Brightening Our Corner Newsletter | November 2016

The Ray Launches a New Website
What if we reimagine the way we connect our communities, our lives and our world? That’s the question we’re asking about 18 miles of I-85 – the stretch of interstate that connects Ray Anderson’s hometown of West Point, Ga. and the birthplace of his company Interface, LaGrange, Ga. We have a vision to make The Ray the most sustainable highway in the world.

Today we’re sharing the journey – join us and “Ride The Ray” virtually through the new website. Learn about innovative ideas that will reshape our most outdated infrastructure – our federal highway system – and meet the partners who share our vision. How are we doing it? Watch our new video to learn. And join the movement.

Foundation Commits $500,000 to Project Drawdown
The Ray C. Anderson Foundation has awarded a $500,000 challenge grant to Project Drawdown, a global initiative based on meticulous research and subsequent traditional and online publications that analyzes how and when we can reverse global warming. As Project Drawdown is proving, the key is to amplify existing, widely practiced, commonly available, and scientifically proven solutions. Read more.

First Ray of Hope™ Winner is Announced 
A team from the Ceres Regional Center for Fruit and Vegetable Innovation in Chile has won the first-ever $100,000 Ray of Hope Prize™ in the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge, an international design competition and accelerator program that crowdsources nature-inspired solutions to big sustainability challenges, such as climate change, food system issues, water management, and alternative energy. Read more.

New Biomimicry Global Design Challenge Focuses on Climate Change Solutions
The Biomimicry Institute and the Ray C. Anderson Foundation are issuing a challenge to look to our planet’s living systems to help solve the greatest issue of our time—climate change.

With the new 2016-17 Biomimicry Global Design Challenge theme, Climate Change: Reversal, Adaptation, and Mitigation, we are mobilizing thousands of students and professionals worldwide to tackle climate-related challenges using biomimicry. The goals are to show how nature-inspired design can provide viable solutions to the current climate crisis and to bring much-needed solutions to market quickly, with the help of the grand prize—the $100,000 Ray of Hope Prize™. Read more and watch the new video.

Happenings at the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business
A number of exciting programs are underway at the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business in the Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech.  They've launched a 2016-2020 Strategic Plan, and under their leadership, Georgia Tech has become an Ellen MacArthur Foundation Network University.  They have also launched Immersive Tracks as part of their Sustainability Integration program.  Read more.

NextGen Grants $12,500 to Appalachian Offsets Program
The Ray C. Anderson Foundation’s NextGen Committee has matched a $12,500 grant from the Kendeda Fund to the Western North Carolina Green Building Council (“WNCGBC”) to restart their Appalachian Offsets program. Through this program, businesses and individuals can calculate their carbon footprint and donate an appropriate amount to offset it by funding energy efficiency upgrades for local nonprofits. With more efficient buildings, these nonprofits are able to spend less on utilities and more on accomplishing their charitable missions.  Read more.

RayDay 2016 Was a Blast
RayDay 2016 was a blast, with a record 1,600 people in attendance.  Highlights included a new children's area with interactive booths, lots of live animal displays, static displays of electric vehicles and drawings for Tesla rentals, TOTO toilets and rain barrels painted onsite at the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper's Children's Booth.  We were happy to welcome quite a few new exhibitors this year, and we had live interviews by Eric Moncrief, The Green Guy from iHeartRadio, WGST AM640.  Save the date for RayDay 2017 on Sunday, October 15th at Serenbe.

Radio Interviews
The Ray C. Anderson Foundation continues to sponsor “Talk with Green Guy,” a rapidly growing weekly show hosted by Eric Moncrief from iHeartRadio, WGST AM640, which airs locally Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Eastern.

Click here to listen to the RayDay interview with Ray's grandsons, Jay and John Lanier
Click here to listen to the interview with the Foundation's Senior Fellow, Michael Molitor

Ecocentricity Blog - 11/15/16
Credit Where Credit is Due - No, we don’t get the credit. The Ray does. They have done the work (amazing work), and all the Foundation does is write the check. Read more.

Note: Ecocentricity is available by weekly subscription and can be delivered to your e-mail box automatically every Wednesday.  When you click through to the blog, enter your information in the orange box in the right column to subscribe.

In the Spotlight
The U.S. Green Building Council announced the winners of its 2016 Leadership Awards. at the USGBC Leadership Awards Luncheon at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Los Angeles on October 6th.

John Picard, our advisory board member, and longtime friend and advisor to Ray C. Anderson, was one of the recipients. Picard is founder and CEO of John Picard & Associates. He was a key consultant in the Greening of the White House under President Clinton and he is a founding member of USGBC. Read more.

Upcoming Events
Captain Planet Foundation Benefit Gala - December 9, 2016 -  Purchase tickets
Southface Winter Solstice Event -  December 15, 2016 - Register Here
RayDay 2017 - October 15, 2017