Delaware County to Host 4th Annual Sustainability Conference

Released: May 29, 2025

Delaware County to Host 4th Annual Sustainability Conference

Week-long virtual series and in-person expo to inspire climate action, clean energy, and community resilience

Delaware County, PA — The Delaware County Office of Sustainability is excited to host its 4th Annual Delaware County Sustainability Conference, a week-long series taking place from Monday, June 9 through Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Launched in 2021, the Delaware County Sustainability Conference is the County’s signature event for engaging residents, businesses, and community leaders in meaningful conversations and action around climate, clean energy, transportation, equity, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship. This year, the conference is exploring a new format, offering both virtual sessions Monday, June 9 – Friday, June 13, as well as a large in-person closing Keynote Celebration on Saturday, June 14 to reflect the County’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable Delaware County.

Organized by the Delaware County Office of Sustainability, under the leadership of Rebecca Yurkovich, the conference brings together something for everyone, including:

• 15 Virtual Sessions addressing topics of energy efficiency, zero waste, environmental health impacts, regenerative farming, and more;
• Guided Hike through Ridley Creek State Park on Friday, June 13;
• In-Person Closing Keynote Celebration on Saturday, June 14 at the Lazaretto Ballroom and Historic Lazaretto Quarantine Station in Tinicum Township;
• Keynote Presentation by local Meteorologist Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz
• EV Exposition
• Sustainability Exposition featuring 30+ local environmental organizations
• Museum and Cultural Tours of the Italian Cultural Center and Swedish Heritage Museum

“The Sustainability Conference is one of our most important public forums for collaboration and innovation,” said Delaware County Council Member Elaine Paul Schaefer. “It brings together local leaders, residents, and change-makers who are all working toward a shared goal: building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Delco for generations to come.”

All sessions are free and open to the public, but registration is required.

This year, the Office of Sustainability is proud to share this event is completely sponsor funded. Thank you to this year’s sponsors, including the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority, HRG, Natural Lands, Capozzoli’s Catering, Planet Green Thrift Store, Solstice Home Performance, and GreenWeaver Landscaping.

For full conference details and registration information, visit DelcoPA.Gov/Sustainability. Together, we can build a greener, stronger Delaware County. Information on virtual sessions is listed below.

Funding Trails: Getting $120 Million on Our MPO's TIP
Monday, June 9 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Curious how local trail advocates secured $120 million in Carbon Reduction Program funds for trail corridors across the Greater Philadelphia region? Join, Emily Goldstein of DVRPC, Elaine Paul Schaefer of Schuylkill River Greenways and Delaware County Council, Patrick Starr of PA Environmental Council and Circuit Trails Coalition, and Cas Marburger of Rails to Trails Conservancy for the inside story of this historic investment in our local active transportation network of trails — and how your organization can do the same! *Sponsored by HRG*

Powering Our Future: Understanding Energy and Its Impact (Energy 101)
Monday, June 9 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Curious about where your energy comes from — and how it impacts the planet? Join us for a dynamic and accessible session that breaks down the basics of energy, its sources, and how it shapes our world.

Lessening the Burden: How PA House Bill 109 Seeks to Tackle
Cumulative Impacts of Pollution in Environmental Justice Communities
Monday, June 9 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, everyone has the right to a clean environment — but in practice, some communities bear a much heavier pollution burden than others. Join Dr. Loyd D. Bastin of Widener University, for a timely session on how PA House Bill 109 aims to address cumulative pollution impacts in the state’s most vulnerable and overburdened communities.

Nature Over Noise: How Maplewood, NJ Successfully Banned Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers
Monday, June 9 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join Mayor Nancy Adams of Maplewood, NJ, as she shares how her community implemented a phased ban on gas-powered leaf blowers — improving both air quality and peace of mind for residents.

Delaware County Office of Sustainability Update
Tuesday, June 10 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Get the latest on how Delaware County is leading the way in local climate action and sustainability planning! Join Rebecca Yurkovich, County Sustainability Officer, as she shares updates on Sustain Delco, the County’s official sustainability plan.

Sustainable Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs)
Tuesday, June 10 |7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Did you know many HOAs restrict residents from making sustainable choices like installing solar panels or planting native gardens? Join Rachael Griffith, Sustainability Director at the Chester County Planning Commission, for a powerful conversation on how HOAs can become allies — not obstacles — to sustainability.

Communication Strategies for Stewardship, Building a Plan that Works!
Wednesday, June 11 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Join Monika Collins, Chief Advancement Officer at The Foundation for Delaware County, to learn how to: Build successful fundraising campaigns, craft compelling stories, align with donors’ goals, and create communication plans that work — without overwhelming your inbox!

Reviving the Past for Sustainable Futures: A Case Study of the Lazaretto Quarantine Station
Wednesday, June 11 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Adaptive reuse blends history with sustainability — and the Lazaretto in Tinicum Township is a perfect example! Join Kate Clifford from the Delaware County Planning Department, Commissioner Pat McCarthy, and Township Manager Dave Schreiber to explore how this historic building was transformed into thriving township offices, museums, and event space.

Our Homes, Our Health: Understanding & Acting on Environmental Exposures in Delaware County
Wednesday, June 11 | 3:00–4:00 PM
Join experts from the Delaware County Health Department and Health Educated, Inc. to learn how air pollution, lead, and other exposures impact your health—and what you can do about it.

Green Spaces as a Cornerstone of Sustainability
Wednesday, June 11 | 4:30–5:30 PM
Join the Delaware County Green Space Task Force as they share how parks, trails, and open spaces support sustainability and community resilience. Learn about ongoing projects preserving our natural lands and enhancing recreation access.

Zero Waste 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Living
Wednesday, June 11 | 7:00–8:00 PM
Led by David Director, longtime sustainability advocate, this session breaks down the basics of Zero Waste and how it connects to a circular economy. Stick around after the talk for a Q & A with local experts who will share easy, real-world tips to cut down on waste in your daily life.

From Storms to Strategy: Coordinated Watershed Planning across Delaware County
Thursday, June 12 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Join Kate Raman of Natural Lands, Mike Leventry of the Delaware County Planning Department, and Steve Schultz of the Delaware County Emergency Services Department to learn more about local planning efforts to address flooding and watershed wide issues. *Sponsored by Natural Lands*

Become Watershed-Friendly from Home!
Thursday, June 12| 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Learn about decisions you can make inside and outside of your home to be watershed-friendly. Meagan Hopkins Doerr of Penn State Master Watershed Stewards will provide tips for protecting our watersheds from home!

Southeastern PA’s Energy Transition: A Regional Perspective
Thursday, June 12 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM
DVRPC, the region’s metropolitan planning organization, is leading the charge and supporting an energy transition through a mix of innovative projects at all scales – municipal, county, and regional! Attend this session for a fast and fervent overview of all things energy!

Global Goals, Local Leadership: Sustainability
Success Stories and Innovations from Pingtung County, Taiwan
Thursday, June 12 | 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Delaware County is pleased to host Directors Yen and Lu of the Pingtung County (Taiwan) Environmental Bureau to highlight their most innovative and exciting sustainability projects ranging from floating solar panels to farmer subsidies for endangered species protection.

Digging Deeper: How Regenerative Food Systems Nourish
Physical Health, Environmental Health, and Social Equity
Friday, June 13 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
FarmerJawn is reintroducing farming into the lifestyles of urban communities in the Philadelphia Region! This session will introduce how regenerative organic farming not only seeks to restore the soil, but also to cultivate physical, social and environmental health in our communities. For FarmerJawn Agriculture is the culture. Learn more about the integration of local agriculture in our urban communities and how you can support this mission!

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