Environmental sustainability is one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Environmental issues are local and global. From littering, to sustainable agriculture, to environmental remediation of former industrial sites, to extreme heat and flooding and health-related impacts caused by a changing climate.

Our impact on the environment is interconnected in everything we do.

A Sustainability Commission can help meet this challenge.

As individuals we all have a stake in sustainability. 

BUT many environmental challenges require efforts on a larger scale to be impactful. And local governments have a very important role to play including our community, Highland, Indiana.

We are all limited by time, resources, and money. This also is the case for the Town of Highland.

As a community we can pool together our strengths, skills, and passions to work in collaboration with the Town of Highland to address environmental challenges that can only be effective if done through a coordinated effort.

We propose the establishment of a sustainability commission, a commission made up of residents that will support Highland’s effort to become sustainable. Our proposed commission is very common to other communities, such as the Sustainability Commission in Michigan City, Indiana, in that we would like a commission that can support, advise, educate, and help implement sustainability actions.

Our residents care about Highland and have many skills, expertise, and talents that can be channeled for the benefit of all residents through a sustainability commission.

Through a sustainability commission we can:

• Increase the Town’s Staff capacity to accomplish more
• Save money through costs savings
• Build a deeper sense of community with residents
• Improve quality of life
• Attract more businesses and residents as a result of a high quality of life community

A sustainability commission can also better position Highland for grants, funding, and regional collaboration. The regional governmental body, NIRPC, is in the process of developing climate action plans that help guide local governments to become more sustainable. A sustainability commission can leverage these plans to inform their work and create positive impacts for Highland. We are part of the Northwest Indiana region. We rely on other towns and cities in so many ways, and the effects of environmental degradation in one community affects neighboring communities too. Highland can lead the way to create a town and region that is sustainable, resilient, and full of opportunities.

Sign our petition to show support in establishing a sustainability commission in Highland.

Imagine a commission that

• Reduces operational expenses for the Town, thereby extending taxpayer dollars for other needed services
• Secures funding to reduce utility bills for residents and businesses through energy and water efficiency improvements
• Creates greater community collaboration and volunteerism

A sustainability commission offers so much potential. It is an immense opportunity to bring people together to make meaningful steps for a more sustainable Highland and region. Sign our petition and pass it on!

The above image is from a planting day where Highland residents volunteered their time to build a rain garden in front of the Town Hall.