Communities
A livable community is a place that meets the diverse needs of existing and future residents and where the natural world is preserved and restored. These communities provide a high quality of life for all and are places where people want to live, work, shop, play and learn. These communites do not happen by accident - they require careful planning and must be managed and supported so they can continue to development in a sustainable manner. Maintaining these communities requires the commitment and investment of every major sector including government, education, non-profit and businesses.
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda Green is an initiative to actively implement and showcase business practices, products and services. Broadly, the project serves as a living business model premised on reducing the environmental footprint of the area, attracting environmentally-conscious consumers and promoting an environmental ethic. In concept, Bethesda Green is a ‘sustainable business cluster’ in which collective sustainability efforts stimulate innovative ideas which, in turn, lead to benefits greater than the sum of the parts.
In partnership with Sustainable Business Network of Washington (www.sbnow.org), Livability Project is managing this initiative.
For more information, please visit: www.bethesdagreen.org
Sonoma County, California
Several Livability-initiated projects are taking hold in Sonoma County. In 2006 we started a local chapter of BALLE, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (www.livingeconomies.org) and a "Think Local" Campaign. In 2007, in partnership with Tomorrow Makers (www.tomorrowmakers.org), we established a Collaboratory™ at Sonoma Mountain Village, the United States first example of a "One Planet Living" development project (www.sonomamountainvillage.com).
In 2008, with many community partners, we plan to hold the County's first Sustainability Summit to accelerate the work of the many organizations and businesses working hard to position Sonoma County as the nation's leader in the sustainability movement.
For more information, click here
Pacifica, California
Our Livability work began in 2001 with the opening of a yoga studio and community space, Downward Dog Yoga. Many fun, engaging projects have been put in motion since this time including community feasts, stuff swaps, edible schoolyard gardens and an alternative gift fair during the holidays. In 2008 our work will focus on the development of a Biointensive Farming and Permaculture education center called the Pacifica Gardens. This project is based on the teachings of John Jeavons biointensive farming method and urban permaculture principles. The goal is to demonstrate and teach the community how to grow their own organic food to increase local food security. We will also be launching a "Think Local" campaign with Pacifica's business leaders.
For more information, click here
