Join us Friday, November 3 for the 15th annual Sustain Dane Summit, a conference for sustainability leaders to learn, connect, share, reflect, and build new skills. This year the Summit will be held at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center from 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Register for the Summit here.
Keynote speaker Diamond Spratling, an award-winning environmental justice activist, storyteller, and public speaker. In 2019, she founded Girl + Environment, the national non-profit organization designed to educate, engage, and empower Black and Brown girls, women, and non-binary folx to stand up for environmental justice in their own neighborhoods. Diamond’s leadership in environmental justice and beyond is driven by her own lived experiences in Detroit as well as the motivation to dismantle health, racial, and environmental inequities in other Black and Brown communities alike.
In addition, Diamond has worked with cities, companies, and organizations globally to adopt meaningful, equitable processes that prioritize community and protect our planet.
Agenda
- Breakfast & Networking 7:30—8:30
- Welcome, Keynote, & Workshop 8:30—10:00
- Break 10:00—10:30
- Interactive Climate Roundtable 10:30—11:45
- Lunch, Art, & Networking 11:45—1:00
- Transformative Local Projects 1:00—2:00
- Live Forward Awards 2:00—2:30
- Closing & Networking 2:30—3:00
“So inspiring! I have been feeling anxious and defeated about climate change and what I can do to make a difference. But this summit gave me hope, inspiration, and energy to move forward with my goals on sustainability, waste reduction, and recycling while sharing the journey with others. Thank you so much!”
Interactive Climate Roundtable
In this rapid roundtable of presentations, local leaders will share stories of their successful sustainability projects (3-5 min per project).
Cristina Carvajal
Founder & Executive Director
Wisconsin EcoLatinos
Cristina will share her work with the Latino Academy of Workforce Development Environmental Justice Air Quality course through the Bilingual Leadership Academy. Read Cristina’s complete bio here.
Ben Reynolds
Director of Operations
Reynolds Transfer and Storage
Ben joins the Climate Roundtable to tell the story of Reynolds Transfer & Storage’s continuously expanding solar installations and how he uses financial incentives to make them a cost-effective climate solution. Read Ben’s complete bio here.
Cheryl DeWelt
Environmental Education & Garden Manager
Madison Children’s Museum
Cheryl will share the design of the Madison Children’s Museum Sustainability Plan and their green initiative’s focus on children and the future. Read Cheryl’s complete bio here.
Additional local leaders with engaging sustainability stories to be announced.
Transformative Local Projects
This segment will feature two transformative local projects: the Lake Monona Waterfront redesign and the Dane County Department of Waste and Renewables Sustainability Campus. There will be an opportunity for Q&A with the speakers after their presentations.
Ed Freer, PLA
Market Area Leader – Landscape Architecture, Senior Landscape Architect
GRAEF
Ed will share about the Lake Monona Waterfront (LMW) master plan which aims to transform Madison’s lakefront into a beautiful, activity-rich signature park that embodies the character and values of the city. He will discuss the sustainability & climate resilience elements of the LMW master plan. Sasaki is the lead design firm on this project team, whose team of local and national landscape architects, architects, engineers, and ecologists includes GRAEF. Read Ed’s complete bio here.
John Welch, PE
Director
Dane County Department of Waste and Renewables
John will talk through the Dane County Department of Waste and Renewables’ vision for the next landfill site, which includes development of a sustainable business park or “Sustainability Campus” to divert waste and create local circular economies. Read John’s complete bio here.
Live Forward Awards
The Live Forward Awards acknowledge changemakers and inclusive leaders who are locally promoting thriving sustainability, community healing, and resiliency. A nominee’s work will ideally impact one or more areas of holistic sustainability: a healthy environment, equity & social well-being, and a just economy. Nominees receive recognition at the Summit and awardees receive a $250 prize. The 2023 nominees are:
Ben Austin
Pradyut Kumar Bhattacharya
Cristina Carvajal
Dane County Youth Environmental Committee
Penny DePaola/Monona Public Library
Brandi Grayson
Ruthanna Hutton-Okpalaeke & Cooper Talbot
Alexandra Klabacka & Green Team
Tim Lindstrom
Susan Millar
Devine Nzegwu
Martha Pfaff
Carol Phelps
Matt & Marie Raboin
Red Caboose Child Care Leadership Team
Xanthe Saalmann
Kyla Smith
Sasha Stone
Stoughton Sustainability Committee
Izzie Tobin & McFarland Green Team
Brenda Vetter
Caitlin Williamson & Lindsey Taylor
Andrea White
Willy Street Co-op Executive Team & Staff
Scholarships
Scholarships are available—email hello@sustaindane.org for info.
Sponsorships
Thank you to our sponsoring partners and supporting members! Interested in additional visibility at the Summit? Learn more in the sponsorship packet here. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $10,000.
Registration Deadlines
Register by October 28 to ensure we can accommodate dietary requests and to receive a printed name tag.
Attendees that are requesting time for professional development from their employer can download this sample email text and flyer.
Getting There
Car parking at Monona Terrace should return to normal when construction ends in September. Alternate parking is available in the Wilson Street Garage 20 E. Wilson St.
Input your address below for information on bike, bus, and carpool routes.
Member Registrations
Member organizations receive complimentary registration based on their membership size and level. See below for the number of registrations for each size & level.
Past Summit Highlights
View the Summit Highlights documents below, and also check out our Youtube Channel for program videos.
Thank you to our 2023 Summit Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsoring partners and supporting members! Interested in additional visibility at the Summit? Learn more in the sponsorship packet here. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $10,000. Through sponsorship of the 2023 Summit, you can:
- Elevate your organization’s commitment to sustainability in Dane County
- Participate in meaningful learning, networking, and professional development
- Gain business development as a leader in corporate social responsibility
- Be visible through extensive marketing, press releases, and online promotions
- Email Sam Worden at samantha@sustaindane.org to discuss your desired sponsorship level. For maximum recognition opportunity, secure sponsorship by September 30, 2023.
