2016 Sustainability Summit: It Takes A ‘Ville

The Louisville Metro Office of Sustainability and the Louisville Sustainability Council (LSC) are hosting the third annual Sustainability Summit on Saturday, October 29, 2016. Highlights will include innovative speakers from across the U.S. and a focus on opportunities for residents to actively engage in creating a more sustainable Louisville.

“Making Louisville more sustainable is an ambitious goal that we can achieve if everyone does their part,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Individual contributions towards this effort are becoming ever more urgent in the face of local and global challenges. The Summit’s focus on action is more relevant than ever.”

The 2016 Sustainability Summit welcomes educators, leaders, innovators, and interested citizens of all backgrounds to attend the event. This year’s theme – It takes a ‘Ville – reflects on the need for everyone to contribute to community progress towards a sustainable city.

Attendees will hear from sustainability leaders from across the country. The morning panel will feature:

• Matt Gray, Director of the Cleveland Office of Sustainability,
• Jennifer Lansing, Senior Environmental Research Analyst for the Minneapolis Health Department,
• Rick Hicks, Director or of the Office of Environmental Protection and Sustainability at the Columbus Public Health Department, and
• Ryan Evans, a leading expert in the state of Utah on the impact of air quality on economic development.

Dr. Shahzeen Attari, the Summit’s keynote speaker from the top-ranked Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, will conclude the Summit with a speech entitled, Perceptions of Resource Use and Methods to Motivate Action.

Summit registrants will learn about local projects in need of participation from the community. This Showcase of Partners will include opportunities for testing water quality in Jefferson County, establishing a local food co-op, participating in multi-modal transportation options such as ride-share and car-sharing programs, integrating sustainability into Louisville’s Comprehensive Plan, invasive species  removal, community-supported bike repair, and healthy landscape auditing.

“This year’s summit will have something for everyone,” said Maria Koetter, Director of the Office of Sustainability. “From national experts to homegrown pioneers, the event aims to engage a diverse audience to support idea generation and specific efforts to help achieve the city’s health and sustainability goals.”

The 2016 Sustainability Summit is proud to receive support from Presenting Sponsors Yum! Brands and Humana, as well as TARC, K. Norman Berry & Associates Architects, PNC,  UPS, Partnership for a Green City, and many others, all of whom are committed to sustainability.

“We are building upon last year’s summit, which focused on Improving Air Quality, where many great ideas for short and long term projects were identified. This year’s local project showcase will have a direct impact on improving Louisville’s air quality, as well as improving Louisville’s STAR Community rating, especially in the areas that were identified as key gaps,” said Emily Chandler, Louisville Sustainability Council Executive Director.

To kick off the Summit, registrants are invited to attend the first public showing of Beargrass: The Creek in Your Backyard on Thursday, October 27, from 6:00 – 8:00pm at the Clifton Center. The film showing is open to the public with a $5 suggested donation to benefit the Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Beargrass Creek Alliance, and Salt River Watershed Watch. Summit registrants will receive a free drink ticket.

The 2016 Sustainability Summit will take place Saturday, October 29, from 8:00am – 4:30pm at Bellarmine University in Frazier Hall. Registration includes a one-year membership with the LSC. Advance registration is still open and will be discounted until October 23. After that, tickets will be $50 for LSC members, $75 for the general public, and $25 for students. Tickets are available online through October 28^th. Tickets will also be sold at the door the day of the event. A limited number of free scholarship tickets are available. Scholarship applications, due October 21, are available on the event website.

More information, as well as the registration form, can be found on the Louisville Sustainability Council website: http://louisvillesustainabilitycouncil.org/2016-sustainability-summit/