Water issue expert to speak in Lake Tahoe

The Sierra Business Council is hosting Peak Innovation, a conference for Lake Tahoe locals, small business owners, communities and local governments. During the conference, Dr. Peter Gleick, an expert in water issues especially in the context of economic and environmental justice, will be at the conference which takes place October 8-10 in Tahoe City. In a National Geographic science blog, Gleick recently repeated the common question, “Why, if the California drought is so bad, has the response been so tepid?”

Dr. Gleick will be moderating two Peak Innovation panels during Sierra Business Council’s 20th anniversary conference. He will facilitate discussion about leveraging investment in the Sierra Nevada. The first panel addresses innovative private financing strategies with Jeremy Sokulsky from Environmental Incentives, Jenny Kassan from Cutting Edge Capital and David Groves from Private Capital for Public Good. The second, featuring Mark Nechodom from the California Department of Conservation, Kerri Timmer from Sierra Business Council and Jonathon Parfrey from Climate Resolve, will examine creative ways to increase public funding in Sierra ecosystems and address topics related to investing in the health of Sierra forests, wetlands, and waterways.

“The Sierra Business Council’s Peak Innovation conference will address what we – individuals, small businesses, communities and local governments – can do about water shortages and policy at the state level,” said Steve Frisch, president of Sierra Business Council. “Conference registration is not limited to Sierra Nevada residents just as issues impacting our communities are not limited to the region.”

The focus of Peak Innovation includes sharing proven, cost-effective strategies. On Oct. 10, all conference attendees will gain insights during a keynote talk by CNN Crossfire host Van Jones and begin creating a better Sierra through a highly interactive workshop facilitated by SBC staff. Registration, including all meals, networking opportunities, plenary sessions and panel discussions, costs $599. Discounted lodging at Granlibakken is available for conference attendees.

Peak Innovation strives to meet Zero Waste guidelines. Sponsors include Northern California Regional Council of Carpenters, Carpenters 46 Northern California Counties Conference Board, Northern California District Council of Laborers, Smart Cities Prevail, PG & E, mPower Placer, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Coso Operating Company, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency California Tahoe Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Pacific Industries, Morgan Family Foundation c/o Silicon Valley Community Foundation and the Truckee Donner Land Trust. Additional support is provided by Capital Public Radio, Carmel Gallery, Clif Bar, Granlibakken, Tahoe Trips & Trails, Stella at The Cedar House, Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Squaw/Alpine, and Spiral Internet.