Plans for the Launch of Silver Spring Green Continue to Progress

A 25-member steering committee, comprised of local government officials, residents as well as business and community leaders has been shaping what will ultimately become Silver Spring Green this spring. The program looks to foster the community’s sense of responsibility to care for both the environment and one another.

Montgomery Council President Valerie Ervin is a proponent of the developing program. “When we talk about sustainability and sustainable economic growth in Silver Spring, we have to remember that we have a diverse population, a different one than Bethesda, and it’s important to make sure that Silver Spring Green reflects our community,” she said.

Patch sat down with Doug Weisburger Senior Planning Specialist, Sustainability Programs, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection to find out more about Silver Spring Green:

Patch: Where did the idea of Silver Spring Green (SSG) come from?

Doug Weisburger: Replicating Bethesda Green-like organizations throughout the County was one of the recommendations in the County’s 2009 Climate Protection Plan. A couple of individuals in Silver Spring indicated their interest in creating a similar entity in Silver Spring, with its own unique flavor.  I subsequently canvassed numerous Silver Spring individuals, businesses and organizations to gauge their receptivity. The response and excitement was significant. 

Patch: Tell us about the first Silver Spring Green Meeting.        

D. W: We convened a “dream and design” meeting and Discovery Communications graciously agreed to host. Seth Goldman, TEO of Honest Tea and Co-Founder of Bethesda Green, gave an inspiring presentation that reinforced the positive energy. One of the things we did during that meeting was to identify community assets that can be tapped – it’s not surprising to know they’re considerable! Near the end of the meeting, our facilitator Charlie Atwell of Innovative Business Interiors, asked for volunteers to serve on a steering committee to help “operationalize” the idea and about 25 people stepped forward, including businesses, government officials, residents and civic organizations.

Patch: What are the goals of Silver Spring Green?

D. W: Since the organization is still in its conceptual stage, we’ve not outlined specific goals and strategies. In general, we anticipate that Silver Spring Green will strengthen the bonds of community and enhance the quality of life by making sustainability practices, tools and information accessible and relevant to all members of this diverse society so that each individual is empowered to nurture both the environment and one another. 

Patch: Who will participate in Silver Spring Green?

D.W: In short, everyone in the community - businesses, residents, government officials and civic organizations. We hope and anticipate that a “big tent” approach will serve to connect these different groups, building partnerships and synergies. 

Patch: Can you give us some examples of how Silver Spring Green might function?

D. W: Our hope is that Silver Spring Green will facilitate opportunities for businesses to sponsor projects and events and help lead the charge. For example, Bethesda Green has worked with businesses to install recycling bins in the downtown area. They’ve held green fairs featuring local green products and services and organized a green business internship fair matching students with green businesses. These are just a few of the possibilities. It should be noted that a number of the businesses participating in Silver Spring Green are Certified Green Businesses (IBI, SSS, SWANA, Clean Currents, Greenavise) and are listed in the program’s directory.    

Patch: Who are some of the organizations and people who stepped forward to form the Steering Committee?

D.W: Discovery Communications, Innovative Business Interiors, Impact Silver Spring, Social Scientific Systems, United Therapeutics, Capital One, Clean Currents, Montgomery County Arts and Humanities Council, D&R International, SWANA, WMATA, Ascensus Law Group, Greenavise, The Zipin Law Firm, NOAA, Space 88 and ChangeMatters are some of the businesses and organizations, while a number of residents are involved -some of which are also members of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board.  From the local government, we have Councilmember Valerie Ervin and other Councilmember staffers, the Departments of Environmental Protection and Economic Development, the Silver Spring Regional Services Center, the Montgomery County Planning Department and Montgomery College.

Patch:  When might the public see Silver Spring Green in action?

D.W: We’re planning a kick-off event in the spring to demonstrate the types of activities and projects we hope to pursue. We hope to use such an event to survey residents, businesses and others; spread the word; and build excitement.  Subsequently we hope to engage the broader community at a public forum during which people can share their hopes for and begin to shape and get involved with Silver Spring Green.