Learn more about this year's schedule and speakers!
Keynote Speaker
Terry is the Chief Sustainability Officer for Tompkins County where he oversees the County’s progress on efforts to get to net-zero emissions for County operations and to help the community at-large decarbonize.
Prior to working with Tompkins County, Terry was a Clean Energy Communities Coordinator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County where we worked with municipalities across New York’s Southern Tier on clean energy issues.
Speakers
Jason Gorman is the Nature Preserve Manager for Finger Lakes Land Trust. He oversees the management and maintenance of the Land Trust’s nature preserves. He holds a B.S. in Conservation Biology from SUNY Cortland, and first got involved with the Land Trust as a volunteer.
While growing up in Rochester, and frequenting a family cottage on Keuka Lake, Jason developed a deep connection to the Finger Lakes. Working with volunteers, clearing trails, and seeing the countless scenic treasures of the region are just a few of the many fulfilling aspects of his job.
As a teacher, Dan has been working with young members of our community for the past four decades, learning things of importance from a great many elementary, middle school and high school students (as well as a small herd of grandchildren). In 2006, students convinced him to start growing food on the LACS campus and funneling it into the school lunch program. A number of years later new construction at the school took the garden space away, and (again through the vision of younger folks) this led to the creation of the Youth Farm Project in 2009. Since then, Dan has helped the Youth Farm grow and evolve, while learning the magic that takes place when a diverse group of young people have the opportunity to work hard together growing and distributing healthy food, while discovering their own capacity to help their community.
My name is Sarake Dembele, and I am an emerging urban planner and designer with a passion for sustainable and affordable housing. I graduated from Ithaca College with a background in Architectural Studies in May 2024, where I was the only Black, female-identifying, and visibly practicing Muslim woman in my graduating cohort. This experience shaped my perspective on inclusive and community-centered design.
"When I'm in the Water" Panelists
Producer and Co-director of the film. She is a senior Documentary Studies and Production major at Ithaca College and has a personal connection to this film, having spent her childhood summers on Cape Cod. Inspired by a group of women deeply committed to preserving its environment, Olivia sought to highlight their story.
She believes in the transformative power of nature to foster mental and emotional well-being. Olivia enjoys immersing herself in the outdoors, which continuously inspire both her creative projects and personal life.
Director and Co-editor of the film. She is a senior at Ithaca College, majoring in Documentary Studies and Production with a minor in English.
Kennedy is passionate about creating films that are both inspiring and impactful, and she embraces every opportunity to learn from the diverse experiences her documentaries take her on.
Co-producer of the film. He is a junior at Ithaca College, double majoring in Documentary Studies and Production and World Languages and Cultures.
Ye Hang is especially drawn to making films that inspire, resonate, and bring joy to audiences. He strives to engage the heart rather than just the eyes in all of his work.
Co-director, Editor, and Cinematographer of the film. He is a senior at Ithaca College, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Documentary Studies and Production.
A passionate environmentalist who enjoys spending time outdoors, Michael aspires to educate people on environmental issues and share stories of individuals' relationships with nature and outdoor recreation through documentary filmmaking.
Non-Timber Forest Products
/ South Hill Forest Products Panelists
My name is Jamie and I'm a senior Environmental Science major. I hope to someday manage a sustainable farm, so I joined the South Hill Forest Products class in order to learn about how to create a variety of value-added products across different seasons. As part of the Marketing and Sales team, I helped to create a new bookkeeping system in Excel.
My favorite part of the class is how smoothly everyone can keep things running without much hierarchy within the company, out of respect and mutual responsibility. My favorite skill that I've learned so far is producing maple syrup.
My name is Shay and I'm a sophomore Environmental Science Major with a minor in Native American Indigenous Studies. I'm interested in environmental education, forest ecology, and perspectives on politics, justice, and resistance. South Hill Forest Products has taught me new skills for personal artistic expression, given me perspectives on leadership and community, and deepened my relationship to place on IC's campus.
Together with my other forest-focused coursework, such as the ICNL Land Stewardship Program, SHFP provides an opportunity to gain professional-level experience in outdoor environmental work. I hope to continue to work in IC's forested land over the summer and into the rest of my semesters here at IC.
My name is Sofia and I’m a Biology major with a double minor in Chemistry and Environment and Society. I’m currently the publicity chair for Guiding Eyes for the Blind and treasurer for the Biology Club.
I’ve had the absolutely amazing opportunity to join South Hill Forest Products this past semester and expand my knowledge to new heights — outside in nature and no longer crammed in a lab. Being able to learn the ins and outs of the business and be creative each and every single day has allowed me to introduce more sustainability and responsibility into my everyday life, and I can’t wait to share it with you all.
Greenwashing
Zack O’Brien, a graduate student pursuing my master’s in accounting at Ithaca College. I’m currently a graduate assistant for both the Accounting and MBA-EM master’s programs. During my undergrad, I was a member of Beta Alpha Psi, where I built a strong foundation in leadership and professional growth. I’m also passionate about pushing sustainability forward in the accounting field and always look for ways to incorporate sustainable practices into my work.
My name is Wenchard Pierre Louis, and I’m an accounting major and graduate student at Ithaca College. My experience here has been truly rewarding filled with growth, challenges, and meaningful lessons that I’ll carry with me well beyond graduation.
One lesson that especially stuck with me came from one of my professors is she said, “Any company that doesn’t have sustainability in mind will eventually fail.” That quote didn’t just influence how I see the business world, but it became a guiding principle for how I want to live and work. I’ve come to understand that sustainability isn’t just a corporate responsibility, it's a personal one.