Reclaiming the Commons

Founded in 1982, the New Haven Land Trust nurtures a healthier community and environment by engaging area residents in the stewardship and cultivation of land.  The nonprofit provides land, technical assistance, and supplies to nearly 50 community gardens.  It also owns 6 nature preserves—comprising about 80 acres of land—from which it run environmental education programs.

Free and open to the public year-round, Cylburn Arboretum is Baltimore's largest public garden, encompassing 207 acres. Built in the 19^th century as a private estate, the Arboretum is home to a historic mansion and carriage house, as well newer buildings created to welcome and educate visitors that were designed using green techniques, including composting toilets, a “living” green roof, and geothermal heating and cooling.  The Arboretum is the site of numerous free programs, including weekly yoga classes, outdoor concerts, and nature-focused workshops.  It also houses a teaching farm operated by the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future that features aquaponics, a system of agriculture combining fish farming with hydroponic plant farming.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an 8-mile bike and pedestrian urban walkway connecting business and cultural districts in downtown Indianapolis.  Developed by a public-private partnership including the City of Indianapolis, the Central Indiana Community Foundation, and several other nonprofit organizations, the $63 million project was completed in 2013.  The Trail features over $2 million of public art projects and the first bikeshare in Indiana, which includes 250 bikes spread across 25 stations, providing residents and visitors an energy-efficient way to explore the city. Read more about Indianapolis Cultural Trail...

Founded to reconnect people to the natural world, Imago is a nonprofit focused on providing environmentally focused educational experiences and conserving natural areas. Since its establishment over 30 years ago, it has preserved 36 acres of urban forest, 16 of which are open to the general public for hiking and exploration.   Read more about Imago for Earth...

Ogallala Commons is a non-profit resource management and development network that seeks to maintain the High Plains-Ogallala Aquifer region, which stretches from South Dakota to Texas and encompasses areas in eight states, as a “watershed commonwealth” through educational and community-building programs. The organization provides leadership development, community internships, informational fairs, engagement days, and works to develop local food systems.

  Read more about Ogallala Commons...