3rd Annual Delaware County Sustainability Conference

The Delaware County Office of Sustainability hosted its 3rd Annual Delaware County Sustainability Conference.

Delaware County hosted its 3rd Annual Sustainability Conference on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.at Widener University in Chester City, PA. More than 300 attendees were informed and inspired to take action by speakers and panelists centered around the County’s six sustainability focus areas of natural resources, energy and efficiencies, transportation, zero waste, climate resiliency and health and wellness. Presentations reflected the conference theme: Sustainability in Action by equipping participants with the necessary tools to implement sustainability practices within their everyday lives. Participants also had the opportunity to network and share ideas with nearly 40 exhibitors from organizations like Aero Aggregates, the PA Department of Environmental Protection, CRC Watersheds, and more.

The 3rd Annual Sustainability Conference offered new and exciting opportunities including a student track, which welcomed over 50 Chester Upland High School Students; 10 breakout sessions, allowing participants to select sessions in alignment with their interests, and composting services, aligning with the County’s Zero Waste goals. The event was emceed by Delaware County Councilwoman Elaine Paul Schaefer, with opening remarks from Widener University President Stacey Robertson and Chester City Mayor Stefan Roots. Participants then enjoyed Keynote Speaker Miss Pennsylvania 2023, Miranda Moore, who shared information about her platform, Take Action in Fashion, which highlighted sustainability challenges within the fashion industry and provided steps to take for more sustainable solutions.

Additional presentations touched on important topics such circularity in the construction industry, the importance of community-based organizations as watershed stewards, and more.

To see the full conference agenda and recording, please use the links below:

Conference Recording

Conference Agendas
      Professional
      Student

Speaker and Panelist Bios

Speaker Presentations:

Keynote - Take Action in Fashion
      Miranda Moore EIT ENV-SP, Miss Pennsylvania 2023

Creating Circularity for Recycled Glass in the Delaware Valley
      Archibald Filshill, PhD, CEO, Aero Aggregates of North America LLC

Sustain Delco: A Sustainability Plan for Delaware County Update
      Rebecca Yurkovich, Sustainability and Resilience Manager, Delaware County Office of Sustainability

Sustainable Living – Bright Ideas - Maximizing Efficiency Within Your Home
      Tom Hill, Senior Energy Efficiency Program Manager, PECO
      Steve Clark, PE, PhD, Senior Energy Engineer, ICF
      Scott Sidlow, Owner, Solstice Home Performance

Sustainable Businesses - Building a Sustainable Business
      Devi Ramkissoon, Executive Director, The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia

Sustainable Organizations - Starting the Journey to Build Climate Resilience into an Organization: The Case of Tyler Arboretum
      Mike Skuja, Executive Director, Tyler Arboretum

Sustainable Communities – Birds, Bees, ans Trees - Municipal Certifications for Sustainability
      Linda Coulston, BSN, RN, Chair, Media Bee City
      Julie Smith, Co-Chair, Media Bee City
      Steve Jacobs, Parks and Recreation Director, Concord Township
      Bruce Dorbian, Director of Planning, Marcus Hook Borough
      Dave Burman, Township Manager, Haverford Township

Sustainability for All - Love What You Do – Sustainable Living – Resilience and Independence
      Robert Thomas, Partner, Campbell Thomas & Co.

Sustainable Living - The Gifts of Gardens: How Home, School, and Community Gardens Impact Health and Land Stewardship
      Jen Malkoun, Delaware County Director of Programs and Partnerships, Greener Partners

Sustainable Businesses - From Green Dreams to Real World Impact: Strategies for Small Business Sustainability
      Jeremy Hancher, Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) Manager, Widener University

Sustainable Organizations - Resilience and Empowerment – Planning for Change in the Darby Creek Watershed
      Richard M. Tralies, PLA, Senior Director of Planning, Natural Lands

Sustainable Communities - Designing for Safety and Sustainability
      Gina Burritt, Director, Delaware County Planning Department
      Cathy Spahr, AICP, Transportation Planner, Delaware County Planning Department
      Rebecca Wetzler, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner, DVRPC

Sustainability for All - The Role of Recycling in addressing the Plastics Crisis
      Alex Danovitch, Principal, Nothing Left to Waste

Conference Exhibitors

Conference Sponsors

2024 Sustainability Awards