WEST MICHIGAN  – What does a sustainable West Michigan look like? What’s needed to drive that idea forward?

Over the last 20 years, West Michigan has demonstrated leadership in the field of sustainability. Now, a consortium of organizations are convening regional thought leaders to explore ways to further that momentum, take action and influence others to ensure our region’s financial prosperity, social equity and the integrity of our natural ecosystems.

Discovering Sustainability: A West Michigan Conversation will be held from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15 at Aquinas College’s Wege Center. The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and its partners are convening this free working session designed to gather and share information and galvanize our energy, vision and creativity to move toward a conscious design – a design moving us to further sustainability in the region. Attendees will be expected participate to map assets, activities and opportunities for collaboration.

“Sustainability breeds innovation and greater economic growth through smart development and collaborative, forward-looking actions; and there are a lot of people working to make the region better,” said Marylu Dykstra, president of the board of the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. “We are proposing this West Michigan Conversation to bring stakeholders together to examine how we may leverage resources, build synergies and together – through a mutually beneficial, collaborative process – to create a sustainable region.

Continental breakfast and a buffet lunch is included in free thanks to the support of the Tipping Point Network and event host, Aquinas College. The entry pass will be provided upon the completion of a demographic/asset survey, the results of which will be utilized during this collaborative meeting. This very brief survey is designed to identify the strengths our region already possesses. Interested parties can take the survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/DiscoveringSustainablility.

Partners in the planning process include Aquinas College, Calvin College, The Right Place Inc., MiBiz, the West Michigan Strategic Alliance’s Green Infrastructure Initiative and a number of WMSBF board members.

The consortium expects this conversation to be the start of a comprehensive project that will help stakeholders connect on their shared journey to sustainability. Key takeaways will include a listing of the key stakeholder organizations and individuals, their spheres of influence, current activities and achievements, and recognition of the gaps and redundancies that may exist.

Questions can be directed to Kyle Ten Broeke at kyle@wmsbf.org or call (616) 723-0525. For additional information on this project, please call Marylu Dykstra  at  (616) 868-6306 or Deborah Steketee at (616) 632-2930.