FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 21, 2015

Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan

Selected for National Planning Award

American Planning Association recognizes GREENPRINT 2015/2040 for Excellence in Sustainability

Seattle, WA - April 19, 2015 – GREENPRINT 2015/2040, the final plan of the Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan initiative, has been awarded the Excellence in Sustainability Award for a Plan. This prestigious award comes months after the Greenprint Plan was completed by a tri-state regional consortium of partners and formally released in February 2015. The plan effort was led by the Memphis-Shelby County Office of Sustainability.

The American Planning Association’s (APA) Sustainable Communities Division (SCD) announced the second annual Awards for Excellence in Sustainability at the National Planning Conference of APA in Seattle, WA Sunday night. The Awards honor projects, plans, policies, individuals, and organizations whose work is dedicated to supporting and growing sustainable communities. The SCD supports planners who are committed to planning for sustainable communities by integrating all aspects of sustainability into their work through the combined economic, social, and ecological factors that shape communities.

In partnership with the International and Urban Design and Preservation Divisions, the 2015 Awards for Excellence in Sustainability reached an international audience, with nominations received from across the globe. The winners represent extraordinary achievements in eight Sustainable Planning categories, including the Sustainable Plan category. The previous winner of this award was the Imagine Austin comprehensive plan for Austin, TX.

John Zeanah, Administrator of the Memphis-Shelby County Office of Sustainability attended the ceremony to accept the award on behalf of the Mid-South region. “This award is a tremendous achievement for the Greenprint and Mid-South Region,” said Zeanah. “It illustrates the value of bringing together our three states toward achieving a vision for our region’s future.”

Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. said, “I am proud to see the Mid-South region recognized for the outstanding collaboration that guided the Greenprint process.”

“Efforts like the Greenprint are one of the many reasons Memphis and the region are becoming leaders in sustainability,” said Mayor A C Wharton, Jr.

The Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan was funded by a $2.6 million Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant awarded to Shelby County Government from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in November 2011. From 2012 to 2014, the Memphis-Shelby County Office of Sustainability led a consortium of over 80 organizations and 300 individuals toward the development of the Greenprint plan and related studies. The final plan, GREENPRINT 2015/2040, was published in November 2014. For more information or to download the plan, please visit www.midsouthgreenprint.org.

About the American Planning Association (APA): APA is an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that provides leadership in the development of vital communities. APA includes a professional institute for certified planners, 47 chapters, 20 divisions, and special memberships for students.

About the APA Sustainable Communities Division: The need for leadership on comprehensive approaches to sustainability planning is growing. The APA Sustainable Communities Division's goal is to help planners engage in and collaborate on innovative approaches to this important emerging issue. The Division was recognized for outstanding communication efforts with a Divisions Council Achievement Award for their email bulletin which is published bi-monthly. https://apascd.wordpress.com/category/bulletin/

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