MountainKeepers
Working Toward Sustainable Communities
Who We Are
MountainKeepers is an alliance of individuals, groups and organizations who
are committed to the safekeeping of the special character of our communities
and region, the preservation of our natural resources, unique heritage and
culture, and an enhanced quality of life for all citizens.
Why We Exist
MountainKeepers nurtures and champions initiatives and efforts that help
communities in the area become sustainable. These Sustainable Communities
conserve and protect their natural resources, preserve their unique character
and values while fostering the development of a prosperous business climate.
This balance can be achieved without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet theirown economic, cultural and environmental needs.
To accomplish this Mission, we will:
- Identify and promote opportunities to strengthen the economy, maintain a
healthy environment and improve the quality of life.
- Seek opportunities to help build awareness for the Sustainable Communities
movement and help educate citizens about the advantages of sustainability.
- Identify issues that jeopardize the success of the community in implementing
sustainable principles and work toward finding solutions that are consistent
with community values and character, economic needs and the environment.
Principles of Sustainable Communities
The Sustainable Community Initiative Encompasses
Economy
Environment
Equity of all Citizens
Education
In Sustainable Communities, the decision-making process is based on broad-based
community planning that depends on participation by all stakeholders, which
includes but is not limited to residents, elected officials, business leaders
and neighborhood and civic organizations.
Sustainable Communities are ecologically bearable, economically viable and
ethically and socially equitable.
Sustainable Communities integrate economic development with environmental conservation,
respecting fragile ecological areas and ensuring the careful consideration of
environmental impacts.
What We Believe In
MountainKeepers endorses the following:
- Alternative agriculture to promote the continued environmentally caring
stewardship of the land by owners and farmers. We value the role that farmland
plays in our community, providing greenspace, food production, flood control
and scenic views.
- Attaining a balance between environmental conservation and economic development.
- Management of renewable resources such as water, soil, forest products and
aquatic life in ways that do not exceed rates of regeneration and that protect
the health of ecosystems.
- Management of the extraction and use of non-renewable resources such as
minerals and fossil fuels in ways that minimize depletion and the environmental
impacts.
- The prevention and elimination of environmental pollution.
- Reducing, reusing and recycling materials used in the production and consumption
systems.
- Further research and use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind
power.
- The development, adoption and equitable transfer of environmentally sound
technologies.
- Scientific and technical cooperation on sustainability at the local, regional,
state, national and international levels.