2017

To view PPT presentations, click on highlighted speaker names below.

The Massachusetts Green Careers Conference connects stakeholders from education, business, government and nonprofits; green-career-ready candidates; and learners to advance workforce and sustainable development. The 2017 conference was held at MassWildlife headquarters, a LEED-Platinum building.

EXHIBITORS
Our exhibitors offer career resources. Companies were accepting resumes for job openings.

REGISTRATION 8:30 – 9:00 am
KEYNOTE 9:00 – 9:40

Welcome
Jack Buckley Director, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, State of Massachusetts
(Mass Wildlife)

Clean Energy
Massachusetts State Sen. Jamie Eldridge is committed to the environment and clean energy priorities.  Massachusetts has  proposed legislation to transition to 100% renewables by 2050, a clean energy workforce development fund, job training and placement assistance in the clean energy field.
Jamie Eldridge Massachusetts State Senator

Sustainability and Partnership
Bob Massie is an activist and author known for his successful global leadership on corporate accountability, social justice and climate change.
Bob Massie Video  Candidate for Governor

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

9:45 – 11:00

K-12 Schools as Sustainability Learning Labs
While colleges are rapidly adopting sustainability curricula and practice which enables campuses to become learning labs, similar potential exists for school facilities and grounds to be learning labs for students.  Understanding sustainability and how the planet works should be part of K-12 education. Video:  Taking Learning Outdoors
Katherine Walsh Sustainability and Environmental Resources Manager, Boston Public Schools is dedicated to the idea of schools as sustainability learning labs and is one of the few sustainability coordinators that exist in K-12 schools.
Phoebe Beierle Green Schools Fellowship Manager, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC); first and former Sustainability Manager, Boston Public Schools

9:45 – 10:20

Clean Energy Update
The clean energy sector in Massachusetts continues to report sustained growth. Once again we are delighted to have with us a key green economy expert and conference presenter to brief us on progress.
Kevin Doyle Principal, Green Economy; Workforce Development Consultant, Northeast Clean Energy Council

For Love of Land and Wildlife
Successful land conservation and wildlife protection requires vision, advocacy, and an abiding love of nature. Learn about major conservation employers in Massachusetts.
Craig MacDonnell Chief of Wildlife Lands, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, State of Massachusetts

10:25 – 11:00

State Government
The State of Massachusetts is the largest green employer in Massachusetts.  Learn about departments dedicated to energy and the environment, employment opportunities, and how to find employment.
Johanna Zabriskie Human Resources Office, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), State of Massachusetts

The Ocean: Explore Education and Careers
Marine habitats are the largest ecosystems on earth.  Learn about a marine and environmental program and careers that help us understand and protect our precious oceans and marine ecosystems.
Liz Magee Program Manager and Diving Safety Officer, Three Seas Program, Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University

11:05 – 11:40

Careers in Sustainability
Considering a career in Sustainability?  Learn about landing a job in this sector and the essential knowledge and skills for the work involved.
Maureen Hart Executive Director, International Society of Sustainability Professionals

Municipalities, Green Infrastructure, Jobs
Environmental issues are at the top of the list in many communities. Hear from a municipal leader pursuing innovative green infrastructure, and listen to a national expert and consultant on green infrastructure jobs.
Keith Bergman  Town Administrator, Town of Littleton; Climate Reality Leadership Corps Mentor; President, Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Kevin Doyle Principal, Green Economy; Workforce Development Consultant, Northeast Clean Energy Council

Endangered Species
What careers help protect our planet and all life on it? As species and ecosystems decline, jobs related to protecting endangered species become increasingly important.
Misty-Anne Marold Endangered Species Review Biologist, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

LUNCH 11:45 – 12:45

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

12:50 – 1:25

Land A Job that Makes a Difference – Workshop
What’s your eco career goal?  What do you need to do to get there?  What do you need to learn?  How do you gain the experience required? Get the answers and find your direction with help from our returning career coach.
Amanda Peters Associate Director & Career Coach, Harvard Kennedy School

Solar Power
The solar market and policies in Massachusetts are constantly evolving.   Learn about the restructuring of the electric industry, solar policy and legislation, and the future of Massachusetts solar.
Mark Sandeen President, MassSolar is Working, Inc.; Founder, RePower Partners, LLC

Pollution Prevention
Today there are a myriad of careers that help prevent pollution of our land, air and water.  For instance you can become a Pollution Prevention Technician or Environmental Field Technician.  Some companies are specializing in pollution prevention.  Why are they important?  Where can you find them?
Rick Reibstein Lecturer, Environmental Law, Boston University and Harvard Extension School; retired Senior Environmental Analyst, Office of Technical Assistance, State of Massachusetts

1:30 – 2:05

Employer Panel
HR personnel and recruiters describe their hiring processes, current job openings, and future prospects with regard to green jobs.
Michelle Waters Ekanem Civil Rights, Diversity & Inclusion Professional, Mass Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
Janelle Gordon Recruiter, Homeworks Energy
Buddy Starr Recruiter, CED GreenTech East
Sally Sherman Recruiter, Weston and Sampson

Emerging Energy Trends
Renewable energy is continuing to advance at the state and local levels. Energy storage, grid edge, and clean transportation trends are rapidly growing. Get a glimpse of this new energy wave and changes to come.
Kavita Ravi Director of Strategic Analysis, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)

Division of Fisheries and Wildlife – Tour
Enjoy a guided tour of this LEED Platinum building and the working environment of Mass Wildlife staff.
Susan Sacco Assistant to the Director, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
Tour Info

CLOSING PLENARY  2:10 – 2:45

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power
No one has done more to catalyze the growth of careers for climate change, clean energy and sustainability than Al Gore.  His movie Inconvenient Truth motivated people around the world to work hard at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  He has trained thousands to give presentations on Climate Reality.
Keith Bergman was one of the first 50 trained by Al Gore in his barn back in 2006.  Keith will present the new version of the Climate Reality slide show depicting amazing climate changes and extraordinary progress in clean energy around the work in recent years.  This is something you won’t want to miss.
Keith Bergman  Town Administrator, Town of Littleton; Climate Reality Leadership Corps Mentor; President, Metropolitan Area Planning Council Download the Truth in 10 Slide Show

RECEPTION & FREE BOOKS 2:50 – 3:30

GREEN EVENT FEATURES

Congratulations to participants and conference staff! A trash audit at day’s end revealed: less than one pound of trash, a one five-gallon bucket of compostable food and paper waste, and one pound of recyclable paper and cardboard.  That is amazing!

Green features of the 2017 conference included:

• Our Purpose
  • Providing best practices and resources for career development and sustainable development
• Venue
  • MassWildlife headquarters: conference space in their new, nature-friendly, LEED-platinum building
• Food & Beverage
  • Whole, local and/or organic, delicious, nutritious, food and beverage; for example, apples and pears from Honey Pot Hill Orchard in Stow
• Food Rescue
  • Unserved food donated to a local shelter
• Zero Waste
  • Food/paper waste composted
  • Paper/cardboard recycled
• Dishware & Utensils
  • No disposable plastics or styrofoam
  • Bringing reusable bottles/mugs encouraged
  • Reusable glasses provided as needed
  • Minimal paper products (simple SFI certified plates, napkins) provided, one per person
  • Reduced packaging – sugar and milk are served in bulk containers, and not individual packets.
  • No bottled water; tap water only
  • Food served on reusable trays
• Linens
  •  Washable table cloths for food tables only
• Reduced materials/handouts
  • Limiting handouts honors our environmental mission.
  • No presenter handouts – Presentations posted on the website after the conference
  • Exhibitor materials were reusable posters & banners
  • Limited exhibitor handouts, if any, are made from sustainable materials
  • No paper pads, pens, or other freebies distributed
  • Conference guide provided online.  A few one-page, double-sided, recycled-paper conference guides available
  • NOTE: About 100 sheets of paper were used for this conference including the signage, handouts, printed guide and administration. Very good!
• A/V
  • State of the art screen/desktop, wireless mouse/keyboard, and travel drive – No projectors or laptops needed (i.e. wireless rooms)
• Transportation
  • Carpooling encouraged and assistance provided upon request
• The carbon offset for all building energy and transportation to and from both our annual conferences is a donation to a local Massachusetts environmental organization. Former recipients: Climate Action NOW, Green Marlborough, Home Energy Efficiency Team, Live Cooler, Mass Climate Action Network, Mass Green Network, Project Green Schools, and Toxics Action Center.
• Outcomes
  • Connecting people and resources to advance career development and sustainable development
  • Green event standards setting a good example for others

CONFERENCE HOST
The Massachusetts Green Careers Conference is hosted by Green Workforce Training and Associates, an advisory and on-site team of professionals from government, business, academia, and non-profits.

REGISTRATION
Ticket fee ($45-$90) covered exhibitors, presentations, breakfast, lunch, and reception.

CONTACT
Conference Director, JenBoudrie@gmail.com, 508-481-0569