Sustain-a-Palooza! Random Notes & Chat Gems (Day One)
As has been noted, we had a great BIG time over the two days of Sustain-a-Palooza! Here’s a bit of a recap incorporating the “gems” from the ongoing session chat, which is not to be confused with chaat, which come to think of it would have been an excellent (sweet, sour, tangy, spicy, crunchy) accompaniment.
Lyngsø Sustainability Director Kan Parthiban started off by taking us through the beneficial cycle of rich soil, compost and mulch. Kan pointed to the resources available at lyngsogarden.com and posted her email ([email protected]).
Active listener and next presenter Kirsten Struve mentioned Valley Water’s watersavings.org site as well as the Santa Clara Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program C.3 Stormwater Handbook (SCVURPPP.org/newdev). She gave an overview of the programs she manages at Valley Water, the purified water (purewater4u.org), drought response and water supply planning and conservation, and then “retired” landscape designer Ashley Shannon dove into the details of VW’s Landscape Rebate and other Santa Clara County residential conservation programs.
Architect Hafsa Burt chatted about an example of drought tolerant landscaping on an existing pad.
After a short BAAQMD spare the air video, it was my (Dennis Murphy) turn, for a short spin about the SSV Water Program, our Water Manifesto, upcoming WET Talk 9 and WaterPalooza! as well as our developing Regenerative Communities Program.
SSV Partner TruEarth’s Head of Sustainability Anita Spillar of gave a spirited 10-step guide to Plastic Freedom through use of clever products and good ol’ common sense. Yes we can!
Anthony Meyer, Cal Water’s Northern California Regional Conservation Coordinator drew from his experiences as a commercial plumber, a meter utility worker, a pump/treatment operator, program manager and father to personalize his conservation discussion.
Abodu’s Director of Cities Annie Fryman acknowledged her winning of LinkedIn, drew upon her architectural, planning, financial and legislative backgrounds and delivered a plant-based whopper of a session on the challenges of bringing affordable + high-quality backyard homes (ADUs) to California and beyond. Luckily, they bring big cranes.
AQ & Mobility Director Drew Clark ([email protected])talked about SSV’s Youth Air Quality Advocates (YAQA) STEM Program at East San José Unified with project consultant Elizabeth Morales, a born and bred East San José and Mount Pleasant High grad.
Seamless Transit Co-Founder and Advocacy Director Adina Levin does double duty Executive Director of Friends of Caltrain. She presented a vision of an integrated system of transportation the unifies fares and schedules of the 27(!) separate transit agencies currently operating in the Bay Area along with the enabling legislative reality of SB 917 (Becker) currently passed through to Assembly Appropriations.
Wednesday’s closing session may have been prerecorded (we blame Yosemite wi-fi) but Gary Gragg more than made up for it in true Sustain-a-Palooza! spirit, hustle and entertainment value. The horticulturist and owner of Golden Gate Palms Nursery in Richmond toured his home hillside avocado grove in Lafayette, where nary a Hass variety grows.
Well, that was just day one! See the day two post for more.