WKU-Habitat for Humanity Green Community: A Model for Engagement and Partnerships Presenters: Nancy Givens, Sustainability Programs Development Coordinator, Center for Environmental Education and Sustainability Rodney Goodman, Executive Director, Bowling Green Warren County Habitat for Humanity

A Model that combines Building Houses and Building Community Building on Higher Ground "We are borrowing from the future, and leaving the next generation with an environmental overdraft. We need policy to shift from viewing economic growth as inviolable to seeing that environmental limits and people's rights are as important." - International Institute for Environment and Development Following Katrina, in Shrevesport, LA, the Higher Ground project was launched by Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity. The Fuller Center builds houses and the Community Renewal International builds community.Fuller CenterCommunity Renewal International

History of Durbin Project 2006HfH BG-WC Purchased 16 acre site for future building projects 2007BGGreen Partnership invited to make presentation to HFH Board 2008Geography & Geology class develops site plan st grant submitted; not funded 2010Grant is funded; begins in January 2011

Strength of Project = Partners  BG WC Habitat for Humanity + Kentucky HFH  WKU Center for Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEES), Planning and Construction, Landscaping, WKYU-PBS  River Basin Coordinator + Team  Mayor’s Office + BG Dept. Public Works  BG Independent Schools  BGGreen Partnership for a Sustainable Community  Bluegrass PRIDE  Roundstone Native Seed

Culvert and Channels

LC Curry Side Channel, Feb. rain

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Project Goal To demonstrate an integrated green infrastructure model for community development that can be broadly replicated to reduce NPS, educate the public, and improve quality of life for communities. “Sustainable development is a global concern but requires local action.”

Objectives 1.Create an integrated green infrastructure model that retains, filters, and reuses all stormwater on the site 2.Provide professional training and community education on NPS pollution + LID techniques 3.Involve residents and the community in project and shared stewardship of the environment 4.Seek building policy revisions for KyHfH

Site Plan Features Up to 50 housing units, some townhouses Low impact - light imprint development Community building w/ shared functions Community gardens Walking trails; shared green space Green buildings; renewable energy Solar carport and recharging station w/ electric car share program Educational Programming

Retention Basin Sedimentation Basin Retention Basin Permeable Asphalt Rain Barrel Rain Garden Community Garden Native Plants Tree Cover Edible Landscaping Detention Basin Walking Trails Permeable Pavers

Education & Outreach  Trainings for HFH affiliate chapters at annual conference and on-site  WKYU-PBS 30 min. broadcast  Site tours for educators, school groups, others  Trail signage to identify and explain LID features  Professional development trainings w/ local professionals  Comprehensive photo log of project  Broad dissemination through media and social networking

What are Eco-System Services? Ecosystem services have not typically been valued when making land-use decisions. However, efforts to determine the monetary value of ecosystem services have placed that figure at an estimated global average of $33 trillion annually compared with $18 trillion in global GNP (1997). As many communities have found, it is difficult, expensive, and sometimes impossible to duplicate these natural services once they are destroyed.

Why Sustainable Sites? By aligning land development and management practices with the functions of healthy ecosystems, properties can: restore or enhance ecosystem services including watershed protection enhance health and well-being maximize beauty and use of outdoors areas is economically cost-effective

DEGRADATION Increased runoff & flooding Groundwater and surface water contamination Increased sedimentation Decreased infiltration Degraded vegetation Soil loss and compaction Increased Irrigation needs Degradation vs. Stewardship: Effective land management practices can preserve and restore ecosystems, promote water and air quality, and contribute to human and other species well-being STEWARDSHIP Beauty Habitat Restoration Improved soil conditions Cleaner air and water Reduced potable water irrigation needs Increased water absorption and filtration

Plans for the future LC Curry School is being rebuilt as a model of energy efficiency A model passive house is planned to be built on the site A community-scale energy project is being explored with TVA The state and international Habitat are looking at this as a model for future Habitat communities any where Get involved…there are no excuses!

Thank you!