What is Sustainability?
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Planning for the long-term health of the community is the # 1 goal of the Cranberry Plan, and Cranberry Township is already well on the way to building a decision-making framework that places the community's long-term health and sustainability at the forefront of every initiative.
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Sustainability vs. Green
The terms “sustainability” and “green” seem to have become interchangeable in the media recently, however, it is important to remember the differences between these two words. Sustainability takes a broad look at the world in an effort to keep social, economic and natural systems in order for future generations while green concepts focus solely on the environment.
Cranberry Township is committed to sustainability in all aspects through its Healthy Cranberry campaign.
Residents Helped to Design the Framework for Sustainability
Citizen Advisory Panel and the Cranberry Plan Steering Committee were asked to define the concept of sustainability for Cranberry Township, as part of their work in drafting the 25-year Comprehensive Plan, The Cranberry Plan. Their input led to the development of a set of guiding principles that will help to ensure that Cranberry’s long-term health and sustainability are always factored into decision-making processes. The principles were adopted by the Board of Supervisors in March 2008 and shared with all Township departments and made available to the community via the website.
Cranberry’s sustainability principles provide a framework. The next and most important step is putting the principles into practice. During the Cranberry Plan process, the Township partnered with Sustainable Pittsburgh to evaluate current efforts and future opportunities. Read more about our comprehensive
Sustainability Assessment
Sustainability Principles
These will guide future plans and decisions of Township departments, boards, committee, and commissions toward a healthy and prosperous future.
Be Distinctive. Cranberry Township’s character is fundamental to its long-term success. That character grows out of a combination of the Township’s own unique qualities, as well as the distinctive ways its government and residents manage the day-to-day issues that are common to people and communities everywhere. Identifying the distinctive qualities of the Township’s character and leveraging them in the formulation of policies, programs, projects and promotions will be a bedrock principle for Cranberry’s management.
Be Prosperous. A successful community is one in which every resident has the motivation, as well as the opportunity, to advance his or her own life and career. Success also occurs when the community benefits that accrue from prosperity are available to all. That means working to remove obstacles so that anyone in thecommunity can fully participate in the Township’s rising good fortune. As a personal matter, it means helping one another to succeed.
Be Healthy. An economy that builds upon and contributes to a healthy environment is the foundation for continuing economic prosperity in Cranberry Township. That means practicing sound environmental stewardship, working to attract knowledge-based industries, and fostering a diverse base o environmentally-friendly business enterprises.
Be Engaged. People who are actively engaged in their own governance and civic life lead happier, more constructive lives than those whose involvement in their community is passive. Civic engagement also drives transparent, accountable, efficient and effective governance. Everyone should strive to create opportunities for individual residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, to participate meaningfully in advancing shared goals and improvements throughout their Township.
Be Committed. Cranberry and its residents will maintain a long-range vision and respond to emerging trends and signals in making decisions. Accordingly, Township officials and administrators will provide steady leadership in educating staff, residents and local businesses on the implementation of these principles when addressing challenges that face the Township.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding Cranberry's sustainability efforts, contact: John K. Trant, Jr., Chief Strategic Planning Officer. Call 724-776-4806 x 1114.
Learn more about the future of Cranberry Township in
The Cranberry Plan
Printed copies are available in the Cranberry Public Library and in the Township Administration Office.