Tag: millvale Ecodistrict

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

Posted on 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.

Millvale Ecodistrict Achieves Nationally Recognized EcoDistricts™ Certification, Second in the World

Posted on by Alyse Horn-Pyatt

A catalyst for the region and a role model for the world

 

Pittsburgh, PA — The Millvale Ecodistrict has been recognized with EcoDistricts Certification, joining the neighboring Etna EcoDistrict to become the second community in the world to attain this certification. To be eligible for EcoDistricts Certification, communities must fulfill the rigorous requirements outlined in the EcoDistricts Protocol, a framework to guide neighborhood development that prioritizes Climate Protection, Resilience, and Equity. 

The Protocol and Certification are administered by a Portland, Oregon based nonprofit organization called EcoDistricts. Certified communities must commit to Equity, Resilience, and Climate Protection at the heart of every decision; form collaborative governance; create an implementation roadmap to guide projects and programs; and track and measure impact over time.

The Millvale Ecodistrict was established in 2012 to improve quality of life for residents while reducing the community’s environmental impact. Community leaders and multiple community based organizations came together to research and better understand how to create positive growth after decades of economic and environmental hardship. This led to the creation of the Millvale Ecodistrict Collaborative, consisting of the Borough of Millvale, the Millvale Community Development Corporation, the Millvale Community Library, and New Sun Rising. Together, these four organizations, alongside other local and regional partners work to implement the vision that was created through extensive community feedback.

“Millvale was an early pioneer in the concept of ecodistricts with support from evolveEA. Since 2012, Millvale has been committed to triple bottom line development, prioritizing economy, environment and equity. This certification is an international level validation of what community leaders had already seen as Millvale’s opportunity to grow into the 21st Century and beyond.” — Zaheen Hussain, Millvale Sustainability Coordinator, New Sun Rising Director of Sustainability

“Working with the Ecodistrict Collaborative over the past 8 years has been a fulfilling experience. The organized collaboration has been invaluable in advancing the Ecodistrict program throughout Millvale. Together we have created projects, acquired funding, and created excitement around community involvement. We look forward to eight more years of collaboration and community growth.” — Eddie Figas, Millvale Borough Manager

“Millvale has always been a resilient community, priding itself on partnerships within the Borough to meet its residents’ needs. Millvale’s EcoDistrict Declaration of Collaboration and Roadmap lay out a framework on continuing these efforts while equitably focusing on projects and programming related to Water, Food, Energy, Air Quality, and Mobility. These focus areas were identified not only by community leaders but also by the folks who live, work and play here, attesting to the fact that the Borough of Millvale is ready for the next level collaborations being a Certified EcoDistrict will bring.” — Melissa Mason, Millvale Community Library President

“As an owner of a Funeral Home that is trying to raise awareness of Green Burial, I am delighted to be a part of a community of like minded individuals who are striving to leave the place we call home a little better than we found it. As President of the MCDC, we are proud to be a pillar organization, along with the Borough, New Sun Rising, and the Millvale Library. It is proof that when we work together for the greater good everyone benefits from it.” — Jaime Hahn, Millvale Community Development Corporation President

evolveEA has enjoyed being a partner of the Millvale Ecodistrict from the beginning, including creating the Millvale Pivot 1.0 Ecodistrict Plan, Millvale Pivot 2.0 Ecodistrict Plan, and Breathe Easy plans, as well as being involved in the design and implementation of many projects. The EcoDistricts Certification effort was led by Millvale Sustainability Coordinator Zaheen Hussain and was supported by evolveEA. The nationally acclaimed Millvale Pivot 2.0 Ecodistrict Plan laid the foundation for the Ecodistrict Roadmap, and was updated to include specific 2030 indicators in 20 priority areas, a baseline energy performance assessment, and the carbon impact of various strategies proposed in the Millvale Pivot 2.0 Ecodistrict Plan, which outlines a path to carbon neutrality by the year 2050.

“Millvale leaders have created a stronger and more resilient community through ecodistrict planning and many people have contributed to this well-deserved recognition. We’ve enjoyed working with the Millvale team, advancing their community vision and ecodistrict practices across the country.” — Christine Mondor, evolveEA Principal

The Millvale Ecodistrict focuses their planning and strategic action on six quality of life issue areas, a regional ecodistricts approach that was co-created with evolveEA. This approach has now been adopted by their partners in the Triboro Ecodistrict, an initiative that was established in 2016 to share knowledge and resources, and scale up their impact. With Etna and Millvale becoming the first two certified EcoDistricts in the world, Sharpsburg is now working to become the third.

“I admire the Millvale Ecodistrict for establishing ambitious environmental goals while always striving to become a more equitable community. From planning, to project implementation, to certification, it has been a pleasure to join them for the journey to make their ambitions a reality.” — Anna Rosenblum, evolveEA Associate

The Millvale Ecodistrict Collaborative consists of four founding members: the Borough of Millvale, Millvale Community Development Corporation, Millvale Community Library, and New Sun Rising. The partners have committed to meet regularly, coordinate activities, and share resources to achieve the goals set forth in the Millvale Pivot Plan 2.0 Ecodistrict Plan. Funding for the Millvale Ecodistrict is provided through the Triboro Ecodistrict grant by the Henry L. Hillman Foundation.

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Contact

Daniel Klein
Senior Communications Designer, evolveEA
daniel@evolveea.com
(412) 362-2100

Zaheen Hussain
Director of Sustainability, New Sun Rising
zaheen@newsunrising.org

 

About

evolve environment :: architecture (evolveEA) is a multidisciplinary practice situated at the intersection of sustainability and the built environment. The firm’s nationally recognized ecodistrict planning work exemplifies its approach to helping communities and organizations pursue triple-bottom-line goals through strategic action.

New Sun Rising (NSR) supports nonprofits and small businesses to build vibrant communities through culture, sustainability, and opportunity. NSR believes that people and communities hold the knowledge and power to make positive change. We envision a future where regenerative community development practices create the conditions for true social, environmental, and economic justice. 

EcoDistricts distributes first Citymakers Awards at Summit in November

Posted on 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.