Community Open Space Forum September 24, 2007

Citizen’s care about open space. That’s why Prince William is updating the County policies that help us protect our natural and cultural resources ... and take advantage of the associated economic, aesthetic, environmental and recreation benefits. Bring your questions! The program will open with a five minute presentation from each speaker, followed by questions from the audience.

PANELISTS:

* Jim Bacon publishes the online newspaper Bacon’s Rebellion, which offers one of the best analyses of current smart growth issues in Virginia. He regularly shares his views on many topics in a column by the same name. Formerly the Publisher & Editor in Chief of Virginia Business magazine, Jim is also President of the electronic news service Bacon and Eggheads.

* Charlie Grymes is the Chairman of the Prince William Conservation Alliance, President of Historic Prince William, and teaches geography and field study courses at George Mason University. Charlie finished his federal career last March as the Program Manager for the website recreaction.gov. His in-depth knowledge about Virginia history and the local environment are especially relevant to community discussions about the future of open space in Prince William.

* Janit Llewellyn is an Environmental Programs Planner with the Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. Janit is the 2007 Virginia Outdoor Plan Coordinator and played a key role in developing the green infrastructure (open space) recommendations. Janit's work focuses on helping localities conserve, restore and preserve Virginia's environment.

* David Whitehurst is the Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries Director of Wildlife Diversity. David is well recognized throughout Virginia as an expert on the challenges of providing wildlife related recreation opportunities in urbanizing areas. His work to produce and promote Virginia's Wildlife Action Plan is especially relevant to localities that are developing new policies to protect open space.

Official Website: http://www.pwconserve.org