The web of sustainability weaves through many aspects of business and government, from finance and infrastructure to regional ecology. To help prepare people involved in these areas, the University of Oregon's Sustainability Leadership Program provides a theoretical foundation and practical tools.

The program's winter-session workshops will begin Feb. 27, and will run daily through March 5, at the White Stag Block, 70 NW Couch St., in Portland. All sessions will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program, which is run by UO Academic Extension, is geared for leading organizations, communities and individuals to develop sustainable living and working environments.

“These workshops will show solutions to our largest challenges in sustainability: climate change, healthy urban areas and the public-private partnerships needed to move these projects forward,” said program director Jake Pollack. "They are designed for sustainability leaders, especially if you have interest in the built environment and its potential to shape our future energy, water and livability concerns regionally and nationally."

The non-credit, professional development workshops address the latest topics on sustainable economic, social and environmental systems for both public and private sectors. Those who complete 65 hours -- the equivalent of 10 onsite or online workshops -- earn a Sustainability Leadership Certificate of Completion.  Professionals can take just one class or the entire series.

Topics and speakers for the winter workshops are:

• Feb. 27:"Developing a Sustainability Program: The Strategic Considerations to Operationalizing Sustainability," Craig Riley, URS Corp.
• Feb. 28: "Finance for Sustainability: Innovative Strategies for Public and Private Sectors," Ross George, Cooperative Assistance Fund.
• March 3: "Green Infrastructure," Anne Nelson, City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Willamette Watershed Team.
• March 4: "Civic Ecology: Participatory Design Processes for Regional Sustainability," Timothy Smith, SERA Architects.
• March 5: "EcoDistrict Realities and Implementation," Sarah Heinicke, Lloyd EcoDistrict.

For more information and registration, see the Sustainability Leadership Program website.

- by Heidi Hiaasen, UO Office of Public Affairs Communications