Sustainable Alachua County Hosts Community Stakeholder Meeting, February 12, 2009


Are you wondering how to create sustainable change in our community? Do you want to be engaged with improving environmental, social, and economic conditions around you?

Sustainable Alachua County (SAC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 to promote discussion and action on issues of sustainability. The mission of Sustainable Alachua County is to provide education and civic participation opportunities that enhance the sustainability and healthy functioning of our environmental, social/cultural, and economic systems. 

Sustainable Alachua County is currently reassessing and realigning their mission and goals to best meet the needs of the community. SAC will host a stakeholder meeting on February 12, 2009, 7-9pm in the Fellowship Hall at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 N.E. 1st Street, Gainesville, FL  32601.

President of the SAC Board, Susan Marynowski, notes “With a tighter economy and the effects of global climate change, we are seeing a surging interest in sustainable living. We are eager for the community — in the broadest sense — to tell us how SAC can best serve as a hub or clearinghouse for sustainability education.” Sustainable Alachua County is inviting the public to participate and share ideas of how SAC can help the community work and live more efficiently.

The meeting will feature a short presentation on SAC’s history, by Susan Marynowski as well as a short presentation by Sean McClendon, Alachua County Sustainability Manager, on the recent report of the Alachua County Energy Conservation Strategies Committee. Professional facilitators, Bruce Delaney and Wendy-Lin Bartels will lead the meeting to assess sustainability resources in the community, and identify the role SAC can play in identifying and providing resources.

Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to sustainableac@gmail.com

For more information about the stakeholder meeting, please contact members of the SAC Board:

Citizens Co-op - A Community Owned Market


Citizens Co-op – A Community Owned Market is now forming. It will be a full-service grocery store dedicated to providing sustainably and responsibly produced goods by the community, to the community, and for the community. Freshly prepared foods and a certified kitchen will be open to members and membership open to all.

The Community Redevelopment Agency has offered space in a building being constructed over the next year, in Historic Pleasant Street Neighborhood. In order to accept this opportunity, we need to show that there is a real desire for this space to be born - that people are willing to invest in ourselves and each other to see this through.  Join us in building this movement. Help us to improve the local food system and create a space we can all build and benefit from together. To move forward with the CRA, community support is required. Fill out the application that follows and send it back to with your fully-refundable, lifetime membership share.

Sustainability Innovation Grant Offering


Sustainable Alachua County, Inc. (SAC) is offering a one-time Sustainability Innovation Grant of $7,000. We challenge you to propose an innovative sustainability action or education project for our community. Projects that propose to raise sustainability awareness and generate income for self perpetuation will be favored. We want to see action and results with this funding! Your proposal should demonstrate both innovative ideas and a solid commitment to the project, including the necessary experience to complete the work.

The grant will be awarded (or not) at the sole discretion of the SAC Board of Directors. The project must meet the following requirements: * The project must be carried out in Alachua County, Florida; * Sustainable Alachua County, Inc.’s name and logo must be credited on all project activities, publicity, and materials; and, * The project must be one year or less in length, reaching completion on or before November 1, 2009.

SAC will provide 50% of the grant amount at the start of the project, and 50% of the grant amount at the midpoint of the project, upon receipt of a one-page midpoint report. If midpoint accomplishments are inadequate, SAC reserves the right to withhold project funds. At the end of the project, SAC’s requires a final written report and oral presentation of accomplishments to the SAC Board of Directors, along with a discussion of prospects for project self perpetuation and the potential for ongoing SAC involvement.

The grant application is one page of normal (12-point) text and/or illustration(s). The one-page application must be submitted

Previous Articles

“Healthy Children, Healthy Planet” Summer Discussion Circle


Community Garden Plots Available


2008 Eat Local Challenge


Gainesville Critical Mass


Green Fair


Welcome to Sustainable Alachua County

We are a non-profit organization founded in 1996 to promote discussion and action on issues of sustainability. This web site is designed to keep readers informed about SAC programs and activities as well as local sustainability resources and initiatives.

What is Sustainability and why does it matter?

Sustainability is a state of dynamic equilibrium achieved by taking responsibility for balancing long term economic, environmental and social health - for ourselves, our community, and our world.