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Tamarack is sharing this collection of resources, how-to manuals,
and neat stories in the hopes of inspiring others to build
on these ideas and make positive changes in their communities.
 Concern
over the state of the environment is growing, but many people
feel helpless to do anything about it. We think it’s
important that communities as a whole take responsibility
for their environment, and that means taking responsibility
for the well being of everyone living in that community. Community
Engagement and Environmental Restoration go hand-in-hand,
for us. It’s possible to engage the community and improve
the environment at the same time, and we think it’s
the best way.
We suggest you take a look at the two introductory
resources below before you dive into the larger collection.
When you’re ready, simply click on the more in-depth
sections listed on the left. Enjoy exploring these resources,
and if you know of something that we could include here in
future revisions, please let us know by writing Louise at
tamarack@tamarackcommunity.ca.
Smart
Growth BC: Smart Growth Primer This primer, published
by the environmental organization Smart Growth BC, is an excellent
introduction to the concept of smart growth, and includes
many real-life examples of ways that British Columbia Communities
are embracing smart growth principles. The Smart Growth BC
website
(www.smartgrowth.bc.ca) features many other useful resources,
including publications, presentations the group has made,
and a listserve so you can keep up to date. This Smart Growth
Primer shows how the environment and communities are being
brought together in Canada.
The
United States Environmental Protection Agency: Framework for
Community-Based Environmental ProtectionWe found the EPA’s
Framework one of the most helpful resources on the web. It
lays out everything you need to know: core principles, philosophies,
and strategies to bring the community together. And the EPA
website has much more to offer, although not all of it
is available online. This is one of the best documents we
can recommend to introduce you to the subject of Community
Environmental Restoration.
Community Engagement: people
working collaboratively, through inspired action and learning,
to create and realize bold visions for their common future.
Community Environmental Restoration:
the process of lessening human impact on the environment by
fostering strong, responsible communities which live in harmony
with nature.
Sustainable Community: a
community which can exist indefinitely because of its strong
sense of community and its environmental responsibility.
Smart Growth: Urban Planning
which promotes environmental health, economic improvement,
and social equity. Communities making use of Smart Growth
principles often use the term “Livable Communities”
as well.
Have we missed something? Know a great resource
we should include here? Send Louise your suggestions at tamarack@tamarackcommunity.ca
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Download
this guide in PDF format