New River Valley Green Home to hold annual seminar, exhibit, and tours

BLACKSBURG, Va., April 11, 2008 – A collaborative group of New River Valley agencies and businesses, and Virginia Tech centers is hosting the second annual New River Valley Green Home seminar, exhibit, and tours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 26, 2008, at the Blacksburg Recreation Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive.

The event is hosted by Association for Energy Conservation Professionals, the Community Design Assistance Center at Virginia Tech, New River Valley Living Real Estate, New River Valley Planning District Commission, The Sage Soapbox, Shelter Alternatives, Town of Blacksburg, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and YMCA at Virginia Tech.

• Green ideas exhibit: Local green building businesses and organizations will exhibit wares and services from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Green tips from experts: The seminar, from 9 a.m. to noon, will feature information about green remodeling and lowering energy costs. Ed Tuchler, from Shelter Alternatives and Colin Arnold, from Community Housing Partners, will discuss "Green Remodeling: Retrofitting Your Home;" Terry Clements, associate professor of landscape architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Virginia Tech, will discuss "Landscaping for Energy Conservation;" and Bryan Walsh, from Solar Connexion, will discuss "Residential Solar Technology."
• Tour green homes: Tours, held from 1 to 5 p.m. at houses throughout the New River Valley, will feature area residences that are extremely energy efficient in their design and construction, utilize renewable energy systems, or utilize local building materials.

Registration is $15 per person, or $25 for two people, through the Blacksburg Parks and Recreation website, by calling (540) 961-1135, or at the door.

Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Find more information about available opportunities.

The Community Design Assistance Center is an outreach center of Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies.

• Heather Riley Chadwick
• 540-231-5396
• vtnews@vt.edu