What is Sustainable Development? Communities face enormous challenges world-wide as their social, economic, and environmental resources are depleted and destroyed. Sustainable development represents a way to achieve recovery, improve public health, and seek a better quality of life in these communities by limiting waste, minimizing pollution, maximizing conservation, promoting efficiency, and developing local resources to revitalize the economy. In practicing sustainable development over the long-term one will:
1) not diminish the quality of the present environment;
2) not critically reduce the availability of renewable resources;
3) take into consideration the value of non-renewable resources to future generations; and
4) not compromise the ability of other species or future generations to meet their needs.
The idea of sustainable development not only implies wisdom and stewardship in resource management for the future, but also includes equal fulfillment of basic human needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, health, and the economic means to achieve these. It further recognizes that all resources - human, natural, and economic - are interdependent (interrelated), and therefore they must be addressed in a thorough manner.
The Institute: The Eastern Shore Institute (ESI) is a non-profit (501(c)(3)) organization founded in 1994 to address sustainable development on Virginia's Eastern Shore. ESI's mission is to study and demonstrate ways for a community to preserve its natural ecosystem while promoting economic development in harmony with nature. Organizing principles for Institute work include application of the 4 E's:
ECOLOGY - Natural Ecosystem Capacity
factors of natural systems to consider in formulating sound economic development
ECONOMY - Compatible with Nature
economic development that protects and/or enhances natural resources through improvements in management practices, technology, efficiency, and changes in life-style
EQUITY - Societal Well-Being
access to jobs, education, natural resources, and services, for all people
EVALUATION - Making a Difference
key indicators that measure the direction and extent of influence from economic and social activities on natural and human systems
ESI bridges the gap among environment, economy, and society in its targeted programs, and also bridges the gap among organizations and agencies. Because the Institute is an independent organization, it serves no particular constituency and thus, can bring objective information to bear in assisting others to meet their goals.
What will ESI Do? The Institute will accomplish its mission in the following ways:
* Key Research Issues - Conduct instructive, leading-edge studies to better understand all aspects of the region's social, economic, and natural systems.
* Community Participation - Provide continuing awareness, training, and other capacity-building assistance to communities, supported by applied research findings.
* Common Ground - Work with governments, community interest groups, and business to assist in resolving conflicts by articulating and clarifying crucial controversies and identifying strategies to advance solutions to perceived problems.
* Education - Use case studies and lessons learned from research in developing a graduate level curriculum to train professionals in sustainable community development.
* Measures of Success - Evaluate sustainable development projects and programs through the identification of benchmarks and indicators.
* World Class Model - Develop a model sustainable community program that can be replicated in other locales and ecosystems.
Action Oriented: The Eastern Shore Institute is off to a dramatic beginning. It has successfully conducted a capital fund-raising campaign to provide operating expenses for at least two years. With the help of its founders, ESI has been able to provide seed funding to leverage approximately $360,000 toward research programs. The findings from these programs are guiding efforts to improve economic opportunities for Eastern Shore communities in ways that are environmentally sound. The Institute has partnered with a number of different experts and organizations to begin developing a clearer understanding of scientific and social issues in order to establish a better quality of life for residents. The Institute's social, economic, and environmental studies agenda is now growing to include issues in Maryland and Delaware, as well as Virginia (the entire Delmarva Peninsula). This regional focus is emphasizing the relationship between coastal bay environmental assessment and land-use planning. For example, ESI is involved in the following projects.
* Research to understand processes that govern the nature and function of coastal watersheds, providing informed and practical assessment of risks faced by these systems, as well as realistic options for management and remediation.
* Exploration of opportunities for jobs, education, and community development that are available to those at most risk through pilot projects to develop environmentally-sound businesses providing employment to low-income people and study of sustainable agricultural practices for family farms to stay economically viable while providing good jobs.
* Research to consider the fit between policies outlined in regional planning documents with attitudes, values, and goals of the local Eastern Shore populace, in order to help guide governmental policy actions designed to improve social vitality and economic strength of rural communities, while also protecting the ecosystems upon which they depend.
* Studies to assess community (especially minorities) needs and desires for recreation by identifying resident social patterns and recreational interests, in order to influence sound decisionmaking by governmental officials in the development of new recreational opportunities and in allocating the appropriate resources for implementing planned actions promoting equal access.
* Investigations into affordable, alternative wastewater treatment options for low-income, minority communities that presently do not have access to indoor plumbing facilities.
* Research to define the extent of the freshwater aquifers in order to evaluate actual supply of freshwater to the region and provide sound information to guide conservation and alternative management plans.
What is Next for ESI? The Eastern Shore Institute bridges the gap among environment, economy, and society by integrating these into each of its projects and programs. In meeting its ultimate goals ESI will use what is learned about achieving sustainability from its scientific, technical, and socio-economic research programs to design appropriate community-based actions related to guaranteeing equitable benefits and outcomes to the Shore's communities, including its disenfranchised minority and poor peoples. The next level of effectiveness for Institute work will be to assist these communities in building diverse, prosperous, and self-reliant economies that provide good jobs for all, while at the same time encouraging preservation of the region's globally-significant natural resources and its character, history, culture, and tradition. This will be accomplished by designing programs that (1) facilitate and expand access to environmental information and better communicate scientific and technical results, and (2) strengthen the community capacity to address environmental issues by encouraging education and public awareness activities.
The Eastern Shore Institute is quickly becoming recognized as an independent entity able to promote sustainable development on the Eastern Shore, to which the region is turning for resources and guidance. ESI is seeking the participation of federal agencies, corporations, foundations, academic institutions, environmental groups, labor, and advocacy groups, in its work to provide regional liaisons and expertise. Through the study of Virginia Eastern Shore environment and society, and the application of research outcomes to regional problem-solving, the Institute will serve as the catalyst in assisting communities to implement actions that will improve human well-being without degrading environmental health.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dr. Warren Flint (804)442-5588
P.O. Box 1035
Nassawadox, VA 23413 9/12/95
email: VaCoastIst@aol.com
RWF46.2/ESIFACT3.sht