How to Build a Green City You Can Be Proud of: Fort Wayne, Indiana

It would be hard to believe for those on the East or West Coasts! Those in Seattle or Maine just wouldn't think that a Midwestern city like Fort Wayne, Indiana is capturing the green movement like they are.

But, guess what?

Fort Wayne, Indiana is at the front of the pack!

The city of Fort Wayne, and impassioned activists have stepped in front of the curve and are showing how Indiana's Second City is coming up green. Here's how.

1) The Fort Wayne Rain Garden Program - As a way to stem runoff from storm waters, a cash incentive program has been initiated by the City of Fort Wayne in order to help area residents landscape their own native plant gardens. If a resident becomes involved in the program, a cash incentive is available, workshops are structured, and support if given in order for a successful rain garden to become a part of the city's natural way to control storm water. Area nursery companies are very much involved in this program. People like Laura Stein of Neuhouser Nursery are well-versed in the knowledge necessary to build a viable rain garden.

2) City of Fort Wayne's Green Business Certification Program - The City of Fort Wayne has developed a Green Business Certification Program, the first of its kind in local government. This program is voluntary, and non-regulatory. All a business needs to do is to register and attend the FREE 3 hour training session and complete the requirements, which are flexible and designed to save money while becoming green. Each attendee will receive a checklist and resources to help them go green. Additionally, each participant will have access to a mentor who will provide advice and suggestions on how to implement the environmentally friendly actions that you choose. Julia Gorrell, of the Fort Wayne Energy and Environmental Department heads this program.

3) Little Rivers Wetland Project - Beyond city run programs are those powered by impassioned activists, like those who are involved in the Little Rivers Wetland Project. Betsy Yakowiak, executive director of the project is a visible and active member of the community and brings excitement to the project.

"The project was founded in 1990 with the goal of restoring and preserving wetlands in the watershed of the Little River, a headwater tributary of the Wabash River. Its project area encompasses 25,000 acres of land once known as the Great Marsh, in Allen and Huntington Counties. Indiana. When settlers first arrived in this area, they
found a vast wetland complex teeming with wildlife.
LRWP is working to restore what can be saved of this
great and valuable ecosystem." ( Little Rivers Wetland Project website). Little Rivers Wetland Ramblers is a group of people who love the wild and find a great deal of joy in the fellowship they find in getting to know all about ' all things that fly, crawl, and slide" through the wetland.

4) 1st Annual Green Festival - With over 50 participating organizations and a proclamation by Mayor Tom Henry of the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana's 2nd city has really gone green. Organizations representing alternative transportation, like Citilink, water conservation, like Save the Maumee Grassroots Organization, and the Allen County Partnership for Water Quality, passenger rail, like the Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association, and renewable energy companies, such as Solar Electric Power, the Energy Doctor, and Phoenix Mechanical all brought their enthusiasms for a new way of life to this singular event.

Waynedale Green Alliance, LTD hosted the event in partnership with the Southwest Conservation Club. Founder, April Langschied, said, "This event is being held to bring all those interested in sustainable living together under one roof." Fort Wayne is making incredible strides to work towards alternative transportation, develop sustainable water, and work towards cleaner air. The flurry of excitement that has surrounded the coming of this event is a good indicator of this."

5) Northeast Indiana Green Builders Coalition - This organization has come together to work with local companies to raise awareness about sustainable living and new green building methods. The Northeast Indiana Green Builders Coalition awards a Green Innovators Award each year to the company, organization or individual that has shown the most promise in this area.

The foundation of the green movement in Fort Wayne, Indiana, however is the Allen County Parks and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Park systems. Fort Wayne, Indiana is home to over 100 parks in both systems. These parks and the displays within them are treasure troves of environmental conservation, native plants, trails, botanical gardens and year round sports surroundings.

The parks system in Fort Wayne includes the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo and the Foellinger Botanical Conservatory, two of the most highly noted displays of their kind in the United States.

Indiana's 2nd City has a head start on going green, one true believer at a time.