Sustainable Tompkins has been leading the sustainability movement in Tompkins County since 2004. Below is a timeline highlighting some of our activity in the community. As you look through the list, you will likely notice the many ways in which we have connected citizens with resources, catalyzed new organizations, and convened gatherings to discuss (and act on!) the important topics of the day. Click on any hyperlinked item to learn more about it.
2004
Feasibility Study with Circles and Sustainability Salons, Circle Summit organized by Gay Nicholson – Jan-April
Monthly Gatherings begun and conducted through Spring 2009
Wendy Skinner is first chair of the ST Coordinating Committee
Working groups established: Green Resource Hub, PLUS (Planning for Land Use
Sustainability), Healthy Generations, Art and Sustainability
Master Classes on Sustainability
Welcome Salons
2005
Sustainable Technology Showcase – January
Sustainability Master Classes
Welcome Salons
Health Practitioners Study Circle – May-August
Give Your Business a Sustainability Makeover Workshop – November
Green Purchasing Collaborative started
2006
Green Resource Hub Design Charrette – April
Green Resource Hub incorporated and board of directors recruited
Cayuga Inlet Sustainability Corridor proposed
Finger Lakes Buy Green developed in partnership with Tompkins County Solid Waste
Kendal Sustainability Study Circle – Jan-June
First Sustainability Fair as part of Ithaca Festival
Signs of Sustainability recognition program started – December
Just Sustainability Initiative
2007
Tompkins Weekly Signs of Sustainability Series started – February
Energy Efficiency Community Outreach – DIY home energy learning circles
Tompkins Sustainability Map created
Sustainable Design Workshop – June
Health and Sustainability Conference – September
Cayuga Sustainability Council launched in October
Connect Ithaca grant for projector, screen, portable speaker system
2008
Equity & Sustainability Monthly Gatherings
Neighborhood Mini-Grants Program launched
Green Collar Pipeline Outreach
Green Collar Career Fair – November
Focus groups on potential for SEEN – August
Second round of ECCO circles
Community Picnic – June
2009
SEEN meetings started
Green Job Development in Tompkins County Roundtables – Feb
R&D on Finger Lakes Climate Fund
Finger Lakes Bioneers launched
Marcellus Challenge launched
Downtown office established in August
2010
Finger Lakes Climate Fund launched
SEEN officially launched — September
Energy Teach-In and Pledge-In – March
Awakening the Dreamer – June
Finger Lakes Bioneers II
Gay Nicholson becomes first employee, President and Director of Programs, in April
Nicole Pion hired as Director of Operations in September
ST membership program launched
