The future of our landscape can be told by the health of our communities. If we value the communities where we live and invest in their future, we will have a place that we can proudly leave for future generations.
It’s when our communities deteriorate that we look for new places on the landscape to develop.Tat departure typically means farmland lost to subdivisions and new roads to carry more cars and the decay of neighborhoods left behind. If we care about Wisconsin, we need to tend to our neighborhoods.
The sustainability movement is all about creating better places to live. Sustainability efforts are intended to improve the environment, the financial health and the social structure of communities. Many communities in Wisconsin are adopting sustainability principles in their growth.Most of those communities start with their Smart Growth plan as a foundation for their efforts.
Former DNR Secretary Matt Frank and Steve Hiniker with the Green Tier Team
In December 2010, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin announced the formation of the GreenTier Legacy Communities Charter – a unique partnership to assist communities in developing and implementing sustainability measures. Under the Legacy Communities Charter municipalities take actions and share information to achieve superior environmental performance with regard to one or both of the following areas: (1) water quality and water resources management;and/or (2) sustainability practices.
The Charter, which is in effect until December 1, 2015, has been signed by the DNR, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Municipal Environmental Group – Wastewater, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corp, and the Cities of Appleton, Bayfield, Fitchburg, and Middleton and the Village of Weston.Communities participating in the charter will have direct access to a Wisconsin DNR resource team that will providetechnical assistance to communities and act as a single point of contact for all interactions between the community and the department. Other nongovernmental partners in the charter will also provide technical assistance to participating communities.
The Legacy Community program is not intended to replace, substitute or compete with any other sustainability effort taking place in Wisconsin. It is intended to compliment and to add value to whatever ongoing efforts may be taking place. It can also be a starting point for a community wanting to follow a pathway towards sustainability.
Green Tier Legacy Communities are demonstrating leadership in improving the economy, the environment and the quality of life in their communities. We will be working to increase the number of communities participating in this innovative program in the months and years to come.
