Mention the word "recycling"and many of us think about saving our empty cans and bottles for curbside collection. But, when you really think about it, preserving heritage buildings and putting them to new use is recycling on a colossal scale.

The conscientious preservation of our historic buildings has a huge environmental impact; so, too, does the loss of our built heritage. Exploring the connection between heritage preservation and environmental sustainability is the focus of the Landmarks Not Landfill 2008 Heritage Conservation Conference. The provincial conference takes place from May 30 to June 1 in historic downtown Collingwood, Ontario, the first heritage district to be listed in the prestigious Canadian Register of Historic Places.

"We are particularly pleased to be hosting this major heritage conference in Collingwood, because it coincides with our town's sesquicentennial celebrations," said Richard Lex, president of the Collingwood branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO). We are looking forward to welcoming delegates from across the province, exchanging new ideas and introducing heritage enthusiasts to our unique architectural past."

During the three-day conference, heritage experts from both the public and private sectors will examine the environmental benefits of heritage preservation as well as adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, the concept of embodied energy, and green approaches to preservation and conservation.

Dynamic speaker Donovan D. Rykema, a Washington, D.C.-based expert in the economics of historic preservation, will draw on his extensive international experience in economic development to explain the vital link between heritage preservation and sustainability.

Also featured is author, heritage advocate and former Toronto mayor John Sewell, who will offer Strategies to Respect Ontario Towns.

Presentations and workshops will explore hot-button issues such as redevelopment within Heritage Districts and legal challenges to heritage preservation. The conference will also highlight success stories. Toronto architect Joe Lobko will provide insight into the design of the Wychwood Green Arts Barns project (for Toronto Artscape) and Evergreen Brick Works, examples of adaptive reuse projects that are bringing new life to two Toronto industrial landmarks.

On the lighter side, Dan Needles, award-winning author of the popular Wingfield Farm series, will present his humorous take on rural Ontario history.

The conference is presented with the assistance of several sponsors, including Community Heritage Ontario, the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO), the Town of Collingwood and the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals. For more information on the conference and sponsors, visit www.heritageconference.ca

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