Learn how to save energy, water – and cash

Looking for ways to save on power and water bills? Come out for the Pinellas Home Energy Symposium being held on Saturday, Sept. 14 in the Magnolia Room at the County Extension office at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Experts will be on hand from 9 a.m. to noon to address:

·       Energy efficiency improvements in and around the home

·       Water conservation behaviors

·       Solar water heating

·       Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM techniques

The keynote address will be given by Dr. Jennifer Languell, an award-winning green-building engineer with 17 years of experience. Experts at panel discussions include:

·       David Bracciano, Tampa Bay Water

·       Doris Heitzmann, UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension

·       Mikle Gordon, Duke Energy

·       Jeremiah Rohr, Solar Source Institute

·       Paavo Salmi, Planet Green Group

·       Dan Schaefer, Ygrene Energy Fund

Each registered participant will receive an insulated, zippered tote bag containing a hand-powered flashlight, a solar-powered calculator and informative educational materials. Door prizes include a home energy efficiency kit valued at $150 and rain barrels valued at $35. Refreshments will be provided. Attendees should arrive early for check-in.

This event, hosted by the Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project, is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required at pcsymposium13@eventbrite.com. For more information, call 727-582-2097.

Pinellas County Extension offers classes, programs and activities at the Cultural and Natural History Center. The center features the permanent exhibit, Connecting People and Place, an art-inspired, hands-on educational exhibit which reveals the area’s history, ecology and people. The center is open Thursday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed all Pinellas County holidays.

Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in an event or class, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. At least seven days prior to the event or class, please contact the Office of Human Rights, 400 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Suite 500, Clearwater, FL 33756, (727) 464-4062 (Voice/TDD).

For more information about Pinellas County services and programs, visit www.pinellascounty.org, now with LiveChat, or create a shortcut to www.pinellascounty.org/mobile on any smartphone. Pinellas County government is on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.