Connecting STL Community Developers with Strategies + Resources to Address Climate Resiliency
We are delighted to host our first-ever 2024 Sustainability Developers Summit on September 10th, 2024 at the WashU's Knight Center! We are so appreciative of the 70+ attendees who attended the summit to pick up new skills and meet new peers to continue our work in making better and more sustainable communities here in St. Louis. Thank you for our friends and partner from Institute for Sustainable Communities for sponsoring our summit!
The goal of our summit is to share tools and resources with small scale developers to increase and encourage more sustainable development in St. Louis. This summit aimed to foster discussions and actions to create a more equitable and sustainable St. Louis. Attendees had plenty of opportunities throughout the summit to engage in critical conversations on building decarbonization, housing inequality, and climate adaptation with educational panels covering topics like racial justice in the built environment, green banks, and funding opportunities.
Climate 101 Presentation
Presenter: Jean Ponzi, MO Botanical Garden
CDFIs and Green Funding Presentation
Presenter: Stephen Westbrook, IFF Southern Region
Panel Discussion on the Racial Justice: The Intersection of Health + Housing
From left to right: Khilia Logan (Institute for Sustainable Communities), Jasmine Hall Ratliff (Build MO Health), Tara A. Rocque (WashU Law) and Sunni Hutton (Transforming Tenants of Greater St. Louis)
Environmental Racism in St. Louis Presentation
Presenter: Tara A. Rocque, WashU Law - Environmental Clinic
Summit Audience for Morning Presentations
For those who missed the event, you can view the Event Recordings below:
Click here to view the Morning Sessions in Emerson Auditorium, including "Climate + Building Decarbonization 101" presentation, "Racial Justice + The Built Environment" presentation and panel discussion, and "Capital Stacking + Funding Opportunities for Sustainable Developments" presentation and panel discussion
Click here to view the Afternoon Breakout Sessions in Emerson Auditorium including "How to Tap Into Local Resources & Tax Incentives", "STL Approach to Building Decarbonization" and "Addressing the Needs for Renewable Energy"
Click here to view the Afternoon Breakout Sessions in Classroom 220, including "Technical Assistance for Nonprofit Developers and Community-Based Programming", "Understanding How to Manage Energy Efficiency in 2- and 4-Family Units Better" and "MO Landscape and Advocacy Efforts for Funding Sustainability in LIHTC Projects"
Speakers' Presentation Slides: Click here to view the slide decks from the summit.
Building Decarbonization 101 Presentation
Presenter: Malachi Rein, Building Energy Exchange St. Louis
Panel Discussion on Funding Opportunities for Sustainable Development
From left to right: Linda Nguyen (CBN), Stephen Westbrook (IFF), Stephen Davis (St. Louis Development Corp) and LaDedra Wilson (Elevate)
Summit Networking Lunch in Frick Atrium, Knight Hall
Summit Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Technical Assistance for Nonprofit Developers and Community-Based Programming
Presenters: LaDedra Wilson, Elevate Consulting and Mandy La Brier (Heartland Environmental Justice Center, not pictured)
STL Approach Toward Building Decarbonization
Presenters: Elysia Russell and Katarina Michalova (City of St. Louis)
Understanding How to Manage Energy Efficiency in 2- or 4-Family Units
Presenters: Richard Reilly (MO Botanical Garden) and Malachi Rein (Building Energy Exchange STL, not pictured)
MO Landscape and Advocacy Efforts for Funding Sustainability in LIHTC Projects
Presenters: Jeff Smith (MO Workforce Housing Association, Dana Gray (Tower Grove Community Development Corp) and Jacob Serfling (Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition)
Last, here are some great pictures from this year's summit. If you missed the summit this year and looking to increase your knowledge and connections in the community development sector, consider joining our membership to continue getting connected to resources and great people to make this work happen in our community!
