Sustainable Cities Institute Moving to National League of Cities

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National League of Cities (NLC) and the Home Depot Foundation (THDF) are pleased to announce plans to move the Sustainable Cities Institute to NLC's Center for Research and Innovation. Developed by THDF, the Sustainable Cities Institute (SCI) provides a one-stop shop for cities and sustainability professionals to find vetted best practices from across the country to help them identify and implement local sustainable practices and policies as well as communicate with other cities about sustainability related issues and topics.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081022/NLCLOGO).

SCI will be coupled with NLC's current Sustainability Program within the Center for Research and Innovation. The Sustainability Program seeks to catalyze action at the local level by providing resources, research, and recognition for and about locally-led sustainability efforts. NLC takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability which includes environmental stewardships, economic prosperity, and social responsibility.

Since 2009 NLC's work on sustainability – including topical guides, case studies, and a national survey - has been largely supported through THDF as NLC's official Sustainability Partner. The transition of SCI to NLC will build upon this existing partnership and further enhance the range of resources and opportunities available through NLC to support local government leaders and staff meet their sustainability goals.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to move the Sustainable Cities Institute to NLC," said Donald J. Borut, Executive Director of the National League of Cities.  He continued, "The Home Depot Foundation has built a very strong platform to support sustainability efforts across cities. Bringing SCI to NLC will enrich our existing work and further demonstrate NLC's commitment to helping cities with their sustainability efforts."

"We are thrilled that the impact of the Sustainable Cities Institute will be extended to even more local governments through the broad reach of the National League of Cities," said Kelly Caffarelli, President, The Home Depot Foundation. "Under NLC's guidance, SCI will continue to provide real-time information and access to practical expertise that will help cities create and implement sustainability programs, including efforts to save money and other resources, and to support healthy communities."

Going forward, NLC and THDF will work to finalize the details of the transition.  NLC will engage its members for feedback on ways to further develop SCI as a resource for cities while also reaching out to those who have been highly involved throughout the development of SCI including city staff, the SCI Advisory Board, and several national organizations.  Opportunities will be available at NLC's upcoming Congress of Cities in Phoenix November 10-12 for city leaders and staff to "tour" SCI and learn more about NLC's Sustainability Programs moving forward.  

"This is a significant addition to NLC's work on sustainability. We are honored and excited to have been selected as the home for this great initiative and are looking forward to continuing and building upon SCI's platform to provide a comprehensive set of sustainability resources to cities," said Tammy Zborel, Senior Associate within NLC's Sustainability Program.

About the National League of Cities
The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents. More than 1,600 municipalities of all sizes pay dues directly to NLC and actively participate as leaders and voting members in the organization. Additional information may be found at www.nlc.org.

NLCs Sustainability Program: www.nlc.org/sustainability; Twitter: @NLCgreencities
Sustainable Cities Institute: www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org; Twitter@sustcitiesinst

About The Home Depot Foundation
The Home Depot Foundation, created in 2002, supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating and preserving healthy, affordable homes as the cornerstone of sustainable communities. For more information, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org, or follow on Twitter@homedepotfdn or visit our Facebook page which is www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation

SOURCE National League of Cities