EVENTS

Convene For Green I
On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, Green Chips and Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition co-sponsored the first Convene for Green meeting to promote sustainability in the Las Vegas region.  Bringing together over 60 leaders from the region, the half-day meeting was designed to launch a process to identify and shape the initiatives that would be required to make the region a national leader in the sustainable use and reuse of resources, focusing on the economic, environmental and social needs of the region in the coming decades.

Paced by the broad participation of representatives from key regional sectors, including community and business leaders, environmental advocates, and citizens with an interest in planning a sustainable future, the meeting was facilitated by nationally recognized experts from Esty Environmental Partners.  As the Chair of Green Chips Mayor Oscar Goodman of Las Vegas noted, “The turnout at the first session really highlighted the unique opportunity that we have to create a more sustainable Southern Nevada and the depth of leadership that is available in our local communities.”

After an initial discussion of the region’s sustainability goals and the long-term need to define the future of Southern Nevada by the creative and sustainable use of not only the available physical resources, but the human capital as well, the participants gathered into four working groups that proposed projects to improve the local economy, protect the quality of the environment, extend the social and cultural resources that define the Las Vegas Community, and identify methods for coordinating and promoting regional sustainability initiatives.  As each group identified potential projects, they also began the process of identifying metrics to measure improvement and the stakeholders that would be critical to a successful implementation. 

At the end of the first session, the participants had identified over two dozen promising projects that could promote sustainability all 3 sectors – economic, environmental and cultural.  At the end of the day, as plans were being made for follow-up meetings that would expand upon the initial goals, review the research and planning that already exists on regional sustainability initiatives, and to begin the public dialogue on sustainability, the enthusiasm was running high.  One participant noted that the region attracts people with a “can-do” spirit, dedicated to outcomes rather than an extended process, and that determination was reflected in a decision to move quickly to the next session focused on refining the priorities and establishing direction for environmental sustainability in the region.

The next session, which is by invitation only and which will expand upon the community leadership from the first session by including additional participants with subject matter expertise, is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16, 2010.  In addition to refining the priorities established in the initial meeting, the second session is also expected to begin the process of detailing the kinds of specific projects that will be most effective at promoting sustainability across the entire Las Vegas region.

Green Chips has established a goal of making the Southern Nevada a national leader in sustainability, and these sessions are the beginning point for a larger public conversation on how to best accomplish that goal.   The members of Green Chips thank the community, business, and environmental leaders who are participating in the initial work groups for their time and commitment, and the organizations that are sponsoring the initial meetings, including the Sierra Club, Republic Services, the Nevada Conservation League Education Fund, and Harrah’s Entertainment.
 

Green Chips launched its first initiatives in August 2009. Check out Green Chips in Action for details.

We will be hosting several more public events in 2010, including some opportunities only for members. Sign up for our updates to ensure that you receive information as it becomes available!