The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) is hosting a Sustainability Summit on October 13, 2010 from 8:30 am to 6 pm at Hayden’s Lakefront Grill in Tualatin, Ore. The summit is aimed at nursery owners and professionals who want to learn more about sustainability, how to tap into the developing market, and how sustainability can translate directly into profit through efficiency improvements.

The event is just one piece of the OAN Sustainability Initiative, which has several projects aimed at identifying and promoting sustainable practices, making available resources to assist growers, and enhancing marketplace recognition and value for sustainably produced Oregon plants. The initiative began in July of 2009.

The morning session of the Sustainability Summit covers the driving forces behind the sustainable product market. It will include research from Pivot Group LLC and a panel of nursery industry leaders. The afternoon will focus on translating sustainability into savings and profit, and will include an overview of energy efficiency and renewables training and incentives programs.

“The sustainability tide is rising locally, nationally and globally,” said Whitney Rideout, Business Development Manager for the OAN. “It is real, it is significant, and it influences the actions of the individuals and organizations upon whom we all depend for our continued success.”

For more information, contact Whitney Rideout at [email protected] or 503-682-5089. To sign up online, click here.