The Sustainability Nexus presents Green City Clean Waters Screening + Discussion:
Green City Clean Waters is a 30 minute documentary created for the Philadelphia Water Department on Philadelphia’s plan to transform the city into an oasis of rain gardens, green roofs, treescapes, and porous pavements, which advocates say is cheaper than tunnels and makes for a more livable, prettier city with higher property values and better community health.
http://www.vimeo.com/greentreks/greencity
After a screening of GCCW, we will host a panel featuring representatives from GSI Partners, Tookany/Tacony- Frankford Watershed Partnership, PowerCorpsPHL and moderated by Greentreks Network about how the students, residents, and businesses can get involved and participate with the green stormwater infrastructure movement in Philly.
Moderator:
Barry Lewis – Executive Director, GreenTreks Network
Barry Lewis is the Executive Director of GreenTreks Network, a Philadelphia non-profit that uses visual storytelling and education to inspire individuals, organizations and governments to work for positive environmental change. A graduate of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (yup, that's in Canada!) and former Director of Communications at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Mr. Lewis has been involved in conceptualization and delivery of a broad array of environmental communications initiatives for the past 20 years, many focused on the intersection of watersheds, environmental, and human health.
Panelists:
Anna Shipp – Project Manager, Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners
The Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Partners is a priority initiative of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia. The GSI Partners were formed in response to the Philadelphia Water Department’s innovative Green City Clean Waters plan, and are working to maximize the success of that plan by advancing the green stormwater infrastructure industry, innovation, and the local businesses whose services and products relate to GSI.
Julie Slavet – Executive Director, Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc.
As TTF's Executive Director, Julie Slavet leads the organization in its mission to improve the health and vitality of the TTF watershed by engaging its communities in education, stewardship, restoration, and advocacy. An active Philadelphia Water Department Green City Clean Waters partner, TTF works across our 30 square mile watershed to implement green infrastructure and stream restoration projects in collaboration with municipal, school, and community partners. Julie has over 30 years of experience at all levels of government and in both the non-profit and small business worlds. Before joining TTF, she served as the senior district staff member for Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, leading constituent services and outreach efforts in a district of 650,000 constituents in Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia. Julie earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Smith College and an M.S. in Public Affairs from the University of Massachusetts.
Julia Hillengas – Deputy Service Officer, PowerCorps PHL
As the city's Deputy Service Officer, I work to build out national service and volunteer systems to increase impact. In September, we launched PowerCorpsPHL, an initiative that utilizes AmeriCorps service to cultivate Philadelphia's young adult workforce and increase the city's green infrastructure.