Page Contents: Resources | Conservation | Resilience | Sustainable Food | Sustainable Economy | Sustainable Employment | Sustainable Energy | Waste Management

Resources

Audubon Vermont
“Audubon Vermont is a state program of the National Audubon Society. We are a nonprofit conservation organization whose mission is to protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Our 255-acre Green Mountain Audubon Center located in Huntington, Vermont, has been a community hub of outdoor education and conservation for 60 years, making us the oldest operating nature center in the state.

“Audubon Vermont and our supporters are building a better future for our state through conservation, advocacy, community involvement, and by tapping into an active network that includes over 10,000 members, six Vermont chapters, including our newest UVM Campus Chapter, and many respected partners in communities throughout Vermont and along the Atlantic Flyway.”

​Center for Conservation & Energy Solutions (C2ES)
“The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions works to secure a safe and stable climate by accelerating the global transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and a thriving, just, and resilient economy.”

Climate Change in Vermont by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (VT ANR)
“The Vermont Climate Action Office (CAO) coordinates and provides significant expertise and capacity on state-led climate initiatives, as well as the monitoring, assessment, and tracking of climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience activities necessary to evaluate progress over time in achieving the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) through implementation of the Climate Action Plan. The CAO…is focused on three core areas:

• “Climate Program Coordination
• “On-going support of implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA)
• “Community and Stakeholder Engagement

“The policies, programs, and tools needed to implement climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience strategies require a long-term intergovernmental structure to coordinate and manage this statewide effort. To carry out this work, the CAO works closely with staff across ANR, other state Agencies, the State Climatologist, and key stakeholders such as the Vermont Climate Council. We acknowledge the importance of the public’s role, specifically those of frontline and impacted communities, in enabling climate action. The CAO is committed to ensuring activities conducted by the CAO encourage broad citizen participation. The CAO commits to fostering partnerships in pursuit of effective delivery of climate solutions for all Vermonters.”

Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW)
CREW is a network of local leaders building grassroots climate resilience through inclusive & hands-on education, service, and planning.

Ecology Center
“We believe that the central question of our time is how human beings are going to thrive in the world without destroying the earth’s ability to sustain us. In the face of enormous environmental challenges, virtually all sectors of our society are now scrambling to create solutions, and the Ecology Center plays a critical role in advancing the best models.

“To do that, we do the following:

• “We educate consumers to help keep their families healthy and safe.
• “We push corporations to use clean energy, make safe products, and provide healthy food.
• “We provide people with innovative services that promote healthy people and a healthy planet.
• “We work with policymakers to establish laws that protect communities and the environment.”

Environmental Defence Canada
“Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry, and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate, and healthy communities.”

Environmental Defense Fund
“We are a global nonprofit organization tackling climate change—the greatest challenge of our time. Our bold, game-changing solutions put people at the center of all we do.

“Our goals:

• “Stabilize the climate
• “Strengthen people and nature’s ability to thrive
• “Support people’s health.”

Healthy Stuff Lab by the Ecology Center which “conducts research and tests consumer products, air, soil, water, fish, food, and more for toxic chemicals.

“Our stance is a simple one: Toxic chemicals have no place in our everyday products or our natural environment. Retailers and manufactures have a role to play in driving the market toward safer alternatives.” The Healthy Stuff Lab publishes reports about the tests conducted.

​Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.

The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
“NRDC works to safeguard the earth–its people, its plant and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.
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“NRDC…combines the power of more than 3 million [3,000,000] members and online activists with the expertise of some 700 scientists, lawyers, and other environmental specialists to confront the climate crisis, protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places, and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.

“According to the NRDC, greenwashing is “the act of making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product or practice. It can be a way for companies to continue or expand their polluting as well as related harmful behaviors, all while gaming the system or profiting off well-intentioned, sustainably minded consumers.”

Project Drawdown
“Founded in 2014, Project Drawdown® is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help the world reach ‘Drawdown’–the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline.”

Sierra Club, Vermont Chapter
A grassroots-driven organization that advocates for a Vermont where all people may enjoy our natural treasures, access clean air and water, and thrive in a healthy community.

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
“At [nonprofit] USGBC, we are building a better future where the built environment supports a healthy, sustainable world for all.”

​Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (VT ANR)
“Respect. Protect. Enjoy. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is charged with oversight and management of Vermont’s natural environment on behalf of the people of Vermont. We endeavor to draw from and build upon Vermonters’ shared ethic of responsibility for our natural environment, an ethic that encompasses a sense of place, community and quality of life, and an understanding that we are an integral part of the environment, and that we must all be responsible stewards for this and future generations.”

Women Fighting for Sustainability handout by Repair the World

Conservation

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and its Vermont Chapter
“The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.

“Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, the Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 1,000 scientists, we impact conservation in 81 countries and territories: 40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners.”

​Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD)
“The Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1980 formed to conduct educational, scientific, charitable work concerning conservation, maintenance, improvement and development and use of land, soil, water, trees, vegetation, fish and wildlife and other natural resources in Vermont.”

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC)
“While the DEC issues most of the state’s environmental permits, the Department does more than just set forth regulations and assure compliance. Through its programs, the DEC

• “manages water and air quality
• “regulates solid and hazardous wastes
• “administers a number of voluntary pollution and waste reduction programs

“Among other responsibilities, Department staff members

• “collect data
• “conduct research
• “run volunteer programs
• “develop educational and outreach materials and programs
• “administer grants
• “work with conservation organizations and state and federal agencies to examine critical environmental issues.”

​Vermont River Conservancy
“We protect and restore rivers for people and wildlife.”

Resilience

Drought Tolerant Native Plants Vermont for Sustainable Landscaping and Garden Resilience by PlantNative
“PlantNative is dedicated to moving native plants and naturescaping into mainstream landscaping practices. We believe this promotes biodiversity, preserves our natural heritage, reduces pollution and enhances livability. Our goal is to work with nursery owners, landscape professionals and consumers to increase public awareness of native plants and related landscaping practices and to increase both the supply of and demand for native plants.”

Sustainable Food

Happy Cow
“Our purpose is to make healthy food easy to find and more accessible.

​”HappyCow was founded in 1999 as a public service to assist travelers and people everywhere find plant-based/vegan options and healthy food. We are vegan-run, from a vegan perspective, and staffed by vegans and vegetarians. Today, our online community has grown to include members from around the world who are passionate about the vegan lifestyle as a healthy, compassionate, and environmentally sustainable way of living. More than simply a restaurant and health food store guide, HappyCow is an ever-evolving online hub that serves millions worldwide each month.”

Sustainable Economy

​Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC)
“The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) leads the movement to make beauty and personal care products safer for all.

“CSC is a program of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP), a national science-based advocacy organization working to prevent breast cancer by eliminating environmental exposures linked to the disease.”

​Certified B Corporations​
“Certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. Unlike other certifications for businesses, B Lab is unique in our ability to measure a company’s entire social and environmental impact.”

​Environmental Working Group (EWG)
“The Environmental Working Group is a community 30 million [30,000,000] strong, working to protect our environmental health by changing industry standards.”

Creators of consumer empowerment resources EWG Skin Deep, EWG Tap Water Database, EWG Verified label, and more.

Leaping Bunny
Created by Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny “[is] the best assurance that a company has made a genuine commitment to help end animal testing. Brands must meet rigorous criteria which apply globally and extend over and above laws governing animal testing and include ongoing independent audits. Only then can they display the Leaping Bunny logo.” Search Leaping Bunny certified-brands.

Sustainable Employment

Climate Base
Climate Base is a job search portal for those looking to work in climate solutions.

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF)
“Our mission at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund is to grow Vermont’s economy.
“We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by the Vermont Legislature in 1995 to partner with state government, private sector businesses, and nonprofits to build a positive future for Vermont. Our staff and Board of Directors are committed to developing creative approaches and models to grow Vermont’s economy.

“The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund provides business assistance, supply chain coordination, network development, and strategic planning in agriculture and food systems, forest products, waste management, energy technology.”

Sustainable Energy

350
“An international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.”

​ Efficiency Vermont
“Efficiency Vermont is helping our state transition to a more affordable and cleaner future. We work with partners throughout Vermont to save customers money, strengthen our state’s economy, and lower carbon emissions.”

​Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the USGBC
LEED is “the world’s most widely used green building rating system. LEED certification provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, which offer environmental, social and governance benefits. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement, and it is backed by an entire industry of committed organizations and individuals paving the way for market transformation.”

​Programs & Incentives by Vermont Energy Saver, the Vermont Department of Public Service (VT DPS)
“Vermont has many programs and services that may be able to help you heat and cool your building more efficiently. Some of these programs offer tips, while others provide the analysis and recommendations you need for a complete energy retrofit.

“Financial incentives that are available include rebates and low-interest loans for energy-saving improvements. Some of these programs may serve specific regions; others are available statewide. Additionally, some incentives are program-based (money back on appliances, for example) and others are performance-based (such as meeting certain improvement standards). Some offers may only be available for a limited time, and some require you to pay upfront for the upgrades before you can receive a rebate or tax credit. You may want to research here and elsewhere to learn more about how such programs work before you invest.”
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Weatherization Assistance Program through the Vermont Department of Children & Families (VT DCF)
“Can help improve the energy efficiency, safety, and comfort of your home and save you money on your energy bills.”

Waste Management

Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM)
“Founded in 1984, the [IHMM] is a not-for-profit organization. IHMM has been protecting the environment and the public’s health, safety, and security through the creation of credentials recognizing professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, expertise, and excellence in the management of hazardous materials, dangerous goods transportation, environmental protection, health, and safety.”

​Solid Waste Environmental Excellence Performance (SWEEP)
“SWEEP is the only comprehensive national voluntary sustainability standard for the solid waste management industry.

“SWEEP aims to transform the materials management industry and help it become more environmentally conscious, innovative, and efficient. SWEEP identifies and rewards sustainable best practices and policies of local governments and the waste management service providers that support them, while additionally serving as a roadmap for continued, sustainable success.”