2010 Leadership Exchange Regional Exploration

The 2010 Leadership Exchange Regional Exploration at Rutgers University-Camden delved into the Green and Clean economy: what it is, why it's important, and how we can and do participate in the Greater Philadelphia region. The program featured dynamic speakers, lively discussions, and an exchange of stimulating ideas. 

Below you will find some useful materials and resources for wrapping up our Regional Exploration experience including:

• Link to photos from the event,
• Speaker PowerPoints,
• A selection of green and clean practices among participants' organizations,
• And useful green and clean resources.

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Event Photos

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Speaker PowerPoints

Presenters at Friday's Regional Exchange offered a variety of perspectives through engaging presentations and panel discussions. Here are links to their organizations and downloadable PDFs of their PowerPoints:

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Our Green and Clean Practices

Table discussions centered on the ways in which participants' organizations participate in the Green and Clean economy. Several themes came to the surface, yielding many interesting examples:

Education / Civic Engagement

• PZS Architects hosts Lunch & Learns during which employees have the opportunity to learn about green materials and technologies.
• Widener University, the University of Pennsylvania, and CCP are all making efforts to “green” their curriculum content – focusing on development of applied programs for green sectors.
• The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society offers free Tree Tender and Garden Tender classes teaching techniques for building successful community gardens and caring for neighborhood greenery.
• Philly Homegrown, an Initiative of the GPTMC, promotes locally-grown produce and the businesses that use it.
• WHYY’s Health and Science desk produces stories documenting the local Green and Clean transition.

Sustainable Building*

• Philadelphia International Airport’s Environmental Stewardship plan includes a commitment to LEED certify all new buildings.
• All newly-constructed Bank of America branches are LEED certified.
• Keating's project converting the 30th Street Post Office into the new IRS headquarters is LEED certified.
• University City Science Center boasts the second largest green roof in Philadelphia featuring OxiCool technology.
• The Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust is constucting a zero footprint building next to Progress Plaza.
• CCP’s Northeast Regional Center Expansion includes a geothermal well field and is aiming for LEED Silver certification.
• Montgomery McCracken’s office building was recently certified LEED Silver.

Alternative Transportation

• Azavea, Inc. provides employees with PhillyCarShare memberships, access to bike racks, and reimbursement for public transportation.
• GPTMC launched the Boundless Philadelphia campaign to promote outdoor activities and transportation alternatives.
• The PCVB encourages visitors and clients to walk from place to place.

• DVRPC launched an interactive website to help Mercer County bicyclists plan safe routes to ride.

Energy Efficiency

• Viridity Energy is using Smart Grid technology to optimize power usage and minimize waste.
• The Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy at the Earth Institute of Colombia University works to develop alternative energy technologies.
• CCCS of Delaware Valley explores energy efficiency options with clients in order to help them improve their financial stability.
• Select Greater Philadelphia is working to attract alternative energy companies to the region.
• New Castle County has partnered with Ameresco to implement efficient and renewable energy systems at their county-owned facilities.

Recycling / Waste Reduction

• I-Site convinced the owners of the building in which they lease their office space to implement a recycling program.
• Citizens Bank partnered with the Phillies to implement a comprehensive recycling program at Citizens Bank Park.
• Disposable cups are no longer allowed at the Salveson Stetson Group office.
• Bank of America has provided all employees with a reusable mug.
• Jefferson Hospital operates an extensive recycling program with incineration on site.
• The PCVB hosted an entirely paperless convention – serviced instead by iPhone.
• Citizens Bank offers incentives for account holders to go paperless through GreenSense.
• No plastic water bottles allowed at Montgomery McCracken.
• PHS uses compostable corn-based paper plates.

Land Revitalization

• The Greater Camden Partnership is working on a vacant lot stabilization program – including the expansion of green space along the riverfront.
• Through Philadelphia Green, PHS is working to restore the region’s tree canopy and improve its vacant lots with community gardens.
• DVRPC and TreeVitalize are helping communities restore and managetheir tree canopys.
• New Castle County now boasts a vibrant wildlife enhancement area where a Superfund site, Army Creek Landfill, once stood.

Collaboration

•  Many of our participant's organizations are members of the Greater Philadelphia Green Business Program and the Greater Philadelphia Sustainable Business Network.

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Green and Clean Resources

National

• PEW research on the Green Energy Economy
• New York Times' Green Blog
• US Green Building Council
• RecycleBank

Regional

• The Pennsylvania Green Jobs Report
• Greenworks Philadelphia - an initiative of Mayor Nutter's Office of Sustainability
• Drexel University's NSF-funded Haitian Infrastructure Reconstruction research team blog

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