With a focus on adaptability and resilience, StoneMatters presented an important and timely conversation about the effects of severe weather and how to design, build, and future-proof our homes, buildings, and master-planned communities. 

The panels covered the importance of the tree canopy for resiliency planning in building, how building codes need to be examined and updated, how to incorporate past methods of storing energy and creating stronger structures, and how insurance companies will impact future building methodologies more than politicians and laws.

Guest speakers included FOX4 meteorologist Dan Henry, who gave guests an overview of recent extreme weather events and what to expect in the years ahead. Another guest speaker, Bonton Farms Director of Development Helena Banks, shared how city planning has impacted the Bonton neighborhood in south Dallas over time and what a sustainable, built environment looks like on the farm. Our guest speakers presented impactful insight on topics that directly and indirectly impacted the overall theme and got the audience ready and warmed up for the panel.

The symposium set goals;

• The public widespread acknowledgment of how severe weather events can progressively increase damages and costs
• The creation of more inclusive opportunities for community growth
• The overall preservation and protection of human health and life

The WhatMatters team encourages the public to join these free events open to individuals of all learning levels for in-depth discussions. The series offers insight from thought leaders and subject matter experts who have assimilated their experiences to develop novel approaches. 

WhatMatters is a social impact program that navigates today’s complex issues one topic at a time through a 3-part WHAT, WHY & HOW panel series. This curated discussion brings panelists together to discuss a current topic comprehensively.