Wildsight public forum to take place in Invermere

Meet four innovative panelists as they seek to find balance at a unique public forum

Four unique presenters will be panelists at a grass roots public forum hosted by Wildsight, the environmental group that works to maintain biodiversity and healthy human communities in the Columbia Rocky Mountains eco-region. Their forum, entitled Finding Balance, will focus on how the economy impacts the eco-system, the community and the environment in the Columbia Valley.

The panelists are innovative thinkers who will be focusing their presentations on generating ideas for people from all walks of life.

“It’s about hearing what they have to say,” said Juri Peepre, Wildsight’s chair of the regional board, “and seeing how we can apply it locally.”

Mark Anielski, a three-man circus otherwise known as an economist, a business and ethics professor and an author, will be delivering the keynote presentation, The Economics of Happiness: Discovering Genuine Wealth, at the Invermere Community Hall. The lecture will take place at 7:30 p.m. on March 2, 2012, after an open wine and cheese event.

However, that’s only where the fun begins—the following day an informative day-long seminar on conservation economics, local business sustainability, a panel discussion and guest speakers will debate what an eco-friendly economy alternative in the East Kootenay and the Columbia Valley might look like.

Anielski will be discussing the natural capital and ecosystems in northern and western Canada. Other highlights of the event include: Dr. Richard Kool, an environmental educator at Royal Roads University, discussing the economics of local flavour; John Thompson, an economist from Edmonton, addressing the soci-economic impact of protected areas with updated statistics on the east Kootenay region; and Amy Robinson, executive director of the LOCO Business Network Society of B.C., talking about the power of sustaining small businesses and their local networks.

The all-day public seminar includes a luncheon and will be held at David Thompson Secondary School in Invermere between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Afterwards, Wildsight will host its 25th annual general meeting between 5:30 and 6 p.m., which will be followed by Green Drinks Happy Hour between 6 and 7 p.m., as well as a dinner and slide show from 7 to 9 p.m.

For more information about the event, please visit Wildsight’s website.