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Sustainability

Richmond Wins Best Green Organization Award

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

The VirginiaSustainable Building Network (VSBN) has named the City of Richmond as the Best Green Organization for 2012. Each year, VSBN highlights and awards “green” businesses, organizations, design firms, and community programs that present the best “green” projects or programs in Virginia. Alicia Zatcoff, City Sustainability Manager, accepted the award on behalf of the City during the VSBN Annual Meeting in Madison County.

The Best Green Organization category recognizes an organization for its leadership in promoting and advancing the principles of sustainable design, implementation of sustainable practices, or adoption of sustainable programs or ordinances. Richmond was recognized for its development of the RVAgreen Sustainability Plan and the many accomplishments under the City’s RVAgreen Program.

“We are very pleased to receive this recognition for all the hard work the City Administration has put into making Richmond more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “I am proud of the major steps we have undertaken under the RVAgreen Roadmap. Together, in partnership with the community and non-profits, we can follow this roadmap to improve the quality of life for city residents and have a more sustainable community. ”

RVAgreen efforts include:

Implementation of an anti-idling policy for City vehicles
Transitioning the refuse fleet to compressed natural gas
Building green alleys to prevent run-off from polluting the James River
Building several new City buildings, including four new schools, which are all pursuing a minimum of LEED Silver certification
Hiring a Sustainability Manager
Making vacant City property available for community gardens
Hiring a Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Coordinator to help guide the City towards becoming more walkable and bike friendly
Working towards making the James River more accessible to all residents

The RVAgreen Sustainability Plan is available at www.richmondgov.com/sustainability.

Virginia Sustainable Building Network (VSBN) is the only statewide organization that brings together representatives from diverse sectors who are interested in building healthy, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly buildings and sustainable communities.

VSBN's mission is to promote environmentally sound—or "green"—building practices and sustainable development in Virginia. These building designs, methods, and materials save energy costs, reduce waste and promote recycling, reduce environmental impacts and exposure to unhealthy substances, strengthen local economies, and contribute to an enhanced quality of life.

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Envision the James

TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

The James River Association is embarking on a project with The Chesapeake Conservancy and National Geographic Maps called Envision the James and they need your help!

Envision the James is a multi-year, collaborative project that seeks to engage communities and individuals around the James River in creating a common vision for the river to benefit present and future generations. As this initiative is community-based, it relies on feedback and suggestions from interested residents, organizations and communities.

The best way to help now is to fill out a brief survey and let the organization know what your thoughts are on the James River regarding recreational access, heritage tourism, wildlife, and habitat conservation and restoration. Just click the link below.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EnvisionTheJamesSurvey

For more information on Envision the James click the link below.
http://www.envisionthejames.org

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Sustainability

Need to Find a Park in Richmond? There's an App for That

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

There's a new smart phone app called RVA Parks. This easy to use app provides searchable information, maps and directions to city parks, playgrounds and community centers using the following search criteria:

Athletic Fields
Baseball/Softball Fields
Basketball Courts
Community Centers
Lighted Areas
Playground Shelter or park houses
Restrooms
Tennis Courts
Tot Lots, and Walk/Exercise Trails

The app can be download onto iPhones, iPads or Android phones from the Apple Store or the Google Play Store. To view a tutorial on how to use the RVA Parks app, visit: RVA Parks.

RVA Parks provides a new mobile medium to communicate with the City about the parks system. City residents can report issues by calling 3-1-1, logging into the Citizens’ Request systems online, or using the RVA Parks app. Provide the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities with feedback and report concerns by taking a picture and sending it by email directly from your smart phone.

Download the app, and find your favorite Richmond park today!

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Sustainability

Cleaning Up the James River

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2012

June 9, 2012 marked the 13th anniversary of the James River Cleanup event. Last year 960 people from across the state took time to clean up one of the nation's most historic rivers. Since the James has always been an integral part of the city of Richmond, return the favor and help clean its shores. On land and on water, volunteers made this year's event a success. Richmond had three clean up hub sites: Byran Park (4308 Hermitage Road), Pony Pasture (Pony Pasture Rapids), and Reedy Creek (4101 Riverside Drive). For more information about the clean-up event, visit the James River Advisory Council.

Now enjoy your work!

The Richmond Regional Planning District Commission has released Rivers of the Richmond Region: A Public Access Guide highlighting the many public access points to the rivers in the Richmond area. To download the guide, visit the Rivers of Richmond Region page and scroll to the bottom for the link.

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Bikes and Hikes in Richmond

FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Numerous trail crews, volunteers and professional land movers have been hard at work updating and developing new hiking and biking trails all around Richmond.

The Belle Isle Skills Park, located under the Lee Bridge on the southeast corner of Belle Island, is open. This new park is an addition to the 18 miles of urban single track trails nestled into the James River, Forest Hill and Byrd parks. Endorsed and recommended by the Mayor’s Bicycle Pedestrian and Trails Commission, the park hopes to enhance the Belle Isle area and embrace the sport of offroad cycling.

According to the designers, “the learning curve for mountain biking is steep and this area will help beginners and intermediate cyclists practice new skills in a safe and controlled environment.” Whether you’re a beginner or professional, pedal down to Belle Isle and prepared to be amazed.

The Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Project is also open. This ongoing initiative encompasses the 1.9 mile area that comprises the Cannon Creek Greenway. The sidewalk and street intersections of the Greenway’s bicycle and pedestrian trails now connect businesses and the commercial corridor along E. Brookland Park Boulevard, allowing residential neighborhoods, schools, and community centers ease of access to these businesses by bicycling or walking. This trail increases the social, economic, and physical revitalization of the Northside and Gateway districts of Richmond.

City trails crew and volunteers have finished two new loops in the woods behind the Carillon in Dogwood Dell. Each is about a mile long, one for hiking and another for mountain biking.The best way to access the new trail heads is via Pump House Drive just north of the toll booth for the Boulevard Bridge.

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