Two local organizations work together to plant seeds of inspiration.
As part of a partnership that sprouted out of a shared passion for healthy, high-performance buildings and public spaces, two local thought-leading organizations have joined together to bring Pittsburghers an all-star team of national speakers. Green Building Alliance (GBA) and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will launch the monthly Inspire Speakers Series on Thursday, October 11, 2012, giving audiences an opportunity to hear from a wide range of experts who will share their knowledge on a variety of topics.
Throughout the series guests can: Follow the journey of Stephen Ritz, a Bronx teacher who was able to grow enough fresh produce to routinely feed his 450 students. Learn about defying boundaries from David Orr, Oberlin College professor, sustainability pioneer and highly acclaimed author. Be inspired by Majora Carter’s story of Greening the Ghetto, and learn how to invest in your own community to promote economic and environmental well being. And hear from our inaugural speaker, George Bandy —vice president of Interface, one of the most sustainably operated manufacturing companies in the U.S.—who will kick off the series on October 11 with an informative perspective on creating a culture of sustainability.
The Inspire Speakers Series, co-sponsored by the Tri-State Area School Study Council, will be held at Phipps on the second Thursday of each month. Refreshments will be provided and all attendees will receive tips they can apply in their homes, businesses, schools or communities. Each lecture will offer unique information so interested individuals can choose to attend one presentation, or the entire series. Additionally, anyone who registers will also gain access to the Conservatory one hour before the event begins. The line-up is as follows:
October 11: George Bandy & Christine Mondor
November 8: Bill Reed & Joel Glanzberg
December 13: David Sobel
January 10: Faculty from Seattle’s Bertschi School
February 14: Steve Ashkin & Vivian Loftness
March 14: Stephen Ritz
April 11: Majora Carter
May 9: David Orr
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About Green Building Alliance
Green Building Alliance (GBA) is a nonprofit organization that inspires the creation of healthy, high performing places for everyone by providing leadership that connects knowledge, transformative ideas, and collaborative action. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, GBA was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1993; as such, it was one of the first U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) affiliate organizations and is now a USGBC Chapter. GBA continues to be a catalyst in our region and strives to meet the ever-growing and ever-changing demands of the green building marketplace through multiple programs and initiatives. For more information, visit www.go-gba.org.
About Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Established in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pa. stands as an eco-champion among America’s 500 public gardens with a mission to inspire and educate visitors with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and worldwide biodiversity through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.
About the Center for Sustainable Landscapes
The Inspire Speakers Series kick-off on October 11 will take place at Phipps’ Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL), and attendees of the event will be among the first to experience it. Designed and built by citizens of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania, the CSL—a dynamic new education, research and administrative facility opening soon at the public garden —has emerged as one of the greenest buildings on Earth. In aiming to meet or exceed the highest standards for sustainable buildings and sites—including, the Living Building Challenge, LEED® Platinum and SITES™—it will generate all of its own energy with state-of-the art technologies such as solar photovoltaics, geothermal wells and a vertical axis wind turbine; treat and reuse all water captured on site; and feature a restorative landscape with many beautiful varieties of native plants. Discover more at phippsCSL.org.