A Conference Thursday at Subaru Park in Chester offered a glimpse of creating a sustainable Delaware County now and in the future, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.

Enthusiastic supporters listened to more than 25 speakers highlighting electric cars, community gardens, climate resiliency and community zero waste goals.

One of those enthusiastic supporters was Frances Sheehan, president of The Foundation for Delaware County.

More businesses are offering tools and techniques to the public to support environmentally-friendly methods and sustainability, she said.

 “We should be able to do this here in Delaware County, the county leadership, all the community people who are here at the table today,” she said.

County Councilwoman Elaine Paul Schaefer said sustainability was not a focus in the county until two years ago. Now every government department is focused on making their operations sustainable, she said.

“We have all of the stars aligned with the energy, the passion, the resources, and it’s time and we are establishing ourselves as regional leaders, which has never happened before,” Schaefer said.

The collar counties around Philadelphia have started working with each other, making energy purchases more sustainable through a massive energy purchases.

Read more at the Daily Times about the highlights of Thursday’s Sustainability Conference.