Author Archives: slcgreen

Purge your Spurge Competition

 

What is Myrtle Spurge?

Myrtle Spurge (Class 2 Noxious Weed of Salt Lake County) grows in large, scattered colonies on our Open Space of Salt Lake City. So we are getting ready to start the yearly purge! This specific time of year is very significant to the plant’s reproduction. We must dig up these plants before their “flowers” (actually colorful bracts) produce seeds very soon. These seeds spread easily and this plant out-competes native species. Please check out our fact sheet about Myrtle Spurge HERE 

How does the friendly competition work?

We will compare overall weights of Myrtle Spurge collected and bagged by each community. The winning Community Council will be given the annual title of “Top Myrtle Spurge Purger 2016” and some lucky group participants of that community council will receive prizes!

What will I need to bring/wear?

  • You will need to wear long pants and long sleeved shirts, no open toed shoes and bring a shovel, re-fillable water bottle and snack if needed.
  • Rubber (inexpensive dishwashing type) gloves are required when pulling spurge, bring your own from home, if you can. Or a pair will be provided.
  • Due to the nature of Myrtle Spurge, no one under 12 will be able to participate in this event and a parent or guardian must accompany the child.

Did we mention to bring a shovel?

When?

Saturday, May 7th
9 am to 12 pm

Where?

Each Community Council has been assigned an Open Space that is within your community or as close as possible. Your exact location can be found when registering for the event HERE

Don’t see your Community Council listed? Adopt one for the day or . . . . watch for Open Space’s Puncturevine Pull Party happening this summer!

Mayor Emphasizes Sustainability in Budget Speech 

Incentives&Rebates (1)

Last night, Mayor Jackie Biskupski presented her 2016-2017 Salt Lake City Budget to the City Council and reemphasized her commitment to improve air quality and protect our natural resources.

Sustainability highlights include:

  • Elevating the Office of Sustainability

The Mayor has proposed to elevate the Sustainability Division to a full department.

“Our natural resources and the quality of air we breathe are top priorities for Salt Lake City residents,” said Mayor Biskupski.

“Because the Office of Sustainability is appropriately staffed and financed by the city’s Refuse Enterprise Fund, this change will have limited impact on the general fund.”

  • Greening the City’s Fleet

The Mayor has committed to developing a long-term strategic plan for replacing the City’s aging fleet with cleaner, greener models, and emphasized “this plan will also include significant guidance from my proposed Department of Sustainability to ensure the new vehicles we purchase are the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly of each model type.”

In her proposed budget, Mayor Biskupski has allocated $250,000 from realized fuel cost savings to replace some of our aging vehicles.

  • Incentivizing Clean Renewable Energy

Mayor Biskupski expressed concern that high permit fees for residential solar installation projects are creating unnecessary barriers to residents who want to have cleaner, renewable energy. The proposed budget includes a suspension of the city’s solar permit fee. This suspension is in line with the goals of the new Department of Sustainability, and will make it more cost effective for homeowners to install solar panels.

  • Improving Accessibility around the City

Mayor Biskupski feels that as the Crossroads of the West, it is important that Salt Lake City invests in its aging infrastructure and increase accessibility. Mayor Biskupski has proposed, “… $300,000 in funding for a needed traffic light timing calibration, bus stop improvements, pavement overlays, ADA improvements, and sidewalk rehabilitation will help all of us move around our city more easily.”

Mayor Biskupski wrapped up her presentation by stressing, “Before you is a fiscally responsible budget which cares for our city employees, begins to address long-term problems, and finds funding for programs important to our identity as a city. A city for everyone.”

Follow this link, for the entire transcript of the Mayor’s 2016-2017 Salt Lake City Budget.


					

		
		
	

							
	

				

			
						

				Help Salt Lake City Chart a Path Toward Cleaner Air
			

								


				

			
Building-Segments-Graphic-update


The American Lung Association just released their 2016 State of the Air report which compares the air quality in cities across the nation. Unfortunately the report shows that the Salt Lake City area has moved from #7 to #6 on the list of “most polluted” cities. That’s bad news!


Poor air quality is now recognized as an urgent public health and economic development issue, which threatens continued growth of local businesses and relocation of residents and businesses to the City. In addition to being energy efficient in our homes, improving energy efficiency in our big buildings plays an important role in contributing to cleaner air.


The good news is that making our buildings more efficient is a key strategy to help reduce local air pollution and carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Building efficiency investments also save money by reducing utility costs, keeping money in our local economy. As Utah’s Capitol City, Salt Lake City is committed to leading by example by implementing building efficiency best practices in our municipal facilities. Salt Lake City municipal departments regularly evaluate and implement energy-saving best practices in all major City facilities.


Salt Lake City wants input from residents and local businesses about what kind of new programs and policies the City should pursue to help reduce the pollution that stems from commercial buildings across the City. On Open City Hall we’ve outlined some common best-practices for increasing energy efficiency in buildings. Learn more and share your feedback here! Let’s clean up our air together!


Visit Open City Hall

					

		
		
	

							
	

				

			
						

				Salt Lake City Announces New Partnership To Protect Children’s Future
			

								


				

			
HBBF-Presentation-FINAL-1-_Page_01Today Salt Lake City launches a new partnership with Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF) to become one of the organization’s first cohort of Bright Cities. The Bright Cities program is designed specifically to help reduce or eliminate neurotoxic chemical exposures in children when they are most vulnerable.


Exposure to toxic chemicals is so widespread and the impacts on brain development are so severe that leading scientists and doctors call it “a silent epidemic.” When exposure to neurotoxic or “brain drain” chemicals is higher, so are incidences of ADHD, behavioral problems, cognitive delays, and low birth weight.


Studies also show that disproportionately high exposure to these chemicals is one important reason why children below the poverty line are more likely to have intellectual disabilities. While toxic chemicals are not the sole cause for these lifelong effects, they are among the most preventable.


“Through our partnership with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Salt Lake City is making a commitment to improve the health of our children and our entire community,” says Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “The positive steps we take today to protect our children will last a lifetime and ensure a healthier and brighter future for all.”


Today Salt Lake City will begin phase one of the program, called the Beacon City phase. With support from HBBF, the City will complete an assessment of the current risks, priorities and opportunities related to neurotoxic chemical exposures. The City will also engage in a public process to educate the community and gather stakeholder input on a final plan to reduce or eliminate the impact of these dangerous chemicals on babies’ brains.


For more information on Salt Lake City’s involvement contact Bridget Stuchly at bridget.stuchly@slcgov.com or (801) 535-6438.


Healthy Babies Bright Futures is an alliance of non-profit organizations, philanthropies and scientists that designs and implements projects to reduce babies’ exposure to toxic chemicals during the most vulnerable and significant periods of development:  in utero and from birth to age two. M.ore information at https://hbbf.org/

					

		
		
	

							
	

				

			
						

				The State of Salt Lake City’s Air
			

								


				

			
-As I have said before, there is nothing more important than the air we breathe. And working to clear our skies is a top priority of my administration.- (1)


Today the American Lung Association released its 17th annual State of the Air report, which ranks the air quality in our nation’s cities and counties. Salt Lake City, Provo and Orem ranked 6th for short-term particulate exposure.


Mayor Biskupski has announced an aggressive air quality platform that aims to drastically reduce pollution through improving energy efficiency in buildings, increasing use of renewable energy like solar, sourcing cleaner vehicles, and creating a robust clean air network focused on advancing clean air legislation.


Join the City of Salt Lake and do your part to reduce pollution!


Stay informed.



Take action even on voluntary air days. This is when we have the best chance to keep our air cleaner, longer – especially when we know that an inversion has set up in the valley.



Skip and reduce trips. 


    

  • Aim to leave your car parked, one more day a week. Modern vehicles emit the vast majority of trip pollution in those first two minutes on the road. Skipping car trips by using public transportation, arranging a carpool or other alternatives make a measurable impact.
    • 

  • On days you must drive, chain your trips together to reduce “cold start” pollution.
    • 



Explore Salt Lake City on public transit. Ride UTA can help you plan your next transit adventure.


Commit to being idle free! This is one of the easiest things you can do to have a positive impact. Idling wastes gas and money and adds unnecessary pollution into our air. Plus when you idle, you’re exposing yourself and your passengers to higher levels of harmful pollutants.


Skip the fire! Burning wood, whether in your fireplace or fire pit, has a huge impact on our air quality. One fireplace can emit as much particulate pollution as 90 sport utility vehicles. 


Get active. Biking is a great way to get some exercise and limit your impact on air quality. The Bicycle Collective shares some great tips in this UCAIR spotlight.


Take the Clear the Air Challenge!  Find new ways to drive down your miles and measure your impact.


Increase the energy efficiency of your home.


    

  • Weatherize your home, and cash in on Rocky Mountain Power and Questar Adding insulation and upgrading your windows will not only save you money on your utility bills, it will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
    • 

  • Upgrade your furnace and water heater. Rebates are available for residents who upgrade their furnace and water heaters. Water heaters are a significant source of NOx emissions and that adds to Utah’s wintertime PM 2.5, problem.
    • 

  • Swap out your lightbulbs to LEDs. By replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with ENERGY STAR rating, you can save $75 each year.
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 Opt for people powered or electric tools for yard work. 


    

  • Get exercise while doing yard work by using push mowers instead of gas powered lawn mowers. According to the U.S. EPA, a new gas lawn mower produces as many VOCs and NOx emissions in in in one hour as 11 new cars.
    • 

  • Not able to use a push mower or manual tools? Look for electric alternatives to mowers, leaf blowers and weed whackers.
    • 



Install Solar! Installing solar on your home does not have to be overly complex or costly. Check out Solar Simplified and find out how to start the process. If you aren’t able to install rooftop solar, keep an eye out for Rocky Mountain Power’s Subscriber Solar program launching soon!


 


 


 


 

					

		
		
	

							
	

				

			
						

				SLCgreen is Hiring! Deadline extended!!
			

								


				

			
InternBanner


Are you a people person that is passionate about sustainability?


The SLCgreen crew is looking for a self-motivated, outgoing, and enthusiastic individual to join our intern staff!


Please note that is a seasonal PAID position for 20-25 hours per week through August or September.  Weekend and some evening availability required. Opportunity may be extended through December 2016 for 10-15 hours per week. Pay is $12.00 per hour.


Email a cover letter and resume to bridget.stuchly@slcgov.com by Monday, May 9th, for consideration.




Job Title: SUSTAINABILITY INTERN (Paid Position)


Job Summary:


Under direction of the Sustainability Communications Manager, supports sustainability education and outreach for residents, businesses and city employees. Assists in facilitating and promoting city-wide sustainability initiatives.


Typical Duties:


    

  1. Assists with managing SLCgreen volunteer internship program. Recruits, screens, and recommends interns and research projects. Provides training and orientation for interns. Collaborates with full-time staff to identify potential projects according to department needs. Meets regularly with volunteer interns to ensure the advancement of intern projects.
    2. 

  2. Coordinates public outreach at community events to promote sustainability initiatives. This includes identifying and recommending events within Salt Lake City to attend, applying for booth space, mentoring and training interns on effective public engagement strategies, tabling and scheduling interns to support these events. Compiles post-event reports.
    3. 

  3. Organizes and keeps up to date log of outreach and education materials. Requests print bids for projects and submits print orders. Contacts government agencies to obtain outreach materials.
    4. 

  4. Assists in maintaining sustainability information and events on the SLCgreen website. Assists with SLCgreen’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram, and develop posts for the SLCgreen blog (slcgreenblog.com). Previous experience with website management and social media is preferred, but not required.
    5. 

  5. Responds to resident and business inquiries to sustainability programs; administers sustainability email list serves.
    6. 

  6. Performs other duties as assigned.
    7. 



MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:


    

  1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, public administration, communications or related field.
    2. 

  2. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with individuals of varied backgrounds. Ability to organize work and gain support of employees, external customers and other stakeholders.
    3. 

  3. Possession of a valid driver’s license or driving privilege card. Ability to travel to all locations throughout the City.
    4. 



Desired Qualifications:


    

  1. Experience leading a team, managing a project, and public engagement.
    2. 

  2. Good interpersonal and public speaking skills.
    3. 


					

		
		
	

							
	

				

			
						

				Landmark Climate Change Effort Launches in Utah
			

								


				

			

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski will joined with representatives from Salt Lake County Health Department, Alta Ski Area and Utah Interfaith Power & Light on Wednesday to launch the Utah Climate Action Network.


The Utah Climate Action Network is a partnership between government, research institutions, non-profits/foundations, faith-based organizations, the private sector, and individuals working to address climate change in Utah.


Over 20 organizations are participating in the Network, working to address climate change through conversation, leadership, and coordinated action an in effort to ensure a collaborative response to climate change and its impacts on the people, economies and prosperity of Utah.


The launch was held in conjunction with the Salt Lake County Health Department’s Climate Variability & Health Symposium. To learn more about the Utah Climate Action Network, visit UtahClimateActionNetwork.com. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.


Media Stories


KUTV 2: Utah Climate Action Network plans as Utah warms at twice global rate: http://bit.ly/20e6cSO


ABC 4: Utah Climate Action Network: Taking a look at climate change and its impacts on Utah’s residents: http://bit.ly/1SUMZ5J


FOX 13: Non-partisan group tackles climate change in Utah: http://bit.ly/1SEI5qP


KUER: Utah Climate Action Network Launches: http://bit.ly/1SUN9Kh


Standard-Examiner: Weber State joins several Utah organizations to confront climate change: http://bit.ly/20e6toR


 

					

		
		
	

							
	

				

			
						

				Mayor Jackie Biskupski signs amicus brief in defense of President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan
			

								


				

			

Today, Mayor Jackie Biskupski joined more than 50 city and county governments from 28 states in signing an amicus brief in defense of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan.


“I signed this brief on behalf of Salt Lake City because the effects of climate change are real, but so are the solutions,” said Mayor Biskupski. “The EPA estimates that the Clean Power Plan will reduce the pollutants that contribute to smog by more than 25 percent, a change that will benefit everyone along the Wasatch Front, especially during our increasingly dangerous winter inversion season.”


The brief, filed in federal court today, argues the administration’s plan is critical to the safety and economic security of local communities across the United States. Signatories of the brief represent a diverse geographic, economic, and political mix. In all, the signatories represent 51 localities, home to more than 18 million Americans.


“Climate change challenges our very way of life in Salt Lake City. Increasing temperatures and a shorter winter season are resulting in less snow, threatening not only our billion dollar ski industry, but the water we need to keep up with our population growth,” said Mayor Biskupski. “My administration is committed to strengthening our actions in cleaning our air. This week I asked our city’s Department of Sustainability to work with mayors and cities across the Wasatch Front to provide any resources we can to help them join this fight.”


The full brief is available here: http://web.law.columbia.edu/climate-change/clean-power-plan-amicus-brief

					

		
		
	

							
	

				

			
						

				Announcing New Community Solar Programs
			

								


				

			
Utah Clean Energy is thrilled to announce the launch of not one, but two more Community Solar programs; Mountain Town Community Solar and U Community Solar.


Johnson.Reed.solar2


Community Solar makes putting solar on your roof simple and streamlined by helping neighbors team up and take advantage of a community network and volume pricing. See below for details of the two distinct Community Solar programs and find out which one will work for you.


Mountain Town Community Solar Launch Event, March 28mountain town


Summit and Wasatch Counties are giving new meaning to the phrase power in numbers. Community volunteers have come together with non-profit organizations Summit Community Power Works and Utah Clean Energy to launch Mountain Town Community Solar – a program to help residents tackle the solar process as a team, realize cost savings through bulk purchasing power, and energize their communities with clean energy.


Mountain Town Community Solar will host its launch event on Monday, March 28th at 6:00 pm at the Jim Santy Auditorium (1255 Park Ave., Park City, UT, 84060). RSVP here.


Workshop for U Community Solar, March 30u community solar


Back by popular demand, the University of Utah is once again partnering with Utah Clean Energy to bring members of the campus community in Salt Lake, Summit, and Davis Counties the opportunity to go solar.


Members of the University of Utah campus community (including alumni, faculty, staff, students, and campus guests) are eligible for a substantial discount on the cost of rooftop solar and a streamlined, simplified solar installation process.


The first workshop for U Community Solar will be held on Wednesday, March 30th at the A. Ray Olpin University of Utah Union, Union Theater, Salt Lake City, UT 83112. RSVP here.

					

		
		
	

							
	

				

			
						

				City Invites Residents to Discuss Future Improvements to Foothill Drive
			

								


				

			

Salt Lake City’s Transportation Division, along with several partner organizations, invite residents and area stakeholders to meet and discuss the future of the Foothill Drive corridor at an open house to be held Thursday, March 31, at 5 pm located at Hillside Middle School, 1825 Nevada Street in Salt Lake City.


The open house marks the beginning of Foothill Drive Implementation Strategy, which will identify short term and long-term priorities to address traffic congestion, improve neighborhood connections, enhance safety, and provide transportation options.


Foothill Drive has long served as a vital urban thoroughfare linking I-80, I-215, and Parley’s Way at the City’s Southeastern border to the Foothill Cultural District and the University of Utah, and eventually Downtown via 500/400 South.


The street also serves as a neighbor commercial corridor and regular users have expressed interest in enhancing the safety, efficiency and aesthetics of the corridor for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and transit riders.


To learn more about the project and to share your ideas, visit the project website at www.foothilldrive.org, email the project team at foothilldriveslc@gmail.com, join us at the upcoming open house or call the project hotline at 801-535-7130 to provide comment.


 


Who: Salt Lake City Transportation Division, University of Utah, Utah Department of Transportation, Wasatch Front Regional Council, Salt Lake County, Utah Transit Authority


Where:

Hillside Middle School

1825 Nevada Street

Salt Lake City, Utah


When: Thursday, March 31st from 5 p.m. -7 p.m.


 


People with disabilities who would like to request reasonable accommodation to attend this event should provide 48 hours advance notice. Accommodations may include alternate formats, interpreters, and other auxiliary aids. For questions or additional information, please contact Christine Passey, Coordinator for Disability Rights/Special Projects, at christine.passey@slcgov.com, 801-535-7110, or TDD 801-535-6021.