The City of Vancouver and Clark County initiate sustainability programs
by Leslee Jaquette
The City of Vancouver and Clark County have been concerned with “green” measures for decades. But with the adoption in October 2008 of the Clark County Sustainability Policy, the community formally committed to the achievement of sustainability goals.
Sustainability Coordinator for Clark County, Pete DuBois summarizes the policy: “Clark County is committed to fostering a safe, secure future that conserves natural resources while meeting basic human needs.”
Joining DuBois in this discussion of how the city and county plan to meet these objectives is Mike Piper, sustainability coordinator for the City of Vancouver.
Empowered by the public, these environmental and energy conservation veterans define sustainability as well as describe policy initiatives and what seniors can do to help achieve a sustainable community.
Sustainability’s triple bottom line
As part of the city and county’s leadership model, the coordinators spend a great deal of time educating the public about what sustainability means and how the community can achieve its goals. Piper has found it helpful to describe the work in terms of the “triple bottom line” that includes environmental friendly preservation and restoration, social equity or a caring community, and the conducting of business.
“The word encompasses so much more than just being green,” says Piper, who holds a master’s degree in environmental science and worked for Greenpeace, as well as served as Director of Social and Health Services for Clark County. “It means to act in a way in all areas of our lives that protects the opportunity for future generations.”
Yes, the goals are as lofty as the definition, notes Piper, “Reframing our thinking in this manner does not mean that we sacrifice our lifestyle or commerce, but that what we do does not harm the planet or people.”
Working in concert with Piper and the city, DuBois adds that while the county shoulders similar sustainability goals, he is particularly concerned with the implications of a fast-growing population. Due to what he calls “the great unknown of climate change,” some figures project that the population of Clark County will double in 50 years.
“The wildcard of climate change forces us to consider that large numbers of people may move to the Northwest,” observes DuBois. “So, as we start down this path of accountability, we have lots of challenges to meet the needs of the future.”
To meet these challenges, the city’s 1,500 employees and the county’s 1,800 employees are committed to leading by example. They have taken a leadership role in reducing energy use, investing in alternative energy, creating urban gardens, providing incentives for employee commute trip reduction and new opportunities for recycling and composting. City and county employees also serve the broader community through their impact on policy-making in areas such as watershed protection and zoning.
City and county priorities
While tending their own gardens, the city and the county have embraced very similar priorities as they work toward sustainability in the realms of energy conservation and encouraging locally grown foods, as well as developing land use and preservation efforts.
“Our local government issues are a microcosm of the bigger picture of how to reclaim our communities, protect the environment and not be so dependent on outside sources of energy,” observes Piper. “It’s a huge agenda at every level.”
Moving toward those goals, both the city and county are striving to conserve energy in a number of ways. In the area of transportation, for example, the city is looking to gradually convert to much more fuel-efficient and all-electric vehicles. The county is seeking to reduce employee automobile trips to work, by offering bus passes and flexible schedules.
Both the city and county strive to increase the number of LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmen-tal Design Green Building Rating System) public buildings, and develop policies that support the use of environmental design and construction.
In addition, the county has invested $7.8 million in 35 new energy conservation projects, including solar on six building rooftops. DuBois explains, “The energy savings from these projects are paying for themselves over a period of 18 years.”
To encourage what DuBois describes as a “food renaissance,” Clark County is fostering locally grown food and farming. He notes that county residents currently spend about $700 million a year on food and $640 million of that sum leaves the community. As a result, one major goal is to encourage local farmers and individuals to grow more of their own food.
To that end, the county has already planted 80 victory gardens for low-income households. A recent grant adds the funds necessary to construct another 100 raised beds as part of the “Home Grown Gardens” program for participating families. Also, county employees are encouraged to recycle and compost organics at work.
Currently, the county is developing the 79-acre former Washington State University experimental station into an agricultural showcase. Located in Hazel Dell, it will feature edible food gardens, educational opportunities and serve as possible drop-off point for local produce.
The future is now
Along with initiatives such as the Home Grown Gardens and solar investments, the community has numerous exciting projects on the horizon. “Vancouver has a big opportunity to develop the waterfront with the new Graymoor project and the new I-5 Bridge,” reports Piper. “In the plans we are creating there are incentives to make sure they are sustainable.”
For example, with the 40-acre project developed by Graymoor, one-quarter of the area will be set aside for parklands. “The project will be a laboratory for us to utilize and create some of the best ideas,” says Piper. “It will be healthy to live there-gorgeous and multi-generational.”
How seniors can contribute
Both Piper and DuBois view seniors as one of the community's greatest resources. Given many seniors have direct experience with every sort of sustainable practice from recycling and conservation to victory gardening, the coordinators encourage seniors to get involved in policy making and mentoring.
“We know that the number one thing seniors want is to give back; they have a story and a lot to contribute,” says Piper. “More than ever, we need their wisdom and feedback on what only they know about from firsthand knowledge.”
For starters, he suggests seniors help advocate for political change. Participate in the system, attend community meetings, and bring input to neighborhood associations and school districts. Work with fellow seniors at community centers and come talk to Piper at city hall. “We need seniors to insist on people being more prudent,” says Piper. “Seniors are uniquely qualified to help us learn how to contribute and carry the burden together.”
Seniors can also contribute by serving as mentors. DuBois encourages seniors to volunteer at community gardens and the new agricultural showcase. Their knowledge may help to rekindle many skills including how to grow wholesome foods, make sourdough starter, preserve crops and plant gardens. Says DuBois, “We need seniors to help us learn many of the important ways we have lost.”
Faith in humans and community
The City of Vancouver and Clark County are part of the sustainability vanguard in terms of their commitment to in-house operations. But, according to DuBois, “Planning ahead for growth, we have lots to do to meet the needs of future generations.”
Although at times the future looks uncertain and the work overwhelming, DuBois admits that his faith in humans and his belief in conservation keeps him positive and slugging it out on the road to sustainability.
“It’s a very interesting, paradoxical world with how awful things are going,” muses Piper. “At the same time, with new energy technology and new ideas coming from all sectors of the community, the new model gives us ways to solve our problems without impacting the planet.”
“The new model is exciting,” adds Piper, “there is hope.”
Contact: City of Vancouver: Michael Piper, sustainability coordinator, 360-487-7116;
Clark County: Pete DuBois, sustainability coordinator, 360-397-6118 ext. 4961; pete.dubois@clark.wa.gov
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