Celebrating Ten Years of Green Maps!
March 25, 2005 marks the 10th anniversary of Green Map System, a
network of locally-led projects building healthier, more sustainable
communities by charting the natural and cultural environment. In a
decade, the global Green Map movement has spread to 45 countries,
sparking public involvement and encouraging fresh perspectives on
familiar landscapes. In nearly
300 diverse cities, towns
and rural locales, we're charting the good life, celebrating
community and engaging the future.
Collectively, Green Mapmakers have published 201 Green Maps - 60 are online and 3 million copies are in use, serving as guides to
ecological living. Click
GreenMap.org for an
update on each map - these are beautiful portraits of place that
ignite hope and caring for our beloved hometown environments.
Linking all projects are the Green Map Icons - the world's only
universal symbol set for maps - and a flexible framework for
mapmaking. Practical, effective Green Mapmaking tools and resources are being created all the time, based on local experience.
Our recent milestones include:
Green Map Atlas
In 2004 Green Map System produced its first collection of mapmaking stories. Illustrating the origins, methods and local impacts of 10 projects in Asia and North America, the Green Map Atlas is a multimedia anthology -
order the book or CD-ROM, or download it at
Written for the public, it
was conceived to catalyze action for community sustainability around the world - 100,000 English/Japanese readers have downloaded it already!
Lift-off in Taiwan
Taiwan's Society of Wilderness has practiced Green Mapmaking since
2000, leading successful workshops across the country. Published in
March 2005, their
http://sow.org.tw/product/2005/greenbookpublish/index.htm
"Energetic Green Map Movement" book features 135 pages of in-depth methodology and colorfully illustrated vignettes on Taiwanese and international Green Maps (including sections of the Green Map Atlas), in Chinese.
Japan's Networked Accomplishments
Some of the most inclusive Green Map projects are in Japan. Capturing this creative energy and fostering new developments,
the
http://greenmap.org/howto/japanhub.html
GreenMap Japan network has
just published a 40 page "Green Map Activity Guide"
(English edition expected in August). Their national summer homework challenge in 2004 yielded expressive outcomes, dozens of which can be seen at
(English Intro).
EXPO 2005 - Nature's Wisdom
Today, 52 communities in Japan have projects underway. More than 16 of these are creating a citizens' participation
project for Aichi EXPO 2005, under the
umbrella of GreenMap Aichi/Chubu Recycle. Opening today, EXPO's Aichi Prefecture Pavilion features the debut of 30 diverse, local Green Maps. EXPO continues for 6 months, with international Green Maps featured in August. Find out more
here. The impacts of this mega event will continue to be charted through 2010 by GreenMap Aichi! Crossing the Divide
It's not only in affluent regions that Green Mapmaking is thriving.
Indonesia has 8 far-flung projects underway which have published 10 popular maps to date, and Jakarta's story in the Green Map Atlas has been downloaded 20,000 times. Our 2004 Chinese Initiative has yielded the first 2 mainland projects underway in Beijing and Hangzhou. In the West,
http://greenmap.org/howto/cuba.html
Mapa Verde Cuba is
thriving as an education and social resource in 12 provinces across
the island, plus they are collaborating on the tri-lingual Mapa Verde
Americas Community
http://greenmap.org/grmaps/latinam.html
Green Mapping Booklet, due out later this year. From Uruguay to Uganda, Netherlands to New Zealand, Green Mapmakers have honed their communication skills with this community media vehicle.
And at Home Our New York global headquarters is a catalyst for new projects, a resource and outreach center, archive and connecting point; we also "seed"
http://greenapplemap.org/page/youth
local youth projects and create new editions of NYC's original
http://greenapplemap.org
Green Apple Map. Currently, we're piloting a new mapping concept with our 5th city-wide edition, which will focus on Energy and aim to build the buzz for efficiency and renewables.
Beyond the maps, we embrace
the challenge of working globally every day with a wonderful,
creative alliance dedicated to building sustainable communities.
Our 10th Anniversary Year
Celebrate this important milestone with us! Our 10th anniversary year starts today, so congratulate your local Mapmakers or send your thoughts (and support!) directly to Green Map System. A non-profit 501c3 organization since 2000, Green Map System welcomes your
http://greenmap.org/about/support.html
tax-deductible donation online or by mail (PO Box 249, New York, NY USA 10002-0249). Visit our
http://greenmap.org/about/getgm.html
online Store for Green Maps, Atlases, T-shirts and more. With your help, we will develop a new online system that will improve public access to Green Maps and foster collaboration throughout the movement. Your support will also help us build capacity globally and locally, as we prepare to gracefully expand our eco-cultural service for the next 10 years!
Thanks much from director Wendy Brawer,
http://greenmap.org/about/staff.html
staff and the global Green Map network
Find us on the web: GreenMap.org
by email: [email protected]
telephone: +1 (212) 674-1631
