If you’re a Northwest Philly resident looking to be a bit more green in your daily life, you're in luck. On Wednesday, May 8, the
Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is hosting a community forum -- entitled "It IS Easy Being Green" -- focused on how residents and businesses can have a positive environmental and economic impact on their community.
The event is the second annual community forum sponsored by GUCDC, a relatively new organization dedicated to the well-being of Germantown.
"We planned the first forum specifically to introduce GUCDC to the community," explains GUCDC's Garlen Capita. "We wanted to answer the question, 'What does a CDC do?'"
According to Capita, that event was so successful that they decided to use the same format this year while shifting the focus to sustainability. Like last year's forum, this gathering is all about educating and disseminating information to the community.
"We want everyone who lives and works in Germantown to know that they have the power and the tools to improve the quality of life in their community," says Capita. "Hence the title, ‘It
IS Easy Being Green.'"
The forum will begin at 6 p.m. with a "trade show" of organizations involved in sustainability and community issues. Participants include
Awbury Arboretum,
the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia,
Friends of Vernon Park, Kelly Green,
PhilaNOMA,
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia,
the Sustainable Business Network,
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed, and
Wyck Historic House and Garden.
At 7 p.m., a panel will foster a community discussion on the sustainability issues confronting Germantown. The moderator will be Robert Fleming, associate professor of sustainable design at
Philadelphia University. Other panel members include Dwayne Wharton, director of external affairs at
the Food Trust, representatives from the
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Christine Knapp from the
Philadelphia Water Department.
Also on the panel will be Aine and Emaleigh Doley, sisters and co-organizers of the
West Rockland Street Project. They are working with neighbors to revitalize their block using nothing but dedication, plants and trees, and some serious elbow grease.
"We want people to know that if Aine and Emaleigh can do it, they too can turn their neighborhood around," says Capita.
The event is free and open to all. It will be held at the Flying Horse Center (312-316 W. Chelten Avenue). Please RSVP to [email protected].
Source: Garlen Capita, GUCDC
Writer:
Greg Meckstroth