GLEN Goals: The ACES Program

1. Advocate for improved environmental quality in the Greater Lynchburg Ecosystem through participation in community planning and direct action at local, state, national, and international levels.

2. Coordinate and facilitate the efforts of individuals and groups that are working to improve environmental quality in the Greater Lynchburg Ecosystem.

3. Educate for awareness, understanding and appreciation of the Greater Lynchburg Ecosystem.

4. Sponsor initiatives and events to maintain and improve environmental quality in the Greater Lynchburg Ecosystem.

Some of GLEN's accomplishments to date:

—Hosted monthly roundtable discussions (2001-2008);

—Convened periodic College Partners discussions (2003-2006);

—Launched website (2005);

—Served as catalyst and coordinator for removing the railroad tank car from the James River (2005);
 
—Nurtured and then spun off, with an independent board of directors, the Central Virginia Land Conservancy (CVaLC) (2004) (See http://www.cvalc.org/ for more information about this organization);
 
—Established an environmental fund within the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust, with the plan to start a mini-grant program for environmental groups once the total reaches $5,000 (2003 and continuing);
 
—Sponsored in April 2005, the first annual Earth Day Summit, bringing together representatives from organizations from all four counties and the city;
 
—Co-sponsored, in 2003, A Community Conversation on the Environment, with the Environmental Studies Program of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, focusing on issues of the environment and development in our region, with Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Executive Director of Leadership for Environment and Development International (LEAD), Kirtida Oza, LEAD Fellow and William F. Quillian Jr. Visiting International Professor at R-MWC, and a group of interested citizens.