Centennial Conservation Expo October 12th!

The City of Knoxville's Centennial Conservation Expo celebration is Saturday, October 12th at Chilhowee Park and it promises a full slate of family-friendly events and entertainment. Among the highlights will be some special guests, live music, circus performers, children's games and activities, art exhibits, and displays from a host of conservation agencies and organizations.

The Centennial Conservation Expo will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12th, at Chilhowee Park. Admission and parking are free. The Expo will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Conservation Exposition of 1913, which ran for two months at Chilhowee Park and drew a million visitors. Some of the people involved in organizing that Exposition went on to help with the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other significant local conservation efforts.

An opening ceremony at 11 a.m. will feature Mayor Madeline Rogero along with guests including keynote speaker Leila Pinchot, the great-granddaughter of legendary conservationist Gifford Pinchot. Gifford Pinchot was the first head of the U.S. Forest Service, under President Theodore Roosevelt, and also served as the chairman of the advisory board for the 1913 Conservation Exposition. Leila Pinchot recently received her doctorate in Natural Resources from the University of Tennessee, and she will talk about the legacy of the past century of conservation efforts here and elsewhere.

Also rumored to be attending are Theodore Roosevelt himself, and the long-lost Prophet of the Smokies. The Prophet was a mainstay of Knoxville public events during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but he has not been seen in public since 1916.

Visit http://knoxconservationexpo.com or www.facebook.com/conservationexpo for up to date information.

The Tennessee Energy Education Initiative: Multifamily

Register now for this free event on energy efficiency in multifamily housing.

Be Part of the Action

PlanET needs your help again!

From May 28 through June 28, community members will be asked to evaluate a set of goals and objectives that will serve as the framework for the development of an action strategy, which will serve as a guide for communities—and the region as a whole—as we seek to reach or vision for 2040.

Over the last 18 months, PlanET has asked residents to share their visions for East Tennessee. The strength of the volunteer spirit is evident in the number of people who have answered that call; nearly 6,000 people have helped shape a vision for the future of the region.

Four central themes emerged at the heart of this vision:

 Build strong towns
 Grow quality places
 Improve health of people and places
 Expand choices for all

Over the next month, PlanET is asking for community members to contribute their thoughts on the best approaches to help the region turn this vision into reality.

What is the best way to grow more local food and support agriculture in the region? What are the best ways to expand transportation and housing options for all of our community members? How does the region grow dynamic, walkable destinations in suburban centers? Round four participants will be asked to answer these questions and more.

To encourage as much participation as possible, PlanET will again offer two ways to provide input. Individuals may visit the PlanET website and work through the materials online anytime they want, anywhere they want. Neighborhood associations, civic organization, or other groups can hold a Meeting in a Box at a time and location of their choice and with or without a PlanET facilitator.

Details of each method are available on the PlanET website.

To schedule a Meeting in a Box or for questions about how to use the online community input tool, contact the outreach coordinator:

Sherith Colverson
(865) 215-4396
sherith.colverson@planeasttn.org

City Surplus Property For Sale

The city is holding its first ever auction of properties acquired in past tax sales on 05/15/13.

Attached is a list of surplus city property selling for as little as $200 (minimum bid) next week. The auction is at 10 AM in the Small Assembly Room in the City County Building. The bidding process will be explained when you arrive.

If there is any interest in gardens on any of these parcels, please check the zoning here

If a rezone needs to be requested, Jake or Susanna can help walk you through that process.

USGBC Needs Help

Sixteen people needed to be a VOLUNTEER at USGBC East Tennessee’s GREEN+GO Sustainable Green Tour on Saturday, May 4.

Benefits:
• Get a hands-on look at some of Knoxville’s most cutting-edge in efficient green design
• Help teach the general public about sustainable buildings!

Job Description:
• Report to one of the open house tour locations for a 9-12 shift or a 12-2 shift on Saturday, May 4
• Work with a team to greet visitors, check-in guests, and give short tours
• Refreshments and training are provided

Qualifications:
• No expertise required - anyone with an interest in sustainability can help!

Sign up today!
• 865-208-7887
• easttnusgbc@gmail.com

East Tennessee’s First Annual GREEN + GO Sustainable Tour (AIA/GBCI Credit)

Get a hands on look at some of Knoxville’s most cutting-edge in sustainable and green design on Saturday, May 4, 2013!

This open-house format tour will educate tour goers on systems and designs that make up some of Knoxville’s ‘greenest’ buildings, which are healthier, more durable, use fewer resources and save on operations and maintenance costs.

Tour goers will see up to eight (8) structures in a wide price range and building size in or near Downtown Knoxville. Each stop will have on-site experts plus educational materials on sustainable features, economic savings, and construction details.

Featuring guided tours of:

 Scripps Networks Interactive Headquarters (LEED Gold)
 UT’s Ayres Hall’s Historic LEED Renovation (LEED Silver)
 The Knoxville Transit Center (LEED Silver)
 Three Rivers Market (Designed to meet 2010 LEED Retail NC criteria)
 Ijams Nature Center Solar Array
 Sustainable Future Net Zero Office
 The UT Solar Decathlon House
 East Town Mall Spectrum Solar Exhibit

The tour is open and FREE to the public (RSVP required) and offers 2 AIA and 2 GBCI credits with paid admission. Once registered, attendees will receive a booklet with information concerning the tours, including a map with directions to each tour location.

COST: Free, $15/$25 for two with CEU
WHEN: May 4, 2013 from 9am-2pm
WHERE: In and around downtown Knoxville, TN

To RSVP for the tour, visit the Green+Go Eventbrite Page or contact USGBC-ET at 865-208-7887 and easttnusgbc@gmail.com

Urban Gardening Video Contest

One of our partners sent this, and we're passing it on to you:

Tell your urban food story at the American Community Gardening Association's first-ever amateur video festival!

Storytellers of all ages are invited to submit short (3-minute) videos that tell their personal tales about growing food in backyard gardens, community gardens, urban farms, and other community food projects.

Selected participants will have their videos screened at the ACGA 2013 Conference in Seattle, WA. Attendance at the ACGA Conference is not required for those wishing to submit a film. Kids and young adults are especially encouraged to submit videos.

Submission deadline is July 8, 2013. Read more here. Email communitygardenvideofestival@gmail.com with questions.