Exclusive Content: Sustainability & Environment

E-bike with basket in front of prairie flowers

Transforming the Commute from Drudgery to Joy

Posted on October 31, 2022

In August, I bought an e-bike. I like to bike recreationally because I love to experience the full vibrancy of Minnesota’s dramatic seasons. I am proud to feel my body getting stronger each time I ride. I exchange smiles with strangers and get to know my neighbors. I spontaneously stop at intriguing storefronts instead of...

Curbside Disposal Education Campaign Pilot

Posted on June 1, 2022

This case study is brought to you by our friends at the EPA's Trash Free Waters Program. The Curbside Disposal Education Campaign Pilot took place from July 2020 to May 2021 in Washington, D.C., through a partnership between the EPA’s Trash Free Waters Program (TFW) and the local District government. The primary goal of this...

Image with hand holding up various environmentally related logos

April is Earth Month: Contribute to the ELGL Sustainability & Environment Content Series!

Posted on March 29, 2022

Do you work in your sustainability office? Are you a leader in waste or recycling? Are you a transportation planner focused on active forms of transportation? Are you working to make your community a more livable, walkable, accessible, and cleaner place for all people? Is your community centering environmental justice work? Is your local government...

Disrupting the Spiral

Posted on February 25, 2022

Today’s Morning Buzz is by Sarah Alig. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn. What I’m reading: Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer What I'm watching: Homemade Wanderlust's thru-hiking videos on YouTube What I’m listening to: Completely Arbortrary, a podcast about tree identification, and The Worst Hard Time audiobook by Timothy Egan In my city, there are...

Public Engagement Can Help Local Governments Effectively Invest in Public Transit

Posted on February 16, 2022

This article was published by Alex DeSantis and Pooja Di Giovanna from the Davenport Institute. Connect with them on LinkedIn or Twitter. The United States federal government recently approved the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act providing $89.9 billion toward public transit, making it the largest federal investment of this kind in American history. As cities around...

Why Poverty Mitigation Matters in Emergency Management

Posted on August 10, 2021

Jalesha Smith serves the City of Norfolk, VA, as a Management Analyst for the City Manager’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She is a proud HBCU graduate, having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Norfolk State University. Connect with Jalesha on LinkedIn. I know you are asking yourself, “What does...

COVID, Biking, & Sustainable Development

Posted on July 19, 2021

Today’s Buzz is brought to you by Marshall Curry, Program Manager for EPIC-N. You can find him on Twitter and LinkedIn What I’m Reading: In the Red: the US Failure to Deliver on a Promise of Racial Equality, UN SDSN What I’m listening to: Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald What I’m watching: Gold Cup soccer highlights Last...

The Many Benefits of Community Gardens

Posted on July 8, 2021

Today’s Morning Buzz is by Rebecca Cormier, ELGL member, govtech enthusiast, and environmental advocate. Connect on Twitter and LinkedIn What I’m Reading: In This Together, How Republicans, Democrats, Capitalists, and Activists Are Uniting to Tackle Climate Change and More, by Trammell S. Crow and Bill Shireman What I’m Watching: The Americans-I have just started so...

Technology as a Strategy Against Growing Issue of Water Scarcity

Posted on June 29, 2021

This white paper is shared by our friends at Exelon (a 2020 Haverford honoree): Smart cities technologist Peter Williams, Ph.D. and Aquify – an Exelon company released a new white paper on water scarcity and solutions water utilities can implement to help stem the tide on the trillions of gallons lost to underground leaks. Download...

The Best Time To Build Housing

Posted on June 9, 2021

Right Now with Nick Smith (Linkedin/Twitter) What I’m watching: Clips from "This Old House" on YouTube What I’m reading: Your Computer Is On Fire, about the death of techno-utopianism, and starting to uncover the biases built into computing structures What I’m listening to: Nirvana - Breed ... classic & perfect for 30 years now. As a suburban...

We Can Never Go Back to Before

Posted on May 14, 2021

Today's Buzz is by Jenny Kosek (Twitter and LinkedIn), Community Engagement Coordinator for the City of West Allis, Wisconsin. What I'm Reading: Radium Girls by Kate Moore What I'm Listening To: Radiolab What I'm Watching: Shrill ________________________ In the 1997 blockbuster musical “Ragtime,” characters from across social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds encounter the upheaval and evolution...

Energy: From Drawings to Local Ordinances

Posted on May 13, 2021

S. Mohsen Fatemi, PhD Student in Public Administration, at the University of Kansas. Also, an urban planner and architect experienced in energy-efficiency, sustainability, and climate action planning, wrote this article as part of the environment and sustainability series. Connect with Mohsen on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Email. You can sign-up to write for this series, too!...

Findings from the New Normal Survey: COVID’s Lasting Legacy on Local Government

Posted on May 4, 2021

599 local government officials and staff from across the country recently took “The New Normal Survey: COVID's Lasting Legacy on Local Government,” which was conducted in partnership with The Atlas, ELGL, CivicPulse, CivicPlus and RouteFifty. It is a follow-up to a survey from June 2020. Last year, we asked local government leaders how public services...

Green heart with sustainability actions inside

Practicing Sustainability as a Remote Worker

Posted on April 30, 2021

Image credit: Pixabay Article written by Jamielyn Rogers exclusively for elgl.org In light of the pandemic, remote work has certainly become the more convenient and safer option for companies worldwide. However, there are also environmental benefits to this setup — such as reduced greenhouse gases and fossil fuel consumption from not having to commute. That doesn't mean,...

Improving American Cities through Urban Parks

Posted on April 21, 2021

U.S.'s first city park, built in 1634 Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Rebecca Cormier, Government Technology Consultant – connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter! What I am reading: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie What I am listening to: Armchair Expert podcast What I am watching: The Other Two With...

The Turning Points

Posted on April 9, 2021

Katie Beemer, Management Fellow for the City of Wayland, MI wrote this article as part of the environment and sustainability series. Connect with Katie on LinkedIn or Twitter. You can sign-up to write for this series, too! See all articles from this series and more on environment & sustainability. In my role as a graduate...

Green the Government: Tips to Making Your Workplace Sustainable

Posted on April 1, 2021

Neil Miller, Communication and Outreach Coordinator for the Allen County Department of Environmental Management wrote this article as part of the Sustainability & Environment Series. Connect with ACC on Facebook or Instagram. You can sign-up to write for this series, too! See all articles from this series and more on environment & sustainability. As a...

Quantify COVID-19 Impacts, Apply for the Recovery and Resilience Planning Cohort

Posted on March 23, 2021

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED: Many organizations have 3-5 year strategic plans, which are great for setting long-term direction and focus. But how useful were these the past 12 months? For many organizations, this past year has been challenging, not the least of which is the new operating environment in which we all find ourselves as a...

When “Climate Action” Isn’t Enough

Posted on March 17, 2021

Ashley Monroe, Assistant City Manager, City of Iowa City, Iowa, wrote this article as part of the Sustainability & Environment Series. Connect with Ashley on Email or Twitter. You can sign-up to write for this series, too! See all articles from this series and more on environment & sustainability. We had been working on sustainability...

Time To Celebrate, Then Get Back To Work

Posted on February 4, 2021

Stella Carr wrote this article as part of the Sustainability & Environment Series. Sign-up to write for this series. This article expresses observations about the political landscape of America as it pertains to climate change and the environmental movement as political leadership shifts at the national level of our democracy, and what local governments have...

What Are Your 2021 Recycling Resolutions?

Posted on January 14, 2021

Sri Mirajkar, Founder & CEO of SourceRecycle, Inc. wrote this article as part of the Sustainability & Environment Series. Sign-up to write for this series. Recycling programs took a huge hit in 2020. Even pre-COVID, municipalities were cutting recycling programs due to cost increases or reducing the materials collected, or worse, simply bringing collected recycling...

If Food Waste Were a Country…

Posted on December 22, 2020

Jodi Leamon, Sustainability Coordinator, Allen County Department of Environmental Management, wrote this article as part of the Sustainability & Environment Series. Sign-up to write for this series. Food Waste occurs at every step along the supply chain from the farm to the home. It can be in the form of produce remaining in the fields...

Why Your Organization Needs a Dedicated Sustainability Professional

Posted on December 9, 2020

Stella Carr wrote this article as part of the Sustainability & Environment Series. Sign-up to write for this series. In the world of municipal management, there are the quintessential roles that all jurisdictions have: public works, fire, police, elected officials, etc. These roles and responsibilities have been essential for the function of local governments as...

In Hot Water: How Do We Fix the Water Accessibility Crisis?

Posted on December 8, 2020

This article was written by Courtney Ransom who is a recent graduate from San Diego State University. Courtney wrote this article as part of the Water Resources Cohort. Read all the articles from the cohort. If you are not yet aware, the water system in the United States is barely hanging on. I say the...

The Hidden Infrastructure: The Value of Communications

Posted on December 7, 2020

This article was written by Laurie Loftin, Water Conservation Coordinator, Athens-Clarke County. Laurie wrote this article as part of the Water Resources Cohort. Read all the articles from the cohort. Dead rodents at drinking water treatment plant. Fourth organ found at local water reclamation facility. Imagine waking to find these headlines regarding your water utility...

What Water Teaches Us About Resiliency

Posted on December 1, 2020

This article was written by Amanda Jones, Town of Marana Water Department - Business Services Coordinator. Amanda wrote this article as part of the Water Resources Cohort. Read all the articles from the cohort here. Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn or email. What I love most about rivers is you can’t step in the same river twice....

Learning from the Past to Inspire the Future of Water Resource Management

Posted on November 18, 2020

This article was written by Thomas Prior, Recent Graduate and Marvin Andrews Fellow from Arizona State University. Thomas wrote this article as part of the Water Resources Cohort. Read all the articles from the cohort here. Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn or Twitter. Visualize yourself transported to 1850s Chicago. Crowds of people are arriving on transport docks...

Jesssica smiling with her family outdoors

The False Dichotomy of Climate Change Planning and Affordability for Utilities

Posted on November 12, 2020

This article was written by Jessica Dorsey, Water Resource Senior Program Manager at the City of Hillsboro. Jessica wrote this article as part of the Water Resources Cohort. Read all the articles from the cohort here. Connect with Jessica on email. Although providing safe, reliable water to our communities is always the highest priority the truth is...

Contribute to the Sustainability & Environment Content Series!

Posted on November 8, 2020

Do you work in your sustainability office? Are you a leader in waste or recycling? Are you a transportation planner focused on active forms of transportation? Are you working to make your community a more livable, walkable, and cleaner place for all people? Is your community centering environmental justice work? Or, do you just have...

Podcast: Food Access and Public Art in Jackson, MS with Salam Rida and Travis Crabtree

Posted on October 30, 2020

Salam Rida Project Director Fertile Ground Project LinkedIn | Twitter Travis Crabtree Project Manager Fertile Ground Project LinkedIn Inspiring dialogue through art. Salam Rida, Project Director, and Travis Crabtree, Project Manager, discuss the Fertile Ground Project in Jackson, Mississippi. This project uses public art to talk about urban farming, the availability of healthy food, and...

Podcast: Public Power and COVID-19 Response with Joy Ditto, APPA

Posted on September 25, 2020

Joy Ditto President and CEO American Public Power Association (APPA) Bio | LinkedIn | Twitter Powering communities. Joy Ditto, the President and CEO of the American Public Power Association (APPA), joined the podcast to talk about public power utilities and how the electric industry has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. She discussed how APPA shared...

EPIC-Network Wildfire Resources

Posted on September 12, 2020

ELGL is pleased to share information and resources from the EPIC Network. The Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities – Network (EPIC-Network) is a nonprofit association with members all over the world. Our organization and our members unite communities with the untapped potential of universities to exponentially improve conditions for human flourishing. Our ambition is...

Centering Equity in Climate Action Planning

Posted on July 20, 2020

This article is written by Samantha Roberts, Climate Policy Analyst AIC, Sustainability, City Manager’s Office, City of Eugene, Oregon. She wrote this article as part of the Equity Ambassadors Cohort. You can find all the articles for this cohort here. As we use COVID-19 to rethink emergency response in light of mitigating impending climate impacts,...

Graduate Thesis: Sustaining a Student-Led Environmental Movement

Posted on June 23, 2020

ELGL member Courtney Ransom wrote her San Diego State University thesis project about a sustainable endowment project, referencing information she gained from ELGL in the “Risk and Fiscal Sustainability” section. Check out her thesis, and connect with Courtney! She's currently looking for her next opportunity working in local government. Thesis Abstract: As the global economy...

COVID-19: Water & Wastewater Operations Call with UNC SOG

Posted on March 19, 2020

UNC School of Government Zoom Call on Water/Wastewater Utilities Operations During COVID-19 When: Monday, March 23, 2020 at 11:00am Cost: FREE Details: Local government utilities are facing difficult decisions about how to maintain operations and ensure financial sustainability, while providing essential services to the public and limiting personal interactions during the COVID-19 outbreak....

Sustainability Series: Using Sonic Tomography to Map Tree Health

Posted on May 17, 2018

The Sustainability Series is focused on natural resources and land use management and is brought to you by Dudek, a California-based environmental firm with 400+ planners, scientists, civil engineers, and contractors. By: Christopher Kallstrand, Project Manager and Urban Forestry Specialist Drought and pests, as well as tissue and root damage, put many trees at risk for...

Sustainability Series: Hidden Habitat Implications of California’s Dry Weather

Posted on April 17, 2018

ELGL presents a new series focused on natural resources and land use management. Dudek, a California-based environmental firm with 400+ planners, scientists, civil engineers, and contractors, will author the series which is creatively titled the Sustainability Series (until someone comes up with something more clever)! Dudek assists private and public clients on a broad range of...

Developing a Sustainability Plan with Limited Resources

Posted on May 18, 2016

Want to incorporate sustainability decision making into your City, but don’t have the staff to dedicate to the cause? Find out how West Linn, Oregon used volunteer power in their process. By Beth Otto – LinkedIn and Twitter The City of West Linn, Oregon is proof that sustainability planning can be incorporated into City government with...

Defining Sustainability: What’s Solid Waste Got to Do With It?

Posted on July 16, 2015

Beth Otto is back with the latest on sustainability. She’s filled you in on sustainability efforts in the City of Portland, told you about the day in the life of a sustainability coordinator, and now, she writes about managing solid waste to create a sustainable community. Defining Sustainability: What’s Solid Waste Got to Do With It? By...

Gaining Support for a Sustainability Plan with Nyssa Rivera

Posted on December 1, 2014

Nyssa Rivera works for the City of Forest Grove, OR. Her column will walk you through the creation and adoption of a sustainability plan. Gaining Support for a Sustainability Plan by Nyssa Rivera- LinkedIn and Twitter In October of 2011, the City of Forest Grove convened a Sustainability Institute which was attended by sixteen residents. These residents...

Activating a Sustainability Plan with Nyssa Rivera

Posted on October 30, 2014

Nyssa Rivera works for the City of Forest Grove, OR. Her column will walk you through the creation and adoption of a sustainability plan. Activating a Sustainability Plan By Nyssa Rivera Two years ago, my dog and I landed in Eugene, Oregon after a four day drive from Houston, TX. I was leaving the smog...

Defining Sustainability with SustainIndy

Posted on July 23, 2014

Last time we heard from Beth Otto we learned about sustainability efforts in the City of Hillboro, OR. This time she heads to the Midwest to learn about SustainIndy, the ongoing efforts in Indianapolis. Learn more about SustainIndy on Facebook, Twitter, World Wide Web, and YouTube SUSTAININDY Making Indianapolis the Most Sustainable City in the Midwest http://youtu.be/EwW-0E8Saes...

Defining Sustainability: Learning from 6 Years of Successes in Hillsboro

Posted on July 10, 2014

Beth Otto is back with the latest on sustainability. She's filled you in on sustainability efforts in the City of Portland, told you about the day in the life of a sustainability coordinator, and now, she highlights the progress being made by Peter Brandom and the City of Hillsboro team. Background Check on Peter Brandom Connect:...

Sustainability Chat with Portland Mayor Hales and Indianapolis Mayor Ballard

Posted on June 29, 2014

You're invited to a special forum featuring Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Portland Mayor Charlie Hales. Mayor Ballard and Mayor Hales will chat about sustainability topics.

Defining Sustainability: Takeaways from Dr. Julian Agyeman

Posted on June 7, 2014

Beth Otto is back with the latest on sustainability. This article introduces you to Dr. Julian Agyeman and the topic of "Just Sustainabilities." Background Check Connect: Twitter and World Wide Web Julian Agyeman Ph.D. FRSA, professor of urban and environmental policy and planning, holds a a Ph.D in Environmental Education from the University of London,...

Defining Sustainability: The Portland Way

Posted on March 10, 2014

This is another installment of an ELGL original content series titled “Defining Sustainability” by Beth Otto. Beth is sharing her perspective on the varying definitions of sustainability and her experiences in implementing sustainability strategies. In this article, Beth interviews Michelle Kunec-North about the Portland Way with regard to sustainability. Background Check Connect: LinkedIn Michelle Kunec-North received...

Defining Sustainability: Day In a Life of a Sustainability Coordinator

Posted on January 7, 2014

This is another installment of an ELGL original content series titled “Defining Sustainability” by Beth Otto. Beth is sharing her perspective on the varying definitions of sustainability and her experiences in implementing sustainability strategies. Sustainability: What Does It Mean? The goal of the “Defining Sustainability” blog series is to help demystify the term and concept...

Defining Sustainability: Local Energy Production

Posted on October 15, 2013

This is another installment of an ELGL original content series titled “Defining Sustainability” by Beth Otto. Beth is sharing her perspective on the varying definitions of sustainability and her experiences in implementing sustainability strategies. Background Check on Jon Roschke Jon Roschke is the Executive Director at OREP. He has focused on improving education in the...

Defining Sustainability: South Kelso Revitalization Plan

Posted on September 17, 2013

This is another installment of an ELGL original content series titled “Defining Sustainability” by Beth Otto. Beth is sharing her perspective on the varying definitions of sustainability and her experiences in implementing sustainability strategies. Revitalizing South Kelso, WA Document: The South Kelso Revitalization Plan Sustainable Communities are about much more than green buildings, bike lanes and...

Defining Sustainability: STAR Communities

Posted on September 3, 2013

Word on the Street About Defining Sustainability Kevin Hughes, AICP, Principal Environmental Advanced Planner, posted the following comment on LinkedIn after reading the first Defining Sustainability with Beth Otto, "I recommend the working being done by ELGL in Oregon for advancing the cause of Public Administration Best Management Practices." After those kind words, the pressure is...

New Feature: Defining Sustainability with Beth Otto

Posted on August 1, 2013

Raise your hand if you are against sustainability? That's what we thought, it is hard to be against sustainability but how many of us actually know what sustainability means. Fear not, ELGL has enlisted Beth Otto who was worked on sustainability projects in Lake Oswego, Kelso, Maine Energy Education Program, and Maine Conservation Corp. As part...