The Civic Vision for the Central Delaware was developed through a 13-month planning process involving the participation of a 46 members Advisory Group composed of city, state and federal officials, using the input of over 4,000 Philadelphians. The Civic Vision and follow-up Action Plan, using the civic principle to ‘Honor the River’, developed a sustainable approach to storm water management, movement systems and development. The tenets of the vision and action plan have since been embraced by the Nutter Administration to guide re-development of the Central Delaware riverfront.

Bob Pierson through his dedication to this program has made this a successful program in Philadelphia and was the major factor in Philadelphia making the top 10 green cities list for integration local food resources available to city residents.

Launched as a student initiative in March 2008, and supported by the President’s commitment to make Drexel University a sustainability leader, “Drexel Green” has energized students, faculty, administrators and trustees to examine all aspects of university operations. Committed to accessibility and transparency, it has placed on its website www.drexel.edu/sustainability virtually all of its presentations and reports, thereby offering a roadmap to the 84 other colleges and universities in the region.

The Energy Coordinating Agency, a provider of home energy heating/weatherization assistance, has significantly expanded in recent years to provide energy conservation services. ECA now provides Energy Star certification of homes and is a provider for the region for the USGBC's LEED for Homes Program. Two new energy training programs that ECA is currently developing feature a one-day Energy Star workshop for architects/ building contractors; and a week-long training workshop for Certified Home Energy Field Inspectors.

When it was launched in 2003, Go Green was a ground-breaking campaign, incorporating green initiatives, sustainable business practices and educational programs as our core operating principals. The Philadelphia Eagles were the first team in professional sports to adopt responsibility for the environment and its role in the community. Today, the Eagles are an industry and community leader on implementing green initiatives.

In October 2008, Mayor Michael Nutter cut the ribbon at an event celebrating the completion of the first three of seven new houses being built by Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia in partnership with Habitat families and volunteers. These homes on the 4200 block of W. Stiles Street in East Parkside will be the first LEED-certified affordable housing constructed in Philadelphia, on track to meet the more stringent requirements for a Silver LEED certification.

GREENandSAVE and its founder, Charlie Szoradi, are dedicated to delivering invaluable information for home owners that will not only save them money on energy bills, but will also enable a sustainable environment. They seek to change the stigmas attached to Green Living, and prove unequivocally that saving money and the environment are not mutually exclusive, but in fact inseparable partners.

The Mill Creek Farm is a non-profit urban farm dedicated to improving access to fresh food in the West Philadelphia community. In addition to growing and distributing fresh produce, the farm is also an education center, demonstrating green building and urban sustainability practices.

Next Great City is dedicated to creating a positive future for Philadelphia by advocating for common sense, cost effective strategies that enhance environmental quality, strengthen neighborhoods and increase economic competitiveness. Made up of 108 organizations, the coalition put sustainability issues into the spotlight during the Mayoral election, educated thousands of residents and is responsible for: a city contract with PECOWind; creation of the Zoning Code Commission; providing weekly, single stream recycling citywide; incentivizing best stormwater practices for commercial properties; the continuation of vacant lots lot cleanup program; and park reform and a commitment for increased funding.

PECO’s five year environmental initiative integrates their corporate environmental philosophy, their multi-site presence throughout the Delaware Valley, and their extensive customer education programs for energy savings. First year projects included a new West Chester, PA service center that saves 20% in energy use and 40% in water use over code mandated levels. A new green roof system on the headquarters building in Philadelphia will reduce run-off during rain storms by as much as 85%.

Schuylkill Banks is a 1.2 mile recreational trail and greenway along the tidal Schuylkill River. This formerly abandoned and overgrown stretch of riverfront has been transformed into a landscaped amenity where 16,000 people a week enjoy the outdoors in the heart of the city and thousands more take advantage of free and low cost programming. Schuylkill Banks is an alternative transportation corridor, urban wildlife habitat, pollution management plan, and community asset that unites diverse Philadelphians.

Thin Flats is a nine unit residential development in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia that is scheduled to become the first LEED Platinum set of duplexes in the country, the highest level of sustainability possible through the USGBC's LEED program.