2010

 –  2012  with  discussion  to  2015  

                                                         as  of  10/26/2010  
1549  El  Prado,  Suite  One  
San  Diego,  California  92101  
(ph)  619.232.7502  /  (f)  619.232.7418  
bpcp@bpcp.org  
www.bpcp.org  
Environmental  Sustainability   RoryRuppert,  Director  
Strategic  Plan      
for  Balboa  Park  
   
 
 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Economic and Environmental Strategic Plan Background 3

Balboa Park Economic and Environmental Sustainability Program Background 4
Situation Analysis 4
2009- 2012 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Outcomes 5
Sustainability Strategy and Focus Areas 5
Benchmarking, Measurement and Resource Optimization 6
Education 10
Outreach 11
Finding Financial Resources 11
Partnering 12
2015 Environmental Sustainability Big Ideas 14
Sustainability Tactics Timeline 14
Annual Process, Timeline and Program Integration 19

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIC PLAN BACKGROUND

This document presents the 2010 – 2012 Economic and Environmental Sustainability Strategic
Plan (the Plan) for Balboa Park (the Park), San Diego, California. It is compiled by the Balboa
Park Cultural Partnership (Partnership) as a resource for all private and pubic entities within the
Park, as well as the City of San Diego and other supporting groups. The Partnership is the
collaborative body and collective voice for arts, science, and cultural institutions in Balboa Park.
Leveraging collective vision and resources, the 24-member Partnership promotes efficiency,
innovation and excellence in professional practice to enrich our member institutions, the
Balboa Park experience and the San Diego region’s cultural community.

One of the Partnership’s four strategic plan goals by 2012 includes an initiative to increase the
economic and environmental sustainability of its members and Balboa Park. This Plan
formalizes and expands on the previously developed Environmental Sustainability element of
the Partnership’s 2009 – 2012 Strategic Plan. Identified strategies include:
• Action 1: Establishing benchmarks for, coordinating, and monitoring the progress of all
green projects pertinent to member institutions and Balboa Park
• Action 2: Serving as the recognized hub for information exchange and sharing
(internally and externally) related to green projects in the Park
• Action 3: Providing education and training for cultural institutions and the public (in
coordination with BPCP members) to advance green projects benefiting the Park and
region
• Action 4: Helping prioritize green projects affecting BPCP member institutions and the
Park, and attract financial and in-kind support to complete them

This Plan will:

• Identify energy efficiency and conservation goals
• Formalize our sustainability strategies
• Identify sustainability focus areas
• Detail our informational programs
• Identify funding

This effort will result in an enhanced collaborative program which will save money and lower
the carbon footprint of Balboa Park. A key group of internal and external stakeholders, Balboa
Park’s Sustainability Alliance, contributed to its creation and will execute the plan. The
Partnership manages the Sustainabilility Alliance, leverages resources for it and ensures agreed
upon policy implementation.

Mission: The Balboa Park Sustainability Program mission is to educate, measure and promote
sustainability practices to preserve and enhance Balboa Park.

Vision: To significantly advance environmental sustainability in Balboa Park by 2015 and

beyond. By the end of 2015, our community will leave a legacy to future generations in the
form of a “Green Balboa Park.” Green in this context means environmentally sustainable.

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

Our Goals:
• Reduce Balboa Park electric bills by $1.5 million Per year.
Increase Balboa Park water conservation by 50%.
Increase recycling at Balboa Park by 50%.

BALBOA PARK ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM BACKGROUND

The Partnership’s Park-wide sustainability program developed in 2000 when identifying energy
efficiency projects and waste and recycling opportunities. The framework was developed during a
strategic planning session with Park stakeholders. The plan is funded by SDG&E’s Local Government
Initiative.

The Plan is a natural outcome of work started by the Partnership’s Sustainability Alliance comprised
of Partnership members and park stakeholders to assist with the development of a long-term energy
strategy for Balboa Park. During its formation, the Alliance chose Energy Efficiency as its top priority
as it would have a high return on investment and significantly reduce carbon emissions. Since 2007,
3,500,000 kWhs in energy and 87,000 therms of gas have been saved annually. In 2009, more than
5,000,000 kWhs have been identified. Conceptual ideas must now be vetted, the Plan defined, goals
established, timing agreed upon and responsibilities assigned to appropriate alliance members.

We have much from which to build. In 2009, two member institutions -- the San Diego Natural History
Museum and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center -- were LEED certified by the US Green Building Council
for existing buildings. Additionally, The Balboa Park Sustainability Program launched a sustainability
workshop series with a Community Forum that drew over 350 people from the environmental and cultural
arts fields. Serving over 1200 attendees, 24 workshops were held to educate, engage and share sustainable
practices in Balboa Park.

SITUATION ANALYSIS

In the wake of The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, local governments are held responsible for
implementing a variety of recommended measures set forth by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to
reduce California greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25% by 2020. As a sustainability leader, the Sustainability
Program sets forth a plan modeled after those utilized by local governments to comply with these standards
and other California legislative mandates.

The California Long-term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan’s strategies for local governments details five goals,
three of which are addressed by the Sustainability Program. As a partner in this program through SDG&E, we
are: leading by example with our own facilities and energy usage practices, helping surrounding communities
develop innovative programs which increase sustainability and reduce climate change, and making it possible
for energy efficiency expertise to become widely available.

It takes the collective efforts of citizens, organizations, and businesses to transform a community into an
environmentally sustainable city. To achieve the mandated 25% GHG-emission reductions by 2020 and meet

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the city’s energy-efficiency goals, the program will serve as an example, demonstrating the park’s participation
in the city’s “green movement.” The plan provides the necessary resources and tools needed to engage facility
managers, staff, and visitors into saving energy, money, and the environment.

Due to its micro and macro importance, sustainability is high on the radar for various funding sources – even
in a down economy. Whether for programs on increasing energy efficiency, education on how citizens can do
their part or green jobs skills development, monies from sponsors are currently available. The intention is to
use the past and seed the future. Due to the success and visibility this program has already achieved, BPCP
can leverage those resources to obtain additional funding.

Socially, becoming more sustainable is perceived as a positive – and necessary. Given the fine reputation of
the Park, a successful Sustainability Program can only enhance how it is viewed by the local and regional
community. Creating a sense of community and additional camaraderie is also becoming increasingly
important given the current economy and the desires of our citizens. With social media now being the prime
vehicle used to share and spread information,. that technology can now be harnassed to share sustainability
information with people and in even more meaningful ways.. Multiple generations can now access and use
the internet to learn about successful sustainability projects and practices.

2009 – 2012 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIC OUTCOMES*

Our Expected Program Outcomes include:

• Creation of a culture of sustainable practices
• Alignment of park and community sustainability efforts
• Increased stakeholder connections
• Increased efforts to reduce-reuse and recycle
• Increased sustainability education and outreach efforts
• Increased visitor enjoyment
• Quantified successes
• Creation of 10,500,000 kWhs and 200,000 therms in annual savings

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY AND FOCUS AREAS

We will achieve the Sustainability Program vision of reducing our carbon footprint by focusing upon these
elements:

• Benchmarking, measurement and resource optimization

• Education and training
• Outreach which encourages thinking and acting green
• Finding financial and in-kind support as the hub for information exchange among Balboa Park
institutions
• Partnering for success

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

BENCHMARKING, MEASUREMENT AND RESOURCE OPTIMIZATION

Our plan to reduce the carbon footprint leads us to break our strategic initiatives into specific focus areas:
• Energy Efficiency
• Water Conservation
• Recycling
• Transportation
• Sustainable Business Practices
• Land Use Management

Energy Efficiency
The Sustainability Program, funded by SDG&E, systematically assesses the energy efficiency and climate
change impacts of the park’s facilities, operations, and infrastructure. This includes identifying opportunities
to implement energy-saving and GHG-reducing, water saving, recycling and improved transportation
measures to meet energy cost-reduction and management goals. This is a high priority and will be worked on
extensively in 2010.

An element of maximizing energy efficiency is incorporating savings opportunities as identified in the

benchmarking process. In this way, the park is able to quantify opportunities and prioritize actions to reduce
energy use and GHG emissions. An analysis will be made of opportunities for the park to incorporate clean
generation, such as photovoltaic or fuel cells. The benchmarking process consists of the following steps:

• Establish energy baseline

• Establish measurement criteria
• Determine potential savings
• Set resource management goals
• Track and collect data in ENERGY STAR Benchmarking Portfolio Manager
• Analyze findings
• Share results
• Provide performance management, if desired
• Determine aggregate/longer term vendor contract options with individualized milestones/evaluations
• Facilitate centralized communication regarding resource sharing
• Publish savings results throughout institutions
• Challenge success through quarterly contests, presentation and/or assessments/audits
• Organize outreach visits by Facilities Directors, presentation and/or assessments/audits

We will undertake specific tactics outside of benchmarking during the course of this plan:

• Build retrofits taking into consideration park deferred maintenance

• Implement an energy management control system
• Consolidate computer servers
• Fine-tune the park maintenance schedule
• Optimize outdoor lighting
• Install LED induction street lights
• Retro-commission equipment
• Install smart metering
• Install power products (i.e. surge protectors)
• Implement Heat island reduction
• Improve weatherization

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

• Install solar collectors

Water Conservation
San Diego imports close to 95 percent of its water from the Colorado River and the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta. These sources of water could shrink by 20 percent or more in the coming years and the
County is expected to require 37 percent more water than we use today.1 Other issues surrounding this
critical problem are the fact that the Delta is slowly deteriorating, thus putting our water supply at risk.
This is compounded by current climate change predictions that indicate San Diego’s warm, dry season
will be more acute and last longer. BPCP’s sustainability Plan will address the critical importance of water
conservation, as reflected in the City’s Emergency Water Regulations, enacted in 20082 and make certain
that all its stakeholders are aware that we are in a Level 2 Drought Alert3. Initiatives will reflect the
importance of goals to reduce water consumption, establish gray water policies, and enact efficient
landscaping and irrigation systems.

• Upgrade irrigation controllers

Reduce indoor water use

• Upgrade plumbing fixtures
• Capture rainfall
• Collect storm water
• Establish gray water policy
• Implement Smart metering
• Increase low-water landscaping
• Utilize “Save-A-Buck” Program Water
• Introduce 20 Gallon Challenge
• Increase Irrigation Efficiency
• Implement gray Water Policy
• Increase Low Water and Native Plant Landscaping
• Review fountain use
• Replace and upgrade plumbing fixtures, irrigation controllers, kitchen equipment and cooling tower
controllers

Recycling
In coordination with the City of San Diego, SDG&E, California Integrated Waste Management Board, and
with support from Keep California Beautiful, Partnership's Sustainability Plan includes the implementation of
waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs for office paper, corrugated cardboard, newsprint, beverage
containers, oil waste, fluorescent lamps and other recyclable materials.

Tactics include:
• Waste and Recycle Assessments
• Enhance Recycling Bins Park-wide
• Encourage use of Recycled Paper Products

1
San Diego’s Changing Climate Report: A Regional Wake-up Call, produced by the San Diego Foundation
2
City of San Diego Emergency Water Regulation (12/2/2008)
3
Effective 6/1/2009, The City of San Diego announced a Drought Response, Level II
(http://www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation/drought/droughtlevels2.shtm)

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

• Establish Web-Based Equipment Exchange Program

• Establish Electronic Member Passes
• Develop Canvas Bag Program
• Encourage Paper Bag Use
• Conduct Waste Audit
• Choose Alternate Leaf Blowers
• Create More Effective Recycling to Minimize Down-cycling

These programs include the creation of a cooperative recycling hub for the Park where institutions will be able
to recycle appropriate materials in a safe and efficient manner. Long-term goals include the implementation of
a composting program to collect food scraps and other organic material.

Transportation
BPCP's Sustainability Program includes reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by supporting current
alternative transportation and implementing alternative transportation measures, thereby reducing the negative
impacts of climate change in compliance with AB 32 and other measures. This will improve air quality,
directly benefiting the community in terms of a higher quality of life and reduction of related illnesses,
including asthma and allergies from particulate pollution..

Strategies which will be explored in 2011 include:

• Public Transportation: Implementation of the proposed plan will significantly reduce GHGs produced
by standard transportation to, from and within the Park. Additionally, these strategic improvements
will enhance both Park accessibility for diverse populations and visitor quality of experience, while
preserving the Park’s historical integrity. Clean transportation will contribute to the economic engine
of tourism.

• Alternative Transportation: BPCP proposes to plan, market (education and outreach) and implement
strategies to promote alternative transportation programs and reduce the number of vehicles on the
road and in the Park. Such strategies include:
• Research and purchase solar-charged electric golf carts
• Establish designated parking for alternative fuel vehicles, rideshare, vanpools and shared
vehicles
• Educate staff and public to adopt energy efficient driving strategies and use alternative
transportation
• Plan and implement a shared bicycles program
• Assess and implement better signage for visitors driving in the Park
• Offer vanpool and rideshare incentives (San Diego Zoo vanpool employees spend $1.75 a
day)
• Adopt shared plug-in vehicles and vehicle services (establishing two (2) or three (3) hybrid
vehicles for subsidized rental such as Zipcar, Hertz and Enterprise)
• Install electric charging station at the San Diego Automotive Museum and make available
other alternative fuels in partnership with the San Diego Zoo
• Establish Park-wide fleet policy to buy clean transportation vehicles
• Establish employee discount for hybrid and electric vehicles
• Assess the San Diego Zoo’s fleet for alternative fuel upgrades

Sustainable Business Practices

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

The Partnership's Sustainability Program includes Green Business Operations, which addresses the successful
development and execution of a Sustainability Program for business operations in the Park. Its objectives
include: 1) raising awareness of sustainable business practices and processes, 2) outlining the scope of a 1-3-
year project, realizing tangible, measurable results (in areas such as reduction in CO2 emissions), and 3)
sharing results with other businesses and the public to promote adjusting business practices to reduce waste
and increase efficiency. The focus is on two core areas currently in place: 1) shared resources and 2) green
purchasing. We will implement a six-month to one-year StakeWare™, stakeholder engagement process that
will prioritize issues of focus and metrics for the core categories of shared resources and green purchasing. At
the completion of this phase, we anticipate internal process improvements related to sustainable business
practices and tangible, measurable results of metrics selected.

The Sustainability Program will review the policies of its associated institutions, creating universal policies,
standards, and practices with a centralized manager. These policies will reflect sustainability goals, encourage
consistency of approach, and effect cost savings. These policies will focus on the following:
• Growing the Environmentally Preferred Collective Purchasing Policy
• Setting Clear Guidelines for Contractors
• Establishing the Resource Energy Management (REM) Progr am
• Developing Green Guidelines for Leasing Agreements
• Selecting preferred vendors; e.g. for electronics
• Considering longer term relationships with longer term savings for vendor contracts, using milestones
• Establishing best practices through Balboa Park Stakeholders’ cooperative efforts
• Requiring participation from all Facilities Departments; identifying representatives, demonstrating
value and benefits
• Encouraging collective agreement on goals with a park-wide directory
• Specifying that all new or redeveloped buildings should be designed to achieve energy efficiencies
requiring 15 - 20 % less energy than allowed under the 2005 version of Title 24 of the California
Building Code. This would also qualify them for participation in SDG&E’s Savings by Design or
Sustainable Communities programs
• Replacing turf areas with approved drought tolerant landscaping
• Providing water audits of all structures and operators and upgrade with water saving plumbing fixtures
• Providing vetted local vendors list
• Encouraging use of compostable products
• Developing park wide green teams
• Developing green purchasing policies and procedures
• Providing Cost cycle analysis education
• Implementing intranet – shared resources

Practices emphasize collaboration to promote efficient resource use. Practices to be implemented consist of
the following:
• Establishing green information exchange
• Establishing equipment exchange program for park institutions
• Creating an E-waste recycling event
• Aligning Earth Day event with sustainability goals
• Encouraging varied facility use
• Encouraging use of rubberized asphalt (i.e.; County of San Diego)
• Ensuring capable resources to implement Sustainability Plan
• Enhancing human capital through education provided by the Balboa Park Learning Institute

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• Providing a standardized approach to energy planning and projects based on state, regional, and local
goals
• Aligning food and beverage purchasing (energy efficient vending machines)
• Minimizing computer power usage outside of operation hours and training staff on HVAC/heating
use
• Implementing park-wide recycling
• Pursuing SDG&E collective discounts
• Researching implementation of big ticket technology
• Purchasing energy efficient/green/sustainable products
• Utilizing conjunctive billing through SDG&E
• Implementing central management of hazardous materials
• Identifying points of contact for coordinators
• Utilizing internal personnel knowledge, skills and resources park-wide
• Sharing personnel, materials, knowledge, and expertise at cost or wholesale rather than retail
• Scheduling an introduction (“Meet and Greet”)
• Considering quarterly combined meeting
• Organizing “walk around” tours and assessments by successful users of practices
• Forging vendor alliances (SDG&E, MTS/transportation)
• Modeling after the “Sustainable Seattle” community program
• Utilizing the San Diego Natural Guide for services and products
• Participating in the San Diego Area Green Business Certification Program

Land-Use Management
BPCP’s land-use initiatives are based on preserving a healthy ecosystem within its 1,200 acres of land.
The use of its land will reflect the current Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP)4 and Multi-Habitat
Planning Area (MHPA)5 laws designed to protect species, manage the habitat and encourage drought-
resistant plants. It will begin with the focus areas surrounding or beneath the Park’s facilities—the brown
field, hidden aquifers, and available land on the premises. For example, a 600 acre-foot aquifer,
discovered in 20086, could provide a small, yet vital source of groundwater that could be used for the
Park’s gardens and plants. A 70-acre landfill area will be assessed for brownfield redevelopment
(Brownfield refers to the redevelopment of contaminated land or land that will be examined for its
historical solid waste contamination). This site will undergo ecological research and assessment to
determine if and how it might be utilized by visitors. In addition, plans for organic education gardens will
illustrate to all stakeholders how to maximize stormwater capture and encourage groundwater exchange,
as well as suggest pleasing, drought-resistant landscaping, designed to preserve soil and conserve water.
Additional educational efforts will focus on the ecological and social benefit of a Farmer’s Market
concept.

• Reclaim brown-scape - Arizona Landfill (70 acres)

• Recharge Balboa Park aquifer (600 acre ft)

4
The San Diego MSCP (http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/dplu/mscp/sc.html)
5
The San Diego MHPA (http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/mscp/faq/index.shtml#area)
6
Sign on San Diego, “City-backed Project Still Must Determine Amount Available to be Pumped, Salinity,” Mike Lee,
2/2/2008.

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• Cultivate organic education garden

• Create drought resistant landscape models
• Establish farmers’ market in Balboa Park

EDUCATION
The Sustainability Program delivers extensive education focused on sustainability for staff, volunteers and
visitors. BPCP will enhance current sustainability education efforts to reach a broader audience through an
existing BPCP professional education/training program and community, the Balboa Park Learning Institute.
The Learning Institute is in place with a viable, functioning program infrastructure. It is sustained in part by a
$500,000 matching grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Additional
content and learning experts will be engaged annually to conduct programs and outreach. Evaluation
consultants will assist with program assessment. The Learning Institute targets 3,000 professional staff
members, 500 trustees and 7,000 volunteer in the Balboa Park’s cultural institutions, as well as individuals and
organizations throughout the San Diego region. This training will not only act to enhance staff members’
skills, but those of the greater community.

Professional training/education - This program component will provide professionals/staff in Balboa Park
with “how to” training for effectively implementing energy efficiency and Sustainability Programs in Balboa
Park. It will disseminate the learning from these efforts outside the park and will provide additional
sustainability training and education. At least 16 informal learning sessions, 2 symposia, and 10 workshops will
be conducted per year, including classes that support field certifications (e.g., LEED). The creation of case
studies and two conferences will also be held over the three-year program period. Education sources include:
include:

• Monthly “Lunch & Learns” - Facilities Directors

• ENERGY STAR Series - Green Jobs Training
• USGBC LEED Series – Green Jobs Training
• “Green Life Styles” Series – Staff and Board
• “Green Skills” Series – for children
• Intern Programs - Case Studies
• Electronic Kiosks – Sustainability Projects
• Sustainability Online Series
• Sustainability Website

OUTREACH
The Sustainability Program will help the public (as well as staff and volunteers in Balboa Park and beyond)
understand issues and activities surrounding energy efficiency and sustainability. This will be achieved by: 1)
the production and placement of visual aids/signage, 2) special events, 3) an extensive educational web feature
on the BPCP’s Sustainability Program web pages (linked elsewhere), 4) the development and presentation of
educational exhibitions and performances (supported by sub-granting of education and outreach funds to
museums and cultural institutions), and 5) other forms of distributed media such as public service
announcements.

The BPCP will promote and educate the city and visitors on the efforts of the program utilizing the following
strategies:
• Developing branding for the program
• Developing message points tailored to various audiences
• Pursuing external alliances

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• Developing products with logos

• Engaging in cross-promotion via the following outlets:
 Web
 PR
 Speakers Bureau
 Awards Programs
 Media
 Newsletters
• Providing signage and Displays
• Hosting conferences, Expos, and Events
• “Greening” of events’ operations and products
• Annual showcasing of sustainability efforts
• Attracting sustainability conferences to the park
• Providing information via a Website /E-Newsletter

FINDING FINANCIAL RESOURCES

The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership will review a comprehensive list SDG&E’s programs, as well as
potential Federal and State programs from which the park may benefit. Such resources include:.

• SDG&E’s On Bill Financing (OBF) Program which provides zero-interest loans to customers for
energy efficient business improvements that cost $5,000 or more after rebates. The loan is paid back
through an adjusted monthly energy bill.
• SDG&E’s Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) provides energy-efficiency incentives and a
“green bonus” for achieving LEED certification. This program also offers the option of installing
clean energy systems (i.e., fuel cell or photovoltaic panels) on the customer’s site. In this case, SDG&E
owns and operates the system, and pays the customer a small lease payment, the amount varying
depending on system size.
• California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE)’s California Solar Initiative (CSI) Program provides
incentives to building owners for installing solar power on their building sites. The incentive amount
varies depending on the amount of solar already installed in California and decline over time. For
current rates, visit the CSI website at www.csi-trigger.com.
• SDG&E’s Tax-Exempt Customer Incentive (TEC) Program provides technical and administrative
assistance plus financial incentives to help tax-exempt organizations implement energy efficiency
measures. The program addresses the many barriers tax-exempt organizations face including time,
staffing, and technical resources and funding. TEC provides the extra resources needed to take
projects from concept to successful implementation.
• SDG&E’s Express Efficiency Program is a nonresidential rebate program designed to help customers
replace or retrofit existing equipment with high efficiency equipment. The program provides cash
rebates to eligible business customers for energy efficient lighting, refrigeration, food service, natural
gas and other technologies. Rebates can help offset the overall cost of installed equipment. Customers
may qualify for rebates up to $350,000 per meter, per fuel, per year.

BPCP will be conducting a stakeholder engagement process with its internal and external stakeholders to
uncover a range of new resources for the funding of the many initiatives in its sustainability program. As
an example, these could take the form of:
*Outreach efforts by the Marketing Department to identify new funding sources,
including how social media could be utilized in campaigns to attract funding

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*Alignment with organizations such as the San Diego Foundation (and sharing of its current
sustainability initiatives). BPCP could be represented as a single plan
with multiple sustainability projects that could be funded by new philanthropic sources
*Research of additional state/Federal funding opportunities
*Identification of any additional national grants applicable to the program

The BPCP will also create a resource development plan to gain additional funding to cover the costs of all
this program activity.

PARTNERING
BPCP is focused on engaging with its multiple external and internal stakeholders. It realizes that a solid,
two-way, engaged communication process with key groups is vital to its success.

For example, its vital partnership with SCG&E has been the impetus for funded programs that will move
the Park closer to achieving its energy efficiency goals and for vital training on cost-saving measures, such
as the Online Bill Payment seminars. Its partnership with the City of San Diego was vital in helping the
Park see where it was, from the Park-wide audit process, and determining critical funding sources. Other
partnerships with its contractors/suppliers, allowed Park employees to not only learn about the ‘green’
products available but learn more about the field of sustainability and find ways to apply it to their own
departments and facilities. Finally, external groups such as Friends of Balboa Park helped to clarify
critical social issues, such as ____________.

BPCP plans to implement a more formalized process of stakeholder engagement in the coming months.
Briefly, this process (1) identifies key stakeholders (those that are critical to the mission of the Park at this
juncture) (2) weighs its critical issues (3) maps out a plan to engage with key stakeholders on these issues
(4) refines its internal processes or policies to reflect changes and (5) measures results. It is not enough for
BPCP to communicate with partners—they are numerous and not all tied to the Park’s critical
sustainability path. Instead, it will implement a focused approach to this process possibly utilizing one of
the enterprise platform software packages focused on stakeholder engagement processes and/or with a
consultant.

Eco-Tourism Platform
As BPCP continues to create and implement successful “green” programs, it will be ready to showcase the
results. For tourists interested in participating in its efforts, BPCP will begin with an offering of an Eco-
Tourism; but will eventually move towards a “Sustainable Tourism” package. (Eco-tourism refers only to
environmental/ecological issues; sustainable tourism, reflects the triple bottom line—social,
environmental and financial issues).

Funneled through the PBCP office, this package would be available for certain groups of individuals
interested in volunteering or enhancing the Park’s green initiatives. It will target key EE/sustainability
programs within the Park that require additional volunteer support. For example, this could be in the form
of assessment of recycling efforts, or specific requirements in gardening, irrigating or a particular need in
EE programs. BPCP will be researching organizations involved in educating and certifying companies in
this field, including: Sustainable Travel International (and their STEP Snapshot™), the WTO (World
Trade Organization), as it relates to their indicators for sustainable development for tourism destinations
involved in sustainable tourism; The Rainforest Alliance; and the Sustainable Tourism Certification

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Network of the Americas. BPCP will research key initial indicators from the 40 major sustainability issues
for its focus and would assign the Eco-tourism groups assignments based on enhancing and creating
results in those indicators.

2015 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BIG IDEAS

The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, Environmental Sustainability hopes to accomplish key benchmarks
by the 2015 Centennial. These goals include:

• Create 10M kWh and 200,000 therms savings and reduce utility expenses by $1.5 million,
annually
• Achieve 100% participation of Balboa Park institutions in EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio
Manager
• Establish “green teams” within all Balboa Park Cultural institutions.
• Increase recycling by 50%
• Reach 80% participation in group green procurement
• Increase water conservation by 40%
• Establish Clean Energy Park-wide shuttle system
• Increase sustainability education and outreach efforts with incorporation of Museum Exhibits
• Increase visitor enjoyment by interfacing with sustainable achievement and practices
• Increase Solar energy by 3 MW in Balboa Park
• Become a US Green Building Council LEED Campus
• Become a Biomimicry Education Campus
• Establish a Sustainability Education Center in Balboa Park
• Build a co-generation plant for Balboa Park
• Create a SmartGrid for Balboa Park using alternative energy including fuel cells and solar

SUSTAINABILITY TACTICS TIMELINE

Timeline Deliverables
As needed Create marketing for specific events
As needed Refine collateral
As needed Develop press releases and press kit
As needed Provide Institutions LEED EB OM Support
Monthly Coordinate Facilities Directors Meeting
Monthly Attend SDG&E Program Manager Meetings
Monthly Provide Green Website/Intranet Update
Monthly Facilitate SDG&E Program Lunch & Learns
Monthly Update Green Website/Intranet
Monthly Provide Institution Energy Star Rating Support

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

Monthly Coordinate Sustainability Workshop Series

Ongoing Provide Institution Energy Star Rating Support
Ongoing Facilitate Energy efficiency research for 2015 legacy
Ongoing Research Funding options
Periodic Provide Special Presentations - Regionally
Periodic Coordinate Sustainability – Energy Efficiency Exhibits
Quarterly Coordinate Sustainability Alliance Meetings
Quarterly Host California Center for Sustainable Energy Meetings
Quarterly Provide Energy Road Map /Strategic Planning
Quarterly Develop Green E-Newsletter
Quarterly Refine PR communications plan
Quarterly Update green branding and marketing plan
Quarterly Energy Efficiency Speakers Series – Visit Institutions
Quarterly Update Sustainability Map

Time Table Key Example:

10Q1 = 2010, 1st Quarter

Dates needed for these to integrate in the timetable that follows:

From energy list

• Coordinate computer server consolidation
• Fine-tune maintenance schedule
• Optimize outdoor lighting
• Provide LED induction street lights
• InstallRetro-commissioning (equipment)
• Install Smart metering
• Install Power products (i.e. surge protectors)
• Provide Heat island reduction
• Provide Weatherization
• Provide Energy efficiency technology research for 2015 legacy project
From water conservation list
• Upgrade irrigation controllers
• Indoor water use reduction
• Upgrade plumbing fixtures
• Capture rainfall
• Storm water collection
• Establish gray water policy
• Implement Smart metering
• Increase low-water landscaping
• Utilize “Save-A-Buck” Program Water
• 20 Gallon Challenge
• Storm Water Collection
• Indoor Water-use Reduction
• Increased Irrigation Efficiency
• Gray Water Policy
• Metering

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

• Increased Low Water and Native Plant Landscaping

• Review of Fountain Use
• Replacement and upgrades to plumbing fixtures, irrigation controllers, kitchen equipment
and cooling tower controllers
From recycling list
• Waste and Recycle Assessments
• Enhance Park Recycling Bins Park-wide
• Encourage Recycled Paper Products
• Web-Based Equipment Exchange Program
• Establish Electronic Member Passes
• Develop Canvas Bag Program
• Encourage Paper Bag Use
• Conduct Waste Audit
• Choose Alternate Leaf Blowers
• Create More Effective Recycling to Minimize Down-cycling

From the education list, coordinate:

• ENERGY STAR Series - Green Jobs Training
• USGBC LEED Series – Green Jobs Training
• “Green Life Styles” Series – Staff and Board
• “Green Skills” Series – Children
• Intern Programs - Case Studies
• Electronic Kiosks – Sustainability Projects
• Sustainability Online Series
From the transportation list
• Research and purchase solar-charged electric golf carts
• Establish designated parking for alternative fuel vehicles, rideshare, vanpools and shared vehicles
• Promote additional public transportation access to the Park
• Educate staff and public to adopt energy efficient driving strategies and use alternative
transportation
• Plan and implement a shared bicycles program
• Assess and implement better signage for visitors driving in the Park
• Offer vanpool and rideshare incentives (San Diego Zoo vanpool employees spend $1.75 a day)
• Adopt shared plug-in vehicles and vehicle services (establishing two (2) or three (3) hybrid
vehicles for subsidized rental such as Zipcar, Hertz and Enterprise)
• Install electric charging station at the San Diego Automotive Museum and make available other
alternative fuels in partnership with the San Diego Zoo
• Establish Park-wide fleet policy to buy clean transportation vehicles
• Establish employee discount for hybrid and electric vehicles
• Assess the San Diego Zoo’s fleet for alternative fuel upgrades
From the green business list
• Grow the Environmentally Preferred Collective Purchasing Policy
• Set Clear Guidelines for Contractors
• Establish Resource Energy Management (REM) Program
• Develop Green Guidelines for Leasing Agreements
• Consider longer term relationships with longer term savings for vendor contracts, using
milestones
• Establish best practices through Balboa Park Stakeholders

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

• Require participation from all Facilities Departments; identify representatives, show value and
benefits
• Encourage collective agreement on goals with a park-wide directory
• Specify that all new or redeveloped buildings should be designed to achieve energy efficiencies
requiring 15 - 20 % less energy than allowed under the 2005 version of Title 24 of the California
Building Code.
• Replace turf areas with approved drought tolerant landscaping
• Provide water audits of all structures and operators and upgrade with water saving plumbing
fixtures
• Provide vetted local vendors list
• Encourage compostable products
• Develop Park-wide green team
• Publicize Green purchasing policies and procedures
• Coordinate Cost cycle analysis education
• Implement intranet – share resources
• Provide information exchange
• Establish equipment exchange program for park institutions
• Create an E-waste recycling event
• Align Earth Day event with sustainability goals
• Encourage varied facility use
• Encourage use of rubberized asphalt (i.e.; County of San Diego)
• Provide a standardized approach to energy planning and projects based on state, regional, and
local goals
• Align food and beverage purchasing (energy efficient vending machines)
• Minimize computer power usage outside of operation hours and train staff on HVAC/heating
use
• Pursue SDG&E collective discounts
• Research implementation of big ticket technology
• Purchase energy efficient/green/sustainable products
• Utilize conjunctive billing through SDG&E
• Implement central management of hazardous materials
• Identify points of contact for coordinators
• Utilize internal personnel knowledge, skills and resources park-wide
• Purchase materials at cost or wholesale rather than retail
• Share personnel, knowledge and expertise
• Schedule an introduction (“Meet and Greet”)
• Consider quarterly combined meeting
• Organize “walk around” tours and assessments by successful users of practices
• Forge vendor alliances (SDG&E, MTS/transportation)
• Model after the “Sustainable Seattle” community program
• Utilize the San Diego Natural Guide for services and products
• Participate in the San Diego Area Green Business Certification Program

From the land-use management list

• Reclaim brown-scape - Arizona Landfill (70 acres)
• Recharge Balboa Park aquifer (600 acre ft)
• Cultivate organic education garden
• Create drought resistant landscape models

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

• Establish farmers market in Balboa Park

Timeline Deliverables Initiative

2010
10Q1 Sustainability Forum Education
10Q1 Create sustainability FAQs Outreach
10Q2 Create Park-wide Sustainability Map Outreach
10Q2 LEED Four Part Series Education
10Q2 Energy Management System installation Resource Management
10Q3 Green Skills for Children’s Program Education
10Q4 Climate Registry/Cool Planet Project Resource Management
10Q4 UCSD Ext. Sustainability Certification Partnership Education or Partnership?

2011
11Q1 Sustainability Forum Education
11Q1 LEED Four Part Series Education
11Q2 Emerging Technologies – Demand Response Education
11Q2 Green Skills for Children Education
11Q2 Green Job Skills Education
11Q2 Greenest Employee Competition Education
11Q2 Building Operators Certification Education
11Q3 Climate Registry/Cool Planet Project Resource Management
11Q4 AB811 home retrofits Resource Management
11Q4 Solar Installation (3 to 5 megawatts) Resource Management

2012
12Q1 Sustainability Forum
12Q2 Emerging Technologies – Demand Response
12Q2 Green Skills for Children
12Q2 LEED Four Part Series
12Q2 Green Job Skills
12Q2 Greenest Employee Competition
12Q2 Building Operators Certification
12Q2 Alternative Transportation Systems Transportation
12Q3 AB811 home retrofits
12Q3 Climate Registry/Cool Planet Project

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 Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan for Balboa Park 2010-2012

ANNUAL PROCESS, TIMELINE AND PROGRAM INTEGRATION

The Partnership’s Strategic Plan provides desired outcomes for the next five years. Each year the plan will be
reviewed for relevancy and adjustments and an accompanying operational plan will be produced with details
as to how strategies, actions, and tactics will be implemented and measured during the upcoming fiscal year.
It is important that the Partnership’s different programs and initiatives align with the strategic plan. Program
plans should be reviewed annually and updated according to progress toward or any changes within the
organization’s strategic plan.

The 2010-2012 timeline for maintaining the plan is as follows:

• January: At the January Sustainability Forum, The Partnership will report the cumulative status of the
strategic plan. A strategic planning committee is formed to determine input needed to revise the plan
and what is required to gather that input (workshops, surveys, etc.).

• March: The Alliance strategic planning committee implements the input-gathering strategies and
incorporates the new input into the plan. Ideas on the table for the future include:
o Water Reclamation Project in June 2013
o Landfill – Methane Gas Conversion System in December 2014
o Using what has been accomplished here to create a plethora of green job trained experts who are
used throughout San Diego.

• April: The updated strategic plan is distributed at the committee. Feedback is solicited and
incorporated into the revised plan.

• May: Partnership program staff adjusts annual operating and program plans in relation to the revised
strategic plan (draft) and prepares the next year’s budget.

• June: The revised sustainability strategic plan and the next fiscal year’s budget are approved by the
Partnership’s Board of Directors.

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