Register for the 2017 Sustainability Summit

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October 2, 2017

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Register for the 2017 Sustainability Summit

2017 Summit Logo

Early bird registration discounts are available until Wednesday, October 4th, 2017.

Register now for the 4th annual Sustainability Summit: Resilience, Equity, and Climate Change. The event will focus on why climate change is a high priority issue in Louisville, how we are planning for it, and what we need to do to transition to a more equitable and climate resilient city.

The event will be held Friday, October 27th at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage from 8:30am - 4:00pm.

The morning keynote speaker will discuss how cities are becoming climate resilient, and a panel will discuss local impacts of a changing climate, with special attention given to those impacted first and worst. Afternoon breakout sessions will focus on local and equitable action related to energy, public health, agriculture, water, air quality, and transportation/land use. Attendees will hear from Louisville's new Chief Resilience Officer, Eric Friedlander. Exhibitor tables are available. Visit the Louisville Sustainability Council website to learn more and to register. 

Volunteers are needed and discounted community tickets are available. For more information, contact Angela Futter at angela.futter@louisvilleky.gov.

Keynote speaker, Vaness Keith, is the author of 2100: A Dystopian Utopia - The City After Climate Change.


Manufacturers - Register for this Event

2017 KAM Breakfast

The Louisville Energy Alliance and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers have partnered to host “Energy Awareness: Good for the Environment, Good for Business”. This breakfast event will feature industry experts presenting on best practices for optimizing manufacturing processes, energy markets, green manufacturing, and ways several businesses in Kentucky have developed and implemented continuous improvement programs.  

The event will be held at the Galt House in Louisville, October 27, 2017, from 8:00am to 10:00am. A continental breakfast is included.  

Space is limited. Register today.


Artistic Bus Shelters Receive Special Award

AIA Award

The artistic bus shelters installed in SoBro Louisville and in Shelby Park received the 2017 Special Award for Community Engagement from the American Institute of Architects. 

The award selection committee said this about the shelters: “[Louisville's artistic bus shelters are] an excellent example of multiple stakeholders collaborating to create something special that addresses the needs and opportunities of a growing neighborhood. A design solution that makes you smile.”

The project, named Louisville TransporStation, is the result of a partnership between Shelby Park Neighborhood Association, SoBro Louisville Neighborhood Group, Bicycling for Louisville, Metro's Office of Sustainability, Haptic Design Lab and Luckett & Farley Architects to reimagine and reshape two TARC bus stops. The project was supported by crowd funding through ioby with a matching donation from the TransitCenter.


Register for the Community Wide Planting Day

Louisville's Community Wide Planting Day will be held on Saturday, November 4th. Volunteers should meet at Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church located at 2600 Virginia Avenue beginning at 10:00am. Tree planting will take place in the public right of way along W Oak Street, Virginia Avenue, and 25th Street. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed toe shoes and outdoor work clothes, as well as bring gloves. 


Read the 2016 Sustain Louisville Progress Report

From decreasing the amount of garbage put into the landfill to increasing the number of electric TARC buses and beginning work on recommendations in a groundbreaking urban heat study, Louisville Metro Government and its partners made important environmental strides in 2016. Read more in the 2016 Sustain Louisville Progress Report

2016 Progress Report

Other successes include: 

Read the press release.


Cool Roof and Tree Rebates are Still Available

Cool roof

Cool Roof Rebates

The Office of Sustainability's Cool Roof Rebate Program has funding available for properties located in Metro Council Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 14 and 15 (Determine your Council District). The program aims to combat urban warming as identified in the Urban Heat Management Study. The rebate provides up to $1 per square foot of roof that is installed with an ENERGY STAR roofing product.

The incentive is available for new or replacement steep-slope and flat or low-sloped roofs on residential and commercial buildings. Rebates are first come, first served. Read more about the program and apply.

Shade Tree Rebates

tree rebate

Purchase a shade* tree and receive 40% off the purchase price up to $80. TreesLouisville is partnering with the Louisville Metro Division of Community Forestry. The program is open to all residents of Jefferson County.

*Shade trees are generally medium to large sized trees that have spreading canopies (e.g., oak, maple, linden, elm), though smaller species like redbuds and serviceberries also fall under this category. Dwarf ornamental varieties will not be eligible. If you have questions about whether your tree is eligible for a rebate, email info@treeslouisville.org.

Funding is first come, first served.

Read more about how to participate.


Partner Events and More

Louisville Solar Tour logo

Louisville Solar Tour

When: Saturday, October 7th at 9:30am
Where: Meet at Copper & Kings  
Cost: Bus Tour: $15; Bike Ride: Free

The 10th annual Louisville Solar Tour will begin at Copper & King's American Brandy Company (1121 E Washington St) with a free information session on how to obtain and finance solar power. The Solar Tour of residential, houses of worship and business installations will begin at 11:00am. Owners and installers will present briefly at each location. The Bus Tour costs $15 and is limited to 40 participants. The Bicycle Tour is free. Participants should register for the Louisville Solar Tour in advance.

The Power of Health through Nature in Cities

Health and Harmony logo

When: Thursday, October 26th, from 8am - 9pm
Where: Kentucky Center for African American Heritage
Cost: Free

The event will bring scientists, public officials, nonprofit leaders, business leaders and foundations together to discuss how to work across sectors to solve large scale urban health challenges. The morning session will launch the Green Heart Project and provide a platform for attendees to engage in conversations about other “green hearts” sitting in cities across the nation. The day will conclude with an afternoon tour of the Green Heart Project neighborhood followed by an evening dinner reception at the home of Christina Lee Brown.

Register today!

Get Involved

The Office of Sustainability partners with the non-profit Louisville Sustainability Council (LSC). The LSC’s mission is to engage and collaborate with the community to facilitate the achievement of Louisville’s sustainability goals. The organization works to improve health and quality of life in Louisville by catalyzing community action to promote citywide sustainability. Everyone is encouraged to learn more and get involved.

four star community rating

Louisville is rated as a 4-STAR Community for its sustainability achievements. The rating was awarded in August 2015 by STAR Communities.