This is the presentation that Ashley Zarella Hand, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA made on behalf of the Sustainability Committee of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. Ashley, Chair of the Sustainability Committee, spoke on a panel regarding Sustainable Communities at the first-ever LA Bioneers Beaming Conference - an event the committee also partnered on.

1. Community-driven change

5. The Sustainability Committee is dedicated to empowering the Downtown community to create a culture of sustainability . We will work with the community to increase accessibility to existing programs and services through outreach and public education . We will identify and create opportunities for new programming and partnerships to meet our goals for a more livable , affordable , and efficient urban center. Sustainability Committee (Our mission)

9. Case Study: Skid Row Pilot Project (Project 2: Tree Planting) Objective: Create a tree planting initiative that maps opportunities for new street trees downtown. Set a realistic goal for number of trees planted in 2009 and identify key areas of the neighborhood with the greatest need.

11. Case Study: Skid Row Pilot Project (Project 2: Tree Planting) APR Research and community outreach to tree planting organizations, neighborhood stakeholders. Contacted every elected official with our neighborhood in their district (State, County, City).

14. Case Study: Skid Row Pilot Project (Project 2: Tree Planting) JUN Survey Day with volunteers from Skid Row and the community-at-large for a morning walk/early afternoon around the neighborhood

15. Tree Planting Survey Day (June 2006) [applause]

16. Case Study: Skid Row Pilot Project (Project 2: Tree Planting) ONGOING Outreach and ongoing discussions with community partners. Research into maintenance funding – grants, elected officials, and Neighborhood Council Funds ($500).

17. Case Study: Skid Row Pilot Project (Project 2: Tree Planting) OCT Designation as a “Signature Project” with a $11,160 maintenance budget 31 trees to maintain * 2 times a month * 12 months = $372/month 3 years of maintenance (24 gal trees) $4,500 committed $6,660 to raise

22. Case Study: SDAT (Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant) [8 months = signed MOU with the City]

27. Los Angeles is rapidly changing . The residential population increases annually. Social equity is an issue for all neighborhoods. There are empty tree wells, open storm drains, and a lot of waste. Practical, accessible, affordable solutions will have the most immediate impact.

28. Get involved with your neighborhood council. Share your passion for the environment. Civic engagement can save our city. downtownsustainability.com