Get the Guide: ICLEI's new Outreach and Communications Guide can help you connect with your community
Apply for Our Advisory Group: Help develop our adaptation program
Join Our Pilot: Learn more about the Sustainability Planning Pilot
Read Success Stories: Gatlinburg, Tenn., Irvine, Calif., and other ICLEI members in action

ICLEI has an exciting new tool: The Outreach and Communications Guide. This Guide shows local governments how to communicate effectively with constituents to build relationships, gain support, raise public awareness, engage community members, deliver calls to action, and inspire behavioral changes. The Guide contains steps and strategies, as well as a compilation of best practices from around the country.

You can browse the full Guide online, or download a PDF version.
>> View It Now

ICLEI is seeking member liaisons to join the Climate Resilient Communities Local Government Advisory Group. This group will help ICLEI design a new program for local governments working on climate adaptation issues. Apply by Jan. 15!
>> Learn More

Is your local government in the early stages of developing a sustainability plan? If so, apply to participate in ICLEI's Sustainability Planning Toolkit pilot program. You'll receive training, advice, and more. But hurry -- applications are due this Friday, Jan. 9.
>> Learn More

Gatlinburg, Tenn., Reduces Winter Magic Lighting Costs by 95 Percent With LEDs

Chevy Chase, Md., Adopts Climate Action Plan With Focus on Residents' Voluntary Actions

Irvine, Calif., Wins Flex Your Power Award and Distributes Over 69,000 CFLs

Cooperation Helped Louisville, Ky. Clean Up Air and Gain National Recognition

New York City to Roll Out LED Streetlights

Helena, Mo., Sees Significant Drop in Energy Usage, Emissions

Town of Greenfield, Mass., Collaborates With Residents on Energy Audit and Goals

Webinar: Leadership in Green Building Policy, Jan. 27

New Partners for Smart Growth Conference, Jan. 22-24, Albuquerque, N.M.

Sustainable Communities Training Conference, March 9-11, Dallas, Texas

>> See All Events

A number of municipalities are experimenting with creative, incremental, neighborhood- or district-based lending programs that help homeowners pay the up-front capital costs of energy-saving projects, from solar panels to more efficient windows. The New York Times' Green Inc. blog covers the story.

>> Read the Full Article

Obama Sketches Out Recovery Plan

Green Jobs: One Goal, Two Different Paths

Obama Calls for Inauguration Day of Service

Coal-Ash Spill May Bring Added Regulation of TVA

“We want President-elect Obama and the Congress to know that with federal assistance we are ready to put hundreds of Monmouth County citizens to work in jobs that ultimately will ease our dependence on foreign oil and achieve significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions.”
--Monmouth County (N.J.) Freeholder John D'Amico Jr., during Local Climate Action Week 

The ICLEI network -- which recently celebrated its 500th member -- welcomes the following new local governments:

• Carson, Calif.
• South Daytona, Fla.
• Lowell, Mass.
• Marshfield, Mass.
• York, Maine
  
• Bowie, Md.
• Somers, N.Y.
• Abingdon, Va.