On September 12, Oakland County’s Annual Planning and Economic Development Heritage Conference will be held at Oakland University. The conference, Heritage X: Nurturing Our Heritage, promotes natural and historic preservation throughout Oakland County.
“This year’s conference will focus on the common ingredients of successful communities and the down-to-earth techniques that make that happen,” said Oakland County Principal Planner for Historic Preservation Ron Campbell.
The conference is expected to draw individuals from various backgrounds throughout the county, looking for ways to maximize the assets unique to their community. Keynote Speaker is Louise Sturgess, Executive Director of the Pittsburg History & Landmarks Foundation. She will deliver the Luncheon address titled, “Teaching People to Value the Historic Built Environment.”
The day-long event will address historic preservation, land use, commercial and environmental issues and strategies for making their communities a great place to live work and play.
Attendees are able to tailor their schedule by selecting from the following list of 50-minute sessions:
Strategies for Community Success - Presented by Dave Ivan, MSU Extension
Historic Research: What the County Has to Offer - presented by Dave Conklin and Linda Sutton, Oakland County Research Library
The Good, the Bad, & the Acceptable: A Guide to the Practical Application of Architectural Design Principals - presented by Gene Hopkins, 2004 A.I.A president
Michigan Conservation Stewards Program - presented by Beverly Terry, MSU Extension Oakland County
A Living Heritage Lab: Moving Historic Preservation Education Preservation Beyond the Classroom - presented by Nancy Finegood, Michigan Historic Preservation Network
“Those attending the conference will learn from nationally recognized experts in their field, and about the resources available to them through Oakland County’s Planning and Economic Development Services,” said Campbell. “A great deal of sound and to-the-point information is packed into this eight-hour conference.”
Registration costs $65 and is limited to 200 people. For more information about the heritage conference or to request a registration form, call Julie Skene, GIS Technician, at 248-858-5437.
and Economic Development 
Development Services,” said Campbell. “A great deal of sound and to-the-point information is packed into this eight-hour conference.”