Etna Ecodistrict Education & Planning

As the third Triboro community to engage in ecodistrict planning, the Borough of Etna is building on the successes and methods of Sharpsburg and Millvale. evolveEA led a year-long Education Series featuring technical analysis, community dinners, speakers, related activities, and education pertaining to the six ecodistrict quality of life areas of Water, Mobility, Air, Energy, Food, And Equity. The Education Series resulted in a collection of informational booklets that summarize Etna’s key issues and opportunities, which are available online and to rent from the Etna Little Library.

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The Education Series was followed by a year of community planning, where evolveEA engaged residents and experts to co-create an action plan of policies, programs, and catalytic projects that contribute to the achievement of Etna’s EcoDistrict goals. Performance targets for the year 2030 were developed using a data-driven approach, and key indicators were established to measure progress. An activated community of empowered volunteers embraced the responsibility of determining Etna’s future and have used the planning process to build capacity to implement the EcoDistrict Plan. Through the two year process, evolveEA successfully guided Etna to become the world’s first certified EcoDistrict. 

evolveEA worked with the Etna Community Organization (ECO), in partnership with the Borough of Etna, to host community meetings, gather feedback, and develop recommendations contributing to an environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable Etna.

Funding for the Etna EcoDistrict was provided through the Triboro Ecodistrict grant by the Henry L. Hillman Foundation.