September 01, 2009
Environment Omaha is taking its message to the streets via Metro Area Transit (MAT).
Starting this month, MAT buses will begin carrying exterior and onboard Environment Omaha messages that encourage Omahans to live greener at home, at work and at play. It’s part of an awareness campaign for the policy development initiative, which was launched last November by city officials and Omaha by Design. Environment Omaha is addressing five major content areas – the natural environment, urban form and transportation, building construction, resource conservation and community health. The end goal is the creation of an Environmental Element that’s adopted as the final component of the city’s master plan.
“Environment Omaha is all about making our city a more sustainable place,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. “What can the individual do to help? A little or a lot, depending upon their interest and level of commitment.”
The Environment Omaha team has partnered with MAT, Quality Pork International Inc. and Mint Design Group to provide Omahans with a set of tips for living a more sustainable life at home, at work and at play. The tips, posted on www.environmentomaha.com, come in two forms – “taking it slow” and “we’re talking commitment.” Locals who have tips they’d like to share can submit them to the web site.
Omaha by Design serves as the project manager for Environment Omaha. For more information, visit www.environmentomaha.com, call 402.554.4010 or email info@omahabydesign.org.
More than 120 local volunteers representing a diversity of professions and perspectives are donating their time and talents to the development of Environment Omaha. The initiative has five advisory committees – one for each of the five content areas (the natural environment, urban form and transportation, building construction, resource conservation and community health), a core committee and a working group. Committee membership is posted on www.environmentomaha.com.