July 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 50

Cutting-Edge Conservation
Education
Educational offerings in the 2016 NRPA Annual Conference
Conservation track feature Zika, climate change and green energy

resenters at the 2016 NRPA Annual Conference are ready to talk about the
most pressing concerns facing the park and recreation field today, including
those related to conservation. Be it natural habitat restoration, renewable energy, connecting to nature or fighting the spread of Zika virus, education at
this year's Conference has you covered. Below, we've highlighted three sessions in the
Conservation track to pique your interest - remember, details can change, so for the
most up-to-date education schedule, download the NRPA Annual Conference mobile
app at www.nrpa.org/mobile-app.

Solar Farms in Parks: Tap into
the Sun and Save Money
Wednesday, October 5
3 p.m.-4:15 p.m.

Zika: Get the Buzz on Protecting
Yourself and Your Communities
Thursday, October 6
1 p.m-2:15 p.m.

Solar panels on residential rooftops are
becoming a common site across America, but have you thought about a solar
farm in your parks? Solar projects help
offset rising energy costs, reduce an
agency's " carbon footprint " and responsibly balance resources to meet environmental, social and economic needs.
The Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission in Prince
George's County, Maryland, has completed a " Power Purchase Agreement "
with a solar contractor that grants the
company the right to finance, design,
build, operate and maintain a solar project on park property for the exclusive
purpose of generating electricity, which
will be used for operations and credited
back to the agency's accounts.
This session will provide the details of
this highly innovative approach to utilizing renewable energy sources and generating revenue for your park agency.

This summer, the Zika virus stands to
be one of the most covered topics in the
media. " Zika Panic " may become a very
real phenomenon due to its association
with serious birth defects. As a public
health emergency, Zika has the potential to dramatically affect park agencies.
Fearful residents and elected officials
may demand mosquito control immediately. Interestingly, park departments
stand at ground zero when it comes to
facilities that may be affected by a mosquito-driven Zika outbreak.
This panel-led talk will help you understand many of the issues that face
park departments in dealing with the
Zika threat. Montgomery County, Maryland, and Mecklenburg County, North
Carolina park departments will share
their strategies, tips and mistakes made
while trying to stay ahead of this potential health emergency.

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Parks: At the Forefront
of Climate Change
Thursday, October 6
2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
Park agencies play a unique and valuable
role in combatting climate change, the
greatest challenge of the 21st century. Parks,
trails, greenways and open space can reduce
greenhouse-gas emissions by providing
alternative transportation options, sequestering carbon and cooling neighborhoods.
Along shorelines, parks can provide a buffer
from sea-level rise. Inland, " climate-smart "
parks with native landscaping can absorb
stormwater and reduce fire risk along urban
boundaries. And, no matter where a park is
located, it can improve air and water quality,
provide habitat for threatened species and
increase the quality of life for nearby residents - especially in densely populated urban areas and disadvantaged communities.
Parks are also an environmental education
tool, teaching visitors the importance of our
natural world and that it must be protected.
Many of these benefits can be quantified and are among the most cost-effective
ways of reducing carbon in the atmosphere. By working with local communities, park agencies can be at the forefront
in the fight against climate change.
- Chris Matthews, Mecklenburg County
Nature Preserves and Natural Resources; Jai
Cole, Maryland-National Capitol Parks and
Planning Commission/Montgomery County
Department of Parks; Dr. Ana M. Alvarez,
East Bay Regional Park District, Oakland,
California; and Joseph P. O'Neill, Prince
George's County Department of Parks and
Recreation, contributed to this article.

July 2016 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2016 - Parks & Recreation