[Sust-mar] Launch of Atlantic Canada Sustainability Initiative website - please circulate!

[Clare Levin]

Dear friends and supporters of sustainability in Atlantic Canada,
 
We are very pleased to officially launch the ACSI website,
www.atlanticsustainability.ca, complete with lots of information about the
Atlantic Canada Sustainability Initiative, including upcoming events and
partner activities and initiatives, as well as good resources and tips on
sustainability. Please find a full press release below.
 
Check back frequently for new items and news posted on the site. From the
home page, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay better
informed about the project. Please feel free to link to the website from
your own site, and please circulate this announcement to anyone who might be
interested!
 
Best wishes,
 
Clare
--
Clare Levin
Project Coordinator
Atlantic Canada Sustainability Initiative
p: (902) 830-1120
f: (902) 405-1221
e: coordinator at atlanticsustainability.ca
www.atlanticsustainability.ca 
 

 

For Immediate Release: Halifax, NS (October  4th, 2007) 
Atlantic Canada Sustainability Initiative Website Launch - October 4th, 2007

Initiative is Making Atlantic Canada #1 in Sustainability

Atlantic Canadian municipalities, businesses, and non-governmental
organizations are working together to turn Atlantic Canada into a model of
sustainable development through the Atlantic Canada Sustainability
Initiative (ACSI).  The ACSI is a collaborative grassroots project that
allows partners to better understand the challenges and opportunities of
sustainability and to move the Atlantic Canada region toward sustainable
solutions.

Today marks the proud launch of the ACSI website,
www.atlanticsustainability.ca. This website will share information about the
project, the Sustainability Partners who are participating in the
initiative, and upcoming events and workshops. The website contains a wealth
of useful resources and information for those interested in and working on
sustainability issues. Visitors can also sign up for the ACSI newsletter to
stay updated on the progress of the project.

The ACSI Sustainability Partners, which include Halifax Regional
Municipality, Aliant, the City of Saint John, Just Us! Coffee Roasters,
iNova Credit Union, the Town of Stratford, and others (see full list below),
have signed a project charter committing their organizations to developing
and implementing sustainability action plans.

The Sustainability Partners are attending intensive training sessions
throughout the year-long project, embedding sustainability action plans into
their organizations, creating a collaborative network to support each other,
serving as role models and champions in their sectors and regions, and
finding opportunities to help move the region towards sustainability.
Specific actions include reducing energy, waste, toxins, and greenhouse gas
emissions, and adopting environmental technologies and green procurement
policies. 

"This project is unique because not only are partners taking individual
action to move towards greater sustainability, but they are also working
together for change," says the Director of the Center for Rural
Sustainability and Sustainability Partner coach, Dr. John Colton. "It is
exciting to see the connections that have already been made between
partners, and the progress happening on addressing important sustainability
issues like energy efficiency, waste reduction, and socially and
environmentally responsible procurement." 

Committed Sustainability Partners who have signed the ACSI Charter, include:

*	Aliant
*	Antigonish Sustainable Development Committee
*	Bathurst Sustainable Development
*	Halifax Regional Municipality
*	Halifax Shambhala Centre 
*	iNova Credit Union 
*	Jacques Whitford Ltd.
*	Just Us! Coffee Roasters 
*	P'lovers, the Environmental Store
*	City of Saint John
*	St. Margaret's Bay Stewardship Association
*	Stewardship and Outreach section, Nova Scotia Department of Natural
Resources
*	Town of Stratford
*	Town of Wolfville 

Partner organizations will act as ambassadors for sustainability in Atlantic
Canada, helping to make this region a leader in sustainable development.
The project is coordinated through the Centre for Rural Sustainability using
The Natural Step Framework.  

The ACSI website was designed and generously donated by Colette Boisvert of
Colette Boisvert Graphic Design and Photography (www.coletteboisvert.com).

-30-

For more information please contact 
Clare Levin 
Project Coordinator, Atlantic Canada Sustainability Initiative
coordinator at atlanticsustainability.ca 
www.atlanticsustainability.ca 
(902) 830-1120