Last week, we introduced you to Susan Parmelee, our sustainability program manager who started back in October. This week, the spotlight is on Steve Genovese, our new Greater Portland Council of Governments Resilience Corps fellow. Steve started in our office in October, focusing on outreach and communications and assisting in a range of office programming.

Mia: What have you been up to so far?

Steve: I have been very busy learning about the city’s communication and engagement process along with getting familiar with programs such as Electrify Everything!, the beneficial electrification rebate program, and our upcoming spring sustainability initiatives.

Steve didn’t say this, but you can learn more about our Electrify Everything! program – which offers rebates on E-bikes, electric lawncare, home heating and cooling and more– at southportland.org/electrify.

Mia: What brought you to the Resilience Corps?

Steve: For the past handful of years I have been trying to make this transition into the sustainability field and enrolled in graduate school for environmental planning. I knew I needed to transition to more experiential learning, and this position checked all of those boxes from a logical perspective.

From an emotional perspective, I am able to acclimate to current sustainability resources and be a part of what I see as a really important team in the sustainability space: the One Climate Future team.

Mia: What led you to pursue the sustainability field?

Steve: I have always been involved in sustainable food systems – for example, as a resident in Portland I have been involved in community gardens. Further, serving in the Peace Corps and having this really humbling, on-the-ground experience in Tanzania. I worked with 400 families in a community where 0 percent of their day-to-day food intake was coming from outside of their village.

Having that experience made me realize there is so much change happening on planet earth that will impact different places disproportionately. It has been really important for me to continue gaining that knowledge and to be able to put it to good use.

Mia: On the horizon of your upcoming service year, what are you most looking forward to taking on? This could be part of your job description, a program that already exists in the office, or even a strategy in One Climate Future.

Steve: I am nervous, but really excited to project the voice of South Portland Sustainability and utilize existing outreach plans that we have in the office in my own voice. I also am looking forward to collaborating on upcoming projects with other sustainability staff members. Overall, I am excited to learn the workings of a municipal sustainability office, and how it connects with other departments.

Although a long-time Portland resident, Steve has some favorites across the bridge. Here are a few:

Favorite restaurant: Scratch Bakery.

Favorite coffee shop: I haven’t had much coffee shop exposure, but I loved Verbena.

Favorite store: GoGo Refill, a common answer, but can you blame us?

Favorite place to recreate: Willard Beach.

Our Sustainable City is a recurring column in the Sentry intended to provide residents with news and information about sustainability initiatives in South Portland. The Sustainability Office is located on the first floor of city hall. Follow the Sustainability Office on Instagram and Facebook @soposustainability.

Mia Ambroiggio is part-time member of the sustainability office staff. She can be reached at mambroiggio@southporltand.org.

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