Spring has sprung, and over the next few weeks opportunities will abound to dramatically increase your knowledge about sustainable living.

Learn how to make wise, sustainable choices in your day-to-day life by turning out for the local Earth Day celebration on April 18. See the box for all the details.

Grand Mesa Energy Star was overwhelmed by the response for the first weeklong HERS (Home Energy Rating Services) training in Grand Junction.

Beginning April 20, the class will be taught by Berthoud-based Energy Logic.

Fifteen lucky people from the Western Slope signed up for the training, which involves classroom sessions, fieldwork and software instruction.

On April 25, students will take a test to earn certification as HERS raters who can rate homes for Energy Star qualification. Scholarships were available for Mesa County residents.

"The class was so popular we are looking at scheduling another week in the fall," said Shari Wadell at Frostbusters & Coolth.

To learn more about local Energy Star efforts, go to www.grandmesa.us/energystar.

Professionals associated with the building industry can brush up on sustainability at Built Green University on April 27--28 sponsored by the Housing and Building Association of Northwestern Colorado.

Participants will learn about the systems approach of building science, Energy Star and Built Green requirements, as well as future trends in green building. Sessions include classroom training at Two Rivers Convention Center and hands-on lessons at a building site.

Association Executive Officer Debbie Rich expects to have at least 50 participants for the class.

"Everybody needs to hear this great information about sustainability," she said.

Online preregistration is required with an April 20 deadline. For the complete scoop, go to www.builtgreen.org or call the association at 245-0253.

For the first time, Global Exchange and Green America are bringing their Green Festival to Denver's Convention Center on May 2--3.

With nearly 150 fascinating exhibitors and more than 50 provocative speakers, this extravaganza is the perfect way to connect with sustainability efforts outside the Grand Valley. The event will feature numerous options for natural dining and organic beer and wine.

I am very excited about the Green Festival because I have been following the event for several years and considered traveling to San Francisco for a Green Festival last year.

Not only were travel costs prohibitive, but I also decided it made no sense to greatly increase my carbon footprint to attend an environmental event.

Now that I can just travel to Denver, I am especially thrilled about sessions by Alan Weisman, author of "The World Without Us," and world renowned mycologist Paul Stamets (think mushrooms).

There is way too much information about this huge event to go into much detail, so go to www.greenfestivals.org/denver to get started.

I'll be in Denver for the Green Festival and plan on sharing bunches of information after the fact.

I'm curious about how many locals are planning on attending, so send me an e-mail if you're going.

Adele Israel is a Grand Junction writer who has been involved in sustainability efforts for some 20 years. Have a question or column idea for Adele? E-mail her at msdeli@bresnan.net.