News
See Us At Climate Week NYC
The South Is on Fire: The Future of Southern Climate Leadership Headed to Climate Week NYC later this month? Join us for an afternoon of learning, connecting, and celebrating sustainability progress across the Southeast. Monday, Sept. 21 | 2:30–6 p.m. NYU School of Professional Studies, 7 E. 12th St., New York City What can we…
Read MoreETIPP Application Period Open Through Nov. 18, 2026
SSDN will provide assistance with your application! Eligible applicants include: Any island community; Any community within 50 miles of the coast; Any community with a population under 50,000 anywhere in any coastal state or eastern Tennessee; or Any Tribe anywhere in any coastal state or eastern Tennessee. Please note that, in our experience, smaller communities, especially with…
Read More2012-2025 State of SSDN Report Released
For over a decade, SSDN has worked alongside sustainability leaders across the Southeast to drive real sustainability and resilience progress. Today, we’re sharing a full retrospective of that journey, chronicling how far we’ve come, the impact we’ve built together, and where we’re headed next. This report brings members, partners, and supporters onto the same page,…
Read MoreWorking with Nature: Stormwater Parks
As summer officially starts, and your community is looking for ways to make the best of the outdoors, join us as we explore three urban parks that exemplify the role stormwater management features can play in making public spaces successful. Get inspired by their examples, and reach out to SSDN’s Environmental Finance Center. We can…
Read MoreA Growing Season: SSDN’s 2026 Annual Meeting
As another Annual Meeting comes to a close, one word comes to mind: growth. This meeting saw a record number of attendees (230+), sponsors (26) and sponsorship dollars ($100k+), and scholarship awardees (19). We also grew in firsts, as in: Our first Sustainability Showcase, an afternoon of fellowship and learning featuring partners and sponsors alike.…
Read More2026 Earth Day/Week/Month Events
Happy Earth Day! 🌎 It’s Earth Day, and our members are celebrating with events galore. While they aren’t all today, check out some of the cool things happening in communities across the Southeast. Upcoming events Fayetteville, AR: Full Earth Week programming with multiple events through April 27 Russellville, AR: Celebrate Earth Day, April 25 Boca…
Read MoreGreen Minds Ep. 35: Sustainability and Mental Health
This #EarthMonth, we explore the connection between sustainability work and mental health. Host Jessica Reid is joined by two guests bringing complementary perspectives. Ashley Stokes, who currently works for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and is the creator of the documentary Good Natured, discusses the role of storytelling in helping people process climate emotions and…
Read MoreUnderstanding your electric bill 💡
Across the Southeast, electric bills keep going up, and most customers have never been given a real explanation why. @Serena Golden and our partners at the @Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) break it down in a new article on “natural” gas price volatility. It’s data center load being passed to households. It’s utilities proposing…
Read MoreTalking About Your Dog’s Business
Did you know the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies dog waste as a pollutant—right alongside herbicides, oil, grease, and other harmful contaminants? Left on the ground, dog waste doesn’t just disappear. It can: 💧 Pollute waterways by washing into storm drains and flowing directly into bays, rivers, and lakes 🦠 Carry harmful bacteria and…
Read MoreSoutheast Sustainability Directors Network Welcomes Two New Board Members
The Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Megan Pendell of Durham County, North Carolina, and Alannah Irwin of Boynton Beach, Florida. Both bring deep experience in local government leadership and a strong commitment to advancing sustainability and resilience across the Southeast.…
Read More💡 Powered by Shared Expertise
This past semester, our workgroups were energized by practitioners who showed up, shared honestly, and grounded conversations in real-world experience. From smart government operations to disaster resilience, these speakers didn’t just present — they sparked learning, connection, and momentum across the network. A huge thank you to the speakers and presenters who generously shared their…
Read MoreHappy New Year from SSDN — and Happy 1-Year Anniversary to Us! ✨
As we welcome 2026, we’re also celebrating a meaningful milestone: Jan. 1 marked our first full year as an official 501(c)(3). This past year has been filled with growth, collaboration, and momentum, and we’re deeply grateful to our members and partners who made it possible. We hope each of you is returning from the winter…
Read MoreImplications of Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) for local governments
This is the first article in a series written by SSDN’s Environmental Finance Center staff. These centers exist to help communities navigate the complex world of federal funding. By Catherine Mercier-Baggett, Director of Federal Technical Assistance Okefenokee Swamp. Photo by Catherine Mercier-Baggett One fundamental lesson public servants learn is the importance of defining words and…
Read MoreWeathering the Storm 🌪️ Climate Resilience + Recovery
How do local governments communicate resilience and recovery in the wake of hurricanes and tropical storms? In our latest Green Minds Podcast episode, interview host Jessica Reid (City of Raleigh) sits down with local government leaders from across the Southeast to explore what it really looks like to show up for communities during and after…
Read MoreGreetings from Asheville
Our North Carolina members gathered this week to build relationships, strengthen our network, and engage in meaningful discussions about local project implementation and opportunities for collaboration. We’ll be heading into the winter break full of good ideas and refreshed from time spent together!
Read MoreNew Video Release: “Black Food Sovereignty”
SSDN is proud to support the creation of Black Food Sovereignty, a short film produced by Maria Dozier and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) that uplifts the powerful work of On Da Farm LLC, HBCU Green Fund, and Historic Westside Gardens in City of Atlanta, Georgia. This video explores how community-rooted solutions like urban…
Read MoreA Holiday Message from our New Executive Director
A message from our new Executive Director: As I finish my first week as SSDN’s Executive Director, I’m filled with gratitude for this community and for the incredible work our members lead across the Southeast. This season is a reminder that, even in challenging times, we’re fortunate to do work that truly makes things better.…
Read MoreNeed a holiday listen? Check out this month’s Green Minds Podcast
Does your community have a Leave the Leaves campaign? Take a listen to this month’s Green Minds Podcast as we explore what communities are doing to encourage residents to leave their leaves on the ground. In this episode, interview host Dr. Robyn Byers, Ph.D. with the City of Charlotte, NC, talks with John Richardson and Brennan…
Read MoreWelcome to Rob Phocas, Our New Executive Director
Sustainability, social impact, and community transformation visionary joins regional network of government sustainability professionals representing cities and counties across 10 member states. The Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN) is pleased to announce the selection of Rob Phocas as its new Executive Director. Rob brings more than two decades of experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.…
Read MoreSSDN 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…
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