Phoenix VA Continues to Connect, Educate and Empower Veterans and Employees Through the 2026 Sustainably Fair
By Tynisha Ferguson, Phoenix VHA Public Affairs Specialist
The Phoenix VA Health Care System held its third annual Sustainability Fair on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center. More than 1,600 Veterans and employees showed up to find out what their community offered in terms of sustainability.
Interim Associate Director of Resources Julie Kurtz shared, this event is “80% larger” than the events of the past. “We’ve got more participants; we’ve got more organizations involved, and more activities for those joining us. Altogether, this is providing a more robust and diverse experience for everyone attending,” said Kurtz.
The event, held in honor of Earth Day on April 22, was organized by Phoenix VA Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) Program Manager Loren Cheel. Cheel oversees the medical center’s environmental footprint to ensure compliance with federal, state and local standards for air emissions, wastewater, stormwater and other environmental impacts.
National GEMS policy requires all VA medical centers to follow principles of stewardship, compliance, pollution prevention, environmental planning and continual improvement. Although providing health care inevitably affects air, land and water resources, the Phoenix VA works to minimize its impact through vigilant monitoring and adherence to environmental regulations.
“Phoenix VA’s Sustainability Fair reinforces the organization’s commitment to environmental responsibility and community engagement, showing that sustainability and Veteran well‑being go hand in hand,” said Cheel. “Events like this offer Veterans a low‑pressure way to meet others, learn new skills, and feel part of something positive and forward‑looking.”
Cheel also emphasized the broader reach of the event, noting its direct benefits to both Veterans and the Phoenix community. “The Sustainability Fair connects Veterans with living resources, job resources, energy conservation tips, clean transportation options, and healthy food systems,” said Cheel when referencing the impact on Veterans. “It presented programs such as water‑saving advice, composting tools, and garden information that Veterans might otherwise miss.”
Regarding the community benefit, Cheel explained that “the fair raises environmental awareness by introducing people to practical ways they can reduce waste, conserve water, use renewable energy, and make more sustainable choices.” He added that the event also “strengthens local partnerships by bringing together city agencies, nonprofits, schools, and businesses, creating networks that continue to support the community long after the fair concludes.”
More than two dozen local and national community partners along with multiple VA service lines offered demonstrations, hands‑on activities and educational materials on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, recycling, sustainable transportation, urban agriculture and other environmental topics.
Additionally, the fair brought together a wide range of organizations, grouped across several categories for attendees to explore, such as community and environmental partners, business, education and communication partners, sustainable transportation partners, Veteran and service‑animal organizations, and research from University of Arizona (U of A) Center for Urban Smart Agriculture.
The community and environmental partners included Arizona Department of Environmental Quality; Arizona Humane Society; Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology (AzSTRUT); Arizona Sustainability Alliance; Canusa Hershman Recycling of Arizona; Generated Materials Recovery; Kary Environmental Service, Inc.; Keep Phoenix Beautiful; R.City; St. Mary’s Food Bank; and Waste Management.
Representatives from the City of Phoenix programs included the Monarch Pledge program, sustainability and water services, each highlighting citywide conservation efforts and local environmental initiatives.
Business, education and communication partners included APS; Brophy College Preparatory; CaptionCall; Faith Hospice; FastSigns; Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona’s Veteran Career Center; LifeSource Water Systems; Maricopa County Business Assistance Team; Phoenix Public Library; and the Phoenix Zoo.
Sustainable transportation partners: Lime e‑Scooters and Spin e‑Scooters, offered Veterans and employees insight into micromobility options available throughout the valley.
Pups and Warriors Side by Side and Soldier’s Best Friend, Veteran and service‑animal organizations both provided information on service dog training and support for Veterans with physical or emotional needs.
U of A Center for Urban Smart Agriculture showcased innovative approaches to food production and urban sustainability.
In addition, numerous VA departments participated, including GEMS, Nutrition and Food Service, Recreational Therapy, Telehealth and the Virtual Health Resource Center, and Whole Health.
Veterans said the fair offered useful information they could apply in their daily lives.
“You get a lot of good information,” said U.S. Air Force Veteran Margaret Cote. “I’m wanting to train a new service dog again. I’ve got two different places that do train and will be able to help me get the type of dog that I actually need.”
U.S. Navy Veteran and Phoenix VA advanced medical support assistant Roy Chamberlain said he appreciated learning more about recycling resources. “Now I know where to take my milk jugs,” he said. “Some places won’t accept them and others will; however, I didn’t know where to initially go.”
The fair also featured long‑time supporters, including the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Representative Daren Sweet, a retired U.S. Air Force Veteran, said this is the agency’s third year attending the event.
“We always want to support our Veterans and the VA,” said Sweet. I brought some really cool environmentally friendly quality brochures, utensils, and seed packs you can plant into the ground and watch them grow.”
Overall, the fair highlighted the medical center’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, including efforts to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency and support long‑term resilience across the campus. Additionally, during the event’s three-hour duration, the medical center exceeded normal foot traffic by more than 1,620 people, reflecting strong community engagement and enthusiasm for sustainability initiatives.