What Are Friends For?

Turning 20
I was a newbie. Founded in 1998, the Delta Institute has been a potent force in the regional sustainability scene since before I officially started in this field. Friends, colleagues and collaborators, their talented staff have addressed a wide-range of issues, including brownfield remediation, green infrastructure implementation, building deconstruction and materials reuse, carbon mitigation, green building consulting, an array of energy-related issues, nutrient runoff, and environmentally preferential purchasing practices, among others. When I need a some particular technical insight, my first call is often to a Delta staff member. To my relief, and their credit, they have always responded. Like any vibrant entity, the Delta Institute has grown and been successful because of the input of many people, including current and past staff and board members, and a series of leaders who’ve always treated me as a friend. As the smaller, younger entity on the scene, relationships with older, more established organization’s are important in terms of both giving a boost and showing the way. As the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary on September 26, all of us at Foresight want to say thanks for sharing your knowledge, and helping us do our work better by your example. We look forward to what the next 20 years holds, knowing there is no shortage of need, and hopefully future opportunities for closer collaboration.