Douglas County Sustainability Office seeks feedback on climate ... - The Lawrence Times

Douglas County Sustainability Office seeks feedback on climate action plan - The Lawrence Times
Lawrence-Douglas County Office of SustainabilityClimate Action Plan

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The Douglas County Sustainability Office will hold open house meetings this week and next to hear from the public about a draft climate action plan.

The plan has been in progress since 2021. The process has included more than 100 interviews with community members, online surveys, focus groups, review of 30 existing community plans and more.

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Staff members on Nov. 1 released a 41-page draft plan separated into four sections: energy, mobility, living systems and thriving community.

The first open house event to discuss the draft is intended specifically for young people and young adults ages 13 to 29. It will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at Sunrise Project, 1501 Learnard Ave. “It’s a come-and-go event with food and prizes,” according to a news release from the county.

The second event, open to the general public, will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13 at the Union Pacific Depot, 402 N. Second St. in North Lawrence.

Staff members also will present the draft plan to the Douglas County Commission during a work session set for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the county courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.

“Additional meetings and open houses will be held in the county and information will be posted on the ‘Adapt Douglas County: Climate Action and Adaptation Plan’ website,” according to the release.

Sustainability Impact Analyst Jamie Hofling said in the release that “Ultimately, we hope the plan reflects Douglas County as a whole. We value the community’s feedback on ways to make this plan relevant, impactful and collaborative.”

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