Third Breakout Session
2:45 – 3:35 p.m.
Applying TLC to Community Resiliency: Community engagement in minority populations
Mendie White and Ashleigh Feryan
Social Equity
G101
The City of Lewisville is working to incorporate social equity in outreach and programs throughout the community. A task force was created to find new and innovative ways to engage the Chin and Hispanic populations residing in Lewisville. One of the initial strategies was creating the Together Lewisville Coalition (TLC), which brought together local government, non-profits, faith-based organizations and community leaders to provide a space for residents to connect with providers to receive the services they need.
TLC, Sustainability and Emergency Management have partnered to look at resiliency with a whole community approach. Stressors and potential shocks caused by factors such as climate change, affordable housing, and looming population growth in the region can best be mitigated by proactively building community resiliency through relationships and networks. This presentation will examine innovative approaches to these regional concerns through the lens of sustainability and community empowerment.
About the Speaker:
Mendie White
Mendie White holds a B.S. in Biology and a Masters in Public Administration from UNT. She has over 15 years of sustainability experience in higher education and municipal government. She enjoys fostering rescue dogs, painting and Dallas Stars hockey.
About the Speaker:
Ashleigh Feryan
Ashleigh Feryan graduated from UNT with a B.S. in Emergency Administration and Planning. She has worked in Public Health Preparedness, Emergency Management, Community Grants/ Neighborhood Services. Outside of work, she spends time in the mountains with family.
Smart Cities: Exploring Technology Solutions that Enhance Social Equity
Brandon Morton
Social Equity
G126
North Lake College is participating in Smart Cities initiatives for sustainability and resilience. Smart Cities are defined as cities that utilize information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance quality of life and performance of services such as transportation, utilities, resource conservation, and local events. This presentation will provide updates on Smart Cities from Dallas, Irving, Coppell and more. Participants will explore how colleges are adopting Smart Campus frameworks.
About the Speaker:
Brandon Morton
Brandon Morton has been the sustainability coordinator for North Lake College since 2014, overseeing initiatives across academics, operations, and outreach. He has a bachelors in biology, is studying sustainability and resource communications in graduate school, and has professional certifications in sustainability management, water quality monitoring and trail-building. His passion for the environment includes hobbies like camping, running, swimming, gardening and aquariums.
Interactive Computer Teaching of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Jerry Bartz
Teaching Sustainability (K-16)
G102
In 2016, the U.N. put forth 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reflecting environmental concerns and human aspirations for peace and justice for future generations. Included are guidances for creating infrastructure and sustainable cities. Active participation by young people was deemed important. This talk provides a computer interactive blueprint, based on available 2019 and other reference data to help design K-16 curriculum.
About the Speaker:
Jerry Bartz
Jerry Bartz, is a senior lab coordinator at Brookhaven. A former R&D geochemist, he has used unique techniques to clean hazardous and radioactive releases as well as advocate for sensible fracking operations. He has designed and taught curriculum in grades 5-16. Through his professional and academic years he observed that many people are visual learners and are instinctively attracted to databases expressed as maps. Such maps are a universal language for organizing and communicating concepts.
The Art of Implementing and Facilitating a Sustainable Energy Management Program-Processs
Tom Tolan
Instititutionalizing Sustainability
G118
Tom will speak about the process he utilizes to ensure a complete and recurring “organic” cycle in regards to implementing and facilitating energy management he calls (CCOC) Conscientious and Continuous Operational Changes. By implementing and facilitating a CCOC program and process, it will:
- Produce positive financial results
- Identify cost avoidance opportunities
- Lower overall operating and capital expenses
- Limit liability and exposure
- Improve occupant comfort
- Increase the assets value
- Form a behavioral engaging environment that is collaborative
Attendees will take away how to identify and analyze energy conservation and cost avoidance opportunities and to differentiate items as no-cost, low-cost, r-and-m, capital and/or cost avoidance. We will discuss how to develop and implement monthly operational calls and site visits as well as implement and monitor utility tracking and cost avoidance site specific spreadsheets.
About the Speaker:
Tom Tolan
Thomas T. Tolan is vice president of engineering for Tier Reit’s commercial property management division. In this role, he is responsible for managing both in-house and contract engineering teams and guiding policy with all aspects of energy management, sustainability, safety, regulatory compliance and capital planning. Mr. Tolan’s primary responsibility is the REIT I portfolio, consisting of Class A office buildings throughout the U.S. He also supports the company’s design, development, asset management and acquisition and disposition efforts.
Texas PACE Authority - Keeping Renewables in Texas
Charlene Heydinger
Resource and Energy Efficiency
G121
This presentation will include a more in depth explanation of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, how it works and how it can be used by property owners in Texas by exhibiting successful case studies. This program has proven the financial benefit of improving the energy efficiency of properties. Texas Pace Authority would provide summit attendees with a new perspective on the needs of business owners in Texas and demonstrate a fiscal avenue to encourage resource conservation.
About the Speaker:
Charlene Heydinger
Charlene Heydinger has been the president of the Texas PACE Authority since 2015 and the executive director of Keeping PACE in Texas since 2012. She has worked with the Texas Legislature since 2012 to introduce and progressively expand the PACE program throughout the state. She has been integral in creating a statewide environmental business coalition and has worked with representatives from every political party to improve financing for purchases that reduce energy use with the PACE bill.
Changing Places, Changing Lives: Using Green Space Restoration to Grow Social Equity
Liomari Diaz and Aaryaman Singhal
Social Equity
G128
Groundwork Dallas is the foremost champion of Dallas urban wilderness. We believe everyone deserves a green, healthy and resilient environment. Our Green Team youth program brings together people from diverse backgrounds in an effort to tip the scales in environmental fields where they are often underrepresented. Join us as we explore our efforts to engage Dallas' urban youth in restoration and recreational opportunities. Learn how you can be involved in Changing Places, Changing Lives.
About the Speaker:
Liomari Diaz
Liomari Diaz provides mentorship and environmental education to youth while establishing strong partnerships with schools, local and nationwide organizations, and local and federal environmental agencies. She is also the aquatic lab manager, performing monthly water quality and bacteria testing. Oversees all matters of lab.
About the Speaker:
Aaryaman Singhal
Aaryaman Singhal earned a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Business Administration at The University of Texas, Austin. After two years of supporting Groundwork Dallas as a volunteer and board member, he is thrilled to have joined a team as chief of operations.
Teaching Sustainability - Creative Reuse and Environmental Educations
Rachel Weaver
Teaching Sustainability (K-16)
G203
I will provide an overview and experiences from various Sustainability Education opportunities I have participated in. I will focus on Creative Reuse, materials management and access, waste reduction, and the educational programs of SCRAP Denton. I will also provide information about programs I have participated in regarding ecology education at a local Nature Center, as well as various educational experiences from sustainable agriculture, local food, art and information to help educators.
SCRAP Denton is a non-profit organization that inspires creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community. Rachel’s presentation will focus on creative reuse, materials management and access, waste reduction and the educational programs of SCRAP Denton. She will also provide helpful information for educators about ecology education programs at a local Nature Center, as well as various educational experiences from sustainable agriculture, local food and art.
About the Speaker:
Rachel Weaver
Rachel Weaver is a community organizer, agrarian and creative. She holds degrees in Social Sciences (B.A.) and Philosophy (M.A.), focusing on environmental issues. She advocates for environmental health, local resilience, and developing our environmental imaginations. Rachel is currently the director of SCRAP Denton, a Creative Reuse center, and has experience in Nature Center ecology and gardening education, local Farmers Market management, community building and sustainability education.