Contents
Introduction
Current Champions
Program Description
Program Origins and APA Sustainability Planning
Contact
Introduction
The Sustainable Communities Division (SCD) launched a pilot Sustainability Champion’s program in September 2014 to accelerate sustainability planning at the State APA Chapter level throughout the United States. There are presently 13 champions (see the “Current Champions section, below). The intention is for champion’s to enhance sustainability planning in their State Chapters in ways best suited to the Chapter. In this way, momentum builds and the APA accelerates it’s contribution to society’s sustainability response. The program is founded on the SCD’s approach to sustainability as an integrative policy planning framework and the need to further develop that approach. In addition to activating sustainability in State Chapters, the champions and the larger program will become a national resource of APA members and will contribute to the national dialogue. This program will only be as robust as it’s champions and associated activity. If you are interested and/or active in sustainability planning, we strongly encourage you to volunteer in a way that matches your interests. Please contact Anne Miller, Program Lead, at anne.miller@state.co.us, or any of the sustainability champions listed below.
Please help us spread the word about this program (Program Flyer)!
Current Champions
Thirteen Sustainability Champions in 12 states across the country make up the initial leadership group. These Champions form the core group of what is envisioned as the national Sustainability Champions Network.
The Champions have been busy with outreach and education efforts to promote sustainability planning. They have also provided outreach for SCD initiatives at the local level. Examples of activities include workshops at state conferences (KY, IL, CO, NV), outreach and networking events (MA, NY), and a work session to review the sustainability policy guide update (CO).
The Champions developed a workplan for their activities and communicate as a network with bi-monthly conference calls and electronic communication. A SCD facilitated discussion at the 2016 APA conference in Phoenix will provide a forum to reflect on the successes and lessons learned of this pilot initiative and explore strategies for enhancing and expanding the program.
Current Sustainability Champions:
- California – Scott Edmondson
- Colorado – Waverly Klaw
- Delaware – Kevin Coyle
- Georgia – Rebecca Keefer
- Illinois – Andrew Meindl
- Illinois – Malika Hainer
- Kentucky – B. Scott Southall
- Massachussetts – Angela Vincent
- Missouri – John Hoal
- Nevada – Marco Velotta
- New York – Joanna Nadeau
- Tennessee – John Zeanah
- Texas – Lester King
For more information, or to get in touch with a Champion, please send an email to apascd@gmail.com.
Program Description
The APA Sustainable Communities Division (SCD) views sustainability as an important society-wide challenge, and sees a critical role for the planning profession in forging society’s response. As a result, APA National and its Sustainable Communities Division are advancing the profession’s contribution. One SCD initiative involves their pilot Sustainability Champion’s Program launched in the fall of 2014. It creates leadership, learning, and participation opportunities for its members to enhance sustainability planning in their State Chapters. Please see the attached file for more information.
Program Origins and APA Sustainability Planning
The Champion’s Program arose out of some of the ideas that arose in a facilitated discussion on Mobilizing State Sustainability Planning at the APA Conference in Chicago, 2013. A summary of that initiative is located here, http://norcalapa.org/sustainability-blog/connecting-apas-state-chapters-on-sustainability/, including links to a range of resources.
As preparation for the the facilitated discussion, the California and Colorado Sustainability Committees researched sustainability initiatives in APA State Chapters. All State Chapters were contacted to ascertain if and how they were pursuing sustainability planning, and to understand their successes, barriers, and needed support. The research revealed a wide variety of approaches and commitment, including, surprisingly, the existence of only five formal sustainability committees (CA, CO, FL, MA, and NJ). The article in the launching SCD Newsletter, “The Challenge of Sustainability Planning State APA Chapters and the New APA Sustainable Communities Division,” summarizes the research results and can be found here, on Page 4.
The five State Chapter Sustainability Committees represent a variety of approaches to sustainability planning. Their experience and the tools they have developed are a rich resource for other Chapters and planners. A one-page summary of those Chapters’ committees containing links to their websites and key resources is here: http://norcalapa.org/sustainability-blog/state-apa-chapter-resources-experience-mobilizing-sustainability/. Links to resources developed by the OR and WA Chapters is also presented. Even though neither Chapter has a formal sustainability committee, addressing the theme has been a long-standing core component of each Chapters’ work. As a result, they both have a wealth of experience and range of resources that other Chapters or planners may find useful.
Contact
If you are interested in finding out more about the Sustainability Champion’s program, please contact Anne Miller, Program Lead, at anne.miller@state.co.us.
APA-SCD 