site.

The summit is presented in concert and partnership with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, State Electric Supply Company, ZMM, Inc., and Architectural Interior Products.

For more information, contact Phillips at philli10@marshall.edu or 304-696-2992.

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