Along with Gallery Aferro and Lustig Dance Theatre, we welcome new grantee Green Map System.
Through the Sustainable Jersey program, Green Maps will mobilize communities to develop their own Green Map projects, cataloging green living, nature and cultural resources in their neighborhoods. The sophisticated map making (in multiple platforms and mediums) can cut through political barriers, bring diverse perspectives to light and empower communities to take a deep look at their community assets. It’s also a promising tool for communities where language differences can limit collaborative work: Green Maps has extensive experience in multi-lingual gatherings and mapping exercises.
In Jersey City, Dodge learned that the local food Green Map was a galvanizing force in moving the City to focus on urban agriculture. It served as an action plan and united a number of stakeholder groups. Incorporating this process into Sustainable Jersey will encourage town “Green Teams” to take action, and it holds promise for increasing the number of towns certified by the Sustainable Jersey program. Furthermore, green mapping communities will also enable Sustainable Jersey to gather important data which can feed into the development of community indicators of program success related to civic engagement, effective public services, cultural education, and land use, among others.
For more information on Green Map System, please visit their website.
Is your town participating in Sustainable Jersey? Check here.