• managing water sustainably;
• transforming waste into wealth through recycling-based industries;
• bringing the latest energy-efficiency technologies to the market and supporting ongoing innovation in this key area;
• producing food, fuel and fiber sustainably in and for the region;
• developing high-performance construction and renovation industries that work with, and benefit, the natural environment.

We focus the expertise of our staff and networks in two areas:

• Technologies and business strategies;
• Bringing people together, creating consensus and supporting real changes in the ways people live and work.

Regional economic transformation can only be done by a broad collaboration that allows for independent and flexible functioning of the partners. SHV is a new kind of organization that facilitates experimental partnerships in communities and industries. We work primarily with leaders in government, business, and institutions, to devise projects that build upon their existing efforts, but add "green value" by connecting them to new technologies, practices and funding streams.

Our work is to stimulate a home-grown green economy that gains security from a base of businesses with loyalty to this place. This strategy helps the region take better advantage of external funding sources and trading partners, without over-relying on them. Our work takes two primary forms: strengthening key industries with new resources for marketing, work force development and strategic alliances; and practical job-creation projects in communities that are ready to change the way they build structures, move people, and use resources. We partner with communities that are willing to commit themselves to measurable results, using the national Green Jobs Pledge endorsed by the US Conference of Mayors. We then help those communities design their own ways to create good job opportunities through demonstration projects, market transformation strategies, and local policy.

The Kingston Green Trail is our 2009-10 focal point to translate strategies into action. This partnership of key agencies and citizens is rallying the community to create good green jobs and a transformed urban environment, where people can move by cycle and on foot... gardens, parks and tree cover are abundant... renewable energy and recycled materials create economic advantage... and these activities form the base of a vibrant knowledge economy.

Resilient Communities Initiative:
bringing affordable technology solutions to local governments along with design and strategy development – to scale up energy-efficiency, renewables, green roofs and healthy landscapes.

Green Collar
Job training, coordination and strategy with the Work Force Investment Boards and training systems of seven counties.

Get a Green Trail poster!(PDF)

Kingston Green Trail:
concentrating resources and creativity to make the center of Kingston more thriving and environmentally advanced with a bike-friendly city initiative, a major communications platform, and the creation of a Green Zone demonstrating the possible city of the (near) future.