Events : Workshops

RAINSCAPING, RAIN GARDENS & BIORETENTION CELL DESIGN
OVERVIEW
Presented by Iowa Storm Water Education Program and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Division of Soil Conservation. This workshop taught landscaping techniques for reducing runoff, protecting water quality and preventing flooding. Made possible by COSC's Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa statewide training program.
Cost:	FREE! COSC's *Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa* sessions are temporarily offered for free thanks to funding from IDED and HUD.
Instructors:	Wayne Peterson, IDALS, DSC and Pat Saur, IAMU, ISWEP
Registration:	Kathleen Gibbons, Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, 515-289-1999 Registration Form
SCHEDULE
Date:	Thursday, March 4, 2010
Time:	1:00 - 4:30pm
Location:	Looft Hall, Room 006, Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 - Map
DETAILS
Audience:	Engineers, landscape architects, municipal staff, consultants, landscape designers, contractors, landscapers, horticulturalists, biologists, students and interested homeowners.
Certification:	A special certificate of training in “Rain Gardens for Managing Stormwater Quality” will be provided at the end of this event.
WORKSHOP TEAM

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MAINTENANCE FOR A HEALTHY HOME

OVERVIEW

Join COSC at the Creston Home & Garden show for this insightful session taught by Dave Hade of Iowa Home Crafters. Improve your home's energy efficiency and create a healthier, more comfortable living environment by learning sustainable ways to accomplish home maintenance projects. Scheduling regular maintenance needs, addressing repairs, choosing products and prioritizing projects are just a few of the topics covered that can contribute to measurable improvements to a home's performance.

DETAILS

Date:

Saturday, Mar. 6, 2010

Time:

1:15pm

Location:

Creston Home & Garden Show, Southern Prairie YMCA, Creston, IA

Cost:

Home Show ticket prices are $2 in advance/$3 at the door.

COSC's Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa sessions are supported by funding from IDED and HUD.

Instructor:

David Hade, Iowa Home Crafters

Audience:

Homeowners, builders, realtors, appraisers and lenders

WORKSHOP TEAM

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GROWING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

Join COSC at the Growing Sustainable Communities Conference in Dubuque. This year's theme is “Sustainability: A Tool for Community and Economic Development.” As community and business leaders across the country learn more about sustainability, they have realized that sustainability offers us the opportunity to improve the quality of life for our community while capitalizing on new economic development opportunities.

Date/Time:

Tuesday, Mar. 9, 2010, 8:30am - 6:00pm

Cost:

$20.00 conference registration fee

Location:

Grand River Center in the Port of Dubuque

Registration:

Audience:

Regional industry leaders, elected officials, business owners, and those interested in learning more about opportunities to help their communities grow and prosper in the most sustainable way possible.

COSC WORKSHOP #1:

CONSUMER INTRO TO QUALITY HEATING & COOLING INSTALLATIONS

Overview:

Ready to improve your home's energy efficiency? Presented by Cenergy, this workshop teaches how to save money, maintain efficient HVAC systems, improve indoor air quality and make informed decisions when purchasing a new system.

Time:

10:00 - 11:30am

Instructor:

Silas Hoeppner, Cenergy

This workshop is part of COSC's Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa program, which is supported by funding from IDED and HUD.

COSC WORKSHOP #2:

EXISTING HOME ASSESSMENT - PRIORITIZING REHAB PROJECTS

Overview:

Taught by green building expert David Hade of Iowa Home Crafters, this workshop teaches how to evaluate a house as an integrated system. Learn how to establish priorities for greening a home and improving its sustainability performance. Using a local residential home as the classroom, this evening session provides attendees with an engaging on-site learning experience.

Time:

6:00 - 7:30pm

Location:

This session is taught at a residential home located at 1665 Atlantic Street, Dubuque, IA 52001

Instructor:

David Hade, Iowa Home Crafters

This workshop is part of COSC's Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa program, which is supported by funding from IDED and HUD.

WORKSHOP TEAM

PARTNERS

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COSC'S NATURAL LIVING EXPO'S "GREEN SPEAKER SERIES"

NATURAL LIVING EXPO OVERVIEW

The Fifth Annual Natural Living Expo features natural, organic, and sustainable companies and products, live entertainment for kids and adults, and a speaker series on topics related to sustainability and health/wellness.

Expo Dates:

Saturday, Mar. 27 from 10am-6pm & Sunday, Mar. 28 from 11am-4pm

Cost:

Free admission, Free parking

Location:

Polk County Convention Complex, 501 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA

Website:

www.naturallivingexpo.org

COSC WORKSHOP #1:

MAINTENANCE FOR A HEALTHY HOME

Overview:

Create a healthier, more comfortable living environment by learning sustainable ways to accomplish home maintenance projects. Scheduling regular maintenance needs, addressing repairs, choosing products and prioritizing projects are just a few of the topics covered that can contribute to measurable improvements in your home's performance.

Date/Time:

Saturday, Mar. 27 at 11:00am

Instructor:

Jacob Kvinlaug, Kvinlaug Design & Construction

This COSC Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa program workshop is free with funding support provided by IDED and HUD.

COSC WORKSHOP #2:

CONSUMER INTRO TO QUALITY HEATING & COOLING INSTALLATIONS

Overview:

Date/Time:

Saturday, Mar. 27 at 1:00pm

Instructor:

Silas Hoeppner, Cenergy

This COSC Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa program workshop is free with funding support provided by IDED and HUD.

COSC WORKSHOP #3:

HOW TO CHOOSE A CONTRACTOR

Overview:

Find out how to ask key questions to help find the right sustainable building contractor for your project. Learn how to gauge levels of expertise, determine which skills are a priority for the job, and find resources that will help ensure a project's success.

Date/Time:

Saturday, Mar. 27 at 3:00pm

Instructor:

Jacob Kvinlaug, Kvinlaug Design & Construction and Linda Schemmel, Architect and Planner for City of West Des Moines

This COSC Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa program workshop is free with funding support provided by IDED and HUD.

COSC WORKSHOP #4:

EXISTING HOME ASSESSMENT - PRIORITIZING REHAB PROJECTS

Overview:

Taught by Dave and Julia Fish of Fishaus Craftsman Builders, this workshop teaches how to evaluate a house as an integrated system. Learn how to establish priorities for greening a home and improving its sustainability performance.

Date/Time:

Sunday, Mar. 28 at 1:00pm

Instructor:

Dave and Julia Fish, Fishaus Craftsman Builders

This COSC Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa program workshop is free with funding support provided by IDED and HUD.

COSC WORKSHOP #5:

SUSTAINABILITY AT IOWA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Overview:

Campuses across Iowa are placing a stronger emphasis on sustainability. As a preview to the College and University Sustainability Roundtable meeting at the Iowa Capitol, learn about the diverse programs schools are putting in place and why.

Date/Time:

Sunday, Mar. 28 at 2:00pm

WORKSHOPS TEAM

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AFFORDABLE GREEN BUILDING TRAINING: WEST UNION

A free workshop series concentrating on each phase of building a cost effective, energy efficient and structurally sound home.

Professional Series (Begins Jan. 8, 2010) — A valuable opportunity for contractors, subcontractors, planners, architects, appraisers, city officials and other professionals to gain a comprehensive understanding of green building best practices. The 10-workshop series is free and lunch is provided.

Homeowner Series (Begins Feb. 6, 2010) — An accompanying 3-session homeowner series will give community residents an overview of green building basics, alternative energy options and essential sustainable elements of new home construction. The workshops are free and lunch is provided.

Learn more >>

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HEATING VENTILATING & AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC)

Energy efficiency is one of the most essential elements in creating a sustainable built environment. COSC's HVAC workshops are dedicated to providing contractors the best educational resource for advancing their profession and achieve optimal energy efficiency standard.

Professional Rater / HVAC Performance Testing & Balancing —- Upon successful completion of this free 2-day workshop, HERS Raters obtain the National Comfort Institute (NCI) Air Balancing Certification. Learn more >>

NCI HVAC Performance, Diagnostics & Balancing Training — This free ($590 value) 2-day intensive for HVAC contractors is packed full of practical and cutting-edge information. Contractors leave equipped with all necessary energy-efficiency expertise, testing and diagnostic skills, data and hands-on training to advance their profession. Receive certification from the National Comfort Institute (NCI) upon successful completion of the workshop. Learn more >>

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WEST DES MOINES AFFORDABLE GREEN DEMONSTRATION HOME

In 2009, the City of West Des Moines in partnership with COSC and HOME, Inc. collaborated to build a community supported affordable green demonstration home in Historic Valley Junction. The main objective of this project is to provide easy access to and participation in the construction of an affordable and practical new green home. COSC hosted a series of professional and homeowner workshops and open house events will be scheduled in early 2010.

Learn more >>

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COSC EXHIBITS

In 2010 COSC will exhibit at the following events:

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010

BACKYARD CONSERVATION SEMINAR

DMACC, Ankeny

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010

DRAKE SUSTAINABILITY FAIR

Drake University, Des Moines

Saturday, Mar. 6, 2010

CRESTON HOME & GARDEN SHOW