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Nashville, TN employs "Chew Crew" program to manage urban landscapes
Nashville is introducing the "Chew Crew," a program that employs goats to manage urban landscapes and control vegetation naturally. This initiative aims to maintain green spaces sustainably, reducing reliance on chemical herbicides and heavy machinery. The goats will help manage overgrown areas, promoting biodiversity and improving the city's environmental health.
Nashville, TN
United States
Hoboken, NJ establishes Department of Climate Action & Innovation
The City of Hoboken has established a new Department of Climate Action & Innovation to address climate change and enhance sustainability efforts. This department aims to improve the city's resilience against flooding and other climate impacts, while also identifying cost-saving measures. The department will oversee various initiatives, including greenhouse gas reduction, energy efficiency, and stormwater management, positioning Hoboken as a leader in climate preparedness and innovation.
Hoboken, NJ
United States
Vincent, WA partners with Cerclos to drive low carbon designs of low to medium scale dwellings
Cerclos, a global life cycle assessment software provider, collaborated with the City of Vincent to develop a net zero home app, RapidLCA, for fast, intuitive and affordable life cycle assessment of low to medium density housing. The outcomes of this trial exceeded expectations and incurred no direct financial cost to the City. The City integrated RapidLCA into the development assessment process for applicants to demonstrate compliance with environmental performance
Vincent, WA
Australia
Los Angeles, CA neighborhood mitigates heat with new "cool" pavement
Pacoima, CA, a neighborhood located Los Angeles, CA, is undertaking a pavement project aimed at combating extreme heat. The project involves installing "cool pavement," which reflects sunlight and reduces the absorption of heat, thereby lowering surface temperatures. By implementing this innovative approach, the city aims to create more comfortable and heat-resilient streets for its residents.
Los Angeles, CA
United States
Virginia Beach, VA to transform municipal golf course into stormwater mitigation hub
The City of Virginia Beach has developed a plan that explores using the approximately 121-acre, City-owned Bow Creek Golf Course for flood mitigation. The vision for the project is to convert the land use from a golf course to a multi-faceted facility that will provide significant stormwater storage to mitigate flooding and restore natural systems while still providing active and passive recreational opportunities.
Virginia Beach, VA
United States
Alexandria, VA to retrofit hundreds of manhole covers to slow stormwater runoff flows
The City of Alexandria is directing $750,000 toward a project that involves placing stainless steel inserts on 870 manhole covers to slow the rate at which stormwater overflows into the city's sanitation system during periods of heavy rainfall. The city has separate systems for stormwater and sanitation, but the latter serves as an overflow for excess precipitation and the setup can cause untreated wastewater to back up in residents' homes.
Alexandria, VA
United States
Marathon, FL to replace shallow sewage wells to improve water quality
The Marathon City Council will end the use of shallow sewage wells, a move that will reduce the pervasive pharmaceutical contamination in local fish populations uncovered by FIU scientists. City leaders outlined a timeline to replace the shallow sewage wells with a new deep well sited at least 3,000 feet deep and into the boulder zone.
Marathon, FL
United States
Camden, NSW Hook, Line & Measure project works with anglers on research about local waterways
Council officials ask residents to fill out an online form when they fish on local rivers and streams. The form asks for the date, location, and outcome of any fishing activities in Camden. Anglers are also asked for fish species and weights along with photos of their catches. The Hook, Line & Measure website includes an interactive map and data about the most commonly caught fish. Additional resources cover topics like humane harvesting and state licensure.
Camden, NSW
Australia
Unincorporated ACT, ACT introduces Canberra Plant Selector for climate-wise landscaping choices
The Canberra Plant Selector accesses a database of more than 340 plants that can thrive in the local climate. Users enter plants by name or filter for options based on plant type, frost tolerance, and watering or sun needs. Plant entries include brief descriptions, photos, and their original locations along with the option to add to a favourites list. Local officials introduced the free tool as part of its Climate Choices initiative for small-scale sustainability choices.
Unincorporated ACT, ACT
Australia
Otago Regional Council, NZ Native Planting Guide promotes biodiversity and climate resilience
The interactive resource assists landowners with species selection for landscaping and planting projects. Users click on the map or enter their addresses for location-specific ecosystem reports. Each PDF report includes a list of native species with details such as maximum height, growth rate, and environmental tolerances. Additional resources in the Native Planting Guide include guides for shrubland or coastal planting and native planting principles.
Otago Regional Council, NZ
New Zealand
Eurobodalla, NSW pilots positive reinforcement for residents who assist with litter removal
Eurobodalla partnered with Coles Supermarkets on an incentive pilot across the community. Council officers who spot visitors picking up cigarette butts and other litter may issue AUD 25 grocery vouchers. Incentives for litter picking and fines of up to AUD 450 for littering provide new options for enforcement in public places. This pilot is a component of the council's collaboration with the NSW Environment Protection Authority on The Cigarette Butt Bin Project.
Eurobodalla, NSW
Australia
London Borough of Merton, GB takes lead on world-first low-emission zone for construction vehicles
The borough-led Cleaner Construction for London project established a zone for non-road mobile machinery (NRMM). Regulated machinery such as generators and excavators with outputs of 37 to 560 kilowatts are regularly evaluated for compliance. There is an online registry for NRMMs and new vehicles must meet emission requirements prior to use. The gradual rollout of the NRMM zone encouraged competition among bidding contractors to achieve lower emission levels.
London Borough of Merton, GB
United Kingdom