Environmental Innovator Winner: LA Galaxy

LA GalaxyDescription of Project or Initiative: Please describe the program or initiative and how the applicant is leading the industry in encouraging environmental and social change in 500 words (4000 characters) or less. Be sure to include how the project or initiative embodies the 2017 Green Sports Alliance Summit Theme, PLAY GREENER ™: Engaging Fans, Athletes, and Communities.

‍In 2016, the LA Galaxy launched a club-wide environmental sustainability initiative designed to reduce the environmental impact of LA Galaxy games and practices at StubHub Center, support environmental projects in the local community, and inspire fans to help create healthier, more sustainable communities. Protect the Pitch embodies this year’s Green Sports Alliance Summit theme to PLAY GREENER, as the team’s initiative is designed to engage the community, save water, conserve energy, and reduce waste while involving and encouraging the Galaxy fan base to support these efforts.

Recent highlights include: In 2016, StubHub Center became the first soccer-specific MLS stadium to utilize LED stadium lights and installed 1-megawatt of Tesla batteries for onsite storage. In 2017, the LA Galaxy and StubHub Center launched The Galaxy Express, which offers fans free non-stop shuttles to and from StubHub Center for every LA Galaxy home match. Most recently, the team unveiled an in-stadium greenhouse, chicken coop and beehives that will produce various produce and food, which will be made available at StubHub Center for athletes and staff. The LA Galaxy and StubHub Center will also feature space for the local community to utilize to develop produce inside the LA Galaxy greenhouse. The LA Galaxy and StubHub Center will celebrate Protect the Pitch during a match between the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC on April 23. The match, presented by TreePeople, will highlight the numerous initiatives implemented by the Galaxy and StubHub Center.

‍If possible, provide qualitative or quantitative data that demonstrates the environmental or social impact of your project.

‍Last July, StubHub Center became the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer to illuminate its field using high-efficiency LED sports lights. The new upgraded lights use over 60 percent less energy than the lighting array it replaced. The new lights will help reduce energy usage by 9.25 percent per every home match, and will reduce peak load by 15.5 percent. The LA Galaxy irrigate fields at StubHub Center with roughly 50% recycled water, saving about 35 Olympic swimming pools of drinking water each year. StubHub Center uses waterless urinals, low-flow toilets, and faucet aerators to reduce water use in restrooms. Additionally, StubHub Center houses 12 chickens in a dedicated chicken coup on-site and is home to four separate beehives which produce over 800 pounds of honey per year. The LA Galaxy and StubHub Center partner with local nonprofits like Heal the Bay and TreePeople to organize annual events for Earth Hour, Earth Day, and America Recycles Day. In 2016, Landon Donovan, along with other members of the Galaxy organization, partnered with TreePeople to restore trees in a local los angeles park.