Summit on Sustainability

The Summit on Sustainability will take place on Thursday, October 26th. This is MORPC’s signature environmental conference, bringing hundreds of community leaders together to explore and share sustainable ideas and solutions, and to celebrate individuals and collaborative sustainability efforts with the Regional Sustainability Awards. The Summit will feature two plenary sessions and breakout sessions that will focus on MORPC’s sustainability programs.

Agenda

8:30 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. – Opening Plenary Session

9:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Break in Exhibit Hall

10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – Breakout sessions

Empowering Communities for a Sustainable Future: Climate Pollution Reduction Workshop
LinkUS: Smart Planning for a Sustainable Future
Collaborating on Social Equity to Innovate Change
Safeguarding Our Water: Exploring Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Development
Transportation Policy and the Environment

11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Break in Exhibit Hall

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch Plenary Session: Mitchell Silver

1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Break in Exhibit Hall

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Breakout Sessions

Breathing Easier Together: Empowering Communities for Cleaner Air
Reimagining Sustainable Communities
Walk and Ride the Way to Culture Change
Unlocking Clean Energy for Central Ohio: Building a Roadmap to Empower Our Future
Where Do We Grow From Here?

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – Break in Exhibit Hall

2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions

Catalyzing Sustainable Communities Through Grassroot Efforts
Blueways: Navigating the Balance Between Ecology and Recreation
Data the Root of Effective Urban Forestry Planning
Transforming Environmental Justice (Justice 40)
Join the Circular Economy: Turning Ambition into Action

Keynote

Lunch Plenary Keynote: Mitchell Silver

Mitchell Silver serves as the Principal, Vice President of Urban Planning at McAdams, and he is responsible for providing advisory services in urban planning, land use, parks, and public space planning with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mitchell also serves as an ambassador and leader for the company in regional and national organizations and events. Mitchell is an award-winning planner with over 38 years of experience. He is a prolific public speaker and internationally recognized for his leadership in the urban planning profession, placemaking, parks and public space planning, and contributions to contemporary planning issues.

Before joining McAdams, Mitchell was the commissioner for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, Chief Planning Officer in Raleigh, NC. He served as president of the American Planning Association and president of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Mitchell is one of the nation’s most celebrated urban thinkers. He was among those selected to Planetizen’s 100 Most Influential Urbanists. In addition, he has been honored as one of the top 100 City Innovators in the world by UBM Future Cities, and the Urban Times named him one of the top international thought leaders of the built environment.

Pecha Kutcha

Sponsorship Opportunitites

MORPC’s Summit on Sustainability would not be possible without the generous support of organizations and businesses across Central Ohio. With almost 600 attendees, the Summit on Sustainability is an opportunity for organizations and business across Central Ohio to showcase their support around sustainability initiatives.

View the sponsorship levels in the Sponsor Brochure.

Please contact Amanda McEldowney at amceldowney@morpc.org for questions and to secure your sponsorship today.

Regional Sustainability Awards

The Leadership in Sustainability Award

This award recognizes an individual or entity exemplifying outstanding leadership and innovation in seeking comprehensive sustainability solutions to address key challenges facing the region.

Previous Recipients:

2014: Erin Miller, City of Columbus
2015: Mount Carmel Healthy Systems
2016: Green Columbus, City of Columbus, Green Funds of The Columbus Foundation and Keep Columbus Beautiful
2017: Susan Ashbrook, City of Columbus
2018: Ben Kessler, Mayor of the City of Bexley
2019: Kurt Keljo, Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District
2020: Dr. Gilbert Michaud, Assistant Professor of Practice at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University
2021: Jim Schimmer, Franklin County Economic Development and Planning
2022: Ty Marsh, SWACO

The Collaborative Achievement in Sustainability Award

This award recognizes a group of entities or individuals who have shown effectiveness in producing environmental accomplishments through a collaborative effort.

Previous Recipients:

2014: Genoa, Liberty, and Orange Township Board of Trustees
2015: Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW)
2016: Dale Arnold, Ohio Farm Bureau
2017: The Ohio State University Student Sustainability Council
2018: The Quarry Project, Franklin County Metro Parks
2019: C-Pass (SID, COTA, and MORPC)
2020: Regional Sustainability Dashboard
2021: RAPID 5
2022: Buckeye Lake For Tomorrow & The Buckeye Lake Region Corporation

The Leadership in Mobility Award

In memory of William A. “Bill” Lewis, Jr., former Chief Mobility Engineer of the City of Columbus. This award recognizes an individual, either professional or student, exemplifying outstanding work towards creating a world-class multi-modal transportation system for Central Ohio.

Previous Recipients: