Network Structure

Our purpose is to foster dialogue and collaboration. We make decisions by consensus of the members present at our meetings about how and when to meet, what initiatives to take on, and how to complement them. We have agreed not to become another organization with staff competing for funding, but remain a community of professionals (paid and volunteer) working in sustainability who pay dues to support our collaboration, as a project of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. Continue reading “Network Structure”

Current PVsustain Initiatives

  • Create effective forums and communications pathways involving a broad range of stakeholders and the general public in increased discussions of sustainability in the Pioneer Valley:

Guiding Principles of the Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network

Guiding Principles

PVSN’s members share a vision of a future for the Pioneer Valley that will be

worth the struggle in the difficult years that we all know lie ahead.  In this future,

diversity is cherished and protected within the human community and beyond.

The inhabitants of the Valley’s cities, towns and countryside enjoy access to the

clean air, the water, the food and the human support fundamental to good physical

and mental health.  They possess the information and the skills needed to meet the

challenges of their day, and their communities are able to control many of the

important decisions that affect their daily lives.  The health, diversity and population

levels of plants, animals and other life forms, both domesticated and wild, are treated

as a sacred trust.

Continue reading “Guiding Principles of the Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network”

Mission of Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network

Mission

PVSN is a broad-based network of organizations and individuals who are

dedicated to creating a just and sustainable future for the Pioneer Valley region.

Our members include a broad community of sustainability activists and

professionals working together to create a flexible and effective regional model

for actively advancing sustainability in the Pioneer Valley, which can be applied

in other regions of the country.

 

Our mission is to strengthen our members’ ability to pursue

sustainability and environmental equity effectively by:

  • information and idea exchange
  • collaborative approaches to problem solving and visionary thinking
  • giving members the tools they need to integrate sustainable practices and

scientific information into both regional and community decision-making.

Founding of the Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network

The Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network was founded as a collaboration of the University of Massachusetts–Environmental Institute and Department of Industrial Engineering, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.

ABSTRACT of proposal submitted to EPA that was awarded funding for this project:
Continue reading “Founding of the Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network”