Media
Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum | Race and Class Equity in Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor is the eighth most socioeconomically segregated metro area in the U.S.; the second most segregated city in the nation in service class segregation; and the fifth in working class segregation. In 2010, Census data shows white residents accounted for 73% of Ann Arbor's population, just under Michigan's average of 79%, while African American residents accounted for just 8% of residents—nearly half of the state average of 14%. Ypsilanti, on the other hand, is made up of 62% white residents and 29% African American residents: a dramatic imbalance for two closely tied cities. Housing is a social determinant of health so where you live matters. Join local experts as we delve into the issues and opportunities surrounding race and class equity throughout Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County.
Panelists include:
- Dr. Tony Reames (Assistant Professor, School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan),
Media
Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum | Health Equity
Join local and national experts to learn about health inequities, including a discussion on climate change, mental health, and the role of public health in addressing these inequities.
Natalie Sampson, PhD, MPH, (Assistant Professor, University of Michigan-Dearborn), Ellen Rabinowitz (Health Officer, Washtenaw County Health Department), Dr. Felicia Brabec (Washtenaw County Commissioner, District 4), and Dr. Paul Fleming (Assistant Professor of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan)
Sustainable Ann Arbor is an annual series presented by the City of Ann Arbor and hosted by the Ann Arbor District Library. The series includes four events held monthly through April, each with a focus on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework.
Media
Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum | Adapting to a Changing Climate
The City of Ann Arbor is already experiencing impacts from climate change. More severe storms, increased precipitation, rising temperatures and extended heat waves all pose challenges to how we live, work, and play in our community. Join a conversation on how the Ann Arbor community is taking steps to address climate impacts and what more we could be doing at the city, neighborhood and individual level. Climate adaptation experts will share the soup to nuts on climate change for Ann Arbor and what we can do to thrive in a changing future.
Beth Gibbons - Beth Gibbons is the Executive Director of the American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP). In this role, she is responsible for strengthening ASAP as an emerging nonprofit organization, managing relationships with its members, board and donors, and bringing adaptation best practices into the broader conversation. Previously, Beth was Director of the University of Michigan Climate Center and managed NOAA’s Great Lakes Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center. She also worked for the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute as a research specialist, helping develop and implement the Great Lakes Adaptation Assessment for Cities. Previously, Beth worked for the International Forestry and Research Institute and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs supporting organization operations and communications. She served in the Peace Corps in Agodopke, Togo. Beth earned her undergraduate degree in Comparative Politics from the Catholic University of America and holds a Master of Urban Planning and a Masters Certificate in African Studies from the University of Michigan. Beth is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Jennifer Lawson, Water Quality Manager, City of Ann Arbor - Jennifer Lawson started her career as a Civil Engineer’s daughter and at the age of 7, started working at her Dad’s office, running bluelines, holding a survey rod and coloring mylars. Jen is currently the Water Quality Manager for the City of Ann Arbor. She has a Bachelor of Science in Resource Development from MSU and a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from U of M focusing on Landscape as Infrastructure (How the ecology of the landscape can provide a service). With 18 years of experience in both private consulting and municipal engineering, she has a unique balance and understanding of water infrastructure regulations and management needs.
Media
Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum | Climate Change 201
Join the conversation as UM professors and other speakers dig deeper into the latest thinking about the science and impacts of climate change, both locally and globally. This month’s panelists include: Dr. Jonathan Overpeck (Dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan) and Emily Drennen (Sustainability Analyst, City of Ann Arbor).
Sustainable Ann Arbor is an annual series presented by the City of Ann Arbor and hosted by the Ann Arbor District Library. The series includes four events held monthly through April, each with a focus on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework.
Media
Water 101 | City of Ann Arbor 2018 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum
This forum is about the lifecycle of water in Ann Arbor. There is a video about extreme storms in Ann Arbor, presentations from some experts in the field, even a trivia game!
Sustainable Ann Arbor is an annual series presented by the City of Ann Arbor and hosted by the Ann Arbor District Library. The series includes four events held monthly through April, each with a focus on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework. This event is cosponsored by the City of Ann Arbor and details of the series will be posted online on The City of Ann Arbor's Sustainability site. For information and videos from current and past Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums, please visit the City’s Sustainability website.
Media
Civic Life in Ann Arbor | City of Ann Arbor 2018 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum
This panel examines the health of our civic life in Ann Arbor. Mary Morgan, Founder of CivCity, moderates a panel about what it means to be an engaged citizen in a sustainable community, the importance of effecting change by focusing on the local level, and envisioning what civic life can mean in the age of social media.
- Moderator Mary Morgan, Executive Director of CivCity
- Neel Hajra, President and CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation
- Ashley Blake, Community Building Team Lead at Avalon Housing
Media
Sustainable Ann Arbor - Measuring & Tracking Sustainability
In this Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum, experts from Ann Arbor city government, industry, and U of M examine current ways to measure and track the success of sustainability programs.
John Mirsky, Executive Policy Advisor for Sustainability for the Ann Arbor City Administrator, discusses the City's latest efforts to upgrade and more effectively employ sustainability metrics. Matt Naud, City of Ann Arbor Environmental Coordinator, reports on the City's new four-star rating with the STAR Communities program. Andrew Berki, Director of the U of M Office of Campus Sustainability, speaks about the University's efforts to meet their aggressive sustainability goals.
This event is cosponsored by the City of Ann Arbor as part of their annual Sustainable Ann Arbor series. For information and videos from current and past Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums, please visit a2gov.org/sustainability.
Media
Sustainable Ann Arbor - Electric Vehicles
A panel of electric vehicle (EV) experts discusses electric vehicles in Ann Arbor and how EVs are a growing part of our transportation future—including autonomous vehicles.
Charles Griffith - Director of the Climate and Energy Program, Ecology Center
Bruce Westlake - President, Michigan Electric Auto Association
Media
City of Ann Arbor 2017 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum: Grow Your Own
The conversation on sustainability in Ann Arbor continued as the City and the Ann Arbor District Library hosted their annual Sustainable Ann Arbor series. The series of four events each focused on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework.
The final event in this series was Grow Your Own. Local gardening experts shared tips and tricks to help you grow your own fruits, veggies, flowers, and more. Panelists included:
Jason Frenzel, Ann Arbor City Councilmember
Monica Milla, Master Gardener
Drew Lathin, General Manager of Creating Sustainable Landscapes, LLC
Caitlyn Dickinson, Biodynamic Beekeeper
Emily Springfield, Founder of Preserving Traditions
The forums offer an opportunity to learn more about sustainability in the community and tips for actions that residents can take to live more sustainably. A think tank of local stakeholders including representatives from community organizations, and staff from both the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County join the public to discuss local sustainability efforts and challenges in our community.
This event was cosponsored by the City of Ann Arbor and details of the series are posted online on The City of Ann Arbor's Sustainability site. For information and videos from current and past Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums, please visit the City’s Sustainability website.
Media
City of Ann Arbor 2017 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum: Driverless Vehicles Coming Down the Pike
Join the conversation about sustainability in Ann Arbor as the City and the Ann Arbor District Library host their annual Sustainable Ann Arbor series. The series will include four events (held monthly through April) with each focusing on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework.
The second event in this series is Driverless Vehicles Coming Down the Pike. Hear from state and national experts about the coming "driverless" vehicle revolution and what it will mean for the Ann Arbor region.
The forums offer an opportunity to learn more about sustainability in the community and tips for actions that residents can take to live more sustainably. A think tank of local stakeholders including representatives from community organizations, staff from both the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County will join the public to discuss local sustainability efforts and challenges in our community. Each program will include a series of short presentations followed by a question and answer session.
Speakers for the Driverless Vehicles Coming Down the Pike discussion include:
• Dr. Huei Peng, Director of U-M Mobility Transformation Center
• Kirk Steudle, Director of MI Department of Transportation
• John Maddox or Laurel Champion, American Center for Mobility
• Frank Sgambati, Director of Marketing and Product Innovation, North America at Robert Bosch LLC
This event is cosponsored by the City of Ann Arbor and details of the series will be posted online on The City of Ann Arbor's Sustainability site. For information and videos from current and past Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums, please visit the City’s Sustainability website.