On Friday, October 14, 2011 IGNITE! Museums as Catalysts for Sustainability was held at seven host institutions across California:

• Sunnylands Center & Gardens, Rancho Mirage

• San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego

• Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach

• University of California, Merced Library, Merced

• California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco

• UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Incline Village

• Gateway Science Museum, Chico

Each site convened museum leaders, scientists, environmentalists, community stakeholders, and artists to discuss how to preserve ecosystems and promote healthy communities in their region. The day began with a keynote address by environmentalist, entrepreneur, and author Paul Hawken who spoke via simulcast from the Sunnylands Center (an archived version of his presentation is available below). Then for the next several hours, each site independently discussed the following questions:

What are the top environmental challenges for our region?

Who is working to address these challenges?

And most importantly, how can museums be involved in the solutions?

After exploring fundamental ecological issues facing each region, each site imagined ways in which museums can be partners in finding solutions to these challenges, and initiate a plan, either formal or informal, to take action. 

Do you want to play a part in this statewide initiative? Here are some ways you can participate:

• Read the Summary Report. A document summarizing the event outcomes is available. READ THE REPORT NOW

• Join the Green Museums Initiative group on the CA Museum Community Online. Members of the group are encouraged to celebrate what museums are doing to support green museum practices and programming, share resources and information, and network with individuals who share these same interests and concerns for the future. JOIN HERE

• Watch a webcast of the keynote. At no cost, and from the convenience of your computer, you can experience the virtual component of Ignite! You will be asked for your name and email address. WATCH THE ARCHIVE NOW

• Subscribe to an email list – You can sign up to receive future emails from the Green Museums Initiative to learn about programs and services. SUBSCRIBE NOW

IGNITE! Museums as Catalysts for Sustainability was spearheaded by the Green Museums Initiative, a program of CAM. Artists participating in the regional roundtable discussions will create artworks for a statewide traveling exhibition by Exhibit Envoy.

IGNITE! received the 2012 International Design Communication Award in the category of "Best Sustainable Campaign". CAM board members and regional coordinators Barbara Long and Michaeleen Gallagher were in New York to accept the award. Congratulations to the Green Museums Initiative committee members, regional coordinators, and sponsors.

MAJOR SPONSORS