September Member Forum Featuring Detroit Zoo Sustainability and PADNOS

Join Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and the Detroit Zoological Society on Wednesday, September 23, for a luncheon forum celebrating the innovative sustainability initiatives at the Detroit Zoo.

This event will highlight the Zoo’s leadership in environmental stewardship, with a focus on its work to become the first project in Metro Detroit to earn SITES Gold certification for sustainable landscape design. Attendees will learn how the Zoo is integrating sustainable practices into its operations, including stormwater management and waste diversion programs.

The program will also feature a presentation on the Zoo’s community recycling partnership with PADNOS, followed by an in-depth look at their commitment to water quality and green infrastructure. Discover how the newly opened Fred & Barbara Erb Discovery Trails utilize onsite stormwater management, and gain insights into the Zoo’s broader initiatives, including clean watershed leadership and composting programs with MyGreen MI.

This month’s Metro Detroit member forum will feature special guest Kari Bliss, principal of sustainability for PADNOS and founder of the RealCycling approach to materials management. Bliss will discuss the practical realities of sustainable materials and highlight the company’s efforts to develop end markets that fulfill full-circle promises.  

The event also includes an optional tour of the Fred & Barbara Erb Discovery Trails following the luncheon, offering a firsthand look at its sustainable landscaping and infrastructure.

Featured Speakers:

• Andy McDowell, Director of Sustainability + Systems Planning, Detroit Zoological Society
• Kari Bliss, Principal Sustainability, PADNOS