Resilient Texas Forum at Earth Day Texas

How do we handle the environmental, structural, social and economic challenges thrown at us while improving the well-being of all Texans?

In Texas the answers to these challenges vary — almost as much as our landscapes and people — but there are common themes, goals, and initiatives. This forum brings together voices from across the state (and beyond) to discuss where we are, where we need to go, and how we’re going to get there. 

On Friday, April 22 we will begin the day exploring the Resilience Framework and current resiliency efforts, then split into breakout sessions to take a deeper dive into multiple areas. The morning sessions include Mobility and Transportation, Health and Wellness, and Affordable Housing. In the afternoon we will discuss water infrastructure across the state and how we move from “Commitment” to “Action” with regard to resilience challenges, economic development and resource conservation. Panelists for each session announced shortly.  

The keynote for this forum is slated to be Dr. Amory Lovins. Dr. Lovins has been active in more than 50 countries for more than 40 years as an innovator and practitioner in energy and its links to security, development, environment, and economy. He is co-founder, Chief Scientist, and Chairman Emeritus of Rocky Mountain Institute — an independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit think-and-do tank that drives the efficient and restorative use of resources (www.rmi.org). In 2009, Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and Foreign Policy, one of the 100 top global thinkers. 

Registration: 

$25 (includes lunch and cocktail reception)

Schedule of Events:

8:00: Registration and Coffee Reception

9:00 – 10:15: Open Plenary – Resiliency for Texas and Regional Cities

Speakers
Nicole Ferrini, Chief Resilience Officer – El Paso
Theresa O’Donnell, Chief Resilience Officer – Dallas

10:25 – 11:40 AM: Breakout Sessions – Morning

Health & Wellness
Mobility & Transportation
Affordable Housing

11:45 – 2:30 PM: Keynote Speaker – Dr. Amory Lovins,
Chief Scientist Rocky Mountain Institute

12:30 – 1:30 PM: Lunch (Tickets provided for the Savor Dallas Sustainable Food Market at Earth Day Texas)

1:45 – 2:15 PM: Afternoon Plenary – Bech Bruun, Texas Water Development Board Chair 

2:20 – 4:00 PM: Panel – Moving from Commitment to Action

4:15 PM: Networking Cocktail Reception in Development & Urbanism Department of the Earth Day Texas Expo

Breakout Sessions:

Health & Wellness

Hospital Systems
Preventative Programs
Bluezones

Mobility/Transportation

CityMap
DART / D2 
Mobility 2040 Plan
Trust for Public Land

Affordable Housing

bcWorkshop
Housing Authority of City of El Paso 
Neighborhood Plus Plan
Congress of New Urbanism

Moving from Commitment to Action

North Central Texas Council of Government
Regional Economic Development Officers
Elected Officials
USGBC Texas Strategy Officer
Texas Conservation Alliance