Environmental Responsibility... Sustainable Development… Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. These are key phrases heard daily in our media reports and social conversations. It is only fitting that the 2008 Heritage Conservation Conference will focus on the theme of heritage preservation and environmental sustainability.

The Ministry of Culture will launch the first day of the conference with presentations and workshops in the morning. The Ontario Heritage Trust will continue to explore the role of heritage and the environment as well as discussion on the Trust’s role in protecting our natural heritage.

On the second day of the conference, sessions will focus on such hot-button topics as “Re-Development Within Heritage Districts,” “Adaptive Re-use of Historic Buildings,” “Environmental Effects on Historic Structures,” and “Heritage Preservation and Sustainable Development.”

Collingwood invites conference participants to join us in our celebration of our town’s 150th anniversary. During your stay you will have the chance to explore our beautiful downtown heritage conservation district, learn about our shipbuilding history, and discover our abundant natural heritage.

The Conference Committee is pleased to announce our Keynote Speakers:

Donovan D. Rypkema, The Role of Historic Preservation in Sustainable Development

John Sewell, Strategies to Respect Ontario Towns

Dan Needles, The History of Persephone Township - An Amusing Look at Rural Ontario History