News Release

COLLEGE NEWS RELEASE / April 23, 2009

Sustainability Guru Hunter Lovins Headlining Benefits for Boise State and University of Idaho Students April 30

Boise State University construction management students and University of Idaho architecture students involved in a unique sustainable building project will have a chance to meet one of the green movement’s most ardent and acclaimed champions, Hunter Lovins, when she appears at two benefits in Boise on Thursday, April 30.

Hunter Lovins, photo is courtesy of Natural Capitalism Solutions Click to Enlarge Image

The project, called the EcoStruction University Challenge, is the brainchild of Michael Jobes, CEO of Elevation Films. Jobes has an option on a site with development potential on the corner of 11th and Miller streets near downtown Boise and proposed that student teams could compete — on camera — for a chance to design a trio of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified townhomes. The footage is part of Jobes’ documentary project, which follows the creation of a sustainable, residential development. Winners of the design challenge will be recognized at both events being headlined by Lovins on April 30, with proceeds benefitting the University of Idaho’s Urban Research and Design Center and Boise State’s Construction Management Department.

The first event is an educational business luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at The Grove Hotel, 245 S. Capitol Blvd. Lovins will deliver a presentation called “Drivers of Change: The Business Case for Sustainability” and participate in a panel with local business leaders. General admission is $50 (tickets at www.usgbcidaho.org) including lunch. There will be a book-signing opportunity, an EcoStruction University Challenge exhibit and an announcement of the challenge winners.

The second event is an evening presentation by Lovins on creating positive change, renewing resources, localizing economies and building sustainable communities. The event starts at 7 p.m. at the Boise Centre on The Grove and will include a sneak preview of Jobes’ documentary, an EcoStruction University Challenge exhibit and recognition of the winning students. General admission is $20 (tickets at www.usgbcidaho.org), and student tickets are $5 with ID at the door.

In addition to support from Boise State’s Office of Energy Research, Policy and Campus Sustainability and the University of Idaho, the events are being sponsored by the Idaho Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, the employees of CTA Architects Engineers, the Banner Bank Building, Sustainable Idaho, and BetterBricks. Organizers hope proceeds will help Boise State and the University of Idaho enhance educational offerings related to sustainability and that Lovins will help community members better understand its virtues. For more information, contact Rebecca Mirsky at (208) 426-3256 or rebeccamirsky@boisestate.edu. 

Recipient of such honors as the Right Livelihood Award and the Lindbergh Award and named one of Time Magazine’s millennial Heroes for the Planet, Lovins has co-authored nine books and hundreds of papers, including the 1999 book “Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution.” She co-founded the Rocky Mountain Institute and is founder and president of Natural Capitalism Solutions, both of which are nonprofit organizations dedicated to promoting and enabling sustainability. Lovins also is a founding professor of business at the Presidio School of Management, one of the first accredited programs offering an MBA in sustainable management. Her areas of expertise include globalization, energy policy, sustainable development, climate change and land management.

The attached photo is courtesy of Natural Capitalism Solutions.


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Media Contact: Erin Ryan, University Communications, (208) 426-4910, erinryan@boisestate.edu

Boise State University is “The New U Rising” with record student enrollment, new academic buildings, additional degree programs and a growing research agenda. Learn more at www.boisestate.edu. 

 

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Last reviewed on Thursday, April 23, 2009