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 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 MoreBig news for coastal energy resilience! 🌊⚡
We’re proud to share that Cedar Key, Key West, and Sanibel have all been selected as part of the fifth cohort of the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP) — a U.S. Department of Energy initiative led by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) that helps coastal, remote, and island communities strengthen energy reliability…
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 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 MoreA Framework for a Heat-Ready Nation
Extreme heat is now the deadliest climate threat in the U.S., and its impacts are growing along corridors like I-10, where communities face rising temperatures, rapid growth, and strained infrastructure. That’s why the new “Framework for a Heat-Ready Nation” from the Federation of American Scientists and the Ten Across Resilience Network is such a critical…
Read MoreGrant Spotlight: Investing in Local Climate Resilience
We’re thrilled to announce that several of our member communities have been awarded grants through the Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI)! Here’s what’s happening: Boynton Beach, FL, has received $100,000 to develop a data-informed, community-driven urban heat resilience strategy, including efforts around tree canopy expansion and cooling infrastructure. Chatham County, GA, secured $110,787 to create…
Read MoreGreen Minds Podcast: Careers in Sustainability
Our August episode of Green Minds dives into the realities of landing—and thriving—in sustainability jobs, especially in local government. From breaking into the field to stepping into leadership roles like Chief Sustainability Officer, our guests Abena Ojetayo with the City of Tallahassee and Shelby Buso, formerly with the City of Atlanta and now with the…
Read MoreWest Palm Beach Energy Milestone
We’re celebrating a big win for the SSDN member community West Palm Beach, which has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as a 2024 Better Buildings Challenge Goal Achiever! By reducing energy use by 16% across all municipal buildings and infrastructure, the City cemented its status as a leader in municipal energy efficiency…
Read MoreWhat’s in Your Energy/Water Efficiency Kit?
LED lightbulbs? Low-flow showerheads? Our sustainability experts recently discussed what items they provide to homeowners and renters as part of their community sustainability efforts as well as which items had an impact and what items just weren’t effective. These kits help community members try out items they might not otherwise purchase so they can see…
Read MoreWhat’s the Buzz about Bee Cities?
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are essential to healthy ecosystems, local agriculture, and biodiversity—but they’re in trouble. That’s where Bee City USA steps in, helping communities take meaningful steps to protect these vital species. Becoming a Bee City means your community commits to: ✅ Creating and enhancing pollinator habitats ✅ Educating the public about…
Read MoreBuilt Shade: A Critical Tool in Heat Resilience
When it comes to beating the heat, trees are a great solution, but they aren’t the only solution — and in places like East Tampa, built shade is playing a vital role in protecting communities. As highlighted by Kayla Caselli with the City of Tampa and featured in the Tampa Heat Resilience Playbook, built shade…
Read More