7:15 - 7:30 pm: Time for log in, announcements, meet and greet.
Featured program presentation starts at 7:30 pm
Register in advance for this meeting:

https://sierraclub.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYscOuupzMjE9W_b28jkVA4_ikbmWqh8LT7 
  
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

On August 12, join a discussion about the Houston Zoo's efforts to incorporate biodiversity and sustainability goals into planning and operations, Mark Hoffman and Florence Tang will tell you about their wildly natural world with the following learning objectives:

Stakeholder Engagement:
Analyzing stakeholder engagement and decision-making channels for a complex urban zoo site in ways that facilitate human, animal and plant health, safety, and welfare.

Sustainable Infrastructure:
Exploring opportunities for the integration of sustainable infrastructure that benefit human and ecological health into new and existing programs and facilities.

 

Natural Resources Management:
Describing how zoo operations embrace biodiversity, energy efficiency, water conservation and reuse, and waste management techniques.

Resiliency:
Investigating how organizations can design and execute resilient strategies within their own built environment and beyond that protect the health and safety of humans and ecological systems.

An overview article from the website of Association of Zoos & Aquariums:
"A Comprehensive Sustainability Program at the Houston Zoo".

Houston Zoo web page, Building the Future.

 

Mark Hoffman, P.E., LEED GA, is the Director of Design and Engineering at the Houston Zoo. Mark has worked at the Houston Zoo since the fall of 2017 and is responsible for creating and executing the Zoo's capital construction program. He plans, prioritizes and implements near- and long-term facility improvements for the Zoo, including exhibits, support facilities, and infrastructure. Mark's responsibilities include establishing design and construction standards for the Zoo and maintaining building data and facility information. Mark has also worked within the Zoo to devise and adopt sustainable operating initiatives in support of the Zoo's strategic plan. Mark attended Rice University, graduating with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.

 

Florence Tang, AAIA, NOMA, LEED GA, is a Project Manager in Design and Engineering at the Houston Zoo who is trained in architecture and mass media studies. She has orchestrated and is a core part of architecture, design-build construction and renovation projects that have garnered local and international press. She plans, manages and designs small, medium and large Capital Expenditure and Centennial projects in-house for the Department of Design and Engineering of the Houston Zoo, a beloved cultural institution and leader among wildlife conservation. She believes in building diverse project teams to execute and deliver sustainable projects by design. Additionally, she is a journalist having edited and written numerous articles that have been published in The (Brazosport) Facts, Houston Chronicle, Modern Luxury Texas Interiors, Texas Architect, The Architect's Newspaper and Cite of the Rice Design Alliance. Florence graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio with a B.A. in Communication and from Rice University with a Master of Architecture degree.

 

Feel free to log in early, 7:15pm or so, if you are new to using Zoom, or have other questions.