Topics at this year's forum include the 2010-2011 SEES projects and outputs: 

"Sustainable Business Practices of Commercial Retrofit Companies in Pierce County" - presentation on the SEES-commissioned research report by Dr. Alan Hardcastle and Sally Zeiger-Hanson of WSU Energy Extension.   

Sustainable Workforce Training.  A proposal is before SEES and WorkForce Central that they develop/offer workforce training in permaculture, urban agriculture, ecological gardening, et al.  With about 40,000 acres of agricultural land left in Pierce County and increasing food/oil prices, is there public and business support for creating employment in jobs that enhance food security?  Is there a need for permaculture and similar training that gives people skills in soil remediation, local food production, etc?  If so, what would WorkForce training in this area look like?  How can we hit the most sustainability goals with each workforce dollar invested?  

Pierce County SEES Sustainable Business Directory.   A major project for SEES in 2011-2012 will be populating its user-reviewed sustainable business directory.  What info do consumers need to choose sustainable businesses?  How can businesses who are going beyond greenwash best be promoted to the community? How can this tool be most useful to the residents of Pierce County? 

WorkForce Central will host the 2011 Pierce County SEES (Social, Ecological, Economic Sustainability) Forum from 10-1 on Friday, July 8 at its Cedar Street location. (3650 South Cedar Street, Tacoma). Meet or catch up with others working in sustainability in Pierce County- Networking from 1-2 pm. Interested in joining SEES work as a Leader for the 2011-2012 term? Can't volunteer volunteer that much time, but want to help in some capacity? Just want to learn more about what the SEES leadership have been up to? Join us this Friday! Any and all with an interest in business, workforce, and ecological sustainability in Pierce County are welcome to attend. Coffee, snacks, and lunch generously provided by WorkForce Central. Please RSVP with Pam Carter- pcarter@workforce-central.org - if you plan to attend. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Topics at this year's forum include the 2010-2011 SEES projects and outputs: "Sustainable Business Practices of Commercial Retrofit Companies in Pierce County" - presentation on the SEES-commissioned research report by Dr. Alan Hardcastle and Sally Zeiger-Hanson of WSU Energy Extension. Sustainable Workforce Training. A proposal is before SEES and WorkForce Central that they develop/offer workforce training in permaculture, urban agriculture, ecological gardening, et al. With about 40,000 acres of agricultural land left in Pierce County and increasing food/oil prices, is there public and business support for creating employment in jobs that enhance food security? Is there a need for permaculture and similar training that gives people skills in soil remediation, local food production, etc? If so, what would WorkForce training in this area look like? How can we hit the most sustainability goals with each workforce dollar invested? Pierce County SEES Sustainable Business Directory. A major project for SEES in 2011-2012 will be populating its user-reviewed sustainable business directory. What info do consumers need to choose sustainable businesses? How can businesses who are going beyond greenwash best be promoted to the community? How can this tool be most useful to the residents of Pierce County? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The 2010-2011 SEES Leaders were: Andrew WIlliamson, Chair- McKinstry, Energy Services Gary Nomenson, Puget Sound Energy Lisa Rennie, Tacoma Public Utilities Eric Hahn- VP, General Plastics Vy Dotson- Communications, General Plastics Marianne Seifert- Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, Environmental Health Division Nancy Neyenhouse- Totem Ocean, Mountaineers Foundation George Mobus- Professor, UW Institute of Technology Stephanie Gowing- TacomaACTS Director, Chamber of Commerce Brad Sayre- Absher Construction Ryan Dicks- Pierce County Sustainability Manager Carrie Sikorski- Foursquare Farm Policy Laura Kinney, MultiCare Health System, Institutional Sustainability Trevor Green- AzureGreen Consultants Steve Lynn- Water to WIne (Restaurant), Gig Harbor Chamber