Grow your own community garden!

Attend an open house and learn how you can start a community garden in your neighborhood!

Open houses are scheduled at the Salt Lake City & County Building (451 S State Street) on the first floor on:

Salt Lake City recognizes the important role community vegetable gardens play in supporting our local food system, and has made it a goal to support gardens.

In order to help facilitate the development of new gardens, the City has identified City-owned or managed parcels located on properties with access to a waterline and other conditions conducive to creating a successful and sustainable community garden.

Salt Lake City works directly with Wasatch Community Gardens and community members to develop gardens within City limits.

Visit SLCgreen.com for more information, and to download a community garden application.

We’ll see you there!

Register for the USGBC-Utah 2014 Sustainability Summit

Sustainable Building Summit: An Atmosphere of Change
Friday, October 3
The Leonardo (209 E 500 S)

This year’s Sustainability Summit includes world class keynote speakers who will be joined by local and national presenters. Speakers will share the best of today’s transformational sustainability, along with innovation and disruption for the future.

Keynote speakers are Elizabeth Craig, US EPA Director of Climate Protection Partnerships, and Mitch Joachim, architect and visionary. They will be joined by a bevy of innovative national and local sustainability speakers, including Salt Lake City Green’s own Tyler Poulson.

USGBC-Utah is extremely honored to be able to present Mayor Becker with the 2014 Craig Forster Lifetime Achievement Award for Sustainability.

Over 30 years ago, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker was taken by the same allure that brought many residents to Utah’s Capital City, drawn by the area’s unique mix of geo-graphic beauty, metropolitan energy and year-round recreational opportunities.

Ralph earned two graduate degrees at his new home’s University of Utah – a Master’s in Planning and a JD – after completing undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania in 1973. He served as the Utah State Planning Coordinator under Governor Scott Matheson and then went on to launch his own Salt Lake City-based consulting firm, Bear West, specializing in community planning, environmental assessment, public lands use and public involvement before acting on his long-held desire to serve the public.

Elected to the Utah State Legislature in 1996, Ralph was a member of the House of Representatives for 11 years and battled for the issues most important to his Avenues constituents. He served in legislative leadership positions for most of that tenure, including five years as House Minority Leader.

In 2008, Ralph brought this considerable body of education, experience and engagement with local issues to his new office of Mayor of Salt Lake City.

In his first term, Mayor Becker has greatly expanded transportation options for the City’s residents and visitors, with a special focus on public transit, trails and bikeways. He also championed the state’s first municipal protections in the areas of employment and housing for the City’s LGBT community – an effort that has since been replicated by Salt Lake County and over a dozen local governments throughout Utah. Under Mayor Becker’s leadership, City government has become much more transparent, and new opportunities have been created for residents to engage and participate in the decision making process.

Mayor Becker is a leader who has made, and will continue to make, collaboration and partnerships an essential element in his efforts to see Salt Lake City as an even more vibrant, livable and sustainable community for its current residents and into the future.

Ralph is an avid outdoorsman who, when he is away from work, can be found backcountry skiing, river running or backpacking. He is also the proud father of two sons and a 19-year-old granddaughter.

I know there are many people who will want to see the Mayor receive his award, and they will also be eager to hear him give his lunchtime presentation on
his lifetime commitment to the natural environment, community sustainability and his service on President Obama’s State, Local and Tribal Task Force on Climate Change and Resiliency.

Register for the 2014 Sustainability Summit
Friday, October 3
The Leonardo (209 E 500 S)

Agenda

This Evening: The Future of our Wasatch Canyons

You’re invited to explore proposed development plans for the Wasatch Canyons at a special event this evening. Learn about the Mountain Accord and the future of our canyons for recreation, transportation, economy and environment.

Panelists include Laura Briefer, Water Resources Manager for Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, Natalie Gochnour, Associate Dean, David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, Will McCarvill, President, Wasatch Mountain Club, Jon Nepstad, Principal, Fehr & Peers, Transportation Lead for Mountain Accord and David Whittekiend, Forest Supervisor for the Uinta-Cache-Wasatch National Forest.

Mountain Accord Discussion
Thursday, September 18
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tessman Auditorium, Main Library (210 E 400 S)

The evening is hosted by The League of Women Voters of Salt Lake.

You’re invited: Growing Cities Film Screening

Salt Lake City Green, in partnership with The Green Urban Lunch Box, will be hosting a film screening of Growing Cities in celebration of Food Day.

Growing Cities, a film about urban farming in America, examines the role of urban farming in our culture and its power to revitalize our cities and change the way we eat. Learn more at GrowingCitiesMovie.com.

The Green Urban Lunch Box will have their mobile greenhouse on site! Come tour this converted 35-foot school bus before the screening. Trust us, it’s not-to-be-missed!

Food Day is a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. Learn more at FoodDay.org.

Growing Cities Film Screening, a Food Day event
Wednesday, October 22
Brewvies Cinema Pub (677 S 200 W)
Doors open at 6 p.m. Seating is limited.

There is a $5 suggested donation. All additional proceeds will go to The Green Urban Lunch Box to help support the SLC FruitShare program.

Watch the film trailer

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/42288661]

Utah Clean Air Fair this Saturday, Sept 20

The Utah Clean Air Fair (UCAF) is an opportunity to amplify community engagement and empowerment on clean air issues in a fun and educational atmosphere for the whole family.

Last year’s Clean Air Fair brought out 1,000 enthusiastic Utahns. And with winter right around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to discover what you can do to improve our local air quality.

There will be local vendors, information booths, and live music. SLCgreen will be there, so stop by to say “hello!” and explore what we’re doing to reduce our impact.

Bring your family and friends, take part in your community, leave inspired and ready for a breath of fresh air!

Where:
Library Square
200 E. 400 S.

When:
Saturday, September 20
Noon – 5 p.m.

Cost:
Free!

People’s Climate March in Salt Lake City

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/104429713]

This Sunday, Utahns will gather at the City & County Building to show their support for local and global action on climate change. The event kicks off at noon.

The rally is part of a larger movement to spur meaningful action on climate change. The People’s Climate March will take place in New York City as world leaders gather for a historic summit on climate change. Their call to action is simple:

Together, we’ll take to the streets to demand the world we know is within our reach: a world with an economy that works for people and the planet. A world safe from the ravages of climate change. A world with good jobs, clean air, and healthy communities for everyone.

People’s Climate March: Salt Lake City
Sunday, September 21, 2014
12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m.
City & County Building (451 S. State Street)

More information is available at http://peoplesclimatemarch.org.

Leonardo After Hours Presents: Is Your Food Killing You?

Yesterday The Leonardo, in partnership with The Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR), announced the next edition of Leonardo After Hours focusing on making healthy, better informed food choices.

Is Your Food Killing You: Navigating a Full Crop of What Food is Healthy, Toxic and Everything in Between features a dialogue between experts in various fields of nutrition, representatives from the food industry and members of our community. With so many diets, recommendations on how to eat, what we eat, how and where food is grown and nutrition fads, it’s hard to distinguish the food news from food fat. The goal of this discussion is to help us truly understand what is healthy vs. what is not.

Come prepared with your questions and comments.

Where:
The Leonardo
209 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Date:
Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Time:
6:00-7:30 p.m.

Cost:
FREE!

Appetizers and drinks are available for purchase.

Partners:
The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah’s “knowledge economy” and generate high-paying jobs. Funded in March 2006 by the State Legislature, USTAR is based on three program areas. The first area involves funding for strategic investments at the University of Utah and Utah State University to recruit world-class researchers. The second area is to build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facilities at these institutions for the innovation teams. The third program area involves teams that work with companies and entrepreneurs across the State to promote science, innovation, and commercialization activities. For more information, follow USTAR on Twitter.

Located in the heart of Salt Lake City at the Library Square TRAX stop, The Leonardo is a first-of-a-kind museum connecting science, technology and creativity. Here, visitors of all ages can exercise their curiosity, their creativity and experience unique, interactive exhibits and an ongoing calendar of public programs, workshops and classes. For more information about The Leonardo visit: www.theleonardo.org.

Celebrate the S-Line Greenway Grand Opening on Sept. 19

You’re invited to the grand opening of the new S-Line Greenway in Salt Lake City!

Grand Opening: Friday, September 19th

Come celebrate the opening of Salt Lake City’s newest public space. The S-Line Greenway is a mile-long linear park running parallel to the streetcar line from 500 East to McClelland Street. The greenway features public art, plazas and a multi-modal segment of Parley’s Trail.

11:30 a.m. Grand Opening Press Conference (S-Line at 600 East)
Join Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker as he marks the official completion of the Greenway and the S-Line’s Parley’s Trail connection. He will be joined by South Salt Lake City Mayor Cherie Wood, County Mayor Ben McAdams and other project partners. Refreshments will be provided.

5:30 & 7:30 p.m. S-Line Community Celebration
Come celebrate the Greenway and it’s new Parley’s Trail connection with the corridor’s artists, designers and community partners. This free event will feature food, art and musical performances along the corridor.

We’ll see you there!

City Partners with Local Yoga School to Offer Free Community Classes

Photo Credit: Yoga News via Flickr

Mayor Ralph Becker is pleased to announce the City’s Parks and Public Lands Division is partnering with Salt Lake Power Yoga to offer residents free community yoga in Pioneer Park. Classes will be available from 6-7 p.m. on Monday evenings in September. The class meets in the southeast corner of the park, just east of the Utah Flying Trapeze operation.

Mayor Becker is committed to working toward a healthy, sustainable and livable community. Read more about his Livability Agenda. Explore how Salt Lake City is doing on the Sustainable City Dashboard.

EVENT: Free Yoga in Pioneer Park

WHO: Salt Lake City and Salt Lake City Power Yoga

WHEN: Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29

6-7 p.m.

WHERE: Pioneer Park

350 S. 300 West

(southeast corner)

Le Croissant: Caterers with a Green Mission

Businesses around Salt Lake City are “greening” their operations with the help of our e2 program. Le Croissant Catering is one of those success stories we just had to share!

From purchasing renewable energy through the Blue Sky program, to retrofitting their workspace with high-efficiency lighting, and now exploring options for a more efficient heating and cooling system, Le Croissant has worked diligently to reduce their environmental impact. Of all the changes that this company has made, perhaps the most notable is the sustainability efforts to green their waste stream. Previously, items like food waste, disposable utensils, and basic trash materials were put into an overflowing dumpster and everything was sent to the landfill.

Through consultation with Momentum Recycling, another e2 business member, Le Croissant’s now saves 90% of waste from the landfill. They do this with separate containers for mixed stream recycling, green waste, glass, & landfill. This not only allows for Le Croissant to maximize the amount of material that gets recycled, but director Chris Sanchez says that it has made the waste pick-up area of the business much cleaner.

Of course, such a dramatic transformation of their waste stream required that the employees be educated about what can be recycled, and how to ensure that the correct material finds its way into the proper receptacles. Le Croissant accomplished this by placing clearly marked signs on various containers throughout the kitchen and office spaces so that each employee can see what goes in each container.

Changes were made in the kitchen, too. Employees have access to a large container within arm’s reach where they can put food scraps that will be transferred to the green waste containers. Sanchez says that the employees have fully embraced this new model, and appreciate that the company has made recycling a business priority.

However, as a catering business, much of their work takes place off-site, away from their array of recycling containers. They continue their efforts off-site by using their own re-usable plates and utensils whenever possible to minimize the production of waste. When this is not an option, Le Croissant features biodegradable materials made from bamboo and corn starch.

Le Croissant also works with local farmers to provide local ingredients in their food, and they make a conscientious effort to partner with other organizations that prioritize sustainability practices.

All of these efforts have proven not only important to the staff of Le Croissant, but to their clients as well. Sanchez says that many of their new clients have approached them not only for their excellent services as a catering company, but because of their strong sustainability commitment. Likewise, many of their previous clients have maintained their loyalty to the company based on these efforts.

We’d like to thank Le Croissant for their bold and diligent contribution to sustainability practices and for paving the way for a greener Salt Lake City.

slcGreen Blog

Updates and musings from the Salt Lake City Sustainability Department