sustainable twin ports early adopter project
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Sustainable Twin Ports Early Adopter Project. Jerry Hembd Associate Professor and State Specialist University of Wisconsin-Superior Community Development Society 41 st Annual Conference Memphis, Tennessee July 27, 2009. Twin Ports. Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Sustainable Twin Ports Early Adopter Project
Jerry Hembd
Associate Professor and State Specialist
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Community Development Society
41st Annual Conference
Memphis, Tennessee
July 27, 2009
Twin Ports
Duluth, Minnesota
and
Superior, Wisconsin
Origins of Project
Sustainable Sweden Conference, Ashland, February 2005 The Natural Step framework
2008 The Natural Step
The Natural Step is an international non-profit research, education and advisory organization that uses a science-based, systems framework to help organizations, individuals and communities take meaningful steps toward sustainability.
The Natural Step: What Is It?
Who Uses It?
Swedish Eco-municipalities
City of Madision, WI
The Natural Step Framework
1. A shared science- and systems-based definition for sustainability
2. A decision-making framework and process to help organizations and communities plan for sustainability
3. A compass to help us know if we’re moving in the right direction
Four Sustainability Principles
...concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust,
...concentrations of substances produced by society,
...degradation by physical means,
...people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs.
In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing...
and, in that society...
Planning Framework
“D” Step
Right direction?
Flexible Platform?
Return on investment?
time
Origins of Project
Sustainable Sweden Conference, Ashland, February 2005 The Natural Step framework
Sustainable Duluth Knight Creative Communities Initiative, April 2007
We Mean Green Early Adopter Proposal
Canmore, Alberta Early Adopter Model Chequamegon Bay Green Team Network
Sustainable Twin Ports Regional foundation support and funding
Sustainable Twin Ports
Sustainable Twin Ports is dedicated to furthering economic, environmental and social sustainability in the Twin Ports and western Lake Superior
region through education, networking and action.
Early Majority
34%
Late Majority
34%
Early Adopters
13.5%Laggards
16% 2.5%
“Critical Mass”
Innovators
Early Adopter Concept
Innovation-Diffusion Model
What are the benefits?
Participation for up to five staff in a proven sustainability training and action planning program
Potential revenue opportunities and/or cost savings as a result of identified actions and investments
Ongoing support and coaching from sustainability experts as the organization develops and implements its sustainability action plan
Participation in a Twin Ports peer learning network of other Early Adopter organizations
What do Early Adopters commit to?
To learn about and apply The Natural Step framework in their organization
To commit time for staff to participate in the program – approximately ten days of training and planning sessions over the course of a year
To produce and implement a sustainability action plan for their organization
To participate with other Early Adopters in promote the lessons, stories, and benefits of their experience
Recruitment Criteria
Candidate organizations are recognized community leaders;
they have an interest in sustainability; and
they collectively represent the breadth of the community or area.
Early Adopter Project Basics
Fourteen Early Adopter organizations Two to five participants per organization Full-time project coordinator (eighteen months) Six days of training over one year (October, January,
March, May) provided by TNS Canada Baseline evaluations Developing a vision of a sustainable organization Action planning and implementation Documentation, peer learning, and sharing with broader
community
Early Adopter Organizations
Public Sector City of Duluth Superior Public Schools Duluth Transit Authority Douglas County University of Wisconsin-
Superior
Nonprofit Sector Challenge Center Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Duluth Area Chamber of
Commerce Duluth-Superior Area
Community Foundation
Private Sector Inn on Lake Superior, ZMC
Hotels Glenwood Signs and Awards Duluth Grill London Road Carwash Twin Ports Testing
Key Strengths
Development of a shared understanding of and language for sustainability among leading organizations in the community or area
Creation of local role models and success stories that inspire rest of community about sustainability
Acknowledging the support of:
A.H. Zeppa Family Foundation
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation
Fund for the EnvironmentWildey H. Mitchell Family Fund
University of Wisconsin – Superior Fiscal Sponsor
Closing Observations
Organizational rather than community focus – but a clear and tangible focus
Project funding ahead of organizational development
Dealing with two states/communities Next steps organizational development Developing local training capacity “Things are smaller than they appear”
Closing Observations
Case studies and student interns Use of e-Learning module Documentary Implementation debriefing in September Community Showcase on October 8th Less about cool projects than working the
process community development Next steps?
Thank You
www.sustainabletwinports.org
www.youtube.com/sustainabletwinports