Town of Hilton Head Joins Audubon International's Sustainable Communities Program
Selkirk, NY, December 10, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Hilton Head Island recently became the first community in South Carolina to join Audubon International's Sustainable Communities Program.
The Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) is a framework to merge the protection and enhancement of a community's environmental and social characteristics with economic opportunities. With the help of Audubon International, Hilton Head will use the SCP as a catalyst for citizen-driven planning, by facilitating partnerships with governmental agencies, businesses, academic institutions, and other organizations that provide local support and assistance to address community growth and environmental protection.
"Every community faces challenges, and over time, all communities undergo change. At the same time, there are aspects of life and assets in each community that make it a great place to live," according to Sustainable Communities Program Manager, Suzi Zakowski. "The SCP helps communities tackle those challenges and plan for change in a way that fosters a vibrant local economy while maintaining a healthy environment and high quality of life. This is the concept of sustainability, which Audubon International views as the foundation for quality communities of today and tomorrow. We want to harness the best of what Hilton Head is today, and plan for the best of what Hilton Head can be tomorrow."
"The Town of Hilton Head Island is looking to Audubon International's Sustainable Communities Program to help continue our efforts to place environmental sustainability in the forefront of Town initiatives," commented Mayor Tom Peeples. "Hilton Head Island has for years been recognized for its great natural beauty because of our environmentally sensitive practices. We believe that Hilton Head Island has always been green, even before it was popular."
The Town of Hilton Head Island (population 35,000) features twelve miles of beach-front on the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular vacation destination. The resort town strives to maintain healthy beaches and creeks, invest in well-planned green space, and protect mature tree canopies in order to enhance and support mental and physical health, economic vitality, and quality of life.
By enrolling in the SCP, Hilton Head will join several other municipalities as a public sector member. There are three stages in the multi-year certification process, during which Hilton Head will complete an assessment, define a long-term community vision, choose sustainability indicators as a mechanism for fostering action and measuring success, and implement its plan. The plan covers 15 focus areas, and members must choose timelines and measurable goals. After completing a vision plan and reporting progress on chosen goals, program members are eligible for certification and designation as an Audubon International Sustainable Community.
For more information, contact Suzi Zakowski at Audubon International, 46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158, USA, (518) 767-9051, ext. 124, e-mail at szakowski@auduboninternational.org, or visit the website at www.auduboninternational.org.
About Audubon International
Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources, thus leading to more sustainable communities. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs for individuals, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities. Through the Community Engagement, Planning & Action Initiative, and the Sustainable Communities Program, Audubon International works to help community leaders and stakeholders embrace environmental stewardship and sustainability as a central element of planning, policies, and practices.
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The Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) is a framework to merge the protection and enhancement of a community's environmental and social characteristics with economic opportunities. With the help of Audubon International, Hilton Head will use the SCP as a catalyst for citizen-driven planning, by facilitating partnerships with governmental agencies, businesses, academic institutions, and other organizations that provide local support and assistance to address community growth and environmental protection.
"Every community faces challenges, and over time, all communities undergo change. At the same time, there are aspects of life and assets in each community that make it a great place to live," according to Sustainable Communities Program Manager, Suzi Zakowski. "The SCP helps communities tackle those challenges and plan for change in a way that fosters a vibrant local economy while maintaining a healthy environment and high quality of life. This is the concept of sustainability, which Audubon International views as the foundation for quality communities of today and tomorrow. We want to harness the best of what Hilton Head is today, and plan for the best of what Hilton Head can be tomorrow."
"The Town of Hilton Head Island is looking to Audubon International's Sustainable Communities Program to help continue our efforts to place environmental sustainability in the forefront of Town initiatives," commented Mayor Tom Peeples. "Hilton Head Island has for years been recognized for its great natural beauty because of our environmentally sensitive practices. We believe that Hilton Head Island has always been green, even before it was popular."
The Town of Hilton Head Island (population 35,000) features twelve miles of beach-front on the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular vacation destination. The resort town strives to maintain healthy beaches and creeks, invest in well-planned green space, and protect mature tree canopies in order to enhance and support mental and physical health, economic vitality, and quality of life.
By enrolling in the SCP, Hilton Head will join several other municipalities as a public sector member. There are three stages in the multi-year certification process, during which Hilton Head will complete an assessment, define a long-term community vision, choose sustainability indicators as a mechanism for fostering action and measuring success, and implement its plan. The plan covers 15 focus areas, and members must choose timelines and measurable goals. After completing a vision plan and reporting progress on chosen goals, program members are eligible for certification and designation as an Audubon International Sustainable Community.
For more information, contact Suzi Zakowski at Audubon International, 46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158, USA, (518) 767-9051, ext. 124, e-mail at szakowski@auduboninternational.org, or visit the website at www.auduboninternational.org.
About Audubon International
Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources, thus leading to more sustainable communities. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs for individuals, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities. Through the Community Engagement, Planning & Action Initiative, and the Sustainable Communities Program, Audubon International works to help community leaders and stakeholders embrace environmental stewardship and sustainability as a central element of planning, policies, and practices.
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Contact
Audubon International
Joshua Conway
518-767-9051
www.auduboninternational.org
Joshua Conway
518-767-9051
www.auduboninternational.org
Contact
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