Our group is developing an alternative "green" oriented plan for our area. †Any ideas on this would be welcome. We are attempting to include tree planting, reducing greenhouse gases, ecological waste management, bicycle and walking trails, green buildings, eco-action teams, and other approaches in the plan.We are attempting to implement a community-based environment education program to raise local awareness of environmental issues and would like to reach elementary school children. †We are attempting to locate curriculum and ideas for program implementation.We are attempting to develop an eco-team program to raise the awareness of neighborhood residents regarding environmental issues. Any resources on this would be appreciated.Our City has several EPA toxic waste sites †We are interested in learning about brownfield organizing strategies.We are interested in learning more about green businesses, eco-industrial parks, and policies and programs which can be established to further the development of eco-friendly businesses. †It is our position that such business enterprises may provide employment to low-income persons. †We would like to receive information on the development, financing, and planning of such enterprises.Another area of interest is creating a Sustainable Development Plan for our city which would encourage active public participation from local income people. †Any resources on this subject would be appreciated.Would you please send me information regarding †the EPA programs on smart growth and urban environmental quality? †The following would be appreciated: †newsletter subscription, back issues of newsletters, publication lists, concept papers on innovative environmental projects, †information on urban gardening and co-ops; sample grant requests, newspaper clippings. †Kindly put me on your mailing list.We are assisting the City of Utica in restoring and preserving its beautiful park system. †Would you have any suggestions on this topic? †The following are particular items of interest we are interested in: †sources of funding, mobilizing volunteers, creative methods for developing green spaces in central city neighborhoods. †Our organization is developing and implementing a plan for creating green space and community gardens in Utica's inner-city neighborhoods in order to provide food security, enhance neighborhood living conditions, and build capacity for community empowerment. †Our Mayor has asked our agency to develop an urban forestry plan. †Would you know how we might be able to obtain sample/model plans for other communities? †We are seeking information on these topics and resource lists.We are interested in learning how to incorporate green building design and construction into our housing programs. †Please provide me with any resource information on this topic.The Utica Citizens in Action is a multi-issue advocacy organization concerned with sustainable development, neighborhood redevelopment, predatory lending, affordable housing, and community-based economic development. †We have over 500 members. †We are an all-volunteer group supported by donations with an extremely limited budget.Located In Utica, New York, †our community-based and multicultural organization is committed to living wage jobs, affordable health care and education, sustainable development and environmental quality, educational opportunities, and improvement in living conditions for low and moderate income people. ††We are a membership organization which consists of working people, tenants, small business persons, the elderly, students, clergy, and representatives of the labor movement. †Our organization is a community-labor-faith-based coalition dedicated to revitalizing Utica's distressed neighborhoods. †We also advocate for low-income and marginalized neighborhoods in the Central New York region. †Thank you. John FurmanPresidentUtica Citizens in ActionP.O. Box 411 Utica, New York ††13503-0411(315) 829-5132Fax: †775-254-9599E-mail: †[email protected]