While "going green" has become a household term, SDSU and Koch Hazard Architects are organizing the 2009 Plain Green Conference to promote environmental awareness.

This conference will unite professionals, government officials, students and the public to talk about current issues in sustainability and green communities. Plain Green is geared toward those who are concerned about the environment and would like to see changes made in this area. Stacey McMahan from Koch Hazard Architects said the main focus is the design and construction industry.

"The most appealing thing about sustainable design to me was how much you would get back from using it," said Randi Peterson, a sophomore interior design major. "Building a house sustainably may cost the owner more upfront, but in the long run, it saves them much more money than the cheaper, unsustainable alternative."

Last year's inaugural event was a success, with more than 200 people attending, including more than 50 students from SDSU.

"I think that it was a tremendous success for the first year. Our goal is to raise awareness and educate people about green issues," said McMahan. "Everybody interacts with buildings. We want to educate people on what they can do in their homes, such as recycling and just becoming more aware of their environment."

This year the event will take place on April 17 at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls. The Museum of Visual Materials, Cherapa Place and the Washington Pavilion will host pre-conference workshops on April 16.

Associate Professor of Interior Design Angela McKillip is a part of the planning committee, speaker coordinator and SDSU student coordinator. McKillip attended the conference last year and said there were excellent speakers who covered topics ranging from landscape architecture to indoor air quality to straw-bale building constructions. There was also a lot of time for people to ask questions and further discuss the issues affecting the environment.

 

Sophomore interior design students will present their projects at the conference and explain why they are sustainable design, said McKillip. The projects have to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified, which is the standard for measuring "green" design.

"One of my teachers told us to carry around all the garbage we accumulate throughout one day and then think of that amount times about 12,000 students on campus. It's amazing how much garbage we produce in a day," said Peterson.

Some students from majors such as landscape architecture, graphic design and mechanical engineering will also be featuring student work at the Plain Green event, said McKillip. The Students' Association unanimously approved underwriting to support student attendance this year. Sixty SDSU students will be able to attend the conference for just $10.

"SDSU should not only be a part of the 'going green' phenomenon, but should be leading it," said McKillip. "Plain Green is one example. The conference is dedicated to education and advocacy for sustainability throughout the Midwest. This is just one more way to encourage students to participate in this great event and incredible opportunity."

"It's great that SDSU is 'going green'. Many people don't realize how many natural resources are wasted," said Peterson. "I try to influence people around me, but some just laugh and think it's a fad or something that isn't important or a waste of time. I am starting to view 'going green' as an economically smart thing to do rather than just a fad."

Conference registration fees are $75 at the door and $25 for students. For more information, contact Stacey McMahan at Koch Hazard Architects at (605) 336-3718 or Jane Hegland at SDSU at (605) 688-4000.