Sustainable Raleigh News: Volume 3, Issue 1

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CITY OF RALEIGH OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY

Economic Strength...Environmental Stewardship...Social Equity.

Paula Thomas

Sustainability Manager Retiring

Paula S. Thomas recently announced her retirement from her position as Manager of the Office of Sustainability for the City of Raleigh, effective February 28.

 

Thomas began work for the City in 2008 as the sole sustainability staff member, tasked with developing and managing a comprehensive sustainability program for Raleigh. During her six-year tenure, she created the Office of Sustainability that provides guidance for policy development, and goal setting for the City of Raleigh.


Thomas’ leadership and competency are evident in many of the City’s major sustainability projects completed under her management, including development of the electric vehicle infrastructure, management of the City’s first Green House Gas Inventory and Climate Energy Action Plan, creation of the Sustainable Purchasing Policy, development of the Clean Energy Economic Development Strategy, among others.

 

Most recently, Raleigh was included among the inaugural 20 U.S. cities for the STAR Community Rating System, the nation’s first framework and certification program for local sustainability. (more)

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Signing Dix Park Agreement

Dix Property Agreement Paves Way for Destination Park

State and municipal leaders tentatively agreed to a deal that would sell the Dorothea Dix property to the City of Raleigh for the proposed price of $52 million. The agreement allows for the creation of a destination park on the site of the 307-acre property, which contains the Dorothea Dix Hospital. The site has primarily served as a mental health treatment facility since 1856.


The sustainability benefits, although not central to the deal, are evident. “A centrally located urban park in Downtown Raleigh will spur economic development and provide open space and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors,” said Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane at the January 12 press event announcing the deal. (more)

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Michael Tiemann

Talking Food at the 2015 Environmental Awards

If you want advice about corporate technology, strategy and policy, ask Michael Tiemann, vice president of open source affairs at Red Hat. If you want to know about the importance of sustainable food systems in our local communities, come hear Tiemann’s keynote address at the City of Raleigh Environmental Awards celebration. The free event is April 22 at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh. Open to the public, the event begins with a reception at 6 p.m. with awards ceremony following from 7–9.


Tiemann has served on the Board of Advisors of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) since 2006, using his entrepreneurial open-source experience to help transform CEFS from a respected academic partnership to a national leader in sustainable food-systems practices and policies.

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Environmental Award Winners

Deadline to Nominate an Environmental Hero Nears

February 13 is the deadline to nominate an individual or organization for a City of Raleigh Environmental Award, recognizing outstanding work in environmental stewardship in our community.


Awards are given in 12 categories, including the Raleigh Environmental Stewardship Award (RESA) and the Emerging Professional video Public Service Announcement awards for high school and college students. Nomination application forms are available on City’s website or by calling the Raleigh Office of Sustainability at 919-996-3070.

 

WELCOME...

to the City of Raleigh Office of Sustainability bimonthly newsletter. We hope you enjoy our news, click the links to learn more, and forward it to others who may be interested. To receive future issues, sign up for Sustainable Raleigh through MyRaleigh Subscriptions.

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Traditional vs. Green Burial

PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Green Until the Very End

How deep is your dedication to the environment? Does it stop at six feet – as in a burial plot? Environmentalists across the country are targeting the funeral industry in an effort to decrease their final footprint.

 

In the Triangle, Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in Wake Forest is the only green burial site certified by the Green Burial Council. Renaissance Funeral Home in Raleigh provides green caskets and environmentally friendly choices for all final arrangements.

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NC PEV Annual Report

NC PEV Task Force 2014 Annual Report

The North Carolina Plug-In Electric Vehicle Taskforce identifies and addresses barriers to plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) adoption. The 2014 Annual Report, released by Advanced Energy and the NC PEV Taskforce, provides updates on charging options for multifamily dwellings, workplace charging, the number of registered electric vehicles in North Carolina, and more.

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SUSTAINABILITY FACTS

· The average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year, including 500 disposable cups and 320 pounds of paper.

· Americans comprise about 5% of the world's population and annually produce 27% of the world's garbage. (Source: Boston College)

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FEBRUARY

13Environmental Awards Nominations Submission Deadline

Office of Sustainability

919-996-3070


19Human Relations Commission Awards Banquet

Raleigh Convention Center

Raleigh Housing and Neighborhoods Department

(919) 996-6100

 

MARCH

6Dig In

8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Marbles Kids Museum

Advocates for Health in Action (AHA)

(919) 210-0310


21 - Spring Cleanup of Streams, Lakes & Trails

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Umstead State Park

River Guardian Foundation

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City of Raleigh

Office of Sustainability

222 West Hargett Street #307
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 996-3070
Twitter @RaleighGoGreen
SustainableRaleigh@raleighnc.gov