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Events

Municipal leaders learn about accelerating the policy and practice of sustainable development

On June 4, 2009, the Sustainable Development Academy (an on-going training initiative of Sustainable Pittsburgh and the Local Government Academy) presented Sustainable Community Development Essentials: Tools, Strategies, and Case Studies. This hands on, all-day program engaged 32 representatives from 22 local governments plus additional other communities from around the region. Faculty representing diverse community stakeholders led the session, including Susan Hockenberry of the Local Government Academy, Matt Mehalik of Sustainable Pittsburgh, John Trant of Cranberry Township, and Joy Wilhelm of the DCED Governor’s Center for Local Government Services.

The seminar introduced participants to the concept of sustainability with the goal of helping them lead by example through governance, policymaking, municipal operations, and education. The seminar began by identifying sustainability as a process for continuous improvement that takes into consideration social equity, natural capital, and a resilient and restorative economy. The conversation then transitioned to implementation, as the audience learned about the steps Cranberry Township has taken to adopt sustainability as the framework for municipal operations, planning, and programming. Finally, attendees learned about the attributes of a municipal government supportive of sustainability. Namely, a sustainable government features principles, policies, and practices that:

• enhance organizational capacity
• utilize best management practices
• exhibit professionalism
• encourage intergovernmental cooperation
• foster civic engagement
• attract investment
• provide strong stewardship for the community
• establish sustainable development as a culture of practice and policy

Click here to read more.

Resources

Going Green: Are you ready? Do you have to be?

Wednesday, June 17
7:00 pm, Light refreshments served at 6:30 pm
Regional Learning Alliance, Cranberry
Cost: $15
To register, visit www.laroche.edu and click on the Business Matters button or call 412-536-1267.

Is it easy being green? You'll have a better idea of whether that little green frog was on the mark after listening to four area experts lead a panel discussion for the public about the responsibilities involved in environmental sustainability - whether you're a member of the public or whether you are bringing your business up to speed on the latest requirements. Panelists are:
Court Gould, Executive Director, Sustainable Pittsburgh, who will discuss "Business Innovation for Sustainability: Beyond Corporate Environmental Responsibility;"
Phyllis Hartman, SPHHR, a senior human resources professional who regularly presents on sustainability and will talk about "The Crucial Role of the HR Function in Organizational Sustainability Initiatives;"
John Trant, Jr., Chief Strategic Planning Officer for Cranberry Township, PA, who went through a sustainability audit recently and will discuss "The Many Facets of Sustainability," including its definition, how it can be successfully communicated to a variety of people and how local government makes a difference; and
Nicole Bieak Kriedler, professor and chair of La Roche's Interior Design Department, who is writing her doctoral dissertation on "An Examination of Green Atmospheric Elements in Hotel Service Settings." She will discuss "Understanding Sustainability and its Impact in Service Environments."

Audience is encouraged to be part of the discussion. Panel moderated by La Roche College Director of Public Relations, Pam Wigley. Seminar is approved for 2 recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute.

Engineering Sustainable Solutions for Your Community

Thursday, June 18
8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Registration begins at 7:30 am)
Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods, Cranberry, PA
Cost: $90 for Members; $120 for Non-Members (Breakfast and Lunch Provided)
For more information, visit http://www.c4spgh.org/know.html

Four of Western Pennsylvania’s business and engineering professional organizations have come together to provide a program of practical, cost-saving, sustainable solutions for infrastructure design, including energy policy, water resource systems, buildings, and community sustainability initiatives. Come to learn about the latest advancements and solutions. This conference is perfect for businesses, engineers, architects, non-profits, and government agencies interested in our region’s infrastructure from a sustainability perspective.

Hosts:
American Society of Civil Engineers, Pittsburgh Section
Environmental & Water Resources Institute
Architectural Engineering Institute
Sustainable Pittsburgh's Champions for Sustainability network

Transform Our Region!

Thursday, June 11
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Carnegie Mellon University, University Center Rangos Ballroom
RSVP to Trisha Ross at tross@coropittsburgh.org or 412-258-2678

Please join the Regional Internship Center of Southwestern PA in celebrating its new website! After seven years, the RIC is getting a face-lift. They will present improved features and attendees will have the opportunity to log into the user-friendly website. Network with other regional businesses while enjoying refreshments. Bill Flanagan of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development will be the master of ceremonies and Audrey Russo of the Pittsburgh Technology Council will be the keynote speaker.

Cleaner buses = Cleaner Air

Friday, June 12
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Allegheny County Health Department, Clack Health Center, Building #1: 3901 Penn Ave. Auditorium
RSVP to Michelle Rupert at 412-431-4449 x202

The Southwest Air Quality Partnership joins forces with environmental groups and local government to extend knowledge and outreach on regional air quality. Learn how technological advancements will achieve higher air quality standards for our region. Rachel Filipini, the executive director of GASP (Group Against Smog and Pollution) will be speaking about recent efforts to retrofit school buses and other local diesel fleets with emission reduction technology that can significantly reduce harmful diesel emissions. GASP and Clean Water Action are leading the Allegheny County Partnership to reduce diesel pollution. Currently, the school districts of Pittsburgh, Plum, Penn Hills, and North Allegheny have retro-fitted some portion of their fleet with similar emission reduction technology. Please join us to learn more about this exciting progress towards better air standards for us and our children! Breakfast included

Stimulus Package in Pennsylvania

Friday, June 12
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Heinz History Center, Strip District
Cost: Free
Space is limited. Register online at www.lpinc.org (Click on "Events.")
Contact: Grantmakers of Western PA at 412-471-6488 or mharris@gwpa.org

Got Questions? Then you don’t want to miss this conversation with Secretary James Creedon, Chief Implementation Officer of PA’s Commission on American Recovery and Reinvestment. Additional panelists include United Way’s Bob Nelkin, Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Audrey Russo, and Family Resources’ Dr. Walter Smith. Event is moderated by The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Kevin Jenkins.

Town Hall Meeting on Gas Drilling Tax

Friday, June 12
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA
Register Online

PennFuture and its partner organizations are holding events throughout the Commonwealth to push the legislature to pass a severance tax on natural gas. Oil and gas companies from around the country are flocking to Pennsylvania to tap into the Marcellus Shale gas deposit, which holds an estimated $1 trillion worth of natural gas. In other states where natural gas extraction occurs regularly, including all 14 states with more natural gas than Pennsylvania, developers pay a small tax on the natural gas extracted. A similar tax has been proposed for Pennsylvania that could generate more than $100 million for Pennsylvania next year and over $600 million by 2013.

Gas drilling takes enormous amounts of water from streams for the drilling process and generates millions of gallons of polluted waste water. Since gas company profits will come at the expense of Pennsylvania's land and water, a portion of this tax should go to the Environmental Stewardship Fund to reinvest back into parks, waterways and open spaces; to the Fish and Boat and Game Commissions for improvements to wildlife habitat and public access; and to communities which host drilling to compensate for the damage to public infrastructure.

Hear from:
Joylette Portlock, Western Pennsylvania Outreach Coordinator for PennFuture
Rich Fitzgerald, President of Allegheny County Council
Brenda Smith, Executive Director of Nine Mile Run Watershed Association
Hannah Hardy, Water Trails Program Manager at Pennsylvania Environmental Council

It’s a Gamble: How Will a Casino Affect Your Community?

Featuring reformed gambler Bill Kearney
Tuesday, June 16
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Calvary United Methodist Church, Allegheny and Beech Streets, North Side, Pittsburgh (about two blocks from the Rivers Casino site)
Free
For more information call 412-835-0614.

Gambling addiction is unpredictable. It can play havoc with the lives of people who didn't think they would be vulnerable — including your loved ones. With the Rivers Casino about to open in Pittsburgh, you need to understand how casinos affect a community, how they attract gamblers, and how you can protect or rescue people from the ravages of gambling addiction. Bill Kearney, reformed gambler from Philadelphia and leading advocate on gambling addiction, will make his first Pittsburgh appearance on June 16. Always a colorful presenter, Bill will draw on his vast experience with the casino industry to describe how casinos operate and how they lure people to gamble — often much more than they can afford to lose. You will be entertained, shocked, and moved by Bill’s presentation. Most importantly, you will become better equipped to serve people at risk of gambling addiction and their families.

Also participating in this lively, eye-opening forum:
Lindsay Hargrove, certified gambling counselor, discussing the impact of problem gambling and how to prevent, spot, and address it.
Bruce Barron of No Dice, on the recent expansion of legalized gambling and how it is reshaping American society and our economy.
Jethro Heiko, who lives within 500 feet of a proposed Philadelphia casino site, on what he has learned about casinos and their impact on cities.

This event is hosted by Calvary UMC with planning assistance from the counseling staff of Allegheny Center Alliance Church and from No Dice.

CityLive! 20 - The Environment's Effect On You.

Wednesday, June 17
6:30 pm
New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
RSVP

How does YOUR environment impact YOUR health? What is more important the products you use every day, or the effects of your outdoor surroundings?

We'll review a typical day of two of our favorite citizens and 1. unveil the kinds of things they are exposed to every day in their daily habits, their home and their neighborhood, 2. learn about the impact our world has on US, and 3. give suggestions for changes you can make that will impact YOUR health.

Panelists are Jane Houlihan, from the Environmental Working Group, and Amanda Parks, co-owner of Equita. Our case studies are Justin Strong, co-founder of the Shadow Lounge + AVA, and Heather Arnett, executive director of the Women and Girls Foundation. Our moderator is Josh Knauer of Rhiza Labs.

Cocktails and conversation to follow.

Fresh Local Fun Raiser

Thursday, June 18
6:30 pm
Boyd & Blair Vodka at Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries, Glenshaw
Tickets: $50. Tickets for PASA Members and / or Good Food Neighbors are $40.
Tickets may be purchased online or by phone. please contact Mia Farber in the Western Regional Office at (412) 697-0411. More information

To further educate the public on how their food is processed, the makers of Boyd & Blair Vodka, Prentiss Orr & Barry Young, will lead tours of the Pennsylvania Pure Distillery, demonstrating how through the refining and distillation process, potatoes become vodka! Prentiss & Barry will also speak on the importance of buying locally, as all of the potatoes in their product are grown in Pennsylvania. Additional speakers will include Gregory Boulos & Brian Snyder from the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, in addition to a short presentation by Building New Hope Coffee on their fair trade practices.

River Sweep

Saturday, June 20
Morning hours
Click here for more information and a listing of cleanup locations in southwestern PA. Contact: Betsy Mallison at 412-281-5555, PA River Sweep Coordinator
Contact for Duck Hollow/Nine Mile run cleanup site: Lois Liberman, 412-421-5659 or Lois92@verizon.net
Contact for Natrona cleanup site: Myrna Newman, 412-381-1301, tireless@alleghenycleanways.org

River Sweep, a riverbank cleanup of the Ohio River and its tributaries, increases public awareness of water quality and promotes stewardship of the Ohio River watershed. River Sweep encompasses the entire length of the river, from its origin in Pittsburgh, PA to its end in Cairo, IL, including 1,962 miles of shoreline and many tributaries. Each year, more than 21,000 volunteers from public organizations, civic groups, recreational clubs, and the general public in six states bordering the river come together to collect more than 20,000 tons of trash and other debris from the banks of the Ohio River and tributaries.

Breakfast with Earth Force

Thursday, June 25
8:00 am - 9:00 am
CCI Center Conference Room, 64 South 14th St., South Side
Free to attend; space is limited
RSVP or inquiries: bbartlett@lea.earthforce.org, 412-216-9382

Question: How does this one organization impact the region’s “triple bottom line”, reform K-12 education, and develop tomorrow’s leaders?
Question: What difference have kids really made?
Question: Why has Earth Force been chosen to survive in the new economy, when so many have not?
Answer: Come find out over Breakfast with Earth Force

The CCI Center is located on the corner of S. 14th and Sarah Streets. Parking is available along East Carson, 13th, and 14th Streets.

Home Ownership Finance

Register Now for the Second Course in PCRG’s 4-Part Community Development Finance Training Series
July 20-22, 2009
Location TBD
Regular Tuition: $595/person
501(c)3 Staff: $395/person ($200 discount per person)
PCRG Members: $195/person ($400 discount per person)
All RSVP’s must be received by June 30th. You will receive some pre-program materials to look over in the few weeks leading up to the course.
For questions and to RSVP, contact sstutts@pcrg.org or 412-391-6732 x210.

The Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) has partnered with the National Development Council (NDC) to bring the three-day course “Home Ownership Finance” to Pittsburgh! A part of the Housing Development Certification, this course closely examines the skills required to successfully develop single-family housing that is affordable for low- and moderate-income families. This course will focus on financing affordable single family homes. Topics to be covered include an overview of home ownership development, a look at the development process, financing and deal structuring, qualifying home buyers, income and credit barriers to qualifying, and permanent mortgage programs. This course is intended to be introductory, with no prior knowledge of home ownership deals required.

This course is made possible by funding and support from Citizen’s Bank, Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Their support has allowed PCRG to assist neighborhood groups and other non-profit organizations by providing scholarships to attend this valuable program. Scholarships are reflected in the discounted registration fees. You may save an additional 10% when registering two or more people for this training program.

Resources

Sustainable Community Essentials Resource Sheets now available

Toward cultivating greater capacity for sustainable practice around Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Sustainable Community Development Network of Sustainable Pittsburgh partnered with leading organizations to produce a new series of Sustainable Community Essentials Resource Sheets and a Rapid Assessment for communities. Released at the 9th annual Smart Growth Conference on May 21, 2009, these resource sheets identify 14 essentials of a sustainable community - from Air Quality to Food Security to Governance - and provide an explanation of each topic and case studies – a perfect tool for community leaders to use as they work to improve their neighborhoods.

Municipal leaders learn about accelerating the policy and practice of sustainable development

On June 4, 2009, the Sustainable Development Academy (an on-going training initiative of Sustainable Pittsburgh and the Local Government Academy) presented Sustainable Community Development Essentials: Tools, Strategies, and Case Studies. This hands on, all-day program engaged 32 representatives from 22 local governments plus additional other communities from around the region. Faculty representing diverse community stakeholders led the session, including Susan Hockenberry of the Local Government Academy, Matt Mehalik of Sustainable Pittsburgh, John Trant of Cranberry Township, and Joy Wilhelm of the DCED Governor’s Center for Local Government Services.

The seminar introduced participants to the concept of sustainability with the goal of helping them lead by example through governance, policymaking, municipal operations, and education. The seminar began by identifying sustainability as a process for continuous improvement that takes into consideration social equity, natural capital, and a resilient and restorative economy. The conversation then transitioned to implementation, as the audience learned about the steps Cranberry Township has taken to adopt sustainability as the framework for municipal operations, planning, and programming. Finally, attendees learned about the attributes of a municipal government supportive of sustainability. Namely, a sustainable government features principles, policies, and practices that:

• enhance organizational capacity
• utilize best management practices
• exhibit professionalism
• encourage intergovernmental cooperation
• foster civic engagement
• attract investment
• provide strong stewardship for the community
• establish sustainable development as a culture of practice and policy

The session emphasized the point that a municipal government’s financial situation is fully linked with its sustainability. Fiscal health is necessary for a municipality to be responsive to the needs of its constituents, from service provision to proper maintenance of infrastructure. This fiduciary responsibility includes the budgeting and planning, completing the audit process, and performance monitoring/evaluation.

Furthermore, the municipal budgeting system can serve as a leverage point for implementing sustainability initiatives. Through budget planning and reconciliation, the net costs and benefits from activities (for instance, newly adopted energy saving techniques) can be quantified, and hopefully serve as a catalyst for broader acceptance and implementation.

The session identified critical factors in the development of sustainable communities through fourteen Sustainable Community Essentials resource sheets. Attendees applied the lessons from the seminar and these Essentials in a case study of Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, OH. Looking at statistical and municipal information about the community, they conducted a Rapid Assessment of Shaker Heights’ strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

The Sustainable Community Essentials resource sheets and Rapid Assessment used in this seminar are available to the public at: www.sustainablecommunityessentials.org. For more information about Sustainable Development Academy and other Local Government Academy events, please visit: www.localgovernmentacademy.org or subscribe to Sustainable Pittsburgh's weekly e-news, 3E Links by emailing info@sustainablepittsburgh.org.

What Counts as Green Collar?

At the heart of President Obama's economic recovery plan is the promise of new green collar jobs. Workers concerned about being laid off from their blue collar jobs are starting to wonder what those new jobs will look like. Julie Grant reports.

More

Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development releases East End Growth Fund Report

“The East End Growth Fund has proved to be an ideal model to a perennial problem in community development: the necessity of early funding that sets the foundation for sustainable private investment and development,” says Ellen Kight, President, PPND. Over five years, the East End Growth Fund transformed the East Liberty market and achieved three major goals:
- It helped implement East Liberty’s community plan, envisioned by the neighborhood in 1999.
- It helped three CDCs -- Bloomfield Garfield Corporation, Friendship Development Associates, and East Liberty Development, Inc. – to share in the value of commercial development and use the return on their investment to grow their capacity.
- It encouraged small businesses to locate and grow in the community, with financial assistance and advice.
The Growth Fund also stepped in to support a variety of housing initiatives, from affordable replacement housing in the heart of East Liberty to for-sale homes and mixed-use senior housing.

Help Wanted: Administrative Assistant

The Rachel Carson Homestead Association seeks an organized versatile, person for a full time position of Administrative Assistant, reporting to the Executive Director. Duties include: Basic accounting using Quick Books; calendar control including making appointments, scheduling tours and programs, scheduling meetings of the Board of Directors and its Committees; preparing documents for presentations, meetings and events; providing administrative support for preparation of grant applications and communications; maintaining records and files of the organization; tracking monetary and in kind contributions of volunteers, members, sponsors and contributors; supporting event planning and logistics; managing mailings and communications; supporting gift shop and on-line order fulfillment; coordinate and organize volunteers for special events; oversee maintenance and grounds keeping of the Homestead.

Make Pittsburgh Even Cooler in June: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is this month's action for the Black and Gold City Goes Green initiative. Instead of throwing away your unwanted items, consider different ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Doing this can save you money and reduce global warming pollution.

Severance Tax Will Protect Pennsylvania Taxpayers

A well-structured severance tax on natural gas production will protect Pennsylvania taxpayers from shouldering the public costs that come with increased drilling, according to a report released today by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. "Natural gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale has substantial risks and substantial costs that have not yet been fully explored in the rush to drill," said Sharon Ward, Director of the non-partisan policy research center. "A severance tax is a well-tested mechanism to shift these costs back to producers, where they belong." The report, "Responsible Growth: Protecting the Public Interest with a Natural Gas Severance Tax," examines the potential costs of increased natural gas drilling on taxpayers and the environment, how severance taxes are structured in other states, and what lessons Pennsylvania can learn from them. . .A severance tax is one way to ensure that taxpayers aren't asked to pay those environmental costs, the report found. It also will compensate Pennsylvanians for the removal of a non-renewable resource and offset the costs of new roads and bridges, public safety, building, and emergency response needs that accompany growth in natural gas drilling.

Create a better future

Live in ways that are deeply fulfilling and at the same time socially and environmentally responsible. WELCOME! You are one step closer to a better future. You have joined a community of thousands who are already a part of creating this better future. Find out more about what you can do to CREATE a Better Future. This site offers a portal to information you will need in order to understand the many connected issues in our world and how the kinds of choices we make based upon this understanding will affect the consequences of our actions (the 3 Cs). The purpose of this site is not to tell you how to live but simply to provide you with enough information so you can make your own, well-informed decisions about how you conduct your life in relationship to sustainability.

Age of scarcity: Resource shortages yield investment opportunities

In a recent report on Banking and Climate Change by Swiss group Sustainable Asset Management, Matthias Kopp of the environmental group WWF says: “Growing global environmental and social challenges are posing future risks of dramatic magnitude and consequence. These risks are of material significance for financial markets, especially in a resource-constrained world.”. . .Eckhard Plinke, head of sustainability research at Bank Sarasin, the Swiss private bank, says: “The economic and social risks associated with scarcity result in interesting investment opportunities.” These include energy efficiency and renewable energy; water purification and water efficiency; and agricultural technologies such as irrigation and fertilisers.

Big Cities Seek Larger Role in Efforts to Fight Global Warming

The C40 represents a combined population of 700 million people and has retrofitted 500 million square feet of buildings since 2007 to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, Toronto Mayor David Miller said at the briefing. Half of the world’s population lives in cities and the figure is expected to grow to 70 percent by 2050. Cities consume 75 percent of the world’s energy and produce nearly 80 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions, according to the group.

Demographic changes make transportation reform more important than ever

The number of seniors in the U.S. is projected to jump by 36 percent from 2010, outpacing the growth of the overall population by 300 percent. An increase in immigrations will help make the United States a minority-majority country by 2042, with more than 62 percent of children in the U.S. projected to be a member of a minority group by 2050. To help us look at how these changes will impact our transportation needs, a group of organizations — including Transportation for America, AARP, Association of Population Centers, Population Association of America, Population Resource Center — held a briefing on Capitol Hill Monday entitled Getting Around in 21st Century America: Demographics and the Future of Transportation Policy.

Everything you always wanted to know about the Waxman-Markey energy/climate bill—in bullet points

You keep hearing about the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill—aka the American Clean Energy and Security Act, ACES, H.R. 2454—but what’s actually in it? We combed through the 946-page beast so you don’t have to. Here are the highlights of the bill, which is sponsored by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on May 21.

Japan auto-makers race ahead with green cars

While US carmakers like General Motors are on life support, struggling under the dead weight of their fuel-guzzling sports utility vehicles, the plant here is humming to the tune of next-generation car technology. . ."It is a carmaker's mission to create ways to drive cars with energy sources other than oil. Crude oil will run out one day."

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Sustainable Pittsburgh affects decision-making in the Pittsburgh Region to integrate economic prosperity, social equity and environmental quality bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses.

Sustainable Pittsburgh benefits from support in 2009 from:

Bayer Corporation
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
Falk Foundation
FedEx Ground
The Giant Eagle Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Dylan Todd Simonds Foundation
University of Pittsburgh


Special thanks to the SP Members

Sustainable Pittsburgh
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1335
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 258-6642
fax (412) 258-6645
E-mail SP