by Anastasios Lazaropoulos

The Northeast Sustainable Communities Workshop (NSCW), BCONE’s main annual event, identifies the latest goals for sustainable development and helps to inform professionals of the newest strategies and technologies. As a young environmental lawyer and a first-time attendee, I saw an opportunity to gain insight on cutting edge of sustainability and the chance to network with some of the leaders of brownfield remediation. As a first time attendee, I was ready for a day of interesting seminars and to speak with the environmental companies that filled main halls.

The seminars were full of information about the latest advancements and technologies in sustainable development: from thermal vapor absorption in urban areas to new coastal management strategies for New Jersey flood zones, the speakers gave their time and energy to present the hot topics in their expertise and generate energetic discussions on current events in brownfield redevelopment.. The day was capped off with a wonderful networking event where I was able to make connections with leaders in the field.

In hindsight, I should have been sustainable in my travel decisions.  Rather than driving the 2 hours, I should have taken advantage of the train or other public transportation so readily available to the NJIT campus in Newark, NJ.  As I become more established in my career, the bounty of continuing education credits will be a bonus offered by a workshop filled essential seminars and insights to the multi-faceted environmental community.