“When we needed partners for a renewable energy demonstration project, Sustainable Hudson Valley and Melissa Everett were right there; they produced a cornucopia of committed organizations ready to participate.  I know of no other network in this area that could have harnessed so much energy so quickly.  It can clearly be a significant force to stimulating social and economic change.”
 Bill Jacoby, President, Direct Global Power

 "Sustainable Hudson Valley is a great asset to the entire region. The
conferences have allowed people in the public, private, and nonprofit
sector to network with each other throughout the region. Melissa Everett is
probably the best-networked person in the sustainaiblity community
in the region, and she is an excellent organizer."
David Hess, professor

"Sustainable Hudson Valley has opened up a whole new regional conversation about what economic development can be, and how we go about it."

-- Mary Ann Johnson, Project Coordinator, Northern Dutchess Alliance

"Sustainable Hudson Valley has the distinct ability to step into the unknown territory of a community and target strengths, identify options for a more vibrant local economy, and instill confidence that gets people on a path to success."

-- Susan Cockburn,  Town of Montgomery

"Sustainable Hudson Valley's Melissa Everett went out of her way to meet with members of our community here in Philmont. She blew us away with her breadth of knowledge on so many issues relevant to our needs. She and her organization are an extraordinary resource. We are thrilled that such a resource is available to us, especially at this time of new growth and challenges."

--Carolyn Stern and Eileen Ordu of the Philmont Main Street Committee

"I am amazed at the amount of energy generated by Sustainable Hudson Valley, whether it's running workshops, participating in community forums, or working with local governments and community organizations. After working together with SHV on our community outreach activities, I can attest to the value of this resource."

-- Mike Ignatowski, Social Action Chair,
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills

 

"The Cool Communities conference was a very fruitful event because it had a distinct goal: to identify the technologies, products, and economic development strategies that can help create a sustainable future for the Hudson Valley Region. It brought an unusually wide range of environmental and energy advocates in the region together with top national experts. It generated a fresh sense of community and took the first steps forward in shaping a practical sustainable economic development plan."

-- Joanna Underwood, Underwood Energy Associates

"The hard work that went into putting together Cool Communities really paid off! I met some very interesting people, grabbed two useful books that will absolutely be put into action, and had a great overall, jam-packed, day. Thank you!"

-– Karisa Centanni, Steering Committee, Capitol District Sustainable Business Alliance

"Great job with the conference! It set me on fire! The best thing — besides the people — was the way the organizers demonstrated the power of positive thinking. I learned loads. And I think everyone had fun. "

-– Susan Von Reusner, Pace University law student

"The Cool Communities Conference was terrific. I felt energized,
informed, and connected. The speakers were knowledgable and motivating
and I feel I have enough concrete information to follow through on a
couple of different real life actions in my community and workplace.
The tools are there to be picked up and used! "

-- Susan Goldman, Woodstock