Connellsville Sustainability Fair continues today
Richard J. Finch Jr.
Rachael Christie of the Student Conservation Association assisted visitors during the first Connellsville Sustainability Fair on Saturday at Yough River Park.
Richard J. Finch Jr.
Ken Edwards, Joel Morrison, Gino Gallo and Brad Geyer (from left) participate in a ceremonial ground breaking on land that will house Connellsville’s first green building at the Connellsville Sustainability Fair on Saturday at Yough River Park.
CONNELLSVILLE — If the rain kept Connellsville residents away from the city’s first Sustainability Fair on Saturday, there is another opportunity today for people to learn about green living.
“Primarily, we’re trying to educate people through this event, so that they can live a greener, healthier life,” said Geno Gallo, sustainability coordinator for the city of Connellsville. “It’s better for the community.”
The city received a $6,500 grant from the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund to hold the fair, which is the first official event and fundraiser for Sustainable Connellsville.
According to Gallo, the nonprofit has partnered with the Student Conservation Association Trail Town Outreach Corps and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to plan the free fall festival, which is featuring exhibits and information to help attendees save money and live more sustainably.
Exhibitors from clean energy businesses will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Yough River Park to answer questions, and information about recycling, funding for environmental groups and causes, composting and renewable energy sources will be provided.
“A lot of the things we’re doing here just make sense from a healthy standpoint, and a saving-money standpoint,” Gallo said. “So we’re pretty practical about it. These are things to help people save money.”
Today, there will be workshops on the basics of organic gardening, home energy, green building, recycling and the benefits of sustainable in-ground aquifers.
The latter workshop will teach people about a do-it-yourself home gardening technique that reduces water usage and encourages healthy eating, said Joe Crumbley, sustainability fellow for the Student Conservation Association Trail Town Outreach Corps.
“What it really comes down to is you can save time and you can save money, and that’s really something that I think anybody would be interested in,” he said. “It’s not just about politics, the environment or the ecosystem. It’s really just about accessibility … and how to eat healthy without spending a lot of money.”
The sustainable in-ground aquifer workshop will take place at 3 p.m. today.
Kicking off the fair’s festivities on Saturday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the city’s first green building, located off the Yough River Trail.
Joel Morrison with the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund presented Gallo with a $25,000 check for the completion of the building.
The total project cost could amount to $75,000 Gallo said.
The 680-square-foot octagonal building will be located near Yough River Park and will feature a living roof, with growing grass and flowers.
The roof, Gallo said, will minimize contaminants from going into the river or a storm drain.
“It’s esthetically pleasing, it reduces run-off water, filters water and helps keep the roof cool,” he said.
In addition, the foundation will have a minimal amount of cement and the sink and counters in the kitchen will be made from recycled concrete and glass.
Gallo hopes the structure can become a net zero building, which means it costs nothing to operate as far as electric or power.
“It’s going to be extremely energy efficient,” he said.
Gallo also hopes to eventually mass produce the buildings to serve as lodging for bikers along the Great Allegheny Passage.
“Once we start mass producing, the costs will come down,” he said. “This is a prototype building for lodging along the trail. We’re hoping to put these all along the trail.”
For more information about the fair, visit www.sustainableconnellsville.org.