Sustainability Workshops, Webinars and Discussions

 

Our sustainable education resources address issues from basic sustainability concepts to more advanced techniques for establishing sustainable business practices and building sustainable communities.

We suggest you explore the Sustainability Study Paths which match your learning objectives with our most appropriate learning resources.  

LEARNING PATHS: Learning Sustainbility Basics, Leading Groups, and Training Others.

CUSTOM LEARNING PATHS: We also create customized sustainable development education programs for your community or business. Contact us to discuss options.



WORKSHOPS:

Live workshops focus practical skill building to accelerate integration of a sustainability program into your organization or community.

 

Online Workshop


March 4
May 6
July 1
September 2
November 4

Archived Version:


Alert when available on demand

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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
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Overview


Introduction to The Natural Step Framework - 1-Hour Webinar

This 1-hour general orientation is a concise overview of The Natural Step Framework and how it has been used by organizations and communities. The presentation will describe the core components of the Framework: Systems thinking, Sustainability Principles and backcasting methodology. You’ll learn how these components are used to coordinate actions and continuously move your organization closer to achieving its vision.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about additional resources available to their organizations.

Live Presentation: Scheduled for the first Thursday of every other month permits some Q&A with the presenter. Time is 12:00pm (PST) 3:00pm (EST)

FEE: $0

 

Live Workshop

February 25
8:30am - 12:00pm
Portland



May 19
8:30am - 12:00pm
Portland



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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
Training Others
Overview

 

Applying The Natural Step Framework - Half Day Workshops

Sustainability Using The Natural Step Framework The challenges we face cannot be solved with the same thinking that created them. Sustainable solutions require broad collaboration and coordinated strategic decisions. The Natural Step Framework guides that process by addressing the entire system in creation of your sustainable vision and strategies.

Sustainability and innovation are intimately connected. Organizations and communities become more resilient when they function in balance with natural systems. They prosper through consistent tactical actions based on long term strategies aligned with a strong vision. Join our learning network to explore the techniques and tools that will guide your organization toward sustainability.

What you will learn in this half day course

  • How to define sustainability using a proven science based framework that will guide organizational planning
  • How diverse organizations use The Natural Step Framework to achieve results
  • How to use a step by step methodology to integrate  sustainability throughout your organization
  • Relevant next steps to achieve your vision

FEE: $89 members - $125 non members

 

Live Workshop

  March 4-5
8:30am to 6pm
SEE DETAILS

 
May 27-28
8:30am to 6pm
SEE DETAILS

 

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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
Training Others
Overview

 

 

Sustainability for Leaders - 2-Day Workshop: Portland/Seattle  

Master sustainability leadership skills, network with others and expand your options for creating a sustainable future. Our foundation course gives participants a robust understanding of The Natural Step Framework. You will gain skills and knowledge to make the case for change, apply a systems based approach to internal planning, and guide decision making to achieve sustainable results inside of the organization and out.

SEE DETAILS: SUSTAINABILITY FOR LEADERS WORKSHOPLearn to apply The Natural Step Framework, a proven methodology for planning and managing an effective sustainability program. This foundation will help you identify key messages to build support and momentum internally. Our focus is on participation and practical experience with numerous opportunities for dialogue and hands-on application.

The general admission course fee includes a 1-year Individual Membership in The Natural Step Network and access to our community site, TransformAgents.org.

FEE: $600 members  -  $700  non members

Registration closes 2 weeks before the event.  

READ FULL DETAILS ON THE PORTLAND AND SEATTLE WORKSHOPS

 

Live Workshop

  March 22-24
8:30am to 6pm
SEE DETAILS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Overview

 

 

Strategic Sustainability for Leaders: Develop Your Leadership Potential

 3-Day Workshop: Chicago   

SEE WORKSHOP DETAILS
This course provides strategic know-how and leadership capacity to create a truly sustainable future. Build the skills and knowledge to make the case for change, apply a systems based approach to internal planning, and guide decision making to achieve sustainable results inside of the organization and out. Cultivate the leadership qualities that will enable you to collaboratively influence your organization, inspiring bold and courageous change.

Develop a solid grounding in the Natural Step Framework and planning methodology through hands-on exercises that emphasize participation and practical application. Experience your own power as a leader through active, hands-on practice.  Walk away with the ability to clearly convey the what, why, and how of sustainability.

The general admission course fee includes a 1-year Individual Membership in The Natural Step Network and access to our community site, TransformAgents.org.



FEE: $1000 members  -  $1100 non members

Registration closes 2 weeks before the event.  

READ FULL DETAILS ON THE CHICAGO WORKSHOP


DISCUSSIONS:

These facilitated discussions are one of the many benefits of Natural Step Network Membership.

 

Online Discussion

Jan 19, 2010
11:00am PST

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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
Training Others
Overview

 

Individual Member Discussion - 1-Hour Webinar

Prerequisite: Introduction to The Natural Step Framework 1-Hour Webinar or in-person presentation. Are you an individual member interested in engaging others to understand the use of the Framework? Looking to connect with others around your consulting work or challenges in your organization? Engage with TNS Membership and Services Coordinator, Holly Brunk and fellow members of the network in this discussion. This webinar will accommodate 12 callers. Multiple participants per line are welcome.

This webinar will accommodate 12 callers. Multiple participants per line are welcome.

FEE: $0  -  Open to Natural Step Members Only. Learn More 

 

Online Discussion

March 16, 2010
11:00am PST

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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
Training Others
Overview

 

Building a Sustainability Team: Best practices - 1-Hour Webinar

How do you prepare your Green Team to generate significant movement toward sustainability in your organization? How do you transition from tactical ‘green’ actions toward strategic organizational alignment for sustainability? We will explore these questions as a group and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing your organization. We will be referencing the Natural Step Framework as an example of how a clear definition of sustainability combined with a proven planning process can help you create to an effective strategic approach to sustainability.

This webinar will accommodate 12 callers. Multiple participants per line are welcome.

FEE: $0  -  Open to Natural Step Members Only. Learn More  

 

 

Live Workshop

May 6
8:00am - 12:00pm
Portland 

 

 

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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
Training Others
Overview

 

Identifying Qualitative Measurements toward Sustainability - Half Day Workshop

The introduction of sustainable business practices involves organizational change and demands both creative leadership and creative action. Early progress tends to be qualitative and, therefore, invisible to the quantitative measures most companies rely on for accountability. As a result, sustainability leaders may struggle to maintain support for their efforts. In this workshop, we will use a creative process to develop effective strategies for assessing qualitative progress in sustainability initiatives. Participants will leave with a strategic plan of their own making, a support group of fellow participants, and a three-month commitment from the instructor for hands-on coaching.

Instructor: Bob Lieberman MS, PMP, is the founder of Cultivating Creativity, a Portland, Oregon company teaching business leaders how to capitalize on the creative potential of their colleagues and themselves.

FEE: $89 members - $125 non members

 

Online Discussion

Alert me when details are updated

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Leading a Group
Training Others
Overview

 

Running a Study Circle - 1-Hour Webinar

Details on this discussion are not yet available. Indicate your interest by clicking the “Send Alert” button and we will inform you when details are updated.

This webinar will be limited to 12 participants. Multiple participants per line welcome.  

FEE: $0  -  Open to Natural Step Members Only. Learn More 

 

 

Online Discussion

May 18, 2010
Time: TBA

 

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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
Training Others
Overview

 

Careers In Sustainability - 1-Hour Webinar

Changing careers or looking to refocus your current career path on sustainability? We’ll discuss how your experience and expertise can be enhanced by a solid understanding of sustainability principles and practices. We will also discuss job market growth and opportunities.  

This webinar will accommodate 12 callers. Multiple participants per line are welcome.

FEE: $0  -  Open to Natural Step Members Only. Learn More  

 

 

Online Discussion

July 20, 2010
Time: TBA

 

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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
Training Others
Overview

 

Building a Sustainability Team: Best practices - 1-Hour Webinar

How do you prepare your Green Team to generate significant movement toward sustainability in your organization? How do you transition from tactical ‘green’ actions toward strategic organizational alignment for sustainability? We will explore these questions as a group and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing your organization. We will be referencing the Natural Step Framework as an example of how a clear definition of sustainability combined with a proven planning process can help you create to an effective strategic approach to sustainability.

This webinar will accommodate 12 callers. Multiple participants per line are welcome.

FEE: $0  -  Open to Natural Step Members Only. Learn More  

 


BACKCASTING SERIES:

Focus on the critical steps of integrating sustainability strategically into your organization. It is helpful to have a base level of knowledge of the framework prior to taking this series.

 

Online Workshop

February 4 
1:00-2:15pm PST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
Training Others
Overview

 

BACKCASTING SERIES STEP A:

Raising Awareness and Building Cultural Change for Sustainability - 75-Minute Webinar

The backcasting methodology is the process by which the framework is applied. Your challenge is to raise awareness among coworkers of your organization’s present condition through a careful and honest assessment. This touches the core values of your organization and its people. You’ll have to overcome several common challenges:

How to educate and engage employees to create practical solutions
How to maintain a fresh, creative perspective over time
How to engage key stakeholders inside and outside of the organization

Learn how seasoned sustainability champions have addressed these issues as they share their experiences in this insightful webinar. The Natural Step Sustainability Principles will help guide your assessment as you explore the upstream and downstream impact of your operations.

PRESENTERS:

Jeanne Hoffman, the City of Madison, Wisconsin's Facilities and Sustainability Manager.
The City of Madison has adopted the Natural Step and implemented training city staff, working on TNS "projects" and informing all levels of government on progress of these projects and the TNS principals.

Jeanne is the team leader of city architects, engineers, maintenance, and custodial staff to build and operate the City's 300 buildings in a sustainable manner. She also works with all agencies in helping them achieve sustainability goals. Jeanne works with community partners to help the community better understand sustainability. Prior to her work as the Facilities and Sustainability Manager, Jeanne was a Mayoral Aide to Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, where she worked on planning and development, environment and transportation issues.

Steve Faulstick, General Manager of the Doubletree Hotel in Portland Oregon.
In 2005, the hotel became Oregon’s first Green Seal Certified Hotel. Since then, the property has become an industry leader in sustainability, receiving local-, state- and national-level recognition for their efforts.

The Doubletree Portland has adopted sustainability as one of their core business values. They have used the 4 system conditions of the Natural Step as the educational platform for their staff. Steve will discuss how the 4 system conditions have provided the lens for their operations and services, from purchasing to food systems to employee training.

FEE: Free for members - $25 non members 

 

Online Workshop

April 8 
1:00-2:15pm PST


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
Training Others
Overview

 

BACKCASTING SERIES STEP B:

Measuring Baseline impacts – Getting Beyond Energy Audits - 75-Minute Webinar
A baseline analysis gives you a realistic snap shot of your organization’s current reality. While a baseline should include a measurement of energy use, waste and water, The Natural Step requires a whole systems analysis that uncovers critical impacts beyond typical eco-efficiencies. You should be able to answer these important questions to inform future targets and direct your actions:
What are the ways in which our organization is currently contributing to unsustainability?

What are our biggest impacts and key challenges to focus on moving forward?

The Backcasting process uses the Principles of Sustainability to help you analyze your entire system and to understand the upstream and downstream impact of your operations.

Learn how two Natural Step member organizations are taking different approaches to view their impact.

PRESENTERS: Marsha Willard, Principal at AXIS Performance Advisors, and Natalie Reitman-White, Sustainability Manager at Organically Grown Company
  

FEE: Free for members - $25 non members 

 

Online Workshop

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Learning the Basics
Leading a Group
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Overview

 

BACKCASTING SERIES STEP C:

How a Compelling Vision for Sustainability Drives Innovation - 75-Minute Webinar

A clear understanding of your baseline reveals limitations and opportunities. This is where innovative ideas can transform an organization. Identifying a compelling vision of how your organization can operate sustainably is a significant step. Establishing your vision creates a gap between your baseline and ultimate goal. This is often when an organization experiences a leap in creativity as engaged individuals help identify strategies to bridge the gap. This is a phase where alignment and commitment become real and participants become fully engaged.

Learn how two organizations are capitalizing on the creative energy of their employees to develop innovative strategies to achieve their visions.  

PRESENTERS:
Scott Lewis is the founder and CEO of Brightworks, a sustainability consulting firm with offices in Portland, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Brightworks helps organizations succeed by aligning their efforts with core principles of ecological sustainability. This work includes helping organizations develop and implement comprehensive, integrated sustainability plans, and helping developers, designers and owners improve the sustainability of their buildings.

Scott will discuss how Brightworks helps clients design and plan for “full sustainability targets” using vision statements oriented around meeting all of The Natural Step System Conditions. He will describe some of the transformational results the process has created.                

FEE: Free for members - $25 non members 

 

 Online Workshop

 

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BACKCASTING SERIES PART D:

Sustainability Actions – Implementing Strategies and Measuring Success - 75-Minute Webinar

Once you have created your strategies to achieve organizational sustainability, it is time to begin the transformation through prioritized actions. Effectively managing upstream and down stream impacts through your supply chain and distribution channels is crucial.

Learn directly from the experience of others. See how Natural Step Network member organizations stay focused on the path toward sustainability. Presenters from three different industries will discuss their goals, strategies and details on tracking their success.  

PRESENTERS: To Be Announced
  

FEE: Free for members - $25 non members  

 



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