WHO: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and partners

WHAT: The MWRD’s Sustainability Summit will recognize resource recovery efforts and green initiatives that the MWRD and stakeholders are taking to protect and manage the water environment. The Summit is designed to equip and empower partnering municipalities and environmental advocates with the latest trends in sustainability and educate the public on the work of the MWRD.

WHERE: For the second consecutive year, the Sustainability Summit will be held virtually using Microsoft Teams.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 10 a.m.

The MWRD’s Ninth Annual Sustainability Summit will highlight emerging programs in resource recovery and stormwater management and offer an educational forum for those who are interested in utilizing renewable resources and helping the MWRD protect the water environment.

Viewers can gain a better understanding of the benefits of using sustainable resources like the MWRD’s EQ Compost and learn about composting and food scrap collection and addressing sustainability efforts across the nation, the Chicago Park District and in disadvantaged communities in Chicago. MWRD engineers will also address stormwater management resources, green infrastructure, the MWRD’s flood prone property acquisition program and grants and available resources to help combat flooding and improve water quality.

Experts will share their tips, best practices, and success stories. Speakers include MWRD President Kari K. Steele; MWRD Senior Environmental Soil Scientist Dr. Theresa Johnston; University of Washington Professor Dr. Sally Brown; Chicago Park District Assistant Director of Landscape Matt Freer; Stephanie Katsaros, of the Illinois Food Scrap Coalition; Strategy Manager Ma’raj Sheikh; MWRD Senior Civil Engineer Andre Haynes; MWRD Senior Civil Engineer Stephen Haucke; MWRD Associate Civil Engineer Lucas Roat; and MWRD Public Affairs Specialist Annie Wright.

In addition to providing an outlet for sharing strategies and resources in promoting the environment, the Summit will honor individuals, organizations, municipalities and other agencies for modeling best practices in sustainability. The MWRD will recognize projects from across Cook County that speak to the MWRD’s mission in renewable resources, flood control and water quality improvements. The awards also spotlight the best examples of innovations in green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping practices and MWRD biosolids use. The MWRD’s EQ biosolids and EQ Compost are products of the MWRD’s water reclamation process. In addition to improving turf quality as a soil amendment or conditioner for establishing turfgrass and for mixing into custom topsoil blends, the local use of biosolids can also reduce carbon footprints.

Learn more by calling (312) 751-6633.

Sustainability Summit MA.pdf