VIVA VERDE EXPO A SUCCESS!

More than 550 people attended the first Viva Verde Expo to learn from more than 40 local and regional experts about sustainable solutions related to energy efficiency, local food, green building, clean energy, alternative transportation and green jobs. The Global Resource Center of Western New Mexico University was buzzing with networking and exchange of ideas as people toured the displays of 30+ green businesses and organizations. Despite the rain, attendees were also able to check out the Alternative Transportation Showcase, Bike Works bicycle repair workshop, and solar demos outside. The Green Government Symposium highlighted New Mexico’s strategic position in the “Green Economy”. With abundant renewable energy sources and the means to move that energy to markets that need it, state and federal officials said the state is poised to claim a place in the green economy similar to that of California’s Bay Area at the dawn of the Internet Age. Bringing together local leaders from various faith and spiritual traditions, the Viva Verde Expo closed with a special “Celebration of Creation” that emphasized common values of respect and stewardship for the earth.

The Viva Verde Expo also distributed 1000 free compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) courtesy of the Sierra Club and PNM. Thanks to all of you who switched your incandescent light bulbs for the more energy efficient CFL’s, which in total will save $24,500 in energy costs and reduce climate changing CO2 emissions by 292 tons over the lifetime of all of the CFLs.

Thanks to all of you who attended the Viva Verde Expo and contributed to the event’s success. We will be posting all of the Viva Verde Expo presentations on the website at www.vivaverdenm.com over the next couple weeks. Also if you’d like to give us your feedback on the Expo and your ideas for future Viva Verde programming, please consider filling out an on-line evaluation. Click here.

Big thanks to all of our presenters, organizers and volunteers for their efforts in making the Viva Verde Expo a success! Special thanks to the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter and McCune Charitable Foundation for their financial contributions that made this event possible.

Congratulations to Viva Verde raffle winners!
Veronique de Jaeger, Kingston, NM – Solar Dehydrator from Rich Olson, Black Range RC&D
Jean Carsey, Las Cruces, NM – Free three-night stay at Lizard Stone Builders green-built home in Silver City
Sister Marlene of Albuquerque, NM – Hand-made terra cotta rain barrel from Regalos de la Tierra Pottery Company
Chris McIntosh, Silver City, NM – Kate Brown pottery bowl
Lita Furby, Silver City, NM – solar toy car from Gila Resources Information ProjectVeronique de Jaeger, Kingston, NM - $20 gift certificate to WNMU Bookstore

Viva Verde Expo '09

June 26 – 28, 2009
Global Resource Center, Western New Mexico University
Silco Theater
Silver City, NM 88061

Viva Verde strives to connect people with the ever-expanding world of green goods, information, resources and services found right here in Southern New Mexico. Our goal is to build community, promote local green businesses and showcase sustainable solutions related to Food, Energy, Home, Transportation and Economy that will help individuals do their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize their impact on the planet.

Special thanks to:
Silver City Mayor James Marshall, Marta Goodman, Carrie Tomlinson, Groundswell Design Source and all of our presenters, organizers, volunteers for their efforts in making the Viva Verde Expo a success!

Thanks also to Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, McCune Charitable Foundation and our advertisers for their generous support of Viva Verde Expo 2009!

Expo Links
Full Expo Schedule > here
Expo registration > here
Schedule overview > here
Need a visual map of the Silver City area? > here

Hear talks by leading Presenters in five lecture tracks:
- Green Building, Natural Home & Garden
- Local Food, Permaculture & Traditional Agriculture
- Clean Power, Energy Efficiency & Alternative Transportation
- The Stimulus, Green Jobs & the New Economy
- Sunday Lecture Series at the Silco

And More . . . .
Green Home and Garden Tour
Hands-on Demonstrations
Recycled Art Walk
Alternative Transportation Showcase
Bike Repair Workshop
Permaculture
Native Plant Workshops
Great Vendors
Eco Film Festival at the Silco Theater
Free CFL’s distributed
Toy Solar Car Kits and Race
Local/Wild Food Tasting

Learn How to Save Energy and Money!
Attend an Energy Efficiency Presentation or Workshop


FULL EXPO SCHEDULE NOW ONLINE! CLICK HERE!