Sustainability Program Partners
Through our collective efforts, Balboa Park has become a nationally recognized leader in cultural innovation, excellence and sustainability. The Sustainability Program would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for their support.
Our Partners:
Thanks to our partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Balboa Park institutions are able to implement SDG&E's On Bill Finance program, a zero interest loan for energy efficiency retrofits. Completed retrofit projects annually save: 5.4 million kWh, 91,000 therms, and over $800,000. Our education partnership with SDG&E has engaged over 4,000 attendees. Visit our "Sustainability Program Recommends" page to learn more about SDG&E.
Together the Partnership and the City of San Diego have worked to complete deferred maintenance projects, to utilize SDG&E's On Bill Finance program, and to track energy usage on EPA ENERGYSTAR© Portfolio Manager. We are partnering to employ funds from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to complete 30 retrofit projects over 2011- 2012. These projects will achieve: over 1.3 million kWh, 9,800 therms, and $214,250 annual savings. Visit our "EECBG Progress" page to learn more about the EECBG.
Other Partners
The USCBG- San Diego Chapter and the Partnership developed an education program called the Green Assistance Program (GAP) that provides institutions with the expertise of LEED accredited professional (LEED-AP) volunteers. This continuing education program creates new job training for the community, is a hands on applied learning, and teaches triple-bottom line. The first institution to participate was the WorldBeat Center with anticipated outcomes of 40% water use reduction, 15% energy reduction, improved air quality and ventilation, and ENERGYSTAR© facility designation. The next institution to participate is the San Diego Museum of Man.
Point Loma Nazarene University’s MBA program is partnering with the Partnership to complete a comprehensive carbon footprint analysis of the Partnership institutions. Professor Dr. Harry Watkins will lead his "Building Sustainable Businesses" students to obtain a baseline in the Park as well as create an analysis of the results. The Partnership is the liaison for data collecting, working with the appropriate departments in each institution and with the MBA students. Two years ago Dr. Watkins and his students completed a similar carbon footprint analysis project for the World Famous San Diego Zoo.
San Diego Regional Sustainability Partnership (SDRSP), a local nonprofit, has proposed a futuristic, sustainable Living House Exhibit for Balboa Park’s 2015 Centennial Celebration in partnership with the Japanese Friendship Garden and the Partnership’s Sustainability Program. The Living House Exhibit will showcase the sustainable building model, inspire sustainable practices, teach how to save natural resources, support healthier lifestyles and lower the carbon foot print. This project will be built by San Diegans to benefit and educate the San Diego region and visitors from around the world.