Join us for this workshop exploring how state and local policies and programs can attract new solar projects and green jobs.This workshop is designed to provide resources for local government officials and staff but is open to all solar activists.

Lunch and a guided tour of the Harvard Road Garage solar array are included.

Workshop Details:

• Panel discussions and presentations from local, policy, and business experts will cover state and local laws and policies governing solar development, as well as the challenges and opportunities of solar project development;

• Participants will receive a set of resources that can be applied in home communities such as model zoning ordinances, historical district aesthetic considerations, best practices for planning and meaningful community engages.

• Workshop topics will include a range of policies, programs, laws, as well as model Ohio examples spanning: Retail Energy Choice and community choice aggregation; self-generation and net metering policies; project interconnection standards; local tax incentives, land use and zoning considerations; solar cooperatives; best practices residential rooftop solar in historical districts; energy special improvement districts (eSIDs) and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing; community engagement best practices;

• The workshop is designed for Cuyahoga County decision-makers at the local governmental level such as county, city, township, village, etc., including elected and appointed officials, as well as their staff. This would include: Law/directors/city attorneys; Planning and zoning officials and staff; County commissioners, township trustees, mayors, city managers, town/village administrators, etc.; Local government and institutional (such as universities, colleges, and hospitals) sustainability offices, as well as local energy managers; Local economic development directors, local financing authorities, and staff.

REGISTER: HERE

Questions over the future of Cleveland's leadership have permeated the dialogue over the last several months. Many have called attention to the lack of diversity in corporate, nonprofit, and civic leadership in organizations throughout the region and demanded change.

In June, a new report from the African American-led think tank PolicyBridge added its voice to this ongoing conversation. In it, author and PolicyBridge co-founder Randell McShepard argues that the lack of strong, identifiable leaders in the black community, both in Cleveland and around the country, has left that community vulnerable and underrepresented in key civic dialogues.

Join us as McShepard shares his vision for a new leadership model that elevates the promising community, business, political, and civic leaders capable of re-engaging the black community and protecting it from future attempts to suppress its voice and influence.

REGISTER: HERE

Mobility and transit have inspired many poignant conversations around Cleveland, taking place in homes, classrooms, and even many times at the City Club. As we continue to grapple with efficiency and meaning around transportation and community building, a new concept centering city circulation has come to the forefront of conversations.

These themes are described in Cleveland’s Mobility Imperative: Designing for flow and meaningful interaction, a new report from the Cleveland Foundation. In it, authors Justin Glanville and Richey Piiparinen evaluate Cleveland as an example of city successes and missteps in urban circulation. They explain that, “just as for living beings, circulation in cities equals life; stagnation equals death.”

The report goes beyond how to effectively and efficiently move people to and from specific places to explore how this movement affects people, ideas, and stories and leads to community connections in physical, emotional, social, and economic ways. The report encourages us to recognize societal factors such as increased migration, gentrification, and changing wealth patterns that could help in the progression of Cleveland’s circulation. Now, more than ever, this constant flow of goods and ideas is vital for city-making and the life of society at all levels. How can we improve ours?

Join us for a conversation around community building and progress, and how we can attempt to create space for meaningful interactions.

REGISTER: HERE

Calvin Gladney, LEED AP, is President and CEO of Smart Growth America and is a nationally recognized thought leader on the equitable and sustainable revitalization of communities.

Over the past 10 years, Mr. Gladney has worked on community revitalization projects in more than 25 cities and has served as a strategic advisor on projects with estimated development costs of over $1B and totaling more than 5M square feet of planned development. He has worked on community revitalization projects throughout the United States including projects in Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Boston, Denver, Detroit, the District of Columbia, Grand Rapids, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, Oakland, Pittsburgh and Prince George’s County, MD.

Join us for the final forum in our Igniting the Future series, a conversation on the challenges posed by urbanization and climate change.

REGISTER: HERE

As part of USGBC Ohio's Quarterly Leadership Day we will be offering a keynote luncheon featuring a presentation by Dr. Aparna Bole of UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.

The topic will be: Green Buildings & Child Health — What’s good for the planet is good for our patients: a pediatrician’s perspective on green building

The event is free and open to all USGBC Ohio Members, thanks in part to a sponsorship from Case Western Reserve University. Space is limited so be sure to register early!

REGISTER: HERE

The purpose of this initiative is to help Cleveland residents transform Cleveland’s vacant lots into vibrant community spaces. You can learn how to help transform vacant lots in your neighborhood by attending the Cleveland Spaces Vital Places workshop series. Design vacant lots in YOUR neighborhood, YOUR Way!

WORKSHOP SERIES TOPICS

Workshop 1: Overview of Cleveland Spaces Vital Places Program

• What is possible
• What does it take to have a successful project
• Current examples of local projects

REGISTER: HERE 

Join us for a weekend filled with fun family activities celebrating trees.

Activities include:

• Appearance by the Great Lakes Timber Show
•  Walking Tree of Life
•   Kid- and family-friendly activities.

Free for members, with admission for nonmembers. Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower: $4 nonmember adult, $2 nonmember child (6 – 18)

This program is funded in part by the Davey Tree Expert Co. and a grant from the Lake County Visitors Bureau Arts & Culture Grant Program. The Remarkable Lake County, Ohio, Arts & Culture Grant program promotes the county’s tourism constituency – entertainment, regional and heritage events, hospitality venues and hotels, and destinations and attractions involved in Lake County’s tourism industry.

LEARN MORE: HERE

Come out to Buckeye Bud’s Adventure Woods to
enjoy live entertainment, activities, and games. Each
month is a different theme:

• June: Art in Nature crafts
  • clay with footprint imprint
  • painted stones
  • exploration stations with “patterns in symmetry” and a research table with fungus in soil
• July: Pollinators
• August: Water ExplorationS

 LEARN MORE: HERE

Share your sustainability with us!

Sustainable Cleveland 2019 is celebrating the Year of People and 10 years of progress to make Cleveland a greener, healthier place to love. We want to celebrate all the awesome people working together to make Cleveland a thriving green city on a blue lake. Show us your sustainability by sharing photos of yourself or others doing a sustainable activity (biking to work, backyard composting, using a reusable water bottle/coffee mug, planting a tree, recycling, etc.) and you will be entered to win great prizes!

The largest series of clean water events in the country has almost arrived! With over 25 amazing events over 5 days (June 19-23), there's something for everyone as we celebrate our river and ignite our future. Here are 10 reasons we're jazzed about Cuyahoga50 Anniversary Week!