Louisville Sustainability Council Summit (Jan 18, 2014 @ 4:30pm)

The Louisville Sustainability Council is co-hosting Louisville’s first Sustainability Summit with the Louisville Metro Office of Sustainability and the Louisville Zoo on January 17 and 18, 2014.

The purpose of this Sustainability Summit is to foster community engagement and provide citizens with an opportunity to contribute to the achievement of certain goals identified in Sustain Louisville – Louisville’s first comprehensive sustainability plan that was released in March 2013.

Friday, January 17, 2014,  6:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Opening Keynote and Reception
Saturday, January 18, 2014, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM —  Action Team work groups

Action Teams
1) Green Building and Green Infrastructure
2) Green Economy
3) Transportation
4) Tree Canopy and Urban Heat Island
5) Community Engagement

Seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a free event, and a light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Visit the Metro Office of Sustainability website for more information.

REGISTER here.

For those looking to continue their participation beyond the Summit, the Louisville Sustainability Council will provide ongoing coordination of community Action Teams.

Friday, January 17, 2014 - Opening Keynote
Saturday January 18 - five Action Team work groups (Transportation, Green Building and Green Infrastructure, Green Economy, Tree Canopy and Urban Heat Island, and Community Engagement)

The Action Team descriptions and thought topics that will be explored at the Summit are provided below.

Green Building and Green Infrastructure – Inspire and increase green building and green infrastructure practices. Sustain Louisville Goal 1 and Goal 17.

Thought topics:
1. Promote green building construction, renovation and demolition practices
2. Louisville needs more cool and green roofs 
3. Leverage MSD’s green stormwater management program to a citywide platform

Green Economy –Support green job training, opportunities for clean economy organizations and innovators, and placement in skilled professional and technical positions. Sustain Louisville Goal 11.

Thought topics:
1. Green Youth Corps training programs - energy auditors, solar panel installers, green roof installers and advanced vehicle and alternative fuel technicians. 
2. Host a clean economy business plan contest
3. Green business start-up incentives

Transportation – Promote sustainable transportation and alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles as they relate to MoveLouisville. Sustain Louisville Goal 4, Goal 9, and Goal 10.

Thought Topics :
1. Promote sustainable transportation
2. Establish car share and ride share programs
3. Alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle strategy

Tree Canopy and Urban Heat Island – Establish a robust urban tree canopy and mitigate the urban heat island effect . Sustain Louisville Goal 18.

Thought Topics:
1. Reduce impervious surface area 
2. Plant more trees to increase the tree canopy

Community Engagement – Engage the community in sustainability practices and principles. Sustain Louisville Goal 19.

Thought Topics:
1. Develop a signature sustainability project
2. Create an unified and integrated sustainability education program

EVENT CO-HOSTS AND SPONSORSThe Louisville Zoological Gardens is a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky. It is dedicated to its mission to “Better the Bond Between People and Our Planet” by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in conservation education. 

The newly formed Louisville Sustainability Council is a public private partnership that engages and collaborates with the community to facilitate the achievement of Louisville’s sustainability goals. An independent 501c3, the Louisville Sustainability Council works collaboratively with the Office of Sustainability as a community engagement partner.

The Sustainability Summit is sponsored by the generosity of  Arctic Action Teams, myActions, and the Center for Interfaith Relations. Arctic Action Teams is a movement that focuses on mentoring communities through community collaboration forums and conservation organization summits. MyActions is a community engagement tool and social network where members share the real-life actions they are taking for the planet. The Center for Interfaith Relations aims to celebrate the diversity of faith traditions, express gratitude for our unity, and strengthen the role of faith in society through common action.

Louisville Sustainability Council Summit Website
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