Sustainable Vision with Bob Berkebile and Steve Hewitt

March 5, 2010
10 a.m.–noon: Leadership series discussion
Location: MARC Conference Center

Instructor: Bob Berkebile, Principal, BNIM Architects and Steve Hewitt

This session highlights the principles, concepts and ethics of sustainability. Initial discussions will focus on the program structure and clarify individual expectations. The facilitated discussion will provide a basis for creating stronger visions of environmental excellence. Steve Hewitt, the city administrator of Greensburg, Kan., who oversaw the environmentally friendly rebuilding of his city after a devastating tornado, will also join the discussion.

Sustainable Transportation and Housing with Scott Bernstein

April 9, 2010
8–10 a.m.: Bernstein presentation
10 a.m.–noon: Leadership Series discussion
Location: MARC Conference Center

Instructor: Scott Bernstein, President of Center for Neighborhood Technology

This session focuses on preparing for a future where transportation and housing needs are integrated with other community sustainability efforts. Learn how to leverage groundbreaking research on the relationship between housing, transportation, community affordability and equity that is helping to shape the national discourse on urban and transportation policy. Discussion will focus on research by the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the 2009 recipient of the McArthur Award for Creative and Innovative Institutions. CNT is an action-oriented think-tank that researches, invents and tests urban strategies that use resources more efficiently and more equitably. More info»

Building Community, Creating Places and Sustaining Neighborhoods with Fred Kent

May 7, 2010
8–10 a.m.: Kent presentation
10 a.m.–noon: Leadership Series discussion
Location: MARC Conference Center

Instructor: Fred Kent

The simple challenge is to create places within cities that people intuitively like and where communities thrive. Fred Kent has spent over 30 years researching and helping communities conquer this challenge. "Placemaking," a term coined by Fred’s organization, Project for Public Spaces (PPS), is both an overarching idea and a hands-on tool for improving a neighborhood, city or region. Fred will share new ways of thinking about public spaces and how placemaking can be used to bring communities together and revitalize underperforming spaces. More info»

Shadowcliff Sustainability & Planning Workshop*

June 14–18, 2010
Location: Rocky Mountains of Colorado

Instructor: Bob Berkebile and Bob Mann

In response to a strong desire expressed by many academy participants, we are pleased to offer the Shadowcliff Sustainability/Planning Workshop to all academy participants at an additional cost.

At the Shadowcliff workshop, held in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, current and former academy participants will design an action-oriented, strategically focused plan that will move us toward a more sustainable region.

*Additional information and registration>

Leading the Revolution with Eban Goodstein

Sept. 10, 2010
8–10 a.m.: Goodstein presentation
10 a.m.–noon: Leadership Series discussion
Location: MARC Conference Center

Instructor: Eban Goodstein

In recent years, it has become clear that sustainability cannot be achieved with minor modifications to business-as-usual, but instead will require two revolutions: first, a clean energy revolution that rewires the entire planet within the coming three decades; and concurrently, a revolution in consciousness that can support a world free of carbon emissions by 2050. Revolutions are led by real, everyday people: but what does it mean to be a sustainability revolutionary? More info»

Sustainable Communities with Sarah James

Oct. 8, 2010
8–10 a.m.: James presentation
10 a.m.-noon: Leadership Series discussion
Location: MARC Conference Center

Instructor: Sarah James

Support for sustainability is widespread among area local governments. However, the first question is often “What should we do?” Hundreds of communities have found success in planning the future they want through a highly effective, bottom-up participatory planning approach. More than 70 Swedish municipalities have become world sustainable community models by adopting guiding sustainability principles and systematically implementing them throughout their governments and wider communities. Sarah will discuss this path to success and how we can follow their example. More info»

Sustainable Solutions with Bob Mann and Bob Berkebile

Nov. 5, 2010
10 a.m.–noon: Leadership Series discussion
Location: MARC Conference Center

Instructors: Bob Mann and Bob Berkebile

The final session will focus on how new sustainability concepts may be implemented and applied across the region. The discussion will review issues from design, planning, finance and institutional development, with a focus on how to take the next steps at individual, organizational and social levels.