Central Park N.C. Names L. Hunter Lovins As Special Guest Speaker At The 2012 Annual Gathering

RALEIGH, NC, September 12, 2012 (Press-News.org) The value of North Carolina's natural resources, particularly water, cannot be taken for granted. Natural capital, the natural resources and ecosystem services that drive economic activity, are critical in terms of economic value. These vital natural resources are literally priceless, as they have no known substitutes.

Now, issues regarding the value of natural resources, such as water, are at the forefront of great debate. Central Park N.C. (http://centralparknc.org/), a nonprofit organization designed to promote a new economy based on the sustainable use of natural resources in Central North Carolina, will host its Annual Gathering on October 18, 2012 at the STARworks Center in Star, N.C. The event, called The Future of North Carolina's Water, will feature a stellar list of some of the country's leading voices in the water justice movement, including L. Hunter Lovins, co-founder of the Natural Capitol Institute and an international speaker on the economic impact of natural resources.

Lovins, an author and active promoter of sustainable development for more than 30 years, has been recognized worldwide for her efforts in helping companies and communities profit from more sustainable practices. She speaks internationally on the value of natural resources and the failure of communities that do not recognize the value and economic impact local natural resources can have. In 2000, Lovins was named as a Time magazine "Hero for the Planet" and a Newsweek "Green Business Icon" in 2008. Additionally, she teaches sustainable business management at Bainbridge Graduate Institute in Seattle and is the chief insurgent of the Madrone Project, a leading group on building a noteworthy curriculum to bring sustainability solutions to a greater scale. A powerful public speaker, she has addressed a wide array of major conferences such as the World Economic Forum, the U.S. Congress and the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Central Park N.C. (http://centralparknc.org/) is a nonprofit organization designed to promote a new economy based on the sustainable use of natural resources in eight counties in Central North Carolina.
At their Annual Gathering, attendees will have the opportunity to see the glass studios, the CSA garden, biofuels plant, the ceramics studio and clay factory, and enjoy delicious locally sourced food, live entertainment, glass blowing and a host of other fun activities. The event is open to the public; however, a $30 registration fee is required by all who wish to attend. To register for the 2012 Annual Gathering, visit http://www.centralparknc.com or call (919) 428-9001.

QUOTES:
"We are very excited to have L. Hunter Lovins speak at the 2012 Annual Gathering," said Nancy Gottovi, executive director of Central Park N.C. "Her impressive career, along with her expertise on sustainable businesses, will serve a critical role for building a strong economic future for our great state."

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ABOUT CENTRAL PARK N.C.:
Central Park N.C. is a nonprofit organization designed to promote a new economy based on the sustainable use of natural resources in the eight counties in the center of North Carolina. Central Park N.C. focuses the growth of small businesses and developing a strong and dependable regional infrastructure for the central region of North Carolina. In 2005, the organization launched the STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise to better serve the creative, agricultural and alternative energy sectors of the region's economy. Central Park N.C. hosts an annual gathering at the STARworks Center to discuss environmental stewardship, the critical elements of an emerging regional economy and utilizing the state's precious natural resources. For more information, visit the Central Park N.C. website at http://www.centralparknc.org.

Jake Potter
MMI Public Relations
(919) 233-6600
jake@mmipublicrelations.com
http://twitter.com/mmipr
http://www.mmipublicrelations.com