June 11, 2018 – Highlights from Green Leaders for Local Impact Retreat at Potomac Overlook Regional Park

We had a wonderful Green Leaders for Local Impact Retreat on June 8, 2018, to connect people and learn from each other on local policies in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region on clean energy, green economy and smart growth. Thoughts concluding the evening: if we want change we need to start local! Let’s be the example for the world and take action!

Enjoy the photo highlights below.

We will be providing a recap article in the near future along with our thoughts on upcoming actions.    One idea may be to form a Green Leaders Impact groups focused on local projects in the DMV region.

 

Speaker, Ruchi Soni, Manager of Energy Access, UN Energy Foundation, presenting the UN Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) #7 on Clean, Affordable Energy

Speaker, Ruchi Soni, Manager of Energy Access, UN Energy Foundation, presenting the UN Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) #7 on Clean, Affordable Energy

Nancy Donaldson, United Nation′s International Labour Office Director, 2010-2017, presenting on UN SDG #8 on Decent Work and Jobs

Nancy Donaldson, United Nation′s International Labour Office Director, 2010-2017, presenting on UN SDG #8 on Decent Work and Jobs

Annette Osso, Managing Director, Resilient Virginia, presenting on UN SDG #9 and Related Resiliency Topics

Annette Osso, Managing Director, Resilient Virginia, presenting on UN SDG #9 and Related Resiliency Topics

Jim Burke, Futurist with Ascent Virginia, presenting on future trends and the STEEPE model

Jim Burke, Futurist with Ascent Virginia, presenting on future trends and the STEEPE model

Group discussion in our trends session

Group discussion in our trends session

Speakers (l-r): Ruchi Soni, UN Energy Foundation; Nancy Donaldson, United Nation′s International Labour Organization Director, 2010-2017; Dr. Beth Offenbacker, Instructor and Facilitator; Janine Finnell, Executive Director, Leaders in Energy; Annette Osso, Resilient Virginia; and Jim Burke, Futurist with Ascent Virginia

Speakers (l-r): Ruchi Soni, UN Energy Foundation; Nancy Donaldson, United Nation′s International Labour Organization Director, 2010-2017; Dr. Beth Offenbacker, Instructor and Facilitator; Janine Finnell, Executive Director, Leaders in Energy; Annette Osso, Resilient Virginia; and Jim Burke, Futurist with Ascent Virginia

Attendees gathering by Solar Stage (in background) for Nature Walk and learning about the part from Park Naturalist, AJ Barnard (in turquoise shirt)

Attendees gathering by Solar Stage (in background) for Nature Walk and learning about the part from Park Naturalist, AJ Barnard (in turquoise shirt)

Walking on the trail to learn more about the flora and fauna in the park.

Walking on the trail to learn more about the flora and fauna in the park.

The group having a reflective moment to listen to the sounds of nature in the park and contemplate the importance of the natural world.

The group having a reflective moment to listen to the sounds of nature in the park and contemplate the importance of the natural world.

Returned to the Nature Center for small group discussions - This group focuses on how to localize United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7 on Clean Affordable Energy

Returned to the Nature Center for small group discussions - This group focuses on how to localize United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7 on Clean Affordable Energy

Small group on UN SDG #8 on Decent Work and Economic Development

Small group on UN SDG #8 on Decent Work and Economic Development

Small group discussion on SDG #9 on Resiliency

Small group discussion on SDG #9 on Resiliency

Larger group discussion from the earlier breakout sessions

Larger group discussion from the earlier breakout sessions

Closing the Retreat with a Circle of Action reading

Closing the Retreat with a Circle of Action reading

Participants stepped into the center of the circle as they read a statement that particularly resonated with them about making a personal commitment

Participants stepped into the center of the circle as they read a statement that particularly resonated with them about making a personal commitment

Delicious food and beverages donated by MOM′s Organic Market for our Green Leaders Retreat.

Delicious food and beverages donated by MOM′s Organic Market for our Green Leaders Retreat.

Taylor Maher and Barbara Englehart sorting to determine items that were waste vs recyclable vs compostable.

Taylor Maher and Barbara Englehart sorting to determine items that were waste vs recyclable vs compostable.

Returning compostable items back to MOM′s to their recycling center for composting.

Returning compostable items back to MOM′s to their recycling center for composting.

Poster where participants wrote their Big Hopes and Big Solutions.

Poster where participants wrote their Big Hopes and Big Solutions.

In addition to the breakout groups on the 3 designated SDGs, there were additional groups discussing other SDGs as well as actions to go beyond the existing SDGs.

In addition to the breakout groups on the 3 designated SDGs, there were additional groups discussing other SDGs as well as actions to go beyond the existing SDGs.

Nature Center at Potomac Overlook Regional Park where the Green Leaders for Local Impact Retreat was held on June 8th, 2018.

Nature Center at Potomac Overlook Regional Park where the Green Leaders for Local Impact Retreat was held on June 8th, 2018.