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| Information ~ FAQ ~ Press/Media ~ Timeline ~ Report ~ Action Committees ~ Sponsors ~ Case Foundation Grant |
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| INFORMATION ON SUMMIT |
The Summit for Environmental Action was a day-long event held on February 29th, 2008 at Marie G. Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. The event gave participants a chance to brainstorm ideas focused on positively affecting our local environment. After the Summit, participants and community members will act on these ideas to implement them.
Participants worked in small groups which were pre-assigned to have a diversity of age, gender, occupational sector, and viewpoint. Each small group spent the day narrowing down ideas from dozens brainstormed in the morning to a single idea that a group member presented in the closing plenary session.
There were four possible topics for discussion: Water Issues, Energy Use, Living Locally, and Florida-Friendly Landscaping. Each group was able to discuss two of the four topics. This meant that participants were able to give feedback on more than one topic, but it also meant that groups did not work with the same ideas the entire day. Participants brainstormed many ideas in the morning, and then passed those ideas to another group to vet and flesh out. The idea that each group presented to the plenary in the afternoon was originally created by a different group in the morning session.
At the end of the day, a representative from each of the 16 small groups presented an idea for action and participants used instant voting technology to demonstrate their level of support for that idea. The five action plans that received the highest percentage of support are the “Top 5 Ideas” and will be the focus of committees that will work to make them socially and economically implementable.
Please click the links above to learn more about the Summit for Environmental Action.
Contact Kate Irwin for more information: (941) 365-8751 or kirwin@scopexcel.org.
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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
What is the Summit for Environmental Action?
The Summit for Environmental Action was a day-long event that drew together representatives of diverse community groups & organizations. Summit participants worked together to identify five actions that could effect positive outcomes for the natural environment. |
When and where was it held?
The Summit was held on Friday, February 29, 2008 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at Marie G.Selby Botanical Gardens. |
What issues did it cover?
Discussion focused on four environmental issues that provide an opportunity for measurable and actionable improvements in our area. The issues discussed were:
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping – Landscape changes everyone can implement that save money and are safe for our wildlife, native plants, bays, rivers and streams.
- Water Issues – Using less water and finding innovative sources for our water needs.
- Living Locally – Supporting walkability and local businesses to strengthen our area’s economy and build community.
- Energy Use – Choosing appropriate energy strategies that will be more efficient, save us money, and make us part of a national and global effort to address climate change.
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What were the outcomes?
The participants voted to support five action items:
- Develop rainwater, stormwater, greywater and reuse as alternate water sources.
- Require low impact development techniques for new development and incentives to retrofit existing development.
- Fifty percent of Sarasota County buildings with solar hot water heaters in five years.
- Attract sustainable/green manufacturing to the local area.
- Redesign transit system in conjunction with targeted mixed-use redevelopment zones. "Great Transit connecting Great Communities."
Who participated?
Summit planners extended an invitation to interested parties to nominate someone for participation in the workshop; self nominations were encouraged. There was a balanced group of participants who represented diverse community groups, including: business, municipal, education, faith-based, environmental, and neighborhood as well as civic groups. |
How were nominees selected?
Nominees selected for participation were those who are likely to become catalysts for community action to implement the changes endorsed by the summit.
Can I still get involved?
Yes! The first follow-up meeting after the Summit will be Monday, April 28th from 5:30 - 7:30 at College Hall, New College of Florida (map). At the meeting, five committees will be formed. These committees will be focused on enacting each of the five action items in a socially and economically feasible way.
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How did this Summit come about?
The Summit grew out of the natural environment indicators in the Community Report Card developed by SCOPE.
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Who was involved in planning the Summit?
Community partners who support the Summit for Environmental Action include:
Aspire Green Branding and Social Marketing,
Council of Neighborhood Association (CONA),
Control Growth Now,
Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County,
Florida House Learning Center,
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce,
Institute of Public Policy and Leadership, University of South Florida,
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens,
Mote Marine, Marine Policy Institute,
New college of Florida, Ruden McClosky,
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program,
Sarasota Manatee Young Democrats,
Sarasota Network for Climate Action,
Science and Environment Council,
SCOPE,
Sustainable Sarasota, Sarasota County Government |
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| PRESS ABOUT THE SUMMIT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION |
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| TIMELINE |
Click here to see the timeline of the Summit for Environmental Action planning process.
If you would like more detailed information about the planning process, please contact Kate Irwin at kirwin@scopexcel.org |
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| REPORT |
Due to individual and group commitments, the Summit was a great success. 150 representatives participated in facilitated discussions and talked with expert resource people to identify five actions that can effect positive outcomes for the natural environment.
Click Here to read the "Findings and Next Steps" report
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| SUMMIT ACTION COMMITTEES |
50% of Buildings Have Solar Hot Water Heaters
4.28.08 Meeting Summary |
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| Attract Green Businesses
4.28.08 Meeting Summary |
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Develop Alternative Water Sources
4.28.08 Meeting Summary |
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"Great Transit Connecting Great Communities"
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Incentivize Low-Impact Development
4.28.08 Meeting Summary |
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| THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: |
Platinum Sponsors
Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Schroeder-Manatee Ranch
SunTrust Banks
Gold Sponsors
Aspire Green Branding & Social Marketing
Captiva Beach Resort
Carlson Studio Architecture
Florida Power & Light
Michael Saunders & Company
Pamela Hughes, Hughes Design Associates
Positive Change Media
Ringling College of Art and Design
Ruden McClosky
Silver Sponsors
Anything Arts
Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County
Sarasota Architectural Salvage
Sarasota Green Marketplace, a Division of Sarasota Green Connection
Bronze Sponsors
Donna Krabill
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