ImageboxSite LogoLeft ArrowPrevious ItemNext ItemRight ArrowBlog PostEventGrowIgniteLaunchLocationXMenuQuoteSearchGoogle PlusYoutube
New Sun Rising
Menu
Close
  • How We Work
    • Overview
    • Culture
    • Sustainability
    • Opportunity
    • Resources
  • Our Programs
    • Ignite
    • Launch
    • Grow
    • Fiscal Sponsorship
    • Vibrancy Funds
  • Projects We Support
  • About Us
    • We Stand Against Racism + Hate
    • What is NSR?
    • History
    • Team
    • Impact
  • Home
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Ways To Give
New Sun Rising
  • Home
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Ways To Give
  • How We Work
    • Overview
    • Culture
    • Sustainability
    • Opportunity
    • Resources
  • Our Programs
    • Ignite
    • Launch
    • Grow
    • Fiscal Sponsorship
    • Vibrancy Funds
  • Projects We Support
  • About Us
    • We Stand Against Racism + Hate
    • What is NSR?
    • History
    • Team
    • Impact
The Blog of NSR

Tag: Etna ecodistrict

Hillman Foundation grants Triboro Ecodistrict $250,000 for ongoing work

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Alyse Horn-Pyatt

Pittsburgh, PA — The Henry L. Hillman Foundation has approved a $250,000 grant to support operations and the continuation of existing programs for the Triboro Ecodistrict through 2021, allowing the partnership to deepen its efforts of serving its residents by creating more equitable and sustainable neighborhoods within Millvale, Etna, and Sharpsburg.

The funds will be used to advance joint undertakings by the three boroughs to include food programs for residents, specific green stormwater management projects, and flood preparation and insurance cost reduction through the Community Rating System.

“The recognition from the Hillman Foundation for the efforts of the Triboro Ecodistrict depicts the hard work of the three communities,” said Millvale Mayor Brian Spoales. “The support that this grant provides to us will help solidify the continuing efforts for completing projects along with providing a jump start on new ideas.”

Additionally, the grant will back continued research around the Triboro Community Library System, the launch of Triboro Solar Co-op with Solar United Neighbors, and more.

 

Contact

Brian Wolovich
Triboro Ecodistrict Director
triboro.ecodistrict@gmail.com

Scott Wolovich
Executive Director, New Sun Rising
scott@newsunrising.org

Brittany Reno
Executive Director, Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization
brittany@sharpsburgneighborhood.org

Megan Tuñón
Director, Etna Community Organization
etnaeco@gmail.com

 

About Triboro Ecodistrict

The Triboro Ecodistrict promotes coordinated sustainable community development throughout the Boroughs of Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg. With over 10,000 residents combined, these Allegheny River Towns are building on a strong collaborative history to promote sustainable community development through the shared lenses of: Equity, Food, Water, Energy, Air Quality, and Mobility. This is a partnership between New Sun Rising, Etna Community Organization, and Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged Etna, Etna ecodistrict, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, millvale, millvale Ecodistrict, Sharpsburg, Sharpsburg ecodistrict, Solar United Neighbors, Triboro ecodistrict, Triboro Solar Co-op

Triboro, Etna celebrate EcoDistricts certification

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Alyse Horn-Pyatt

Above: Mary Ellen Ramage, Etna Borough Manager, speaking with attendees of the 2019 EcoDistricts Summit about the future ECO Park during the Triboro Ecodistrict neighborhood tours.

In early November during the 10th Annual EcoDistricts Summit, the Borough of Etna became the world’s first certified EcoDistrict, a feat that Borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage never thought possible because “it’s not something you ever think about.”

“Never in my life did I dream that I would be part of anything that was the first in the world,” Ramage said. 

Through a proclamation presented by Etna Mayor Tom Rengers, this Wednesday, December 11 will be recognized as Etna EcoDistrict Day, which coincides with the sold out EcoDistrict Celebration at Fugh Hall where the Triboro Ecodistrict partnership will be honored and Etna will publicly launch its EcoDistrict Plan.

Before embarking on the certification process, the borough already had a focus on sustainable practices including its Green Infrastructure Master Plan, Storm Water Management, and Green Streetscape projects, but the community’s interest in ecodistricts began in late 2016 at the EcoDistricts Micro-Incubator in Millvale.

Led by Triboro Ecodistrict Director Brian Wolovich and Millvale Sustainability Coordinator Zaheen Hussain, the micro-incubator informed participants of the EcoDistrict Protocol, how it worked when Millvale began the process in 2012, and practiced visioning sustainable development using the Protocol. Etna Community Organization (ECO) Board Member and borough resident Robert Tuñón said he and Mayor Rengers attended the workshop together.

“Both Etna and Millvale were making great strides in their physical improvements, but Tom knew the Ecodistrict movement in Millvale was catalytic in getting people to stay involved and volunteer,” Tuñón said. 

They left the micro-incubator and shared their knowledge with a small group of municipal and resident leaders, and started gathering information to create an asset based map that identified the positive things already happening in the community and how they could be built upon. Tuñón said these small meetings continued and slowly grew to around 40 residents before the initial public meeting in March 2018 that had over 100 people in attendance.

“We were shocked at the ability to have a grassroots movement start in the community with very little resources,” Tuñón said. “At the time we had no funding.”

Just a few months after the first public meeting, Etna received funding from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation through its partnership with the Triboro Ecodistrict, which also includes Millvale and Sharpsburg. The financial backing advanced Etna’s efforts and allowed them to hire evolveEA and begin an educational series that addressed a key component on the path to becoming an EcoDistrict: offer multiple rounds of opportunities for the community to give input and engage in the planning process, demonstrating that it’s an equitable plan.

Ramage said the educational series, a total of 35 public events, was “one of the most amazing things about the EcoDistrict process” and that she was “mesmerized” by residents engagement.

“People aren’t given enough credit,” Ramage said. “They just need an opportunity to learn and see how they can help and how they can be part of the change. It’s empowering.”

Including equity, communities pursuing the certification must address two other imperatives including “resilience with a broad lens that prepares for social, economic and environmental shocks and stresses,” and climate protection by building “a pathway to carbon neutrality,” according to the EcoDistricts website.

Tuñón said with the leadership of Alexis Boytim, Director of Etna Community Organization, three reports were submitted to EcoDistricts covering Equity, Resilience, and Climate Protection. 

After the third report was submitted, Boytim had a call with the national organization and that’s when she was informed that Etna was on track to become the first certified EcoDistrict. 

“We didn’t realize that would ever be a possibility,” Boytim said. “When we found out, we were excited of course, but recognized that we wouldn’t have been able to do that or even be where we are without the work done before us and [the partnership with the] Triboro.”

Tuñón echoed Boytim and said the Etna EcoDistrict would not have been imaginable without the guidance from Brian Wolovich in Millvale, Brittany Reno in Sharpsburg, and Mary Ellen in Etna.

“They were able to teach us from their lessons learned and pass those on to us, so in many ways some of the success we feel we’ve had was based on building off their experiences,” Tuñón said. “It all ties together.” 

A few projects on the horizon for Etna are the creation of the Etna Community Library and the Etna EcoPark planned for 37 Grant Ave. where a blighted building once stood and is now a vacant lot that the borough recently acquired. 

These projects are two reminders that the EcoDistrict certification is just the beginning. Over time, Etna must complete certain goals they set for themselves, track the boroughs progress, and report transparently to the national organization on how they’re doing, Tuñón said.

“The hard work starts now, but it’s work that you understand will make a difference far into the future,” Ramage said. “You have to leave it better than you found it… and that’s what EcoDistrict is all about.”

 

You might see varying forms of capitalization when exploring the idea of an ecodistrict in your community. This is intentional, and they each have their own meaning:

  • “ecodistrict” refers to the concept in the field of urban planning that integrates ecologically-sound practices with sustainable community development.
  • “Ecodistrict” refers to a specific community that is engaged in developing an ecodistrict. 
  • “EcoDistricts” refers to the parent organization that formulated and published the official Protocol and oversees a certification process. They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon.

Click here to learn more.

Posted in Events, ProjectsTagged Climate Change, ecodistrict celebration Fugh hall, EcoDistricts, EcoDistricts protocol, Etna, Etna eco park, Etna ecodistrict, evolveEA, millvale, New Sun Rising, opportunity, Sharpsburg, sustainability, Triboro ecodistrict, Vibrant Communities

EcoDistricts distributes first Citymakers Awards at Summit in November

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Alyse Horn-Pyatt

During the 10th Annual EcoDistricts Summit in Pittsburgh last month, the organization initiated the first EcoDistricts Citymakers Awards on November 4 at Phipps Conservatory where key individuals, organizations, and neighborhood projects were recognized for fueling the EcoDistricts movement.

The awards, presented by EcoDistricts CEO Rob Bennett and Brionté McCorkle, ED of Georgia Conservation Voters, acknowledged and celebrated the work done by sustainable development leaders and catalytic district- and neighborhood-scale projects that are working towards a more equitable and sustainable future in urban communities. 

“The EcoDistricts movement is led by an inspiring number of urban changemakers. The work is hard and takes time. The work is critical to the future of our cities, communities and planet,” said Bennett. “I’m thrilled to acknowledge their relentless effort and commitment, much of which is done quietly and behind the scenes on behalf of their communities.”

Among a select number of awardees included: 

The Borough of Etna for becoming the World’s First Certified EcoDistrict in October of this year. The borough completed a rigorous verification process that assessed the Borough’s project governance, integrated implementation roadmap, and commitments to equity, resilience and climate action. Etna EcoDistrict receives support from New Sun Rising through the Triboro Ecodistrict and Sustainability VISTA.

“Being an outlying borough with a long history of environmental/economic traumas, this moment to be recognized for something positive, as a leader, and the first Certified EcoDistrict is so rare, so special, and so meaningful to us,” said Robert Tuñon, a district leader in Etna’s planning and community engagement process.

Millvale Ecodistrict for the formation of its award-winning EcoDistrict Pivot Plan, which led to a broader partnership between Sharpsburg and Etna, and the creation of the Triboro Ecodistrict. The Borough, Millvale Community Library, Millvale Community Development Corporation, and New Sun Rising have committed a tremendous amount of time and energy to Millvale and EcoDistricts by hosting and planning trainings including the EcoDistricts Incubator this past April that was held at the Millvale Food + Energy Hub. The borough is currently pursuing EcoDistrict certification.

Christine Mondor, Principal at evolveEA, for her work creating the EcoDistrict Protocol and shaping the EcoDistricts Incubator program. Mondor is one of the leading EcoDistricts practitioners in the county and helped Millvale develop its award-winning Ecodistrict Pivot Plan as well as helped Etna attain Ecodistrict Certification. 

The City of Pittsburgh for leadership in advancing neighborhood and district-scale equitable and sustainable development throughout the city and fostering growth for areas like Larimer, Uptown, Homewood, Millvale, Etna, Sharpsburg, downtown, and the Lower Hill District. Recently, the City has deepened its commitment to sustainability by becoming the first city in the United States to officially adopt the EcoDistrict Protocol to guide further neighborhood planning. 

“The EcoDistricts Protocol helps sharpen the City’s commitment to bringing racial equity and environmental sustainability to all Pittsburgh neighborhoods. We are proud to be an EcoDistricts leader and hope our commitment inspires other cities to follow suit,” said Grant Ervin, City of Pittsburgh Chief Resilience Officer. 

Posted in ProgramsTagged city of pittsburgh, EcoDistricts, EcoDistricts protocol, EcoDistricts summit, Etna, Etna ecodistrict, evolveEA, millvale, millvale Ecodistrict, Sharpsburg, Triboro ecodistrict

Categories

  • Events
  • Programs
  • Projects
  • Resources
  • Uncategorized

Archives

Tags

  • New Sun Rising
  • culture
  • millvale
  • sustainability
  • opportunity
  • Triboro ecodistrict
  • Vibrant Communities
  • Climate Change
  • Vibrancy Funds
  • Pittsburgh
  • One Northside
  • entrepreneurs
  • Sharpsburg
  • Pittsburgh Northside
  • Etna
  • VibrantCommunities
  • Ignite Northside
  • networking
  • covid-19
  • EcoDistricts
  • organizational development
  • one Northside mini-grant
  • equity
  • Training
  • evolveEA
  • Homewood
  • small business
  • nonprofit
  • professional development
  • Etna ecodistrict
  • millvale Ecodistrict
  • one Northside mini-grants
  • RiverWise
  • #Grow
  • Impact
  • heinz endowments
  • teaching artists
  • GROW residency program
  • business mentoring
  • Strong Ambitious Women
  • G.O. girls
  • protohaven
  • hillman foundation
  • ONS
  • ecodistrict
  • sustainable pittsburgh
  • un sustainable development goals
  • technology
  • the Forbes fund
  • the partnership network
  • human services
  • grow pittsburgh
  • millvale food + energy hub
  • Sharpsburg ecodistrict
  • Sharpsburg neighborhood organization
  • EcoDistricts protocol
  • Pittsburgh Northside mini-grants
  • Coraopolis Youth Creations
  • love rocks cafe
  • beaver county
  • Triboro Ecodistrict Food Relief
  • covid-19 response
  • AffordableHousing
  • LaunchWilkinsburg
  • ignite
  • awards
  • ACTION-Housing
  • My Place
  • 1stLayer
  • Emily Marko
  • LaunchStoRox
  • PittMovers
  • SVP Full Circle
  • Unity Through Creativity
  • The Grouding Lab
  • Greater Valley Community Services
  • Legacy Arts Project
  • Coraopolis Community Development Foundation
  • Associated Artists Pittsburgh
  • director of culture and operations
  • operations
  • Pittsburgh fringe festival
  • levels consulting
  • work hard Pittsburgh
  • academy pgh
  • hilltop workforce development program
  • mini-grant street team
  • northside
  • one Northside street team
  • launch sustainability
  • google
  • Wilkinsburg
  • capacity building
  • Larimer
  • data
  • collaboration
  • advocacy
  • community development
  • nonprofit capacity building
  • Triboro
  • hurricane ivan
  • food
  • water
  • energy
  • air quality
  • mobility
  • the gardens of Millvale
  • the garden of Etna
  • Sharpsburg community garden
  • garden get down pittsburgh
  • EIS Solar
  • steel city energy conservation
  • sigma luminous
  • center for energy
  • university of Pittsburgh
  • energy grid institute
  • 412 food rescue
  • spruzzatura
  • the food trust
  • fractracker alliance
  • millvale ecodisrict
  • Jamie Johnson
  • NSR
  • Manager of Performance Improvement
  • Sharpsburg borough
  • Sharpsburg community vision plan
  • Sharpsburg Sustainability & Civic Engagement Center
  • sharpsburg community library
  • smiles and tiles day
  • SNO
  • EcoDistricts summit
  • city of pittsburgh
  • Etna eco park
  • ecodistrict celebration Fugh hall
  • emergence millvale
  • emergence Sharpsburg
  • emergence etna
  • emergence a women's collective
  • christ lutheran church
  • north hills community outreach food pantry
  • bread of life food pantry
  • first English lutheran
  • collective change partners
  • digital bridges
  • Style 412
  • sprezzatura Pittsburgh
  • sprezzaturapgh
  • tupelo honey teas
  • mckees rocks
  • crisis mitigation relief fund
  • Barrels to Beethoven
  • Hello Neighbor
  • Hill District Consensus Group
  • Kitchen of Grace
  • Inside Our Minds
  • Latino Community Center
  • Revival Relief
  • Zellous Hope Project
  • vibrancy awards
  • nsr vibrancy awards
  • brown mamas
  • south hilltop men's group
  • hilltop rising llc
  • earth day 2020
  • earth day
  • earth week
  • earth day 50th anniversary
  • earth week pittsburgh
  • earth day Pittsburgh
  • COVID19
  • Environmentalism
  • Humanism
  • etna community organization
  • bread of life food pantry etna
  • boys & girls club millvale
  • second harvest
  • roots of faith
  • Christ Lutheran Church in Millvale
  • North Hill Community Outreach
  • dinners for friends
  • dinners for neighbors
  • milldam community library
  • millvale development corporation
  • Borough of Millvale
  • Climate Protection
  • Resilience
  • EcoDistricts Certified
  • second EcoDistrict
  • world
  • pandemic
  • justice
  • race
  • responsibility
  • environmental justice
  • Allegheny CleanWays
  • Allegheny Land Trust
  • Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
  • BikePGH
  • Breathe Project
  • Center of Life
  • Communitopia
  • Conservation Consultants
  • Construction Junction
  • Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services
  • Friends of the Riverfront
  • Group Against Smog and Pollution
  • Green Building Alliance
  • Grounded Strategies
  • Homewood Children’s Village
  • Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance
  • Landforce
  • Nine Mile Run Watershed Association
  • PennFuture
  • Pennsylvania Resources Council
  • Pennsylvania Solar Center
  • Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
  • Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
  • Plant Five for Life
  • Riverlife
  • Student Conservation Association
  • The Forbes Funds
  • Tree Pittsburgh
  • UrbanKind Institute
  • Venture Outdoors
  • Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
  • Women for a Healthy Environment
  • The Pittsburgh Foundation
  • Exploring COVID Impacts Through Visual Art
  • funding
  • financial support
  • Triboro ecodistrict essential workers
  • essential workers
  • first responders
  • front line workers
  • one Northside mini-grant showcase
  • one Northside celebration
  • double L bar
  • double L
  • kiya tomlin
  • 2 sisters 2 sons
  • coronavirus
  • Allegheny County
  • Exploring COVID-19 Impacts Through Visual Art
  • Allegheny County artists
  • beaver county artists
  • arts
  • neighborhood allies
  • The Staunton Farm Foundation
  • Nonprofit Resilience Program
  • pittsburgh nonprofits
  • pittsburgh organizations
  • Healthy Leaders
  • Stronger Connectivity
  • Building Capacity
  • ignote vibrancy: collective impact
  • ignite workshop
  • open field
  • northview heights
  • crafton heights
  • Coraopolis Alliance for Excellence
  • SURGE Braddock
  • Change Agents Mentoring Peers in Sport
  • Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh
  • Youth Places
  • ARYSE
  • Somali Bantu Community Association of Pittsburgh
  • JFCS Pittsburgh
  • one Northside pittsburgh
  • pittsburgh manchester
  • buhl foundation
  • nsr ignite
  • new sun rising ignite project
  • ignite Northside pittsburgh
  • farmer girl eb
  • growing with farmer girl eb
  • his place
  • his place pittsburgh
  • Spring Hill pittsburgh
  • Believe & Achieve Community Learning Hub
  • pittsburgh gardeners
  • Triboro Solar Co-op
  • Solar United Neighbors
  • Henry L. Hillman Foundation

Keep up with New Sun Rising

New Sun Rising PO Box 58005
Pittsburgh, PA 15209
 USA

Email:

info@newsunrising.org

New Sun Rising is a GuideStar
Gold Participant

Connect with Us

© 2021 New Sun Rising. All rights reserved.

Website by Imagebox