First Breakout Session

We are learning to care of our environment by recycling and managing our resources; we encourage others to follow. But what are you doing for your own sustainability? Each day we are faced with stress, negativity and problems that are too big us to solve alone. Come learn ways we can increase our personal sustainability by utilizing nature, self- care and available resources to increase our ability to finish the race in the best position possible.

About the Speaker:
Karen Cuttill

 

Karen is currently employed by Richland College. Where she has worked since 2005 to help students with personal issues so they are successful in their educational goals.

She is highly engaged on her home campus as well as actively involved in promoting mental health and wellness across the DCCCD. She is often asked to speak on Stress Management, ""Positivity"" and Mental Well Being. She is passionate about the benefits of community college, building sustainable communities and the environment.

All students, regardless of income, ethnicity, or sex, deserve the opportunity to be prepared with 21st-century skills for future occupations. Knowing this disparity, we are compelled to take action and provide STEM learning opportunities in Dallas K-5 communities. Get students fired up by being transparent about the need for minority representation in STEM and the historical realities that have created this gap.

About the Speaker:
Edwin D Engram

 

The United States Air Force veteran well versed in biomedical engineering and technology. Hobbies include research and development in biomedical, biohacking, and tinkering with future innovations.

To really achieve sustainability "green buildings" must become partners in the sustainable community. Certain types of buildings involve community interactions to advance sustainability more within a community. The impact of hotels and restaurants in the community in which they exist has been too often overlooked. Re-thinking the design, construction, and operation of hotels to make them more environmentally and civically friendly would be a huge step toward building the sustainable community.

About the Speaker:
John Bryant

 

Working to design, build, and operate hotels and restaurants worldwide for nearly 50 years, John has worked with many major organizations in the Hospitality business including Hilton. With a Masters in Architecture from UT Arlington John was a partner in an architecture firm involved with several major award winning projects. As a long time member of the Sierra Club and the Nature Conservancy John has been involved in numerous environmental activities including preservation and advocacy.  

Sustainability is more than agriculture and the health of the planet. It's also about the health of the people. Research has shown that plant-based eating is important of conserving resources, but it is also important to sustaining health.

Objectives:

• Discuss plant-based diets as environmentally efficient.
• Discuss the role of plant-based eating in maintaining health.

About the Speaker:
Carol Taylor

 

Carol Taylor, MCN, RD, LD received her Master of Clinical Nutrition from UTSW in 2012. She works as a consultant. She believes good nutrition to be of vital importance to leading the life. Good nutrition is not just the foundation for physical health, but also for psychological and economic well-being. By focusing on improving nutrition, people can discover reservoirs of mental and physical energy needed to thrive in all areas of their lives.

Are you tired of the hype and confusion from too many so-called "Solar experts?" Good news! Now you learn the most current, reliable information from one of Texas's most credible Solar professionals, Thomas Edds, Owner of Electric Distribution and Design Systems.

Thomas will dispel many of the "myths" surrounding solar, such as the "free solar panels" hype by some companies, and the "buy vs. lease" options. He will also discuss the financial considerations every property owner must know, and the Federal Tax Credits that change at the end of 2019.

About the Speaker:
Thomas Edds

 

Having installed over 60,000 solar panels for both residential and commercial applications throughout Texas, Thomas is familiar with a wide variety of applications and installations. He will discuss what every property owner should consider when determining the best solar system for their site. Electric Distribution and Design Systems (EDDS Solar) has been in business for 20 successful years and was recently recognized by Solar Power World in the TOP 500 Solar Contractors (out of thousands!) for the fifth year!

This session will look at partnerships for sustainability at the local, national, and international level. This panel will contain members from private industries, public institutions, and academic researchers that engage in partnerships in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Anne Egelston

 

Dr. Anne Egelston is the Director for the Center for Environmental Studies at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. Her research focuses on partnerships for sustainability, sustainable development indicators, and environmental markets. She spent 10 years in industry as a chemical engineer writing air permit applications, a site manager for a nested contractor, and national practice leader for carbon credits and strategies. She has served as a business observer to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Doctorate in Global Affairs from Rutgers University – Newark.

The Mayor committed the City of Dallas towards meeting the goals of the 2017 Paris Climate Accord, which entails zero emissions by the year 2050 (among other things). Several other studies identify significant climate related risks to our communities, infrastructure, and businesses. Understanding that the City has embarked on many related initiatives towards mitigating climate change and heat island impacts and implementing measures to help our community adapt to future climate conditions, staff began the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan (CECAP) in January, 2019. Because climate change is more likely to impact children, elders, communities of color, and lower economic demographic groups, the City is using several equity tools to ensure that the resulting plan meets the needs of the community, and provides actionable, equitable goals. This presentation provides an update on the plan development process, and how an equity lens is being use to guide planning efforts.

About the Speaker:
Susan Alvarez

 

Ms. Alvarez is serving as the Assistant Director of the City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability. She has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, with a minor in geology from Rice University, and postgraduate work in water resources. She is a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas and 5 other western states, and is also certified as a Certified Floodplain Manager, and Master Naturalist in Texas. Ms. Alvarez brings over 35 years’ experience in broad practical experience in civil and environmental planning, engineering and management for municipal, tribal, state and federal governments. She is currently focused on the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan, and the City’s environmental outreach efforts.