Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)

Urban Sustainability Directors Network’s (USDN) Vice President of National Strategies and Partnerships, Julia Trezona Peek (far right), facilitates a breakout discussion following a GGRF Opportunities for Cities roundtable co-organized by Climate Mayors, C40 Cities, and Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) during Climate Week NYC. Hosted by The Rockefeller Foundation at their impressive NYC Convening Center, the roundtable is part of a key effort to catalyze public and private capital for clean energy and transportation projects that slash harmful climate pollution, improve air quality, lower energy costs, and create good-paying jobs.

Sharing another job opportunity! Our local nonprofit partner in Albuquerque, the New Mexico Foundation, is seeking a Government Liaison. This role is a unique opportunity for a person with a passion for and commitment to sustainability and environmental justice, demonstrated excellence around the nexus of local government and community-building and engagement, and is excited to contribute creatively and strategically to the overarching mission and vision of the Greening America’s Cities initiative. In Summer 2023, Bezos Earth Fund (the Earth Fund) launched Greening America’s Cities (GAC), a multi-year $400M initiative to invest primarily in community-led environmental justice organizations through 2030. In 2023, $50M was granted to 24 community based organizations and 6 national partners who will provide technical assistance and support in the following US cities and their surrounding counties: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Wilmington. Each city will have a Government Liaison who will bring capacity to local government partners to ensure success of community greening projects. Since 1983, New Mexico Foundation has worked to improve the quality of life for all residents of New Mexico. New Mexico Foundation’s mission is to steward community resources, build partnerships, and create opportunities that transform lives throughout New Mexico. New Mexico Foundation envisions a state where every New Mexico community has access to resources that support their ability to enjoy a better quality of life. Through new and established partnerships with leaders in the communities we serve, we support effective strategies to address statewide issues together.

Please check out this USDN opportunity to working with our partners in Atlanta. The Government Liaison position is a unique opportunity for a person with passion for and commitment to sustainability and environmental justice, demonstrated excellence around the nexus of local government, and community-building and engagement. The Government Liaison will serve in a coordination role working with and alongside City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Sustainability & Resilience and USDN in service of the Greening America’s Cities initiative. In Summer 2023, Bezos Earth Fund (the Earth Fund) launched Greening America’s Cities (GAC), a multi-year $400M initiative to invest primarily in community-led environmental justice organizations through 2030. In 2023, $50M was granted to 24 community based organizations and 6 national partners who will provide technical assistance and support in the following US cities and their surrounding counties: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Wilmington. Each city will have a Government Liaison who will bring capacity to local government partners to ensure success of community greening projects. 

ATTENTION all Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) members… Your deadline for Annual Meeting registration and hotel room block reservation expires Sept. 19. Please register soon to join your USDN peers in Minneapolis for what is lining up to be an invaluable member-centered program, highlighted by immersive tours with rockstar community members throughout the city. Thank you!

New video release: "East Maui Resilience Hub Network" 🎥 We're thrilled to share this trailer for our latest video in our Resilience Hub Series, generously supported by the CO2 Foundation. Check out the full length video to discover how East Maui communities are using a hub-and-spoke model to foster resilience in an isolated, rural area, which insights into: 🌊How communities adapt and thrive amid climate challenges 🌴Why Resilience Hubs are essential infrastructure for community preparedness A heartfelt thank you to the incredible East Maui community members for sharing their stories and to Jensen Morgan for capturing and producing this video. To view the full length film and learn more about USDN’s Resilience Hub framework, visit https://lnkd.in/gESy-Pz8.

🎥 New video release: "East Bay Resilience Hub Network" We're excited to announce the release of the latest video in our Resilience Hub Series! In this clip, Gilbert Gong with the City of Oakland shares the importance of developing Resilience Hubs in trusted, well-loved community facilities.  Check out the full length video to discover transformative Resilience Hub work across scales in California’s East Bay Area being led by: EAST OAKLAND COLLECTIVE, California Strategic Growth Council, Temple Beth Sholom - San Leandro, City of Oakland, City of San Leandro, and Asian Pacific Environmental Network. Many thanks to Jensen Morgan for capturing and producing this video. 👀 WATCH NOW: https://lnkd.in/gPjGgW7H

Check out this amazing opportunity to help create an equitable and vibrant Hawai‘i!

USDN extends our deepest gratitude to the incredible sponsors who are making our 2024 Annual Meeting in Minneapolis possible! Special thanks to the National Audubon Society, Cascadia Consulting Group, CoolSeal By GuardTop, Kausal, National League of Cities, Trust for Public Land, Xcel Energy, Nutter Consulting, and Siler Climate Consulting! Your unwavering support is crucial in bringing together hundreds of sustainability practitioners from across North America this October to learn, share, and collaborate on building more resilient and sustainable communities. Thank you for being champions of sustainability and for your commitment to making a difference! We couldn’t do this without you. If you are interested in attending USDN's Annual Meeting (but aren't a member), there's still time to sponsor! Reach out to [email protected] to learn more. #USDN2024 #Sustainability #ThankYou #Sponsors #ClimateAction #Resilience #Innovation

USDN is excited to welcome Summer Sandoval as our Environmental Justice Federal Funding Lead! In this role, Summer will lead USDN’s work on the EPA EJ Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center. She will support local governments and communities navigate the maze of federal funding opportunities to win grants and realize their projects to advance equitable climate action. Through USDN’s Federal Funding Programs, Summer will work with federal, community and technical partners to improve federal and grant programs to produce better, equitable outcomes for communities.  Summer brings nearly a decade's worth of experience in environmental and climate justice and clean energy policy experience. She has held roles as the Energy Democracy Coordinator at UPROSE where she worked with diverse partners to pass and implement climate and energy policies such as New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act, and the Federal government’s Justice40 Initiative. Summer has also served in roles with NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice as a Policy Advisor, Clean Energy and Equity, and as a Senior Advisor, Environmental Justice and Clean Energy. Please join us in welcoming Summer to the USDN Team!

USDN is thrilled to share that, one year into our collaboration with the Bezos Earth Fund, USDN, and our esteemed Partner Networks, we're making remarkable strides in expanding green spaces in cities nationwide through the @Greening America's Cities Initiative. This initiative is more than just about adding greenery - it's about embedding equity and inclusivity into the very fabric of urban planning. Through USDN's efforts, we're empowering local government staff to work hand-in-hand with community-based organizations to create equitable, thriving and accessible, sustainable environments. Here’s how USDN and partner cities are making an impact: Racial Equity: Ensuring that all communities benefit equally from green space initiatives. Economic Inclusion: Creating opportunities for local economic growth through green space projects. Workforce Development: Equipping civil servants with the skills needed for effective green space management. Natural Climate Solutions: Integrating environmental solutions to combat climate change. Technical Skills: Providing vital training to enhance project execution and outcomes. Thank you to our incredible partners and community advocates who are driving this change. Here’s to continuing our work to make cities greener, more inclusive, and better for everyone! Together we are #GreeningAmericasCities #GreenSpaces #UrbanDevelopment #Sustainability #RacialEquity #EconomicInclusion #ClimateAction #USDN #BezosEarthFund #CommunityCollaboration