2007 Sustainable Communities Award

The Partnership for a Green City was among the 10 winners of the National Association of Counties (NACo's) Center for Sustainable Communities Awards. The awards are presented every two years to communities that have developed effective public-private partnerships that encourage economic growth along with environmentally responsible actions. The partnership was chosen for its focus on environmental management, education and health initiatives. “I commend everyone who was involved in developing these outstanding community partnerships,” said NACo President Eric Coleman. “It is our hope that the national awards will spotlight your community's great achievements and inspire others across the country to explore similar strategies to develop vibrant and sustainable communities.” The award came with a $2500 prize for Outstanding Practices.

The Partners support each others' endeavors such as the Louisville Metro Community of Trees project, an effort dedicated to inventorying, improving and maintaining the urban tree canopy and fostering tree planting as a climate protection measure. The UofL Department of Geography and the JCPS Center for Environmental Education are providing resources, as well as several state agencies.

Research indicates that Louisville is the first example in the U.S. where a city, university and school district have partnered together to work toward a sustainable community.