Grounds for Change: Activating Vacant Land

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Working with vacant lots can be a complicated process, so we've created a searchable, sortable list of Resources to help guide you. This section includes organizations, web links, print resources, and original articles discussing vacancy-related issues in an accessible, practical way.

Action Blog

Image credit: Alliance for Community Trees

Theme: Urban Orchards

Posted by Amy on July 08, 2011

A look at some other urban orchard projects across the United States that have experienced varying degress of success.

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Web Resources

  • The Designers Accord Toolkit

    In October 2009, the Designers Accord convened over 100 progressive individuals from academic and professional institutions all over the world for two days of highly participatory discussion, planning and action around the topic of design education and sustainability. The main activity was small-group brainstorming focused on answering these questions:

    How can we continue to move design education forward?

    How can we create a common language?

    How can we communicate best?

    How can we design a sustainability curriculum?

    How can we update existing design programs?

    How can we turn abstract ideas into concrete actions?

    How can we help students work in more meaningful ways?

    How can we measure success?

  • The Designers Accord

    "In late June 2007, the Designers Accord was founded with the goal of changing the way the creative community does business. Designers, educators, and business leaders adopted a "Kyoto Treaty" of design (later renamed the Designers Accord) that specified a particular ethos and behavior around sustainable design. The underlying philosophy of this agreement was that by collectively building our intelligence around issues of climate change and humanitarian issues - and tackling those challenges with optimism and creativity - we would catalyze innovative and sustainable problem solving throughout the creative community."

  • PlaNYC 2030 Stormwater Management Plan

    The sixth initiative under PlaNYC's Water Quality goal calls for an Interagency Best Management Practices (BMP) Task Force to coordinate stormwater planning issues. Formed in May 2007, the Task Force brings together all relevant City agencies to analyze ways to incorporate source control stormwater management techniques, known as BMPs, into the design and construction of both public and private projects to reduce pollution from untreated discharges and combined sewer overflows.

    The Task Force released a Draft Plan on October 1, 2008 and accepted public comments until October 31, 2008.   The Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan is the culmination of the Task Force's efforts.  The plan, its appendices, and all earlier documents are available for download as PDF files.

  • Energy & Technology Funding Opportunities

    A searchable database of state, federal, and private funding programs in energy and technology, including opportunities established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

  • Pennsylvania Initiative for Energy and the Environment

    The Pennsylvania Initiative for Energy and the Environment (PIEE) is designed to sustain and enhance linkages between industry, Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), and government – to leverage research and technology solutions which address the challenges of energy independence and environmental impacts.

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Organizations

  • Penn State Cooperative Outreach
    Penn State Extension offers practical how-to education and problem-solving assistance based on university research. We strive to help people make informed decisions to better their lives, businesses, and communities.
  • New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (Rutgers University)
    The experiment station provides a diverse range of research, extension, and education programs that serve the people of New Jersey.
  • Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture
    Founded in 1992, PASA's consistent and driving vision has been to transform agriculture and food systems in Pennsylvania and beyond in a way that makes our farmers more viable, improves the land and restores the health and wellbeing of all our citizens.
  • Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
    Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is a general farm organization made up of members providing legislative support, information, and services to Pennsylvania's farmers and rural families since 1950.
  • Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
    The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1827. Under the leadership of Drew Becher, PHS provides great events, activities and publications for novice gardeners, experienced horticulturists, and flower lovers of all ages.

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