LEED V4/4.1 Materials Training (For Manufacturers)
2020-07-22 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
1pm-4pm PST
Zoom link sent after completion of registration
$175 for members / $225 for general public
Register Here

LEEDV4/V4.1 MATERIALS TRAINING FOR PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS

The training will cover the requirements, documentation types, documentation development processes, and available resources to achieve the following LEED v4/4.1 BD+C NC and ID+C CI/Retail materials-related credits:
• MR BPDO- Environmental Product Declarations
• MR BPDO- Sourcing of Raw Materials
• MR BPDO- Material Ingredients
• IEQ Low Emitting Materials
The training will also include collaborative activities encouraging attendees to consider how the information applies to their work/products, and which product certifications most align with their work.

Facilitators:
Jeff Frost

Jeff Frost is recognized as a national subject matter expert on a wide array of material issues affecting the built environment.
He is the co-founder of the national mindful MATERIALS collaborative; an industry-led initiative to make it easier for building professionals to select products with health and environmental attributes. He is an invited member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Material Knowledge Working Group (MKWG); a group of industry professionals helping shape the AIA’s approach to materials for their members.
Brightworks is a member of the Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC) and Jeff is co-chair of the Content Inventory Technical Sub-Group (TSG); tasked with improving the content and structure of the Health Product Declaration (HPD). He joined the USGBC’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for subject matter related to Materials and Resources credits in 2018.

Alex Setmajer

Alex is a Project Manager and Materials Specialist at Brightworks Sustainability, where she helps
clients navigate the escalating complexity of material choices in the built environment.
Her experience with healthy and sustainable materials includes working directly with building
project teams pursuing the Living Building Challenge Materials Petal and Red List Vetting, LEED
Materials credits, custom corporate healthy materials programs, measuring embodied carbon
and building life cycle assessments (LCAs). Alex also works directly with product manufacturers
to advise and support them to improve their transparency and sustainability initiatives.
Alex is involved in the development of Brightworks’ materials scoring tool, that helps designers
select preferred materials by scoring products across a number of indicators.

Webinar: LEEDing Ladies Episode 3: The Consequences of Consequential Damages
2020-07-23 11:00 - 12:00
Join us via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/667849496
This is a complimentary event open to all USGBC-LA Members as well as the General Public.

LEEDing Ladies: Conversations on Construction. Episode 3: The Consequences of Consequential Damages
It’s no surprise that green building projects often carry with them unique expectations that are often not at issue in conventional construction projects. But what happens when those expectations aren’t met?
Join Hunt Ortmann and USGBC-LA on July 23rd 2020 from 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. to learn more about the consequences of consequential damages in green building. During this webinar, we’ll discuss:
• What exactly are consequential damages?
• How they can come into play during green building projects;
• Ways to utilize your contracts to best protect yourself.
Don’t be caught unawares! Join us so you had into your next project with your eyes wide open.

Speakers:

Kathlynn Smith is a shareholder with Hunt Ortmann with extensive experience representing the construction industry in complex construction litigation and transactional matters. For over 10 years, Ms. Smith’s practice has been devoted to representing owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers on both public and private works of improvement in a wide variety of matters from project inception through trial. In particular, Ms. Smith has successfully represented her clients in the litigation and arbitration of claims involving scope of work disputes, delay and disruption, mechanic’s liens and stop notices, payment and performance bonds, bid protests, and construction defects. In addition, Ms. Smith is experienced in drafting and reviewing construction contracts, contract administration, and drafting procurement documents. Ms. Smith has successfully resolved complex construction disputes involving multi-million dollar claims as well as assisted her clients procure or negotiate contracts for large complex public and private works of improvement.
Ms. Smith is a frequent presenter and author on various topics related to or that impact the construction industry. Ms. Smith also is the co-author of the “Smart Girls’ Guide To Construction Law” and architect of the “Smart Girls’” initiative directed at women-owned and/or operated companies in the construction industry.

Jennifer Tung is an associate attorney with Hunt Ortmann. She focuses her practice on a broad array of matters, including breach of contract claims and construction litigation. Ms. Tung has represented a diverse client base, including both owners and contractors. A native Angeleno, Ms. Tung speaks Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. She is a tae kwon do black belt. Prior to law school, Ms. Tung worked as a professional political organizer and fundraiser.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/667849496
Meeting ID: 667 849 496
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+16699006833,,667849496#

Net Zero Accelerator 2020 Cohort Meet and Greet
2020-07-23 16:00 - 18:00
Net Zero Accelerator 2020
Cohort Meet and Greet
July 23rd, 2020
4 – 6 PM
Join us via Zoom!

Join us to meet our 2020 Net Zero Accelerator cohort of 17 innovative startup companies delivering building technology to help enable a net positive future.
You’ll hear their fast pitches and have the opportunity to be matched up with this year’s startups for mentorship, pilot projects, and more!
The 2020 program is focused on building decarbonization (materials & operations), clean construction (waste & efficiency), and occupant wellness for all building types (commercial, institutional, multi-family, affordable housing, etc.).
Bring your own beverage of choice and join us virtually this year to learn more about future innovations and the people behind it!

Join us via Zoom!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95687568947
Meeting ID: 956 8756 8947
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Meeting ID: 956 8756 8947

Building Resilience: Community as the Building Block for Resilience
2020-07-28 10:00 - 11:30
Building Resilience:
Community as the Building Block of Resilience

Now Virtual!
Tuesday, July 28th, 2020; 10 AM – 11:30 AM PST
Join on Zoom
Link sent to participants after completed registration
Register Here
Metro Partners: $75.00
USGBC-LA Members: $75.00
General Public: $90.00

As American communities are confronted by compounded and systematic challenges, we need new models to build resilience for all people. Communities that are connected and empowered are better off today and more able to respond and recover when disaster strikes. Why are communities fundamental to resilience, and how do we find, connect and support our local communities? How does this translate to developing strong teams at work, and how can we leverage organizations and project teams to prepare for a changing world? This 90-minute interactive workshop will provide participants with real-world examples and strategies for understanding and supporting team building and community engagement as a key component of resilience.

Facilitator: Heather Rosenberg, Director, Building Resilience-LA Program at USGBC-LA

Heather Rosenberg is a USGBC Ginsberg Fellow and leader of Building Resilience-LA, a USGBC-LA program that brings resilience to the building scale. She recently led the development of Building Resilience-LA: A Primer for Facilities. With more than 15 years working on the leading edge of green building and sustainability, she is co-author of the USGBC report “Social Equity in the Built Environment,” co-authored the core curriculum for USGBC’s Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide, and writes and blogs extensively on issues of social equity and resilience. An ecologist by training, Heather formerly served as a principal at CTG Energetics, where she worked on sustainability projects in buildings, communities and local governments. She was appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti to serve on the City of LA’s Innovation and Performance Commission and serves on the National Institute of Standards and Technology Resilience Panel-Social and Economic Committee and the USGBC Social Equity Working Group.

Reframing the Climate Conversation: Telling the Story to Bring About Productive Climate Action
2020-07-29 12:00 - 13:30
REGISTER HERE

Presentation Intros:
It can be difficult to talk about climate change in ways that are productive, informative, and engaging — but the scale of the challenge in front of us requires that we find a way to do this. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Jessica Moyer, from the FrameWorks Institute, will share the research process her organization undertook to identify the most common reasons that conversations about climate change go wrong, as well as to design, develop, and test communications strategies that foster a ‘common good’ mindset and prompt solutions thinking. Emily Moberg, Executive Chair of the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation, will share how these powerful communications techniques can be used to talk about climate change—the causes and the solutions.
You’ll leave this presentation with a deeper knowledge about how the American public thinks about climate change and how your communications influence thinking as well as with concrete tools to facilitate productive conversations about the climate.

Speaker Bios:
Jessica Moyer is a sociologist and geographer by training, and a Principal Strategist at the FrameWorks Institute where she helps advocates working across a range of progressive social issues engage the public in more productive conversations—ones that build public understanding and drive positive change. Prior to joining FrameWorks, Jessica served in various roles at social and environmental organizations, including the Washington Conservation Corps, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Stillwater Sciences Inc., and the Center for Marine Resource Studies in the Turks and Caicos Islands. She has held research and teaching positions at universities in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Emily Moberg is the Executive Chair for the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation and has worked with the organization since 2013 in roles ranging from curricular design to leading the network’s Science Fellows. A scientist herself, she conducted her doctoral research in the MIT-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution joint program and has conducted research at Yale and Rutgers on the impacts of climate change on fisheries. Emily believes that empowering scientists and science educators how to communicate about climate change is a critical component of climate action.

Webinar: Advancing LEED for Cities and Communities in California
2020-07-30 11:00 - 12:00
Advancing LEED for Cities and Communities in California
Via Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/92381724351

On July 30 join the USGBC LA Chapter as we explore the LEED for Cities and Communities rating systems and how California cities and communities are aligned with the program’s emphasis on climate, resilience, health and social equity. We’ll connect directly with the program staff and stakeholders from the LEED Cities and Communities Working Group based here in southern California. We’ll also hear from a recent city and a community working towards certification on the new LEED v4.1 for Cities and Communities program. There will be ample time for questions and a discussion with our speakers. So, bring along your pressing challenges and top questions — we hope you can join us!

Agenda

Welcome and Introductions
Program overview, discuss current projects in the region, distinguish between product types and approach
Provide examples of prerequisites and credits that address regional priorities (e.g. climate, resilience, equity, health, pandemic issues)
Hear from two projects; how is their work on resilience and equity are reflected in the certification process?
Guided Discussion and Q&A
Conclusion

About Presenters
Hilari Varnadore
Vice President for Cities
Washington, District of Columbia
Hilari brings more than two decades of experience in public administration and nonprofit leadership to her role as VP, LEED for Cities. Previously Hilari led STAR Communities as its executive/founding director. In that capacity, she deployed the first framework and certification program for local sustainability in the US, the STAR Community Rating System. She has served as a chief sustainability officer and principal planner in local government and has led two nonprofit organizations as CEO.
Hilari is invested in helping cities, towns and counties use data to drive decision-making, investments and community improvements that are more equitable and resilient. Her approach to sustainability is holistic and rooted in the triple bottom line. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, facilitation, program development and administration, policy development, governance, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, marketing and communications.
She holds a Master’s of Arts degree from Northern Arizona University in Geography with an emphasis in Community Planning and a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Unity College of Maine in Environmental Policy. Hilari serves on Metropolitan Washington COG’s Climate, Energy & Environment Policy Committee, the board of the Emerald Cities Collaborative, and the EcoDistrict Advisory Council. She is a 13-generation Marylander and a Girl Scout troop leader.
Listen to Hilari’s recent overview video of the LEED for Cities and
Communities program: https://youtu.be/0arx2tsTUfg

Vatsal Bhatt
Vice President – Communities
Setauket, New York
Dr. Vatsal Bhatt consults with the U.S. Green Building Council as the Vice President for Communities, where he helped conceptualize and make operational the LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities rating systems. He co-leads the Application Frameworks working group on the National Institute for Standards and Technology led efforts for developing “IoT Enabled Smart Cities Frameworks” and serves on the US technical advisory group for the ISO’s technical committee 268 for sustainable cities. He recently peer reviewed the Future of Housing Roadmap for XPRIZE. He is also serving on the Board of Advisors for the Wellbeing City Award mobilized by the New Cities Foundation.
As a senior energy policy analyst at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, Dr. Bhatt has worked on various national and international assignments for energy systems analysis and low-carbon development for the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, universities, foundations, and international governments. He has developed energy-water-climate change systems modeling for long-term national, regional and urban analysis.
Dr. Bhatt has led the USDOE’s U.S.-India-China Cities Partnership for Energy and Environment for 2007-2014 and provided technical assistance to the governments of India and China and state and local governments on low-carbon urban growth strategies and EcoCity planning and implementation. He serves as a senior advisor to US Department of State managed US-China EcoPartnerships Secretariat.
In August 2013, the Woodrow Wilson Center for Distinguished Scholars invited Dr. Bhatt to participate on a five-member panel to facilitate developing China’s Energy-Water Roadmap.
Dr. Bhatt is a senior advisor to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for New York State’s 100% Renewables Study and EPRI project on NYS Electric System Climate Resiliency.
Dr. Bhatt is a lead author of the U.S. Global Change Research Program’s first-ever assessment of the “Effects of Climate Change on Energy Production and Use in the United States”, Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.5.

Zoom Meeting Details:
Meeting ID: 923 8172 4351
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,92381724351# US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 923 8172 4351

Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation and Rural Inclusive Development Webinar
2020-07-30 11:00 - 12:00
Register for our FREE webinar on July 30th! Tune in to hear Gregory Wendt, CFP, Glenda Humiston and Erik Oberholtzer discuss Episode 5:
Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation and Rural Inclusive Development
At all levels the current systemic crisis is revealing the gaps and opportunities for transformation and resilience in all levels of agriculture and food systems. We create the best solutions to simultaneously achieve prosperous food systems and regenerate ecosystems by harnessing the benefits of multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder solutions.

Moderator
Gregory Wendt, CFP, Wealth Management & Strategy Advisor for Impact Investors , Regenerative Macroeconomist

Speakers
Glenda Humiston, Vice President, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Office of the President

Erik Oberholtzer, Executive Chairman, Tender Greens, Advisor, Cohere
July 30th
11 a.m. PDT/ 2 p.m. EDT
FREE Webinar Series
RSVP HERE

Addressing Resilience and Social Equity with LEED for Cities and Communities
2020-07-30 11:00 - 12:00
Via Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/92381724351

On July 30 join the USGBC LA Chapter as we explore the LEED for Cities and Communities rating systems and how California cities and communities are aligned with the program’s emphasis on climate, resilience, health and social equity. We’ll connect directly with the program staff and stakeholders from the LEED Cities and Communities Working Group based here in southern California. We’ll also hear from a recent city and a community working towards certification on the new LEED v4.1 for Cities and Communities program. There will be ample time for questions and a discussion with our speakers. So, bring along your pressing challenges and top questions — we hope you can join us!

Agenda

Welcome and Introductions
Program overview, discuss current projects in the region, distinguish between product types and approach
Provide examples of prerequisites and credits that address regional priorities (e.g. climate, resilience, equity, health, pandemic issues)
Hear from two projects; how is their work on resilience and equity are reflected in the certification process?
Guided Discussion and Q&A
Conclusion

Presenters
Hilari Varnadore
Vice President for Cities
Washington, District of Columbia
Hilari brings more than two decades of experience in public administration and nonprofit leadership to her role as VP, LEED for Cities. Previously Hilari led STAR Communities as its executive/founding director. In that capacity, she deployed the first framework and certification program for local sustainability in the US, the STAR Community Rating System. She has served as a chief sustainability officer and principal planner in local government and has led two nonprofit organizations as CEO.
Hilari is invested in helping cities, towns and counties use data to drive decision-making, investments and community improvements that are more equitable and resilient. Her approach to sustainability is holistic and rooted in the triple bottom line. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, facilitation, program development and administration, policy development, governance, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, marketing and communications.
She holds a Master’s of Arts degree from Northern Arizona University in Geography with an emphasis in Community Planning and a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Unity College of Maine in Environmental Policy. Hilari serves on Metropolitan Washington COG’s Climate, Energy & Environment Policy Committee, the board of the Emerald Cities Collaborative, and the EcoDistrict Advisory Council. She is a 13-generation Marylander and a Girl Scout troop leader.
Listen to Hilari’s recent overview video of the LEED for Cities and
Communities program: https://youtu.be/0arx2tsTUfg

Vatsal Bhatt
Vice President – Communities
Setauket, New York
Dr. Vatsal Bhatt consults with the U.S. Green Building Council as the Vice President for Communities, where he helped conceptualize and make operational the LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities rating systems. He co-leads the Application Frameworks working group on the National Institute for Standards and Technology led efforts for developing “IoT Enabled Smart Cities Frameworks” and serves on the US technical advisory group for the ISO’s technical committee 268 for sustainable cities. He recently peer reviewed the Future of Housing Roadmap for XPRIZE. He is also serving on the Board of Advisors for the Wellbeing City Award mobilized by the New Cities Foundation.
As a senior energy policy analyst at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, Dr. Bhatt has worked on various national and international assignments for energy systems analysis and low-carbon development for the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, universities, foundations, and international governments. He has developed energy-water-climate change systems modeling for long-term national, regional and urban analysis.
Dr. Bhatt has led the USDOE’s U.S.-India-China Cities Partnership for Energy and Environment for 2007-2014 and provided technical assistance to the governments of India and China and state and local governments on low-carbon urban growth strategies and EcoCity planning and implementation. He serves as a senior advisor to US Department of State managed US-China EcoPartnerships Secretariat.
In August 2013, the Woodrow Wilson Center for Distinguished Scholars invited Dr. Bhatt to participate on a five-member panel to facilitate developing China’s Energy-Water Roadmap.
Dr. Bhatt is a senior advisor to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for New York State’s 100% Renewables Study and EPRI project on NYS Electric System Climate Resiliency.
Dr. Bhatt is a lead author of the U.S. Global Change Research Program’s first-ever assessment of the “Effects of Climate Change on Energy Production and Use in the United States”, Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.5.
Moderator
Chris Rhie
Associate Principal, Buro Happold
Christopher Rhie is an urban planner and sustainability strategist at Buro Happold. With a background in public policy, urban design, and environmental management, Christopher has extensive experience with the development of sustainability and climate action plans for local governments, as well as colleges and universities across the United States.
His recent projects include the comprehensive land use and climate action plans for the City of Cambridge (MA), New York City’s Roadmap to 80×50, the Los Angeles County Sustainability Plan, and Design Sprints on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in Boston and Los Angeles.
Prior to joining Buro Happold, Christopher worked on climate action initiatives as an energy analyst at the City of New York and the City of Oakland.
Originally from Hartford, CT, Christopher holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University and master’s degrees in city planning and real estate development from MIT.
Christopher is currently serving as an Urban Design Co-Chair at the APA New York Metro Chapter, a Mentor at the URBAN-X city solutions accelerator, and an On-Call Advisor to STAR Communities.

Webinar: State and Local Advocacy 101 & Virtual Happy Hour
2020-07-30 16:00 - 18:00
State and Local Advocacy 101 & Virtual Happy Hour

Presented by Justin Malan from Ecoconsult
Via Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/98934489174

Join Advocacy Committees from USGBC-LA and the San Diego Green Building Council (SDGBC) for an informative and fun session on how you can get more engaged in advocacy on a local and state level. Justin Malan from Ecoconsult will present an overview of the state legislative process and a breakdown of terminology, locally elected officials, and more! Stick around for some networking and a virtual happy hour between the San Diego and LA green building chapters.

About the Presenter

Justin Malan
With degrees in Environmental Studies and Law and Administration, Justin has formal training in the core disciplines impacting the legislative services needed by clients. He has 30 years of experience in numerous fields of resource management, public and environmental health, environmental advocacy, renewable and clean energy development and sustainable development in state, local and private sectors.
Justin serves as Executive Director to the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH) and California Association of Environmental Health Administrators (CAEHA). Past positions held include: Executive Director, California Ocean Science; Executive Director, California Aquaculture Association; Founder and Executive Director, Marine Sanctuary and Estuarine Reserves Foundation; Founder and Executive Director, World Sturgeon Farmers Association.
Justin possesses an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of California’s environmental statutes and regulations, particularly the Public Resources Code, Health and Safety Code, Fish and Game Code and Government Code. Has sponsored, written and guided the passage of over 50 bills in these areas.
​
Contact: justin@ecoconsult.biz

Restoring College Sports Amid COVID-19: Leveraging Climate Action
2020-08-03 10:00 - 11:00
As college sports programs plan their recovery from Covid-19 impacts, leveraging existing campus assets and fan preferences opens up sports sustainability operations that generate revenues, cost savings, and significant campus/community support for moving the ball on climate action. As many professional and global sports organizations have learned, taking action to mitigate climate change helps deliver many of these benefits.
This webinar will feature several high profile collegiate athletic directors who have created sustainability assets in their athletics programs with the help of campus sustainability staff. With those assets, they have won support from corporate partners, improved student and fan relations, better aligned with their own campus’ sustainability goals, and enhanced campus sustainability leadership on and off the field.
Athletics department staff and campus sustainability professionals will both benefit from this webinar, as they look to regain traction on their internal goals amid the current health crisis. Both will benefit from new corporate partnerships based on sustainability. Both have allied interests in promoting stronger student and fan engagement. And both are integral parts of campus sustainability and climate action goals that more strongly unite athletics with every facet of campus life.
Globally, over 120 sports organizations such as the International Olympic Committee, the NY Yankees, the NY Mets, the Golden State Warriors and the NBA have committed to the UN’s Sports for Climate Action Framework.
In the US, the University of Colorado Boulder was the first US collegiate sports program to sign on. Now, even amid the Covid pandemic, The Ohio State University, Wake Forest University and the University of Miami are committing because this work is too important to forget. In this webinar you can find out how this approach can help your campus do well–by doing good!
Register Today
Presenters

Rick George, Athletic Director, University of Colorado Buffaloes

Rick George was named athletic director at the University of Colorado on July 17, 2013, returning to Boulder where he helped play a role in the school’s first and only national championship in football some 23 years earlier.
George, came to Colorado from the Texas Rangers baseball club of the American League, where he was named chief operating officer on October 5, 2010 with a promotion to president of business operations in February 2013. He agreed to a 5-year contract at CU, and he officially started on the job on August 12, 2013. In June 2016, the Board of Regents approved a contract extension through 2020-21, and in June 2019, the Regents once again extended him through the 2023-24 academic and athletic year.
Read Rick George’s full bio.

Gene Smith, Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director, The Ohio State University Buckeyes

Ohio State’s student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom and on the fields of play under the leadership of Gene Smith, who directs the nation’s largest and one of its elite athletic programs. Smith is proud of the high-performance culture that has developed with the leadership of what he often refers to as “the best coaching staff in America.” Record achievements by individuals, teams and the entire athletic program attest to Ohio State’s commitment to the development of the total student-athlete in a holistic way.

As the institution’s academic profile has increased, so too has the academic profile of its student-athletes. In the classroom, student-athletes continue to distinguish themselves with record numbers earning university, conference and national honors. Last year, Ohio State boasted a record 674 Ohio State Scholar Athletes and 461 Academic All-Big Ten selections and 231 student-athletes earned their degrees.

Read Gene Smith’s full bio.

John Currie, Athletic Director, Wake Forest Demon Deacons

John Currie became Wake Forest’s sixth athletic director in school history when he was named to the position on March 3, 2019. Currie is just the third individual to have held the position since 1964 following the 28-year tenure of Dr. Gene Hooks (1964-92) and Ron Wellman (1992-2019). Currie is a 1993 Wake Forest graduate who has served twice as an athletic director at the NCAA Division I level with leadership roles at Kansas State University from 2009-17 and at the University of Tennessee in 2017.
A nationally-recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics, Currie has spent his career building a solid reputation as a fundraiser, builder of great facilities and an inclusive leader. In 2013, he earned the Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year and received the Bobby Dodd Athletic Director Award. In 2011, Currie was the named to the Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 list.
Read John Currie’s full bio.

Blake James, Director of Athletics, University of Miami

Since taking over as the University of Miami’s Director of Athletics in 2013, Blake James has transformed The U, spearheading significant advances in all aspects of the department, including postseason appearances, student-athlete support, facility upgrades, ticket sales, broadcast capabilities and academic achievement.
Miami’s recent success continues to garner both James and UM national recognition. This past summer, James concluded a two-year term as Chair of the NCAA Division I Council, the group responsible for the day-to-day decision-making for all of Division I Athletics. This year he was one of five nominees for the 2019 SportsBusiness Journal Athletic Director of the Year. In 2017, James was selected as one of four Division I recipients of the 2016-17 Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year award from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
Read Blake James’ full bio.

Moderator: Meghan Fay-Zanhiser, Executive Director, AASHE

Meghan has been with AASHE since 2011 and previously held the positions of Director of Programs and STARS Program Manager. Prior to AASHE, Meghan worked as Sustainability Specialist at NELSON, where she provided sustainability expertise and consulting services to various clients. She also spent over five years working at the U.S. Green Building Council where, as Manager of Community, she developed and managed a local chapter network for building-industry professionals and helped create the Emerging Green Builders program that integrates students and young professionals into the green building movement.

This webinar is sponsored by Phase 3 Sports. Phase 3 Sports works to influence sustainable behavior change among sports fans inspired by their club’s green operations and values. This alignment is leveraged via corporate partnerships and green marketing.

The Dynamic Role of Technology, Business and Government in Society
2020-08-03 17:00 - 18:00
A Discussion on How to Ensure the Right Outcomes
with Congressman Ro Khanna, serving California’s 17th
Congressional District in the heart of Silicon Valley.
REGISTER NOW
RSVP Required via Zoom for Webinar Link and Instructions to Join.
Open to UCLA students, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the extended UCLA community and general public.

Congressman Ro Khanna
California’s 17th Congressional District
There is an increasing focus on the use of technology-based innovations as a means to help address the societal issues in areas such as healthcare, transportation and education; and at the same time there is a growing “tech-lash” in areas such as the digital divide, the future of work, anti-trust and data privacy. Join the Centers@ UCLA Anderson and Professor Terry Kramer in a moderated conversation with Congressman Ro Khanna who represents the 17th Congressional District in the heart of Silicon Valley as they discuss the role of leaders in both business and government in this environment and how this relationship is changing. Ultimately gaining a better understanding as to whether the role of government should increase in the face of growing societal issues and/or whether the role of a CEO should expand in serving a variety of constituents including shareholders, employees and society more broadly. Dean Bernardo will provide opening remarks.

Biggest and Smallests: CNPS Yerba Buena Speaker Program
2020-08-06 19:30 - 20:30
Speaker: Kipp McMichael
Break out your rulers, scales and metrics for a tour of California flora with an eye toward maxima and minima. We’ll start with familiar status-holders like giant sequoia and duckweed but move on to more esoteric categories and the biggests and smallests therein: The largest flower? The longest vine? The biggest fruit? The smallest fern? The largest club moss? Let’s explore what lies at the disparate ends of the phytological scale!
Kipp McMichael is a professional web developer and an amateur naturalist with several degrees, none of them plant-related (but don’t tell that to his overly-large plant collection). He grows native plants, succulents and far too many bulbs in his home garden in Berkeley, CA.
REGISTER HERE

TRUE zero waste and Circular Economy Training Series: How to Apply Circularity to Your Business
2020-08-07 09:30 - 11:00
TRUE Zero Waste and Circular Economy Training Series:

HOW TO APPLY CIRCULARITY TO YOUR BUSINESS AND REDUCE OPERATING COSTS

Via Zoom
Zoom link sent upon completion of registration
Register Here

REDUCE, REUSE, AND COMPOSTING HOW TO APPLY CIRCULARITY TO YOUR BUSINESS AND REDUCE OPERATIONAL COSTS
Without urgent action, global waste will increase by 70 percent on current levels by 2050, according to the World Bank’s new report. The make-take-waste way of doing things is coming to an end and if we do it right, we’ll create massive new economical and social opportunities!
We’re honored and excited to have you join us for TRUE Zero Waste and Circular Economy educational series.
In this course, we’ll take the first steps. It’s not often that you get to rethink the entire economic system. Whether you’re here to gain insights into what a zero waste and circular economy is all about, identify skills to make the transition to a Circular Economy happen, or connect with a community of learners.
In this series of courses you explore how businesses can create value by striving for zero waste, seeing products and materials as cycles, the role of creative solutions, and how you can contribute to make the transition to a Circular Economy.
You will learn to re-think the economic system you experience every day; act on it and become a leader in this major paradigm shift. You will shape a more circular future, together with our network.
Join us and explore the TRUE zero waste and circular economy principles.
Students that complete all the 3 modules will receive a certificate at the end. GBCI to approve CE hours for these training sessions.

Facilitators:

Denise Braun, CEO All About Waste

Denise has over seventeen years of experience in the sustainability field, starting in Brazil and then moving to the United States. She is the founder and principal of All About Waste – a woman and minority-owned sustainability and zero waste consulting firm based in Los Angeles, CA.
Denise and her team provide a diverse range of services including solid waste data collection and analysis, circular strategic frameworks, green building certifications, zero waste programs and certification, training/educational workshops, and community outreach. She has worked in various capacities on over 150 LEED-certified projects, many of which have achieved the highest level of certification with no clarifications. Denise is currently working on several zero-waste and wellness projects.
She worked on the first TRUE-certified zero waste high-rise commercial building in the world. Denise has been responsible for over 30 million square feet of waste audits and has developed and analyzed technical waste management solutions for a large variety of building types. Denise has presented at numerous lectures, workshops, and conferences, including the annual Municipal Green Building Conference and Expo, Net Zero Conference, the Living Building Collaborative Zero Waste Forum and the GreenBuild Conference & Expo. She currently has several accreditation and expertise such as: LEED AP, WELL AP, ENV SP, TRUE Advisor, Fitwel Ambassador and sustainable supply chain. She also is sitting as a Board of Director at USGBC-LA.

Ryan McMullan, CEO Lean Green Way

Over his career Ryan McMullan has led several Sustainability programs including in Toyota’s Corporate Responsibility department and Rice University’s Facilities & Engineering department. These have included strategically developing and deploying environmental targets across a wide variety of functional groups, reporting on environmental progress, greenhouse gas inventories, and developing programs for zero waste, zero carbon, and zero water.
He now consults with companies like Lockheed-Martin, Walmart and Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) to help them establish leading sustainability strategies. He is an advisor to TRUE Zero Waste Certification at GBCI and the Environmental Leader Conference. He earned his Masters from the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UC Santa Barbara and his Bachelor’s from Rice University. At home he keeps busy improving the sustainability of his home in Long Beach, California, teaching his 10-year-old son to conserve resources and design games, and writing on his experiences.

Summer Nights at Home
2020-08-07 18:00 - 20:00
This summer the Nature Gardens and Tar Pits are coming over to your place. Fix yourself a DIY botanical cocktail and join our events happening LIVE. Turn up the DJ tunes and join in on a talk with Museum Staff who’ll be getting to the root of plants from the present day all the way back to the Ice Age. Celebrate your Summer Nights with nature, music, and growing your mind.
#SummerNights
This program will live-stream directly to this web page. RSVP for a day-of email reminder.
Schedule
6pm: Garden Talk: The Private Life of Pleistocene Plants
7pm: DJ Set: Knights of Zion
Garden Talk | 6 pm
PLANTS AND THEIR WILDLIFE PARTNERS
Did you know that many plants and animals depend upon each other for survival? Most plants need animals to pollinate their flowers or spread their seeds, and many animals, especially insects and birds, rely on plants for food or nesting. The Museum’s Nature Gardens Horticulture team will share some of the best plants and techniques for creating a healthy, vibrant habitat for wildlife.

CAROL BORNSTEIN
Director of Living Collections – Carol joined the Natural History Museum when the Nature Gardens were under construction. She has overseen their development and care ever since, as well as the Museum’s Live Animal Program. Carol is co-author of two books, California Native Plants for the Garden and Reimagining the California Lawn. She has selected and introduced several popular cultivars for California gardens, including Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ and the Museum’s own Encelia californica ‘Paleo Yellow’. A gardener since the age of 5, she continues to be captivated by plants and loves sharing that fascination with others.

STEPHANIE MACIAS
Horticulturist – Stephanie volunteered at the Nature Gardens before joining the Horticulture team in 2017. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from CSULA. She is currently working on an Associate’s degree in Environmental Horticulture at El Camino College. In her free time, she likes to play the piano and of course, work in her garden.

ALAN DUKE
Alan Duke is a native plant gardener who lives and works in Los Angeles. He has an MFA from Art Center College of Design and grew up in Texas. His favorite plant is the Coast Live Oak.

MODERATOR – STEVEN MENDOZA
Steven Mendoza is a Gallery Interpreter at NHMLAC where he helps people find connections between themselves and the museum’s collections. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara where he worked at the Mesoamerican Research Center alongside archaeologists and horticulturalists. There, they studied traditional, sustainable methods to preserve the ecological and cultural integrity of the ancient Maya Forest Garden.

DJ Set | 7 pm

KNIGHTS OF ZION
Knights of Zion grew up in Roxbury (birthplace of Malcolm X) and came up in the clubs and balls of New York. He began DJing and producing his blend of Afro, Ballroom and Deep House after relocating to Los Angeles 6 years ago, where he founded the party, “NEBULA”.
Botanical Cocktail Recipe

Lavender-Honey Summer Collins
The drink curators at Post and Beam Restaurant have crafted your new favorite summertime cocktail. This bright and effervescent libation is inspired by the Pollinator Meadow at the Natural History Museum. This recipe will tickle your palate while quenching your thirst during these long midsummer days. Share your botanical cocktail creation #SummerNights

California Forests and the CalFire Vegetation Treatment Program
2020-08-12 19:00 - 20:00
By: Andrea Williams, CNPS Director of Plant Science
California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (aka CAL FIRE)’s proposed program to
treat vegetation on public and private land across California to improve public safety,
protect natural resources, and reduce fire suppression costs. CNPS Chapters have the
opportunity to build local relationships to ensure the work is environmentally sound and
based on the best fire science.
Andrea Williams has two decades of experience in science-based public lands
management: monitoring rare plants and plant communities, carrying out project
compliance surveys, mapping and removing invasive plants, and planning and
overseeing fuel reduction projects.
Click here to receive emailed invitations to these Zoom meetings.

Upcycling Together Webcast
2020-08-13 14:00 - 15:00
Safety is Metro’s top priority while we continue to do the work to chart our path forward, especially as LA County reopens in stages.
Throughout the year, Metro is hosting a series of conversations on resiliency concepts and solutions.
Metro is seeking innovative, cost effective solutions that will help us reduce our waste streams, like our Banners to Bags Program as described in The Source article.
Join us in creating a more resilient future by helping us expand our waste diversion program.
Metro is hosting an online industry forum on upcycling on Thursday, August 13th from 2:00pm – 3:00pm where we will share an overview of our waste stream challenges and answer questions.
REGISTER HERE

Our hope is that you will help shape this project by identifying materials in our current waste stream that could be repurposed or upcycled, which diverts materials from our operations and construction projects from going to landfill.
Help us spread the word! Please forward to your contacts to include anyone who is interested in zero waste, resiliency or partnering with Metro.

RSVP by August 6th and send questions to:
Metro Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Department
Halli Bovia
BoviaH@metro.net

8th Annual Building Technology Showcase
2020-08-19 12:00 - 14:00
Each year, the LABBC Building Technology Showcase helps property owners quickly get up to speed on the latest building technologies through a combination of live case studies and fast-pitch presentations from technology companies vetted by our Partners.
This year’s virtual event will focus on technologies for Multifamily Residential properties, where efficiency investments make the biggest triple-bottom-line impact.

REGISTER TODAY

Event registration is complimentary.

2020 MGBCE Day 1: Municipal Green
2020-08-21 09:00 - 16:30
2020 Municipal Green Building Conference + Expo
DAY 1 of MGBCE:
Municipal Green
Friday, August 21st, 2020
MGBCE 2020 is a virtual event–see you online!
**(Please note that this date has been rescheduled from the previous date on May 29th. If you had previously registered, your registration will automatically be moved to the new dates. If you have registered and can no longer attend, please email events@usgbc-la.org for cancellations. We will happy to assist you with a refund due to the rescheduled dates.)

Pricing
*USGBC-LA Members: Free
General Public: $75
**All government, non-profit employees, and students: $25
*Please be sure that you are signed in to your account for membership pricing options.
**For government, non-profit employees, and student pricing, please register using your work or student email so that we can verify your discount.
Click here to join USGBC-LA today and receive your event discounts!
*Standard USGBC-LA membership is $100 annually; discounts may apply to your membership level*

Find out more information, the agenda, and speakers for MGBCE 2020, please go to
www.mgbce.online

And join us for our new
Community Green (DAY 2):
A public, community day in celebration of green building education and awareness!
Saturday, August 22nd, 2020
More info here!

2020 MGBCE Day 2: Community Green (A day of Green Building for the General Public!)
2020-08-22 09:30 - 16:00
2020 Municipal Green Building Conference + Expo
DAY 2 of MGBCE:
Community Green
Saturday, August 22nd, 2020
MGBCE 2020 is a virtual event–see you online!
**(Please note that this date has been rescheduled from the previous date on May 30th. If you had previously registered, your registration will automatically be moved to the new dates.)
This is a free event open to the public!
Or click here to join USGBC-LA today.

Find out more information, the agenda, and speakers for MGBCE 2020, please go to
www.mgbce.online

Net Zero Build Summit
2020-08-25 - 2020-08-28
About NetZeroBuild Summit
August 25-28, 2020

NetZeroBuild Summit 2020 brings together the key stakeholders involved in the Midwest’s value chain for net-zero construction in residential, commercial, academic and government buildings for the very first time.
Hosting the Midwest’s leading architects, policymakers, contractors, system manufacturers, building owners and real estate executives, this essential new event is a opportunity to understand the role netzero construction and green building will play as the Midwest’s economy recovers from the impact of Covid-19.
With a highly interactive program running across four consecutive days, NetZeroBuild Summit has been expertly crafted to facilitate connections and conversations, and for stakeholders to identify potential project partners and new suppliers.
Book your NetZeroBuild Summit 2020 delegate passes today. Click here to discover the discount opportunities.
Book a pass

Agenda outline

Join a thought-provoking discussion on NZB projects
As we move towards a future where sustainability and rising energy prices play an increasingly important role in the design, development and construction of our built environment, the concept of net zero buildings (NZBs) is gaining momentum in the architectural industry, the wider material supply chain and of course, with facility owners (e.g. manufacturing OEMs). The agenda of the NetZeroBuild summit has been designed to facilitate thought-provoking discussion between all these relevant stakeholders and provide the knowledge and contacts to deliver innovative and economically practical NZB projects.
As symbolized by the creation of the new office of climate and energy, this is a watershed moment for the state Michigan and the list of ambitious renewable energy and energy efficiency projects continues to grow. Smarter Shows is excited to host a dedicated networking forum for the building community to discuss this radical and powerful concept.

Discover the agenda

Key benefits

Take advantage of NetZeroBuild Summit 2020
Discover how to successfully implement and deliver a commercial net-zero build project
Learn the direction of travel on the green building revolution, and identify future commercial opportunities
Understand the next generation of high-performance, energy efficient buildings, and meet the people who’ll design and build them
Source cutting-edge solutions and products to enable you to deliver sustainable, cost-effective, building projects
Discover how to reduce energy consumption in commercial facilities whilst enhancing operational productivity
Understand which technical systems have the greatest potential to improve energy efficiency, for both commercial and residential buildings
Insights and case studies demonstrating how energy efficiency programmes can be leveraged to achieve corporate strategic objectives
Discover how LEED certification can yield unprecedented returns for new developments and existing building reuse
Discuss the opportunity for buildings to be transformed into microgrids, enabling the mass adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles
Actionable insight to you access financial resources introduced to support building performance upgrades and renewable energy installations
Understand the significance of embodied carbon reduction efforts on your sustainable building value propositions

Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change
2020-08-26 19:00 - 20:00
Nita Winter and Rob Badger take you behind the scenes of their 27-year journey
photographing wildflowers throughout California. It began in 1992, when they discovered
and fell in love with California’s spectacular wildflower blooms in the Mojave Desert’s
Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve. Photographing these beautiful landscapes
and individual flowers evolved into their documentary art project, Beauty and the Beast:
Wildflowers and Climate Change. Their new beautiful book, co-published with CNPS,
focuses on California’s amazing plant diversity and is a companion to their traveling
exhibit. Gorgeous super bloom scenery is not the only thing that makes the Beauty and
the Beast wildflower photos so special; Rob and Nita developed unique field techniques
to capture one-of-a-kind images. They create every one of the photographs in the field,
lugging 80 pounds of cameras and their “natural light” studio equipment from below sea
level in Death Valley National Park, to 13,000-foot-high mountain passes.
Internationally acclaimed conservation photographers Nita Winter and Rob Badger have
been life partners and creative collaborators for more than three decades. Their work has
been featured in Time, Mother Jones, Sierra, Flora magazines, the New York Times,
Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and the Los Angeles Times.

Click here to receive emailed invitations to these Zoom meetings.

Irrigation Practices for Native Plant Gardens with Tim Becker
2020-08-29 13:00 - 14:00
To maintain social distancing, this class will be held online. See below for more details.
Curious about the best ways to water your native garden? This focused one hour online class covers how, when and where to irrigate, as well as the benefits and drawbacks for overhead, drip and hand-watering equipment.
This class will be held online via Zoom. An access code will be sent to attendees in advance of the class. A Zoom account is not required to attend.
Katherine Pakradouni is a native plant horticulturist and educator who has been growing and maintaining native plants for years through her work with Grown in LA and Theodore Payne Foundation.

The Global Fate of Plastics: From China to COVID
2020-08-31 10:00 - 11:00
Professor Kate O’Neill of the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley charts the rise and fall (and rise again) of scrap plastic on global recycling markets, examining how waste plastic became a global commodity and why this changed so dramatically in recent years. What does the resurgence of plastics during the COVID-19 pandemic mean for addressing plastics as a global problem now and into the future?
This exclusive event is part of the virtual seminar series hosted by the Program on Plastics, Ecosystems, and Public Health at the Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern University (ISEN).
REGISTER HERE

Western Monarch Butterflies : Creating Habitat with Native Plants
2020-09-08 19:00 - 20:00
SAVE THE DATE

Presented by Theodore Payne Foundation Outreach Manager Erin Johnson – a virtual presentation via Zoom – login info will be sent at a later date.

ARS Electronica Festival
2020-09-09 07:00 - 2020-09-13 20:00
ARS Electronica Festival
Telluric Vibrations
UCLA Art Sci Center x Botanical Garden
September 9th-13th • YouTube Live
Tel·lu·ric: being or relating to a usually natural electric current flowing near the earth’s surface. UCLA Art Sci Center was invited by ARS Electronica to be the Los Angeles Garden and is presenting a series of events under the title of Telluric Vibrations. Using the model of a plant growing both upward into the atmosphere and downward into the soil, simultaneously cultivating the Earth and the Ether – conceptually and physically, grounding technology.
Beaming live from the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden in the middle of the city and the molecular imaging labs underground at the UCLA California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), site specific installations and performances from the UCLA Art Sci collective will be showcased and presented online through live video and augmented reality. Sound art, bio art and immersive installations will be created to interact within the garden and its multiple species and sensory experiences.
The garden will not function as a backdrop, but rather as an integrated, collaborative element, as the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden aims to engage people with the broad ways that plants are woven intricately into our lives and bring diverse communities together. Dr. Victoria Sork, the Garden Director, will be giving the opening keynote talk “Tree Conservation, Genomics, and Change” on September 9th at 7:00am PST.
• Read more about Telluric Vibrations
• Check out the schedule
• RSVP for virtual workshops and events
• Explore the ARS Electronica Festival

Equitable Adaptation Planning: Practical Resources for California Communities
2020-09-09 10:00 - 11:00
This webinar is an introduction to a growing suite of equitable adaptation planning and practice resources. ICARP and Office of Emergency Services staff will introduce the 2020 Adaptation Planning Guide and walk through the beta online APG on the Adaptation Clearinghouse. Guest speakers from the Greenlining Institute and the Georgetown Climate Center will present guidance, toolkits, and resources to support equitable adaptation responses.
REGISTER HERE

Plan(t) for Biodiversity Webinar
2020-09-09 14:00 - 15:00
California is a biodiversity hotspot and your garden can play an important part. We’ll take a look at the beauty of California and discuss how native plants are the right plants for your space. Learn about the different palettes of California native plants, how to find the right plants for your garden, and where to buy native plants near you.
REGISTER HERE
*Event is not hosted by UCLA

California Biodiversity Trivia Night
2020-09-10 19:00 - 20:00
Gather your friends and colleagues for a night of trivia all about California’s biodiverse plants and habitats! Join the Zoom session promptly to have a better chance of being crowned champion at the end of the night. Teams of 1-4 (can communicate in your own private group chat or use Zoom’s private 1 to 1 chat feature). Answers will be submitted with a provided Google form and questions will primarily be multiple choice.
Prizes such as CNPS Tshirts and books will be given out to the top teams.
REGISTER HERE
*Event not hosted by UCLA

CNPS Conservation Advocacy Training
2020-09-12 09:00 - 12:30
Join CNPS Conservation Program staff and experts for an introductory advocacy seminar for conservation volunteers.
REGISTER HERE

Schedule:
9:00 – 9:10 am, Nick Jensen, PhD

Introduction

9:10 – 9:35 am, Isabella Langone, JD

A primer on California plant conservation laws

9:35 – 10:00 am, Nick Jensen, PhD

CEQA 101

10:15 – 10:45 am, David Magney

The basics of how to provide effective comments during the CEQA review process

10:45 – 11:15 am, Carolyn Longstreth, JD

Everything you always wanted to know about CNPS litigation but were afraid to ask

11:15 – 11:45 am, Frank Landis, PhD

Climate change and wildfire impacts in environmental review.

11:45 am – 12:15 pm, Roundtable and Panel Discussion

Speakers:
Nick Jensen, CNPS Lead Conservation Scientist.
Isabella Langone, CNPS Conservation Analyst
David Magney, CNPS Rare Plant Program Director
Carolyn Longstreth, CNPS Marin Chapter
Frank Landis, CNPS San Diego Chapter Conservation Chair
*Event not hosted by UCLA

Right Plant, Right Place with Scott Cher
2020-09-12 13:00 - 15:00
To maintain social distancing, this class will be held online. See below for more details.
Knowing native habitats can help you choose the right plants for your place. This course discusses local plant communities and their conditions, as well as how to assess the conditions of your garden site, including climate, soil, sunlight and space. A valuable class for beginners and the prerequisite for our Three-Part Native Garden Design Course.

This class will be held online via Zoom. An access code will be sent to attendees in advance of the class. A Zoom account is not required to attend.
Class repeats monthly.
Scott Cher is TPF’s Adult Education Manager.
