Water

GreenTowns: a Social Network of 15,000 Communities

by Daphne Dixon on January 14, 2013

in Advisors, Building, Connections, Energy, Food, GreenTowns Categories, GreenTowns News, Land & Conservation, Lifestyle, Recycling, Transportation, Water

estyGreenTowns is a social network that supports sustainability, locally and nationally. We believe that most people, want to live in greener, healthier and more resilient communities.

With your help, GreenTowns is sharing impactful, green initiatives throughout the country in 15,000 local, community networks. This allows everyone to share the building blocks that create sustainable communities. And by being connected nationally, and having so many initiatives in one place, we will be better informed, can help each other, and will magnify the impact of what we each do.

So please join me, along with others in your community, and people throughout America. Join your community network and post your profile. Let others know what you are doing and how they can connect with you. We will make a difference by building sustainable communities together. It’s easy to become a part of positive change.  And I am here to help. To get started, click here.

How Green is YOUR Town? Find out at GreenTowns.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

  • Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
  • Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
  • How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne

Director, GreenTowns

(Pictured above is Dan Delventhal, MowGreen.US; Daphne Dixon, GreenTowns; CT DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty and Robert Araujo, Sikorsky Aircraft, celebrating local sustainability efforts at Fairfield Green Drinks.)

Understanding Marcellus Shale

by Daphne Dixon on November 24, 2012

in Energy, GreenTowns Categories, Land & Conservation, Lifestyle, Water

Watch more Earth Focus at http://www.linktv.org/earthfocus
An original investigative report by Earth Focus and UK’s Ecologist Film Unit looks at the risks of natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale. From toxic chemicals in drinking water to unregulated interstate dumping of potentially radioactive waste that experts fear can contaminate water supplies in major population centers including New York City, are the health consequences worth the economic gains?

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

How Much Do You Know About Hydraulic Fracking?

by Daphne Dixon on September 28, 2012

in Energy, GreenTowns Categories, Land & Conservation, Water

Hydraulic fracturing is creating both an economic boom and an environmental risk.

How do we balance these opposing forces? How much risk would you be willing to take and at what price?

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

  • Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
  • Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
  • How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

Easy Steps to Creating a Local, Green Initiative in Your Community

by Daphne Dixon on August 7, 2012

in Building, Energy, Food, GreenTowns Categories, GreenTowns News, Initiative of the Week, Land & Conservation, Lifestyle, Recycling, Transportation, Water

Would you like to help your community become more sustainable?

There is no shortage of local, sustainability issues. And, there are many easy and smart approaches to address challenges. It’s easier than you think to make a difference. Just follow the steps below and watch positive change happen in your community.

1) Know Your Passion: What sustainability issue resonates with you? It is different for everyone. What matters most to you?  Identifying what moves you, will drive you forward and make your initiative successful.

2) Good Work in the Making: Is there a local group or leader that has the same interest as you? Great! Make a point to introduce yourself to them and share your vision. Work together, learn from each other and together, you will accomplish more and build a stronger community network.

3) Find Out What Is Working in Other Communities: Connect with people who have tackled a similar need in other towns, and learn from their experience. (These people will also be a great sounding board for you as you grow your initiative in your town.)

4) Reach Out to Other Local Green Leaders: People who care about one sustainability issue are supportive of sustainability in other areas as well. They may be busy, but they are usually happy to support your efforts and to connect you with other potential supporters. Also, many towns have green task force committees or groups and are a great source of information.

5) Welcome Other Community Leaders: Everyone is interested in sustainability at some level. Share your green initiative with community leaders at the school, government, and with other organizations. Once they understand your goals, they will be able to  connect you with others who might have similar interests. And they are important members  of the growing sustainable community.

6) Invite the Whole Community to Participate: Sustainability initiatives are most effective when they are shared. Positive efforts bring people together and create momentum. Invite people to help, in small or large ways, and watch your initiative grow!

7) Share Accomplishments with Others: Keep people in your community apprised of the good work you are doing and the positive effect your initiative has on the community. Share your progress with friends in other communities and encourage them to take action too!

Are you ready to start? Share your initiative now and support sustainability in your community.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

  • Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
  • Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
  • How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

National Network of 15,000 Sustainable Communities & Green Initiatives

by Daphne Dixon on July 28, 2012

in Building, Connections, Energy, Food, GreenTowns Categories, GreenTowns News, Initiative of the Week, Land & Conservation, Lifestyle, Recycling, Transportation, Water

 

Daphne Dixon, Director, GreenTowns

GreenTowns national network connects, shares and celebrates local green initiatives, local leaders and sustainable communities. It brings together successful sustainability efforts at the local level, presents initiatives by town and by category. GreenTowns invites everyone to share their green expertise and experience.

GreenTowns provides a space where communities can galvanize around local green efforts:

  • Discover inspiring green initiatives – Find (and share) successful approaches to sustainability in your backyard, across the state or across the country. Connect with the people leading the way.
  • Share your questions, expertise & support – Use GreenTowns to share your knowledge on a local green initiative, help others replicate a successful initiative or learn from each other. Be a voice for sustainability in your community. Offer an encouraging word to others.
  • Help grow sustainable communities – If we share information locally on GreenTowns, we will hasten sustainability efforts nationally, by connecting with each other. Each one of us can make a difference by supporting green infrastructure efforts and  local initiatives.

GreenTowns connects green efforts locally and across the country, and supports the growth of sustainable communities. GreenTowns is a place we can join together and show the country how sustainability efforts are growing and making a difference.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

  • Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
  • Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
  • How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States
Featured Initiative:

Sustainability Plans for Towns and Cities

Towns and cities across the country are developing and implementing sustainability plans. These plans are the work of local leaders and concerned citizens who want to make a difference and build sustainability into everyday life. Implementation involves the work and cooperation of many people who are interested in creating a more sustainable community. Major areas of concentration are air quality, water quality, hazardous materials, green building standards, economic development, solid waste, transportation, recycling, open space and food. To create a workable plan, all aspects of a community must be addressed. Share your community’s plan.

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

Join the Local, Green Conversation: GreenTowns Connect

by Daphne Dixon on July 9, 2012

in Building, Connections, Energy, Food, GreenTowns Categories, GreenTowns News, Land & Conservation, Lifestyle, Recycling, Transportation, Water

GreenTowns Connect: GreenTowns Connect, a monthly resource that connects you to people in your county, to sustainability advisors from around the country, as well as to key, green building blocks going on in 15,000 communities around the nation. Join the GreenTowns community today and receive the August edition of GreenTowns Connect!

Join the conversation in your county! GreenTowns Connect offers a cool, new way to engage with others in your area that are involved with local sustainability efforts! Have a question, information, or would you like to start a conversation about local green issues? We invite you to start a discussion and share your questions or comments about local green projects or initiatives. Just join the GreenTowns community to receive the next GreenTowns Connect. Then you can start a conversation and connect with others in your county who support and care about local sustainability efforts. (View discussion guidelines.)

Promote your event! Share your event with people throughout your county!  E-mail us at pr@greentowns.com and we’ll share your event in the August GreenTowns Connect and on AmericanTowns.com, with combined visitors of over two million a month. Please include event name, date, time, location, organization, and website. Deadline for August edition of GreenTowns Connect is July 27th.

Questions? Want to get involved in your community? Please contact me!

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

 

Sustainable Communities: An Interagency Partnership

by Daphne Dixon on June 11, 2012

in Building, Energy, GreenTowns Categories, Initiative of the Week, Land & Conservation, Lifestyle, Transportation, Water

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came together in 2009, with groundbreaking approaches to the way our country approaches development. The Partnership for Sustainable Communities was created and has been working towards the coordination of federal housing, transportation, water, and other infrastructure investments to make neighborhoods more livable.

Little Rock, Arkansas is participating in Greening America’s Capitals, a program of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

Sustainable Communities Partnership priorities for 2012:

  • Share Models of Local Successes
  • Continue Coordination to Make Government Work Better
  • Help Communities Solve Problems

Six Components of Livable Communities:

  • Provide more transportation choices.
  • Promote equitable, affordable housing.
  • Enhance economic competitiveness.
  • Support existing communities.
  • Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment.
  • Value communities and neighborhoods.

 

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.

Check out the Partnership for Sustainable Communities initiative and learn about projects going on across the country.

How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

Global Food Production-How Do We Feed the World and Save the Planet?

by Daphne Dixon on May 4, 2012

in Advisors, Food, GreenTowns News, News, Water

We need real solutions for global food production.

How do we balance feeding the world and caring for the planet? The University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment is looking for answers. Check out their video, Big Question: Feast or Famine.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

Learn about Right to Know

Learn about Urban Farms

Learn about the National Organic Program

More questions about local food? Ask our GreenTowns Food Advisors

Together, we will make a difference.
Daphne
Director, GreenTowns
 
 

 

What’s Your Water Story?

March 22, 2012 GreenTowns Categories

Take Action on World Water Day! Thursday, March 22, 2012 Stand Up for Clean Water!   Tell Congress that Clean Water is a basic human right! Sign Waterkeeper Alliance’s Petition Now! What’s your water story? Check out Dylan Bruno’s story Share your story at Facebook.com/waterkeeper Friend of Clean Water, When was the last time you [...]

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The Colorado River: Running Dry

February 5, 2012 Energy

Photographer Peter McBride traveled along the Colorado River from its source high in the Rocky Mountains to its historic mouth at the Sea of Cortez. In this Yale Environment 360 video, he follows the natural course of the Colorado by raft, on foot, and overhead in a small plane, telling the story of a river whose water [...]

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