Environmental Management and Business Institute to launch on Earth Day

GREEN BAY — The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will launch its newly developed Environmental Management and Business Institute on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with a symposium, “Green Innovations 2009: Connecting Natural Capital to Economic Competitiveness.”

The all-day event will take place on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, in the University Union on the UW-Green Bay campus, 2420 Nicolet Drive.

The “Green Innovations” symposium will feature:

• Keynote speakers who are experts in renewable and sustainable energy and the impact on the economy;
• Breakout sessions on developing human capital for sustainability, transitioning to sustainability, and the profitability of sustainability;
• An Entrepreneurs Showcase with more than 20 exhibitors displaying their products and services in energy technologies and discussing their best “green” business practices;
• Networking opportunities with investors, community leaders, business leaders, educators and students.

(Editor’s note: See below for more on speakers, registration info and fees.)

With the creation of the Environmental Management and Business Institute (EMBI), UW-Green Bay builds on one of its founding ideals — that the University should be a leader in the promotion of environmental awareness and eco-friendly initiatives. The establishment of the EMBI is a step in the evolution of UW-Green Bay’s historic mission of studying environmental issues and developing solutions to problems; solutions that recognize the critical interconnections between science, policy and business, and the social contexts in which they occur.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, UW-Green Bay earned early recognition and national acclaim in Harper’s Magazine, Newsweek and others as “Eco U” due in large part to its multidisciplinary approach to solving problems, especially those of an environmental nature. The creation of EMBI embraces the University’s reputation as an institution that promoted sustainable practices on campus and in the community long before “being green” became trendy.

As the campus celebrates its own 40-year anniversary, the EMBI will provide a focal point for learning and research across UW-Green Bay’s academic program with regard to local, regional and global environmental issues. The Institute also will explore opportunities for businesses to reduce environmental impacts while at the same time increasing profitability.

“What better time for UW-Green Bay to rightfully lay claim to the title of ‘Eco U for the 21st Century?’” Interim Chancellor David Ward asked faculty and staff in his mid-year address on Jan. 21.

Ward says one goal of EMBI, in partnership with public- and private-sector interests throughout the New North region, is to help make Northeastern Wisconsin synonymous with sustainability and environmental leadership.

Prof. John Stoll, EMBI co-director and faculty member in Public and Environmental Affairs, sees that goal as attainable.

“UW-Green Bay is known for its early ‘Eco-U’ reputation, a title given because it was among the few places where society’s treatment of the environment was seen as a problem,” recalls Stoll, a Class of 1973 graduate. “But more than that, it was seen as a problem that could be the focus of academic study in challenging and innovative ways — interdisciplinary, problem-focused, education that crossed traditional lines in terms of academic structure and teaching.

“The ‘Green Innovations 2009’ event is about informing people that we are still that innovative, environmentally focused university. It is not just in the past. At no time in history has it been more important that it be our future.”

While the April 22 conference will represent the public launch of EMBI, planning is already well along for an academic component. UW-Green Bay is establishing an undergraduate certificate program integrating coursework in environmental science, policy and business, with plans to initiate it for current students in fall 2009.

The “Green Innovations” event will be the centerpiece of an ambitious series of campus and community Earth Week events coordinated by UW-Green Bay. Details of those activities will be announced in April.

Details on ‘Green Innovations 2009’

About the speakers:

Keynote: Bob Willard

Bob Willard is a leading expert on the business value of corporate sustainability strategies. He has given hundreds of keynote presentations to corporate, government, university, and non-governmental organization audiences. Willard applies business and leadership development experience from his 34-year career at IBM Canada to engage business leaders in proactively avoiding risks and capturing opportunities associated with sustainability issues.

He is the author of “The Sustainability Advantage,” which quantifies potential bottom-line benefits from using sustainability strategies, and “The Next Sustainability Wave,” which shows how to convince senior executives to commit to sustainability strategies. He has a bachelor’s degree from McGill University (1964), a master’s degree from the University of Toronto (2000), and a Ph.D. in sustainability from the University of Toronto (2005).

Keynote: Larry Weyers

Larry Weyers is the executive chairman of Integrys Energy Group, a holding company with utility and non-regulated subsidiaries in the energy industry, including Wisconsin Public Service Corporation. He has been with the company since 1985.

Weyers currently works with various local, state and national organizations and is on the boards of Bellin Health, the Green Bay Packers, Green Bay Packaging, and the American Transmission Company. He is also a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Doane College in Nebraska, and master’s degrees in engineering from Columbia University in New York and business administration from Harvard University. He is a registered professional engineer.

Luncheon Presenter: Dennis Winters

Winters is the chief of the Office of Economic Advisors at Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. He has expertise in economic analysis, modeling and forecasting; encompassing everything from designing commodity derivative strategies to assessing long-term policy initiative scenarios. Winters’ areas of focus will include regional and national macroeconomics, energy and labor markets, and economic impact analysis.

Schedule of events:
8:30 a.m. — Welcome from Chancellor David Ward
8:35 a.m. — Keynote, “The Business Case for Sustainability” with Bob Willard
9:45 a.m. — Keynote, “Green Energy” with Larry Weyers
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Entrepreneurs Showcase
10:45 a.m. — Concurrent breakout sessions
• Developing Human Capital for Sustainability
• Transition to Sustainability
• Profitability of Sustainability
Noon — Lunch and presentation, “Our Future Workforce” with Dennis Winters
1:45 p.m. — Concurrent breakout sessions
(Same lineup as above)
3 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Earth Day activities on campus and in the community, open to the public, free.

Registration:
Deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Fee: $159 includes materials, lunch, breaks, parking. Payment due at time of registration
Register online: Registration materials are available online at www.uwgb.edu/embi/workshop/ or call (920) 465-2642 or (800) 892-2118.
For questions call (920) 465-2642 or (800) 892-2118.
Website: www.uwgb.edu/embi/

(Editor’s Note: The Green Innovations 2009: Connecting Natural Capital to Economic Competitiveness symposium is made possible by the partnerships between UW-Green Bay, the Small Business Development Center, the New North and financial support from Foth, Baylake Bank, Wisconsin Public Service, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Schreiber Foods, FEECO International and ENCAP.)

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