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Leaders in the southwest Missouri area have formed a group which aims to make sustaining the earth's environment a top priority for the area. KSMU's Jennifer Moore reports.
As children played Thursday afternoon in the Discovery Center of Springfield, they were probably oblivious to the fact that a new partnership was being born in the next room over.
A group of local businesses, schools and government organizations signed a pledge at the center, officially forming the Partnership for Sustainability. The partnership is designed to encourage local businesses and institutions to become more environmental-friendly.
The Discovery Center of Springfield, which is one of the members of the new partnership, was the first certified "green" building in Southwest Missouri. That means it was constructed using entirely environmentally friendly materials and building methods.
Michael Garner, Co-Chair of the Partnership for Sustainability, says one of the partnership's goals is to put southwest Missouri at the forefront of sustaining the earth's resources.
"This area can be the center for excellence in sustainability. And I truly feel we can do that and that all the members feel we can do that. It's gonna take some time and effort but I truly believe we can get there," he said.
The other 13 members who were at the signing—-including the City of Springfield, Greene County, and various universities, banks and hospitals—-have committed to assess and improve their own organizations' practices regarding the environment. They also aim to share what lessons they learn with the rest of the community.
For KSMU News, I'm Jennifer Moore.
