Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference

Connecting Hoosier climate leaders

The Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference (ISRC) connects Hoosier climate leaders to the knowledge, tools, and resources that can accelerate climate action and resilience efforts in Indiana.

The conference brings together sustainability professionals, scholars, and climate advocates from across the state to enhance cross-sector collaboration, share best practices, and strengthen Indiana's climate and resilience network.

Held annually, ISRC is hosted by the IU Environmental Resilience Institute with support from the McKinney Family Foundation.

2023 conference overview

The 2023 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference is set for Friday, February 17 at the IUPUI Campus Center. Organized by the IU Environmental Resilience Institute and IUPUI Sustainability, the conference will feature speakers, panels, exhibits, trainings, and networking opportunities for climate and resilience advocates from across the state. The Indianapolis Airport Authority is the presenting supporter of ISRC 2023.

At the conference, attendees can expect to:

•    Learn about cross-sector collaboration to address climate change
•    Identify potential funding sources for climate and resilience work
•    Explore how to integrate climate research and practice
•    Develop new skills through interactive trainings
•    Network with other Indiana climate leaders

Registration for ISRC 2023 is now closed.

Conference schedule

8:30 a.m. Registration and breakfast

9 a.m. Welcome and introductions

ERI Executive Director Gabriel Filippelli and special guests will share opening remarks followed by a live performance by Indiana singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer.

9:45 a.m. Break

10 a.m. Breakout session 1

Beyond mitigation, Hoosier communities need to become resilient to climate impacts. Hear from practitioners that are harnessing ecosystems and natural processes to improve climate adaptation and biodiversity outcomes across Indiana.

Speakers:

  • Chris Kline, global senior principal for sustainability, Stantec
  • Matt Meersman, director, St. Joseph River Basin Commission
  • Tom Swinford, director of stewardship, The Nature Conservancy
  • Anagha Gore (moderator), resilience programs coordinator, IU Environmental Resilience Institute

Major federal funding opportunities for sustainability and resilience projects are on the horizon through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, which devote nearly $600 billion to some 140 new climate programs. Is your organization positioned to compete for these grants? During this session, learn about upcoming funding programs and the resources that can help you identify opportunities, determine eligibility, and prepare competitive proposal applications.

Speakers:

  • Aaron Deslatte, co-director, Metropolitan Governance and Management Transitions Laboratory
  • Cate Racek, director, Racek Consulting 
  • Bill Brown, assistant director for strategy and engagement, IU Environmental Resilience Institute 
  • Morgan Mickelson, director, Indianapolis Office of Sustainability 

In collaboration with partners throughout the state, Indiana University is working to enhance Indiana’s ability to withstand the wide-ranging impacts of climate change, including changes that affect the state’s economy and health. At this session, representatives and affiliates from IU's Environmental Resilience Institute, Center for Rural Engagement, and Business Sustainability & Innovation Lab will share how programs like the McKinney Midwest Climate Project and Sustaining Hoosier Communities are contributing to the health and vitality of the state and nurturing the next generation of climate leaders.

Speakers:

  • Sarah Mincey, managing director, IU Environmental Resilience Institute  
  • Jane Rogan, director of Sustaining Hoosier Communities, IU Center for Rural Engagement 
  • Amrou Awaysheh, executive director, IU Business Sustainability & Innovation Lab 
  • Gabriel Filippelli (moderator), executive director, IU Environmental Resilience Institute

“Carbon neutrality” is a term we hear often. A commitment to carbon neutrality is easily stated, but how can it be achieved? Every state has its own challenges, including Indiana.  This panel will offer solutions and inspiration from public and private sector leaders.  One thing is for certain: the path to carbon reduction in Indiana will be charted by Hoosiers for Hoosiers.

Speakers:

  • Jessica Davis, interim university director of sustainability, Indiana University 
  • Matt Flaherty, senior associate, Clean Energy Works
  • Karen Cecil, director of global environmental sustainability, Cummins 

11:30 a.m. Luncheon and Hoosier Resilience Hero awards

12:30 p.m. Keynote address with Janet McCabe

US Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe possesses decades of experience working for environmental agencies at the federal and state levels. With a focus on implementation of the Clean Air Act and other air quality issues, she spent seven years working within EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation under President Barack Obama. Prior to rejoining EPA in 2021, McCabe was a professor of practice at the IU McKinney School of Law and director of the Environmental Resilience Institute. At ISRC, McCabe will speak on federal funding opportunities for climate solutions, the EPA's role in Midwest climate solutions, and the agency's approach to environmental justice.

1:30 p.m. Conference expo

2 p.m. Breakout session 2

This session will focus on moving past education on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility toward action. This will be a BIPOC-led and -centered discussion about what Indiana organizations and individuals in environmental organizations are doing to cultivate a more environmentally just state. All individuals are welcome to attend and contribute, but a deep understanding of the racial, cultural, and societal implications for BIPOC and low-income communities is necessary. Please be prepared to speak in this open format dialogue that we hope will initiate cross-organizational support and collaboration.

"Coalition building, mastery of technical language, development of technical expertise, direct action, litigation and direct participatory democracy have all been used in various social reform movements for decades." -- Luke Cole and Sheila Foster, From the Ground Up: Environmental Racism and the Rise of the Environmental Justice Movement.

Speakers:

  • Tatjana Rebelle, director of equitable initiatives, Earth Charter Indiana 
  • Miranda Fausto, hispanic and latino outreach coordinator, Earth Charter Indiana
  • Guadalupe Pimentel Solano, director of community leadership and equitable initiatives, Central Indiana Community Foundation

The built environment is directly responsible for significant carbon emissions and indirectly impacts other forms of emissions ranging from transportation to deforestation. Meeting the 2015 Paris Agreement and keeping global carbon emissions below 1.5 degrees Celsius will require aggressive carbon emissions reductions by 2030, just seven years from now.

Carbon emissions associated with the materials that constitute the built environment may be a more urgent consideration than the carbon emissions associated with operations which accumulate over the life of the building. This breakout session will define embodied carbon, compare operational and embodied carbon emissions, demonstrate software tools to calculate embodied carbon, and look at Indiana project case studies where total carbon was quantified and reduced.

Speakers:

  • Bill Brown, assistant director for strategy and engagement, IU Environmental Resilience Institute 
  • Daniel Overbay, director of sustainability, Browning Day
  • Heather Ane Zeto, sustainability practice leader, Guidon
  • Grace Heraly, architectural designer and sustainability consultant, Guidon

Colleges and universities possess a treasure trove of researchers and motivated students seeking opportunities to address the climate crisis. Hear how faculty, students, and practitioners are teaming up to inform and make progress on local climate efforts and gain insight into leveraging and growing partnerships with colleges and universities.

Speakers:

  • James Damico, professor of literacy, culture, and language education, IU School of Education 
  • Michael Hamburger, professor of earth and atmospheric sciences, IU College of Arts and Sciences 
  • Adam Kuban, professor of journalism, Ball State University 
  • Adam Berland, associate professor of geography, Ball State University
  • Sarah Mincey (moderator), managing director, IU Environmental Resilience Institute

You don’t need to have “sustainability” or “climate” in your job title to make meaningful contributions to climate goals. Every job can be a climate job. Hear from a panel of professionals who have found their climate inroad within the private and public sectors and pick up tips on how to work the climate fight into your job description.

Speakers:

  • Brian Rockensuess, commissioner, Indiana Department of Environmental Management
  • Julie D. Singer, financial advisor, Singer Wealth Advisory of Raymond James 
  • Lauren Guidotti, senior manager of communications, Indianapolis Motor Speedway 
  • Luke Jacobs, chief executive officer and co-founder, Encamp
  • Danni Schaust (moderator), resilience program consultant, IU Environmental Resilience Institute

3:15 p.m. Break

3:30 p.m. Plenary session: A tale of three cities: Creative collaborations for climate action

Indiana communities are finding creative paths to climate solutions. Join us for this plenary session to hear how partnerships with local businesses, utilities, state agencies, and funders are unlocking opportunities in every corner of the state.

Speakers:

  • Madison Byarley, air planning manager, Indianapolis Office of Sustainability
  • Evelyn Bauman, director, South Bend Office of Sustainability
  • Carol Johnson, executive assistant to the mayor, Town of Zionsville
  • Therese Dorau (moderator), assistant director of climate policy and implementation, IU Environmental Resilience Institute

4:45 p.m. Closing remarks

5 p.m. Networking happy hour

Registered for ISRC? Here's what you need to know

We encourage all attendees to consider the many transportation options available. Take a look at our Car Free Guide containing resources that will help you understand your alternative transportation options to and from the conference.

Please plan to park at the Vermont St. Garage (1004 West Vermont Street Indianapolis, IN 46202), which is connected to the IUPUI Campus Center. More information on parking is available on the IUPUI Parking and Transportation Services website.

Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. for registration and breakfast. You are welcome to arrive between 8:30 and 9 a.m., when the program will promptly begin.

Upon arrival, check in at the registration table located on the fourth floor just off the escalators. Here you will receive your name tag and program. The event program will be offered in a physical and virtual format.

2023 supporters

Presenting supporter

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Platinum supporter

mckinney family foundation

Gold supporters

Cumminswaste-management

Silver supporters

knozoneindy-office-of-sustainabilitybrowning day
indy-motor-speedwayInterface

 

Bronze supporters

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