GREEN LIST: New Strategic Plan, Buncombe Co., NC, 100% Renewable Energy
- SSDN Launches New Strategic Plan
In 2018, we embarked on a strategic planning process to guide our work for the next 3-5 years. This plan, launching in 2019, uses our lessons learned, recent growth and expanded partnerships to maximize opportunity for further impact in the Southeast. This work is guided by our vision, mission, theory of change and our core values. You can read the full version of our Strategic Plan and to download the Executive Summary. - 2019 Annual Meeting Updates:
Time is flying and before you know it we will all be together again at the Annual Meeting in Sarasota, FL. That being said, we recommend that you start making your travel arrangements. We plan to kick off the meeting at 1:30pm on May 6th and wrap up at 1:00pm on May 8th. We have booked our hotel rooms and meeting space at the Aloft Sarasota, located downtown and only a few blocks from the water! For more information please visit our website, and download the 2019 Annual Meeting Sponsorship Flyer here. Registration will be open in February, so please keep an eye out for the registration email from the SSDN team. - Grantee Spotlight: Buncombe County, North Carolina
What makes for a successful home energy reduction program? In Asheville and Buncombe County, North Carolina, several components are working together to create success. A focus on equity, access to data, strong partnerships, and a willing and supportive utility are just a few. You can read the short story and download the full version of “Combining Warmth and Energy Savings in Western North Carolina.” - 2018 Highlights from SSCF Round One Grantees
By visiting this link you can download the full project summary of each grantees work. - Announcing Round Two Winners
The Southeast Sustainable Communities Fund awards another round of grants totaling more than $1.7M for climate change projects in six communities across the Southeast. Congratulations to all of the grantees! You can read more about each of the projects here. - City of Dunedin, FL – Commits to 100% Renewable Energy
Dunedin is known for its world-class beaches — Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Parks — and walkability. Being a coastal city, Dunedin is especially vulnerable to effects of climate change, including sea level rise and destructive storms. As recent studies such as the Fourth National Climate Assessment and International Panel on Climate Change report indicate, climate change is a major threat to communities — and a transition away from fossil fuels to renewables is imperative to avoid the worst effects of climate disruption. By committing to 100 percent renewable energy, Dunedin joins other Florida cities in taking climate action by moving toward a stronger, more resilient energy system for everyone. - Erin Gill of Knoxville, TN Named Bloomberg Cities Innovator of the Week
With the help of a 2015 TVA Grant, round two of the Southeast Sustainable Communities Fund and the Smarter Cities Partnership consisting of 20 different local organizations, Erin Gill, Knoxville’s Sustainability Director has built a successful strategy to weatherize homes for Knoxville’s low income residents. Bloomberg interviewed Gill to learn more about the project and to recognize her as their Innovator of the Week. You can read the full article recognizing Erin and her project here. - Chis Castro of Orlando, FL Highlighted as one of the 2018 Public Officials of the Year
Please join me in congratulating SSDN member Chris Castro for being recognized as one of Governings 2018 Public Officials of the Year! To read more about Chris and all the great work he does as the Director of Sustainability for the City of Orlando, FL, read the full article here. - LEED for Cities and Communities Beta Phase Update:
As many of you know, in 2019, LEED for Cities and Communities began their transitions from the pilot phase into a beta phase. For the first step of this transition, USGBC has released a draft of LEED v4.1 for Cities and Communities beta. This is an expanded version of the pilot. You can learn more about their next steps, updated rating system and upcoming workshops here. - Job Opportunities
Oldsmar, FL: Sustainability Coordinator
Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Sustainability Administrator
Athens-Clarke Co. GA: Energy Resource Coordination - SSDN is happy to announce that we are making a few changes to our communications in 2019 that will help share our members’ successes more broadly and to tell your stories to a wider audience. We are increasing the distribution of our e-newsletter (going out the last week of every month) and want to feature your stories! Please email Vanessa King at vanessa@southeastsdn.org if you have something to share! You can also find us on Twitter and Instragram @theSSDN! Follow us!
