Past Events
Thursday September 8th, 2022
Speakers: YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties CEO Tim Sinatra, Architects Kaley Fought and Chris Morris, and Owner’s Rep David Lintz shared details about the new YMCA building in downtown Salem, how it will address community needs, and future plans for the facility and programs.
Thursday June 12th, 2022
Speakers: Emily Shelton, Director of Education and Outreach and ReThink business program manager, shared BRING Recycling's programs supporting businesses, including Rethink and the Planet Improvement Center, as well as new partnerships with EarthWISE in Marion County.
Thursday May 12th, 2022
Speakers: James Cogle and Doug Baer, with the Oregon Department of Energy, shared information about about three new energy grant programs for individuals, businesses and communities.
Thursday April 14th, 2022
Speaker: Joe Abraham, Utility Analyst with the Oregon Public Utility Commission, shared information about the Oregon Community Solar Program and how individuals, businesses and organizations can participate.
Thursday March 10th, 2022
Speaker: Tom Kissinger, Marion County Parks Program Supervisor, discussed the County's efforts to rebuild more climate resilient County parks in the Santiam Canyon east of Salem after the devastating wildfires there in September 2020.
Thursday February 10th, 2022
Speaker: Ian Davidson, Cherriots board president, shared their vision and plans for providing affordable, equitable, and environmentally friendly public mobility options.
Thursday January 13th, 2022
Speaker: Dave Wortman, Oregon's Statewide Sustainability Officer, discussed a new guidebook and tool developed by the State to support agencies, businesses, and other organizations setting goals and identifying actions to reduce GHG emissions in operations. Presentation slides (PDF).
Thursday December 9th, 2021
Speakers: Rachel VanWoert, Marion County Waste Reduction Coordinator and True Zero Advisor, and Dakota Tangredi, Marion County Waste Reduction Coordinator, discussed the EarthWISE certification program and sustainable business network.
Thursday November 4th, 2021
Speaker: Byron Williams, Chief Administrative Officer of the Oregon State Treasury, shared information about the newest, sustainable building in Salem – the Treasury Resiliency Building.
Presentation slides
Thursday October 14th, 2021
Speaker: Ian Dixon-McDonald, Marion Polk Food Share's Vice President of Programs, shared successes, challenges and opportunities facing our communities experiencing food insecurity.
Thursday September 9th, 2021
Speaker: Ben Scandella, Oregon Water Resource Department's Groundwater Data Chief, introduce a recently completed statewide, data-driven assessment of recent concerns and impacts associated with the development of groundwater resources.
Thursday July 8th, 2021
Speaker: Jocelyn Bridson, Tillamook County Creamery Association's Director of Environment and Community Impact, discussed the Association's recent B Corp certification.
Thursday June 10th, 2021
Speaker: Rhett Lawrence, Forth's Pacific Northwest Policy Manager, discussed the equitable deployment of EV infrastructure, programs and more in Oregon.
Thursday May 13th, 2021
Speakers: Holly Nelson and Marshall Roache from Chemeketa Community College and Dale Moon and Sarah Whiteside from Linn-Benton Community College discussed their respective Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
We regret that technical difficulties prevented a successful recording of our speakers.
Thursday April 8, 2021
Speaker: Willamette Partnership Executive Director Sara O'Brien discussed possibilities for next generation water infrastructure and the future of water management in Oregon that benefits the environment, human health, and community development.
Recorded Presentation and Q&A
2021 Water Investment Ready Oregon report
Thursday March 11, 2021
Speaker: North Santiam Watershed Council Executive Director Rebecca McCoun discussed the council's short and mid term post Beachie Creek and Lionshead wildfire recovery efforts, and the need to reassess the new baseline conditions for the Little North Fork and Breitenbush subbasins.
Recorded Presentation and Q&A
Thursday February 11, 2021
Speaker: Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) Climate Resilience Coordinator Chris Shirley provided a high level overview of the State of Oregon Climate Equity Blueprint, recently published to guide agencies as they work to implement the revised State of Oregon Climate Adaptation Framework and address issues around climate equity and justice.
Recorded Presentation and Q&A
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Speaker: Oregon Environmental Council Legislative Director Morgan Gratz-Weiser provided an overview of environmental legislation during the 2021 Oregon legislative session and information about how citizens can engage their elected officials virtually.
Recorded Presentation and Q&A
Prior to March 2020
Pre-COVID Networking lunch events were held in-person at Willamette University's Goudy Commons, but were not recorded. A big thank you to the following speakers.
Portland General Electric Transportation Electrification Engineer Luke Whittemore
Oregon Food Bank Statewide Network Developer Katy Giombolini
Oregon Association of Conservation Districts Policy & Program Director Anna Freitas
Oregon Environmental Council Legislative Director Morgan Gratz-Weiser
SEDCOR's Marion County Retention & Expansion Manager Nick Harville
Cherriots General Manager Allan Pollock and Trip Choice Program Specialist Kiki Dohman
Straub Outdoors Executive Director Catherine Alexander and intern Rachel Fisher
ODOT Sustainability Program Manager Geoff Crook
Department of Corrections' Sustainability Programs Manager Chad Naugle
Assistant Director of Development at Pringle Creek Community Laura DeVito
City of Salem Senior Planner Eunice Kim
Oregon Health Authority Climate & Health Program Lead Emily York
Willamette University's Director of Grounds Management Jim Andersen
Marion County Waste Reduction Coordinator Alan Pennington
CLEAResult Outreach Manager Elin Shepard
Statewide Sustainability Officer David Wortman