News
SSDN Members Leading on Green Building
24/7 Wall St. just released its list of U.S. Cities Leading the Green Building Revolution — and we’re proud to see SSDN member communities featured! 👏 Shoutout to the City of New Orleans, LA; the City of Arlington, VA; and the City of Alexandria, Virginia; in our network showing how local policy and leadership can…
Read MoreGeorgia Members Meet in Athens
Our Georgia members gathered this week for their member retreat in Athens, Georgia to reconnect and discuss funding, state agencies, utility engagement, and 2026 Legislative Priorities.
Read MoreLeave the Leaves
Fall leaves are nature’s mulch and habitat. By letting leaves stay where they fall, we: ✅ Provide shelter for pollinators and other beneficial insects ✅ Protect and enrich soil ✅ Cut down on yard waste headed to landfills ✅ Save time, money, and energy Learn what our member communities are doing to encourage residents to…
Read MoreBack to the Future: A New Era for Local Governments and their Communities
By Anita Tillman, AMCorp International and the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network For the better part of the past decade, local governments have operated in an unprecedented era of opportunity. Billions in federal funding became available almost overnight, reshaping how municipalities dreamt, designed, and delivered infrastructure and resilience projects. And yet, as the landscape begins to…
Read MoreMaking Energy Work
SSDN Policy Director Caitlin Rose recently attended the 2025 Making Energy Work Conference in Raleigh, NC. Hosted by NC Sustainable Energy Association, the conference is designed to shape policies that advance an accessible and affordable clean energy economy for all.
Read MoreMeet the Volterra: Cary, N.C.’s First Electric Fire Truck!
The Town of Cary Fire Department made history recently when they officially put the Pierce Volterra electric pumper into service, the first of its kind on the East Coast. The Volterra created a quieter, safer work environment, allowing firefighters to hear one another more clearly and focus during high-stakes moments. This investment demonstrates SSDN member…
Read MoreAn Energizing Afternoon at Climate Week NYC
Our staff was honored to speak at the Future We Steward Together event at Climate Week NYC recently. It was a space to reflect, imagine, and connect around the role networks play in advancing bold, community-based climate action. Together with our co-hosts, we explored how networks must lead the way as tools for trust, accountability,…
Read MoreAs seasons change, so do we
As the season changes, so do we As we move into fall, a season of change, we’ve also had some changes within SSDN. We do not anticipate the changes to impact the amazing services SSDN staff provides to our member communities. We remain steadfast in our mission. Interim Executive Director Ann Livingston has accepted an…
Read MoreGreen Minds Podcast EP: 29 – AI & Sustainability
Listen to this month’s podcast AI is already transforming how we manage energy, model climate risks, and optimize city services—but it also has a growing environmental footprint. How can we use AI sustainably? In this episode of Green Minds, host @Dr. Shaleen Miller speaks with Dr. Arun Majumdar, Dean of @Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability…
Read MoreMember Spotlight: Savannah, GA
Our Georgia Policy Manager, Joy Ward, recently headed to Savannah to connect with Interim Director of Programs, Nick Deffley, and the City of Savannah’s newly fully staffed Sustainability Department. Savannah has been a committed SSDN member since 2014 and continues to lead the way with its 100% Savannah Plan—including bold commitments to renewable energy, energy…
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