Press Releas

Media Advisory For More Information Contact: Dr. Matt Wetstein Dean of Planning, Research & Regional Development (209) 954-5039 mwetstein@deltacollege.edu

For Immediate Release

                     Delta College Hosts “Stockton Sustainability Forum,” April 29th
(Stockton)

San Joaquin Delta College will host the Stockton Sustainability Forum on Thursday,
April 29th, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Atherton Auditorium. The Stockton Sustainability Forum
is sponsored by Delta’s Innovation & Sustainability Committee, chaired by Superintendent/ President, Dr. Raúl Rodríguez. The forum will focus on efforts to help Delta College and Stockton produce a more “sustainable environment.”

This event is free and open to the public.

The forum will feature presentations by five panelists, followed by a question and answer session.
Dr. Matt Wetstein, Delta’s Dean of Planning, Research and Institutional Effectiveness, will moderate the forum. “Topics will include energy savings and campus wide recycling at Delta College,” says
Dr. Wetstein. “Other topics include: water conservation programs for Stockton, economic benefits of ‘going green,’ Caltrans transportation planning and high speed rail for the region, educational projects and river cleanup efforts at the Lower Calaveras River.” Dr. Wetstein encourages all to attend this
free event. “The Stockton Sustainability Forum will be an enlightening evening.”

Panelist Ken Baxter, Caltrans Deputy District Director of Planning and Local Assistance, says, “Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in California. There are many transportation modes that will assist with environmental sustainability, such as high speed rail, transit, bicycling, walking and ridesharing.” Baxter adds, “Caltrans is developing a ‘California Interregional Blueprint’ that will provide a multimodal transportation model that will assist with improving our environment.”

In addition, efforts to clean our local environment will take center stage. Defenders of Wildlife representative Jeremy Terhune will present his work with Friends of the Lower Calaveras River (FLCR).  Terhune says, “The FLCR advocates sustainable management of the resources and conditions of the Lower Calaveras River. Our objective is to increase public awareness and educate citizens about this important and long-neglected regional waterway.”

The Stockton Sustainability Forum is one of a series of events at Delta College in celebration of
Earth Day on April 22nd.

Stockton Sustainability Forum Panelists:

        Ken Baxter, Caltrans Deputy District Director of Planning and Local Assistance
        Frank Ferral, Program & Public Policy Director, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce
        Sharene Gonzales, Water Coordinator for the City of Stockton
        Mark Showers, Maintenance/Energy Manager, San Joaquin Delta College
        Jeremy Terhune, San Joaquin Valley Representative, Defenders of Wildlife/Friends
        of the Lower Calaveras River

For more information on the Stockton Sustainability Forum, please contact:
Dr. Matt Wetstein, Dean of Planning, Research, and Institutional Effectiveness,
(209) 954-5039 or mwetstein@deltacollege.edu.

For information on Delta College’s Commitment to Sustainability, go to:
http://www-dev.deltacollege.edu/org/isc/index.html

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