Urban Sustainability

We’ll explore how planning for and expanding green infrastructure – parks, open space, street trees, planting by homeowners, green roofs – can help communities address and mitigate the impacts of climate change. To anchor the discussion, we’ll focus on a specific place – Arlington County. Speakers will describe the County’s built and natural environments, then demonstrate how to assess and quantify the benefits that could accrue from enhancing its green infrastructure, in particular its urban tree canopy. Based on decision-support tools developed by Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability (CLiGS) in partnership with the National Association of Regional Councils, we’ll conclude with a group discussion on how leadership, innovation, and negotiation skills can enable local leaders to engage stakeholders, then develop and implement a comprehensive response to climate change that works for their community.

The presentation which takes from 3-5 pm will be followed by a Networking Reception which includes a cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres.

For those who would like to stay a little longer, a special performance by the Bowen McCauley Dance Company will take place at 6:00pm. This newly-commissioned dance, titled “Thermal Pearl Rising” explores local and global challenges related to climate change in urban environments. (We were recently informed by the CLiGS program that suggested donation of $20 per person is requested.) Space is very limited.

This event is sponsored by Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability (CLiGS) and co-hosted with Leaders in Energy, Arlington Green, and the International Society for Sustainability Professionals (ISSP).

Registration and more information on the panel speakers is available at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-sustainability-registration-18691029372