The Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network is a formalization of many informal networks of sustainability experts in the area which acts as a vehicle to bridge the gap between practitioners and researchers in the area of sustainable development, with an initial emphasis on sustainable land use and energy use.
Current active participants include representatives from:
Hilltown Resource Management Cooperative
Westfield State College--Sustainability program
Partnership for a Healthier Springfield
Pioneer Valley Sustainable Investing Summit
SolarWrights
Who is a part of the Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network?
A group of leaders in the network, from the organizations listed above, are meeting quarterly staffed by representatives from UMass and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC). Early work includes creating a regional list of value-based sustainability metrics, developing decision-support tools, and educating the public about what sustainability means in the Pioneer Valley.
How can I be a part of the Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network?
The Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network is accessible online. If you would like to be a part of
the network you can:
Who is a part of the Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network?
A group of leaders in the network, from the organizations listed above, are meeting quarterly staffed by representatives from UMass and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC). Early work includes creating a regional list of value-based sustainability metrics, developing decision-support tools, and educating the public about what sustainability means in the Pioneer Valley.
How can I be a part of the Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network?
The Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network is accessible online. If you would like to be a part of
the network you can:
- Get Mapped! Contact PVPC to take a survey about your part in existing informal or formal sustainability networks
- Define sustainability!
- Engage in an online wiki (editable forum) at pvsustain.com which will provide opportunities to define what sustainable values are shared in the valley, what’s happening and what sustainability means to us (coming soon)
- Be a leader! Contact PVPC to be a regular representative at quarterly Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network meetings
- Create! Soon we will launch a Pioneer Valley Sustainability art contest—seeking local artists to create a physical representation of what sustainability means in the Pioneer Valley
What is a Sustainability Metric?
A sustainability metric is a set of quantifiable outcomes to a particular action that can be measured and compared between different projects. The amount of air pollution created by an action may be an indicator of the sustainability of a particular project and thus be valuable in a set of metrics that seeks to quantify sustainable outcomes.
Who do I contact to get involved or find out more?
Contact Catherine Miller at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Email: cmiller@pvpc.org
Phone: 413/781-6045