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Events

Sustainable Pittsburgh - Introducing New Leadership

Sustainable Pittsburgh is pleased to introduce new members of the office team. Recently joining us are Lori Butler, Executive Administrator, Matt Mehalik, Program Manager, and Ginette Walker Vinski, Communications Manager. Please click here to learn about their impressive backgrounds.

With the new leadership, we are looking forward to being with the SP Board of Directors next week for our third annual overnight strategic planning retreat. The agenda is focused on reviewing past accomplishments in light of emerging domestic and international trends toward bringing a fresh perspective to the ongoing SP work program of advancing the policy and practice of sustainability in our region. The retreat is professionally facilitated and led by SP board officers: Richard Pearson, Lee Hipps, Susan Hockenberry, and Jay Glunt. For a list of the full Board click here. Look for a brief on SP's work program in a future edition of 3E Links.

Please feel free to stop by to say hello,

Court

Events Continued

Resources

Pittsburgh Climate Protection Initiative -- Public Meetings Scheduled

Meetings are scheduled for the following dates in different City neighborhoods:
Sept. 6 - Greenfield
Sept. 11 - Downtown
Sept. 12 - Brookline
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
www.pittsburghclimate.org

Come learn about the impact of global warming and offer your ideas for reducing greenhouse gases locally. The Pittsburgh Climate Protection Initiative is conducting a series of meetings to solicit suggestions from City of Pittsburgh residents on how local government can lead the way in reducing greenhouse gases and their impact on the local economy and human well-being. Sign up at a meeting for a chance to win an energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulb.

Flow Fest, an art/music/eco festival highlighting Pittsburgh’s Rivers

Saturday, September 8
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Park on Washington’s Landing (Herr’s Island)
For information contact Mary W. Wilson, PA CleanWays of Allegheny Co., Inc. at (412) 381-1301 or visit http://www.pacleanways.org/allegheny/images/flowfest.pdf.

Flow Fest is a FREE new event that puts a fresh, creative twist on how one looks at Pittsburgh’s rivers and how to be better stewards of them. Over 13 exhibitors will be sharing information about the biology and conservation of the area's waterways and how you can be involved. Environmental artists and musicians will provide a unique backdrop for learning, understanding and acting on issues around the Al, the Mon, and the O.

State of the Watershed 2007

September 7 and 8 (Friday and Saturday)
University of Pittsburgh, Frick Fine Arts Building, Schenley Plaza, Oakland

Sept. 7, Presentation and Reception
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm (Doors open 6:30 pm)
Sept. 8, Presentation and Workshops
9:00 am -1:30 pm (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.; lunch included)
Ticket options: members (non-members)
Friday: $35 ($40); Saturday: $10 ($15); Friday & Saturday: $40 ($50)
For information or to purchase tickets, go to www.ninemilerun.org and click on State of the Watershed.

Learn about the environmental history of the Nine Mile Run Watershed with Congressman Mike Doyle and Joel Tarr, Author and Professor of History at Carnegie Mellon University. Discover how Nine Mile Run has changed since its restoration, help create a vision for the Nine Mile Run Watershed’s future, and learn what you can do to be part of this process.

Socially Responsible Investing

Wednesday, September 12
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Squirrel Hill Branch, Room "A"
5801 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Sponsored by: UBS Financial Services, Ellen M. Marcus
To RSVP call (412) 562-6781 or email diane.slepski@ubs.com

Investors are making a difference by investing in socially and environmentally responsible companies. You are invited to attend an informal discussion and Q&A with Tim OLeary, Vice President, Calvert Funds. Refreshments will be served.

2007 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Summit - Cleanup & Pretty Up

September 12-13, 2007
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Camp Hill, PA
http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/2007summit.asp

Hear what other states and national organizations are doing to help Keep America Beautiful. Gather info that may spark ideas for your agency, town or neighborhood! Plus, learn about efforts across Pennsylvania to cleanup and pretty up our beautiful Commonwealth. Hear what has been accomplished, what is planned, contribute your ideas, and get involved!

Camp Wellstone Training Program

September 14-16, 2007
2:00 pm-9:00 pm - Friday
9:00 am-6:00 pm - Saturday
9:00 am-3:00 pm - Sunday
Fee: $100, or $50 for students, low-income, or unemployed participants
Sign up today at the CCP PA website: http://ccp.org/states/PA.html.

Wellstone Action is working with Progressive Majority, the Center for Civic Participation PA Voter Collaborative and Everybody VOTE to help promote Wellstone Action's Camp Wellstone nonpartisan training program. Camp Wellstone is a weekend-long training for building grassroots organizing skills for people interested in making change on issues, electing progressive candidates, or running for office themselves.

A Forum on Open Government

Saturday, September 15
1:00 pm
William Pitt Student Union, on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh
Free of charge; open to the public
www.openrecordspa.org

The focus of the forum will be an examination of Pennsylvania's current Right to Know Law and the pending RTKL amendments in Harrisburg. The goal is to present a free exchange of information and ideas to the public about one of the most important foundations of our republic: citizens' ability to access their government.

The following speakers have confirmed their attendance at the forum: Teri Henning, Pennsylvania Newspaper Association; Rep. Tim Mahoney, Uniontown and author/sponsor of HB443; Ron Barber, attorney for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review; Senator Jim Ferlo, author of SB765; Beverly Schenck, Schenck vs. Center Twp., Butler County; Robert McNeilly, former Pittsburgh Police Chief; Jim Parsons, WTAE TV and Pa. Freedom of Information Coalition, PHEAA vs. Parsons, et.al; Tim Potts, Democracy Rising PA; James Manolis, attorney for New Castle News.

Creating Community in the 21st Century

Sunday, September 23
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Squirrel Hill Library, corner of Forbes and Murray Ave. Free parking under the library.
Register: TPCHG@aol.com or 412-963-1971
Sponsored by the Pittsburgh Cohousing Group - www.PittsburghCohousing.org

A free introduction to Cohousing in Pittsburgh. Learn about creating, building and living in Pittsburgh's first Cohousing Community, a community that wants to have welcoming and cooperative neighbors, ecologically minded planning, energy efficient private and individually owned homes, child friendly designs with multigenerational and diverse families. Plus a Common House for activities like fitness, shared weekly meals, celebrations, after school activities, workshops, and arts and crafts.

Reclaiming Vacant Properties: Strategies for Rebuilding America’s Neighborhoods

September 24-25, 2007
Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Downtown Pittsburgh
Register by September 14th at http://www.vacantproperties.org/reclaimingconference.html.
Find the entire program at http://www.vacantproperties.org/confprog.html.

There are just 9 more days to register online for Reclaiming Vacant Properties: Strategies for Rebuilding America’s Neighborhoods - online registration ends September 14th!

Share your experiences and learn from others about the strategies and tools that are changing the face of neighborhoods. Hear about successful efforts to convert vacant properties into assets that strengthen our neighborhoods, cities, and regions. Whether you’re a planner or a concerned citizen, a public official or government staff, you’ll be surrounded by your peers from around the country. Close to 500 people are attending – from San Diego to Buffalo, West Palm Beach to Kansas City, and Cleveland to New Orleans.

Greenhouse Gas to Energy: Capturing Emissions, Producing Clean Fuels - Conference

September 25-27, 2007
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh
www.ebw-expo.com

Greenhouse Gas to Energy: Capturing Emissions, Producing Clean Fuels is America's first international exhibition and conference on energy from biomass and waste. More than 50 sessions discuss the pros and cons of conversion technologies, new market trends and financing options. Over 70 exhibitors from around the world showcase the machinery and services needed for cleaner, greener energy supply.

Transportation Resources: An Employer's Briefing

Tuesday, September 25
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Regional Enterprise Tower, 31st Floor, 425 Sixth Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh
Cost: $10 per attendee
RSVP via fax at (412) 391-7161 or email mkessler@spcregion.org by September 20, 2007.

Hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Association of Commuter Transportation. Hear how alternate commuting options can benefit your company, how overall transportation climate affects you and how ACT (Association for Commuter Transportation) can work for you. The event features guest speakers, James D. Ritzman P.E., Deputy Secretary for Planning, PennDOT; and Jason Pavluchuk, Associate, Government Relations, Inc.

"GREENPRINT - A regional conservation agenda prioritizing land conservation for the public good"

Sustainability and Smart Growth Forum
Wednesday, September 26
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Davis Room, 23rd Floor, Regional Enterprise Tower, 425 Sixth Ave., Downtown Pittsburgh
Bring a brown bag lunch -- beverages and dessert provided.
Free to attend.
Register: email info@sustainablepittsburgh.org or call (412) 258-6642

Build it and they will come. We're not talking about ball fields and fans here – we’re talking about upstream development and floods. As upstream development continues, downstream flooding becomes more frequent and damaging, and more raw sewage pollutes our waterways. Aggressive development projects are breeching the wooded ridgelines and slopes along the rivers creating landslides and visible scars in the landscape. Fifty percent of the land visible from the highways following the three rivers is now developed. The region is at the tipping point of losing the natural character that makes Pittsburgh’s image unique among major cities in the world. The public health, environmental, economic and regional image implications of these problems are significant. A comprehensive approach including strategic land conservation is needed to solve these problems. Come to learn how Allegheny Land Trust is working to identify the lands that represent the region’s highly functional natural infrastructure that naturally helps to manage storm and floodwaters while maintaining the region’s scenic character and biodiversity. Landowners, planners, municipal staff and elected officials can benefit from this presentation which includes ideas about how they can be part of the solution not part of the problem.

Presentation by Roy Kraynyk, Executive Director Allegheny Land Trust - www.alleghenylandtrust.org

Sponsored by Oxford Development Company.

Alliance Building Breakfast: LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND)

Wednesday, September 26
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Location: Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children’s Way, Allegheny Square
Cost: $30 for GBA Members and $40 for non-GBA members
Registration: To register for the program, please visit the Green Building Alliance’s website: http://www.gbapgh.org/events.asp

In the fourth of five Alliance Building Breakfasts, the Green Building Alliance will introduce the long-awaited, newest LEED rating system: LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND). LEED ND is a new rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council that integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national rating system for neighborhood design. Diane Bossart, Education Manager of the Green Building Alliance will provide an overview of the LEED ND system.

Pittsburgh Green Roof Infrastructure: Waterproofing and Drainage 301 for 2007!

Wednesday September 26
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Comfort Inn - Pittsburgh East
West Ballroom, 699 Rodi Road
More information

This is Green Roofs for Healthy City’s (GRHC's) third course in the Green Roof Accreditation Program. Registrants should have already taken the Green Roof Design 101 Introductory Course and Green Roof Infrastructure Design & Installation 201 or have an in-depth understanding of green roof design and available technology.

This course will provide participants with an overview of waterproofing and drainage construction and maintenance for green roof assemblies. It lays out technical vocabulary and materials and presents detailed design solutions and implementation best management practices for waterproofing and drainage in green roofs.

Mayoral Candidates Forum

Thursday, September 27
6:00 pm-7:30 pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Lecture Hall 406
Downtown Pittsburgh
RSVP by Friday, September 21 by phone: (412) 281-0995 or email: design@judith-kelly.com

Hosted by the Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition, this forum will feature mayoral candidates Mark DeSantis and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Katherine Fink from WDUQ Radio will be the moderator. A reception is to follow.

Pennsylvania Green Growth Forum

September 27-28
Hershey, Pennsylvania
www.paggp.org/forum.html

The 1st Annual PAGGP Forum is a unique networking event designed to connect industries, investors, universities and non-profits interested in capitalizing on the growing market demand for green products, energy efficient technologies and research/ education opportunities. Come learn about Pennsylvania companies and researchers developing new green building products. Be a part of the collaboration that is strengthening Pennsylvania as a green building market leader. Network with industry leaders and peers. Hear about exciting opportunities for partnerships and funding.

Rachel Carson Legacy Conference: Sustaining the Web of Life in Modern Society

Saturday, September 29
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Adults: $25 College Students: $10 High School: FREE
Limited Seating
For more information, visit www.rachelcarsonhomestead.org.

This 2007 inaugural Rachel Carson Legacy conference will address the topic of “Sustaining the Web of Life in Modern Society.” E. O. Wilson, Pellegrino University Professor Emeritus, Department of Entomology, Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University, will present the keynote address. Sessions include: Global Warming; Perspectives on the Health of our Oceans; Environmental Leadership; and Changing the Way we Live.

Urban Tree Planting: Making Large Shade Trees Sustainable

Friday, October 12
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Penn State University, Greater Allegheny Campus, McKeesport, PA 15132
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: OCT 5, 2007
REGISTRATION FEES:
INDIVIDUAL $125
TEAM (3 or more from same organization) $100
MEMBER Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest $ 75
For a workshop brochure or more information, contact Mark Remcheck at mar15@psu.edu or (724) 228-6940.

This workshop is designed for those who help plan redevelopment in towns and cities – from landscape architects and urban planners to highway engineers and municipal officials. Henry Arnold, the keynote presenter, has extensive experience designing urban tree plantings using innovative site preparation techniques which address, volume of root space, porosity of the growing medium, drainage, and supporting pavement in the root zone. He will illustrate how combining design and technical expertise can result in populating our urban areas with large, long lived shade trees. He sums up his philosophy of reshaping cities with trees this way, “The modern livable city must make trees a major component of the city form if it is to compete with the suburban low density destructive pattern of development. Who could resist the desire to live in a city where the streets are pedestrian dominated tree shaded tunnels connecting people to every urban convenience including large and small park spaces.”

Six afternoon break-out sessions will be offered on topics such as, caring for newly planted trees and tree selection; and sharing examples of successful planting projects.

Resources

Suburban styles reshape the city: How concerns about cars are driving Pittsburgh's redevelopment

"What cities are learning from the suburbs is that in the suburbs you have a quality of life associated with recreation, leisure, outdoor kinds of environments, and where everyone has a private yard," Beyard said. "I think cities are beginning to recognize the importance of bringing that kind of outdoor orientation back to neighborhoods." ..In terms of the big picture for Pittsburgh and the region's other central towns, Gould said he believes the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, a 10-county regional planning organization that establishes its long-term spending priorities, has undergone a landmark shift in planning policy..."This is a remarkable moment in our region's long-range planning and perspective on where we've been and where we need to go," Gould said.

New U.S. Census Bureau data on income, earnings and poverty in PA

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released new data on income, earnings and poverty from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS) for areas with populations of 65,000 or more. In Pennsylvania, data was released for all of the congressional districts, 39 counties, the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Erie, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, and Scranton, 19 school districts, metropolitan statistical areas, and several other geographies. Columbia County, the only new Pennsylvania County in the 2006 ACS, will have data released for the first time this year.

More information is available about the first release of 2006 ACS data in the PaSDC's Research Brief online.

Climate change debate needs revolution

The 200 members of the WBCSD, which have a combined market cap of $6,000bn, are dismayed by politicians’ lack of political will to address the issues, Mr Stigson said. “We’re very concerned by what we see and the lack of response from governments in grasping the responsibility they have in dealing with this issue,” he said. “Our problem right now is that we…don’t know what the policies are going to be beyond 2012. How do you take these issues into consideration when you build a new plant that’s going to live for 30, 40 years.”

Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging

Applications due October 19, 2007
The principal goal of the Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Award program is to raise awareness across the nation about healthy synergies that can be achieved by communities combining Smart Growth and Active Aging concepts. Awards will be presented to communities that demonstrate the best and most inclusive overall approach to implementing smart growth and active aging at the neighborhood, tribe, municipality, county, and/or regional levels. Applicants must be public-sector entities in the United States and coordinate with their local Area Agency on Aging. Public-sector entities include all levels of elected governments, from city councils to state legislatures and their subdivisions such as planning departments and other executive branch divisions. Winners will be announced at the 7th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities Conference in Washington, D.C., February 2008. Applications are due Oct. 19, 2007.

Guide to Green Pennsylvania Businesses and Industries

The Center for Sustainability, in collaboration with Penn TAP (Pennsylvania Technology Assistance Program) is creating an outreach resource to help consumers, the business and academic community identify Pennsylvania-based products and services that contribute towards the sustainable growth of our state's economy.

Muhlenberrg College Guide to Sustainable Living

Students at Muhlenberg College in Allentown have produced the "Muhlenberg College Guide to Sustainable Living: A Guide for Students by Students." The guide, which was prepared by students in an environmental communication course, includes a variety of tips for living in a more sustainable manner while in college. The guide has sections on dining, recycling, classrooms, transportation, residence halls and more.

Global markets – Stop fuelling this bio-mess

As the report says: “The world is going through a period of unprecedented change … it is becoming clear that the current frameworks in which the market operates are leading to unsustainable outcomes.” This is a bold and unexpected statement for a group of business leaders to make.

Downstream neighbors ask Ross to help end flooding

People whose properties were damaged by flood water from Girty's Run had questions and complaints for Ross commissioners Monday, even though most of them live in Millvale and Shaler. About 100 people filled the seats in the meeting room and spilled out into the hallway for the two-hour session at the Ross municipal building. They complained that decades of residential and commercial development in Ross contributed to the double floods that occurred Aug. 5-6 and Aug. 9 along Girty's Run and other Allegheny County streams. Their properties also were damaged in 2004 by heavy rain from Hurricane Ivan.

Investors – Why money is green after all

Information on how companies handle climate change, employee relations and corporate governance is now vital to understanding their long-term prospects. Such information shows how well managed companies are in relation to competitors. It also gives sharp investors an advantage over their peers.

Ecuador’s cocoa producers – A better ladder for small suppliers

Inclusive businesses seek to find profitable ways to engage the low-income segment into their business operations in a way that benefits the low-income communities and creates sustainable livelihoods. Typically this comes about through: · direct employment from this segment. · targeted development of supply chain opportunities from this segment. · the provision of affordable goods and services.

Reading's racial disparity

John Thomas, superintendent of the Aliquippa School District, said the notion that black men who read books are less masculine is one that should be dispelled in the African-American community. "It's just as powerful to carry a book as it is to carry a football or a basketball, because the power of knowledge is in the books," he said.

Toronto: Former brownfield slated for green project

Tridel's future Metrogate community in Scarborough has been selected for a LEED Neighbourhood Development Pilot Project. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality..."There will be on-site energy generation, with gas-fired generators creating electricity," explains Ritchie. "This will take the buildings off the electricity grid. In the park, we will have storm water management and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation. We'll also be using energy efficient lighting, and will be reducing light pollution." Other environmentally friendly features will include bicycle storage and site-wide recycling.

Dance Complex Offers the Latest in Studio and Performance Space for Students, Energy Savings for University

The artistic needs of students and the professionals who teach them will be at the heart of the sustainable design of a new dance complex opening this yearat Point Park University in Pittsburgh...Point Park University’s dance complex will be LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) through standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. In addition to its energy-efficient building systems, air-quality controls and daylighting, the building will feature an Energy Star-rated roof, water-saving features, sustainable wood floors, and low-emitting paints, carpeting and other materials.

For information on becoming a Member of Sustainable Pittsburgh, please visit our website.

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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 2007 from:

Dollar Bank
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
The Giant Eagle Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Roy A. Hunt 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