Narberth Greens is a community-based initiative to encourage and support environmentally friendly living in Narberth, a borough of 5,000 people. Its goal: help residents channel their enthusiasm about living a sustainable life and improving their community into action, by providing them with the resources necessary to do so. It was started by Temple student Avi Fox, and includes residents of all ages, including a “Narberth Greens Kids Club.” Activities include community forums on energy policy, alternative energy, and the community environment; a greenhouse gas inventory, a downtown cleanup and recycling demonstration, and a wind energy campaign.

Narberth Greens has set up the structure for an ongoing programming, monitoring and education of sustainability in our town. The projects are not one and done, but rooted in understanding the environmental impact, finding solutions, actively improving the issue, and then most importantly, creating a self-sustaining program to maintain effective stewardship in the future.

Narberth Green has added a children’s club that immediately attracted over 40 families; participated with the Narberth Civic Association to invigorate NarbEarth Day; and lobbied the town government to participate in ICLEII.

While other community organizations see a decline in volunteers, Narberth Greens has found a common ground in its mission and its work to grow an impassioned following. Since its inception in 2007, Narberth Greens has accomplished the following:

1) Downtown “Clean Sweep” event, in which volunteers swept up streets and sidewalks downtown, and sorted refuse in the trash bins, recovering over 200 lbs of recyclables.

2) Presented a proposal for Narberth to join the “Cool Cities” campaign. The resolution was passed unanimously by the Borough Council, and Mayor Grady signed the Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement. Using ICLEI software, the greenhouse gas inventory is nearly complete, with a report to the community and Borough Council expected by February 2009.

3) Narberth Greens assisted with a rain barrel workshop, in which 20 people made and installed their own rain barrels, thus conserving water and helping to prevent flooding.

4) A Weekly Flower and Vegetable Exchange helped to distribute locally-grown produce, and created closer ties in the community. At least one local restaurant purchased tomatoes grown by Narberth residents.

5) Members of Narberth Greens are collaborating with Environmental Advisory Councils (EAC’s) in other communities, through the EAC Network.

6) Narberth Greens is inviting community youth to participate in a Wind Energy Competition, to sign up households for wind energy.

Narberth Greens has embraced our small town, by creating itself and engaging over 150 members in a town of 4300 to actively push an agenda of environmental and sustainability stewardship. The organization has brought together community members of all ages and backgrounds towards the common goal of a greener Narberth.

Its success is in the projects it has accomplished and the passion and awareness it has developed throughout the town. Since its inception in 2007, Narberth Greens has accomplished the following: 1) Downtown “Clean Sweep” event, in which volunteers swept up streets and sidewalks downtown, and sorted refuse in the trash bins, recovering over 200 lbs of recyclables.

2) Presented a proposal for Narberth to join the “Cool Cities” campaign. The resolution was passed unanimously by the Borough Council, and Mayor Grady signed the Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement. Using ICLEI software, the greenhouse gas inventory is nearly complete, with a report to the community and Borough Council expected by February 2009.

3) Narberth Greens assisted with a rain barrel workshop, in which 20 people made and installed their own rain barrels, thus conserving water and helping to prevent flooding.

4) A Weekly Flower and Vegetable Exchange helped to distribute locally-grown produce, and created closer ties in the community. At least one local restaurant purchased tomatoes grown by Narberth residents.

5) Members of Narberth Greens are collaborating with Environmental Advisory Councils (EAC’s) in other communities, through the EAC Network.

6) Narberth Greens is inviting community youth to participate in a Wind Energy Competition, to sign up households for wind energy.