The Western NC Air Quality Conference

(Formerly the Unifour Air Quality Conference)

 

Organizing this annual spring conference has been the primary event sponsored by the UAQC. The purpose of the conference is to educate the public, government officials and the private sector on current air quality issues important to the Unifour region. The conference regularly attracts near 100 attendees representing local municipalities, local industries, public health organizations, public education agencies, environmental advocacy groups, state and federal agencies staff and other public groups and private citizens. The first conference was held in 2007, and it has been an annual event ever since.  In 2013, the name of the Conference was changed from the “Unifour Air Quality Conference” to the “Western North Carolina Air Quality Conference.” 

 

The conference has been held on the Lenoir-Rhyne University campus located in the City of Hickory. Lenoir-Rhyne’s Reese Institute for Conservation of Natural Resources has graciously sponsored the complementary luncheon portion of the conference and organizes the online registration. Duke Energy, Shurtape Technologies and local Chambers of Commerce have provided additional support for the conference. The Western North Carolina Air Quality Conference is free of charge to attendees.

 

The UAQC has been successful at soliciting a variety of excellent speakers from various state and federal agencies as well as from medical, business, industrial professions and academia.

 

 

The Western NC Water Quality Conference

 

On July 31st 2014, The Western Piedmont Council of Governments held the 1st Annual Western NC Water Quality Conference in conjunction with the Reese Institute for the Conservation of Natural Resources. The conference was similar to the Air Quality Conference, but focused exclusively on water quality. The Second WNC water quality conference was held on June 18th, 2015. 

 

Stormwater is a huge focus for this conference, and is one of the main reasons for putting it on. The conference will focus on local officials, planners, and members of the public. It will also have special teacher’s sessions, where teachers can learn about class room activities that they can take back to their students. 

 

The conference has been held on the Lenoir-Rhyne University campus located in the City of Hickory. Lenoir-Rhyne’s Reese Institute for Conservation of Natural Resources has graciously sponsored the complementary luncheon and breakfast. The Western North Carolina Water Quality Conference is free of charge to attendees.