Mission of the Sustainability Team
Our Mission is to create a vision for our community that values environmental quality, social equity, and economic vitality, and to develop strategies for its implementation, long-term management and economic viability.
Vision of the Sustainability Team
Economic Objectives:
• A resilient and vibrant local economy anchored by a broad spectrum of local, environmentally friendly businesses.
• Diversity of economic opportunities that support people's capacity to meet their basic needs fairly and efficiently.
• Local investment mechanisms that nurture long-term vitality and financial independence.
• Productive community members whose knowledge and skills are locally, regionally, and globally competitive, supported by lifelong education and exploration.
• A diversity of affordable housing options that are appropriate for the economic resources of residents.
• Dependable public transportation and communication infrastructures.
Environmental Objectives:
• Protected, clean, and sufficient supplies of water, land, and air that support species abundance and diversity.
• Efficient use and re-use of resources, elimination of harmful toxins and emissions, and a reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
• Energy security in the form of clean, local, and sustainable energy resources.
• Food security in the form of access to healthy, locally grown and produced food.
• Healthy, energy-efficient buildings that support the well-being and livelihood of our residents and workforce.
Community Objectives:
• Self-reliant and involved citizens who feel connected to their community.
• Community leaders who embrace and foster a culture of stewardship and sustainability.
• A safe, pedestrian-friendly downtown area with vibrant, active public spaces.
• Preservation of our historical heritage/built environment that maintains our city's character and sense of place.
• Compact new development that supports healthy lifestyles of community members of all ages, encourages walking and bicycling, and maximizes infrastructure investments while preserving natural resources.
General Information about the Sustainability Team
One of the biggest advocates of some of the most recent sustainable projects in Nevada City comes from the city sanctioned Nevada City Sustainability "Vision" Team (NCST). NCST's mission is to create a city-wide sustainability vision, and develop strategies for its implementation, long term management and economic viability.
It was in March of 2010 when the Nevada City City Council officially approved and sanction the development of the NCST to create a holistic plan so as to develop and implement priority projects for Nevada City addressing three objectives: economic vitality and resiliency; healthy ecosystems; and community well being.
Following the city's approval, approximately 100 Nevada City residents, business owners and stakeholders attended two half-day workshops and identified over 60 current sustainable projects and more than 40 possible future projects in Nevada City alone.
As the NCST Chair, Councilwoman Reinette Senum organized the ad hoc committee of local experts and residents to establish the framework for planning and to identify and prioritize projects. Through a series of monthly meetings, a matrix of projects was developed and prioritized based upon local benefits, partnerships and needs.
A very extensive Nevada City Sustainability Project Matrix was created and from this several projects came to fruition: the Commercial Street Boardwalk and Bike Racks, transformation of parking meters into Give-0-Meters, the Commercial Street Beautification, and The Alpha Building Community Collaborative (in process).
The NCST Team no longer meets monthly, but is project-driven: when projects come along that align with Nevada City's Sustainability Vision, former NCST team members bring to the table their expertise and experience to ensure a project's success.
The Nevada City Sustainability Team Members include:
Councilmember Reinette Senum (Chair), Gary Tintle, Ben Jordan, Karin Kaufman, Tania Carlone ,Ray Bryars, Diane McIntire, Al Bulf, Marty Coleman, Mali Dyck, Carrie Monohan, Erika Kosina, and Jane Sangwine-Yager
For further information, contact former City Councilmember and Mayor, Reinette Senum, at reinettesenum@gmail.com.
Sustainability Team Project Matrix
Click here for a list of projects the team has been working on.
