YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY - AS A BUSINESS EXHIBITOR, SPONSOR, OR PARTICIPANT!  

Check out  LINK TO SEE SCHEDULE!   on this WEBSITE. 

January 25 - Free to the public: Tours of some of Wichita Historic Buildings; Free Screenings of two Videos and a Repair and Paint Certification for Lead Paint (Fee for Workshop)

January 26 & January 27 - Preregistration or Walk-in - Fee required.

January 28th.  -  FAIR  Free to the General Public. 

Contact: Kay Johnson, Office of Environmental Initiatives Manager
Phone: 268-4251
E-mail: kjohnson@wichita.gov

Eligibility Covers Four-County Area

Nominations for the third annual Metro Wichita Clean Air and Sustainability Awards are now being accepted by the City of Wichita Air Quality Improvement Task Force.

The awards recognize companies, organizations, institutions, government entities, community groups, neighborhood associations and individuals who are taking steps to reduce air pollution and emissions in the urban area.  Those steps may include energy efficiency measures, pollution reduction, increased recycling and conservation of natural resources. 

The efforts can have a significant impact on improving air quality in the Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and avoiding the risk of falling out of compliance with federal air quality standards. 

Entries are welcome from the four-county metro area including Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick, and Sumner counties.  A panel of judges from local and state government, business, and the private sector will select the winners. Application deadline is Jan. 4.   

Award winners will be recognized in public ceremonies at the 2012 Kansas Preservation, Energy and Sustainability Summit and Fair at Century II Jan. 27-28.  They will also be featured on City7, the City’s Cox Communications cable channel. More information about the 2012 conference can be found at  www.greenwichita.org.

Completed applications can be mailed to Kay Johnson, Office of Environmental Initiatives Manager, Planning Department,  455 North Main Street, Wichita, KS, 67202.  They may be emailed to kjohnson@wichita.gov or faxed to 316-858-7392.

Applications and general guidelines can be viewed and printed from the City’s website at Wichita.gov or at www.greenwichita.org   For more information, contact Kay Johnson at 268-4251.  For assistance in filling out the application or quantifying environmental improvements and cost savings, contact Kansas Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) at 800-578-8898 or by email at sbeap@ksu.edu.

Documents to download:

• AQITF CAA General Information and Criteria 2011
• AQITF CAA Application Form 2011

Wichita Ranks Last in 2011 US Sustainable Cities Survey and Complete Streets Forum Report

While gathering information for the 2011 Sustainable Cities Survey, I realized I hadn’t reported on the successful results of the Complete Streets Forum held in July.  So, this blog has two topics:

Wichita Ranks Last

Did you know this year we were ranked dead last in a 2011 survey for sustainable cities?  Kent Portney, Ph.D., Tufts University, has released results of a survey that shows Wichita is last among 55 of the largest US Cities for sustainability.  The Wichita Eagle’s Ron Sylvester interviewed the professor and highlights were published on Saturday, August 6^th, in an article  "Environment study ranks Wichita last".

Sylvester also discussed sustainability and and the survey in his weekly column – Keeping the Plains where he provides a list of sustainable actions under the subheading Tip Off.  The reporter has taken a bold step in asking Wichitans to help improve our score. 

I am asking Wichitans to do the same.  Go online to Keeping the Plains and pick an action that you commit to take over the week to help us out.  IF we all pitch in and sustain our efforts, we can move that dead last ranking up the line to a better position.  The Wichita Eagle has now published an Editorial on this topic so check this out, too - Take Ranking Seriously.  (Updated blog - 8/16/2011.)

July 21 Public Forum
KU School of Medicine - Wichita
1010 N. Kansas
Roberts Amphitheater
6:00 - 8:30 PM
[Google the address] [Download parking map]

Come out to listen, learn and provide your opinion on this important quality of life issue for Wichita.

AN INTERVIEW FOR THE BLOG AND WICHITA ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAY NIGHT.  A BLOG FIRST!  A few months ago I got an email out of the blue from Bella Ruse, a Minneapolis band!!! I was surprised to learn that they were coming to town and wanted to talk about how important it is for them to be carbon neutral - to reduce their impact on the environment as much as possible.  The message said "GREEN" band Bella Ruse would be coming to play in Wichita on June 10th at the Bay Leaf Restaurant. Never heard of such a thing...a green band.

  Join In!  Bike to Work, to School, and for Fun!  

April Showers bring May Flowers - and those showers may bring polluted rainwater run-off that may impact our streams, but we all can take actions to clean up our streams!

Hundreds of people came out to listen, learn and discuss energy and sustainability ideas at the two-day conference, January 28th and 29th, that was held at the WSU Huges Metroplex.  While the event is over, the ideas are just flowing.  It was exciting to see our community buzzing with interest.  We want to thank all attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, and workers.  We're still scrambling to get all the pictures,  power point presentations and survey on the website.  Please check back in a few days to download information and to fill out the Energy and Sustainability Fair (Saturday) survey.        

3^rd Annual Regional Energy and Sustainability Summit and Fair
Jan. 28-29, WSU Metroplex, 29^th and Oliver

Saving energy, saving the environment and saving money are all on the agenda for the 3rd annual Regional Energy and Sustainability Summit and Fair Jan. 28-29 at the Wichita State University Metroplex, 29^th and Oliver.

The City of Wichita and Partners will host its 3rd Annual 2011 Regional Energy Sustainability Summit and Fair on January 28th and 29th, 2011, at the WSU HUGHES METROPLEX. Two distinctly different days and events are designed for two different audiences but all are welcome both days. Energy saving strategies and tips will be provided by experts in both work and home environments. Don't miss this exciting conference and take home FREE green products and equipment!

The 2010 Wichita Area Air Quality and Sustainability Awards will be announced during the Summit on Friday and a special community award will be announced during the Fair on Saturday. Don't miss these announcements as we celebrate area air quality improvements and sustainability efforts.

Prize drawings for energy efficiency and sustainability items will be held on both days for those 18 years of age and older. Visit vendor exhibits and be eligible to enter a drawing to win great energy saving devices including several electric power monitors, programmable light timers and other smart business and home tools and equipment.

Download the schedules for the Summit (Friday) or Fair (Saturday) to green your home, yard or office. Go green to save green.