 | ||||
Is your block club, church group, or office place ready to go green?
In this time of shrinking budgets we need to recognize the assets in our communities and help them grow into a sustainable future!
Community Design Forums are meetings where folks come together to create action plans for moving forward with changes that positively effect their community¹s environment. By sharing needs,
knowledge, and ideas communities get to know the power within their ranks and discover ways to help grow their green ideas. Facilitated by Giving Tree Gardens owner, Russ Henry, these forums bring together his skills as a professional Earth-Friendly Landscaper, and a volunteer Restorative Justice Facilitator.
Russ sits down with consultation attendees and asks them to share their concerns, ideas, efforts, and knowledge with each other so that communities can not only draw from his experience in the garden, but more importantly, attendees learn about each other¹s skills and abilities.
All Photos and Text by Russ Henry
©2010 by Giving Tree Gardens, all rights reserved.
Community Design Forum Facilitation
Some of the Concerns We've Heard Along The Way:
- How can we slow traffic down on our block?
- How can we create more usable outdoor spaces?
- What can we grow in our space that will benefit the environment?
- What can we do to reduce waste?
- How can we improve our impact on the environment?
- How can we attract birds and butterflies?
- How can we capture rainwater?
- How can we grow food?
What is Community Based Design?
- People Connecting with People
- People Connecting With the Earth
- Sharing Resources, Ideas, and Skills
- Strengthening Communities
- Sustaining Local Economies
Community Based Design:
- Recognizes the unique assets in each community!
- Allows Community Members Voices To Be Heard!
- Directly Addresses Community Concerns!
- Creates Healthy Environments!
- Promotes Health!
- Grows Beautiful Cities!
Whether you need to develop a resource list for sustainable allies, or an action plan for growing your organization¹s green future, the Community Design Forum is the perfect starting place for creating positive change.
Giving everyone a chance to express their hopes, skills, and concerns often reveals the hidden needs and assets of the community. When we respectfully acknowledge each other, and our relationships within our environment we begin positive cycles of change that can transform people and heal communities.
Why is Community Based Design Important?
Imagine a city without green spaces. What if our parks were suddenly gone? No more lake Calhoun or Minnehaha Parkway? Imagine a world without fresh vegetables on the dinner table, or birds in the trees, or butterflies in the yard..... PRETTY UGLY HUH?........
