Communities Practicing Sustainability

Issues associated with sustainability speak to values of future, of relationships, of ecosystems. The framework or foundation for sustainability is community. The economic development of any place is very closely linked to that place's stewardship of natural resources, environments, and people. In order to achieve a sound means of connection and support between development and stewardship, there must be a strong foundation of community capacity. In the process of trying to achieve this community capacity, groups and organizations are encouraged to identify and discuss their particular Community Needs that they believe will improve human well-being without degrading environmental health. Examples of some can be seen by going to this link.

If communities are focused on changing their economy and doing it in a way that seeks equal consideration for modern society, economics, and nature (the three circle sustainable development model above), then communities will follow the guidance of the community development triangle (Figure). According to this model the economy of a place is very closely linked to the locale's stewardship of natural resources, environments, and people. Furthermore, in order to achieve a sound balance between economy and stewardship, there must be a strong foundation of community capacity upon which to enact identified actions.

Achieving sustainability involves connecting the sides of the triangle. Traditionally, ligaments connecting these sides have been torn and one side gets worked on without considering the others. Targeting change in economic development and accepting we will achieve sustainability only by linking of social, economic, and ecological concerns, we must work to reconnect the triangle sides of economy, stewardship, and community capacity (Figure).

In building community capacity, we need to address things in common if they are to be addressed at all. "It takes all of us and it takes forever." Everyone is needed and everyone has a contribution to make, irrespective of one's background, age, gender, or economic status. By becoming involved, citizens can help shape the future of their community in positive ways, and change will happen. This requires attainment of a civic critical mass (maximum community member participation), upon which to enact sustainable actions. In other words, a small number of the potential total participants from a community will not get the job of sustainable development done.

Recognition of the following basic beliefs help communities achieve critical community capacity and maximum participation toward sustainability:

• Commitment to place - activities that strengthen a sense of place and a willingness to work together.
• Vitality - dynamic, healthy progress in economies, communities, and ecosystems sustained over time.
• Resilience - ability to withstand and recover from disturbances in economies, communities, & ecosystems.
• Stewardship - how humans interact with others where they live and with the environment they inhabit.
• Making Connections - working with communities in a watershed since their activities affect one another.
• Equity - benefits, burdens, and decision-making shared equally among members of a community.

Sustaining a community is a choice, not something you back into. Sustainable communities don't happen by accident; they happen by design with a sense of place. It comes down to a function of the community and how it chooses to tackle problems. A sustainable community is one that moves beyond subsistence, to an ability for making choices.

In seeking full community participation, sustainable development requires the constant and equal consideration of actions at all levels (personal, professional, and governmental). Only in this manner can we achieve community economic security while maintaining environmental integrity in ways that are fair and equal to all members of society and that attack the underlying causes of problems, instead of the symptoms we most easily see. In applying sustainable development principles, one must link economic, societal, and environmental issues on a sound foundation of citizen capacity and will, to strengthen the overall community fabric and realize it's long-term.