Sustainable living encompasses all aspects of our lives. “Children and adults who have a connection with the natural environment are more able to adjust to stress and are more likely to take care of the environment as a result,” says Kristi Cooper, Family Life Field Specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Beginning Thursday, January 5, a virtual conference for families will be held once a month through June. The Eco Family Conference will help families make attitude and behavior changes that will ultimately improve the environment, human health and family finances.

The Keynote address will begin at 7 PM on Thursday, Jan. 5 and will feature Brenda Ranum, the Regional Director for ISU Extension and driving force behind the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Imitative. Once registered, participants will receive directions as to how to log into the virtual class room. Participants will need high speed internet, a headset with a microphone to participate or can use a chat box.

The first Thursday of each month, January through June, a 90 minutes program will feature a different speaker addressing a different topic.

• Jan. 5 Brenda Ranum - Regional Extension Education Director and driving force behind the Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative
• Feb. 2 Connection to Nature Kristi Cooper - ISU Extension Family Life Field Specialist
• March 1 Energy Pat Higby - UNI Energy Educator
• April 5 Water, Our Precious Resource Pat Sauer, ISWEP, Rainscaping Iowa Amy Bouska, Urban Conservationist, Johnson County SWCD
• May 3 Edible Landscape Design Fred Meyer, Ecological designer, Founder and Executive Director of Backyard Abundance
• June 7 Transforming Trash to Treasure Composting basics with Master Gardener, Master Composter

Registration fee is $15. For registration information contact Kristi Cooper at 319-377-9839 (kcoop@iastate.edu) or Brenda Schmitt at 641-512-0650 (schmitt@iastate.edu)