News
2026 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…
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…
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