Milton awarded Green Communities certification.

By Accessmilton.com

The City of Milton on Wednesday earned Green Communities certification from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) for leadership in the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources in metro Atlanta.

Milton is now recognized as a “Bronze” level Green Community, one of only 18 jurisdictions in the state to receive the honor since the program began four years ago. It is the first new North Fulton city to gain the designation, the result of more than two years of work involving staff and volunteers from Milton Grows Green (MGG).

Additionally, it is the first and only community to receive credit for having a community forestry master plan.

The designation comes mere weeks after Milton took first place for local governments in the Clean Air Campaign’s 2012 PACE awards thanks to the city’s commute options programs to reduce traffic and improve air quality.

“At only six years old, Milton has recognized the value of being a green community by promoting an excellent quality of life combined with environmental stewardship,” said Cindy Eade, the city’s environmental sustainability coordinator.

And the effort won’t end here, said Michele McIntosh-Ross, principal planner with Milton.

“We’re not far from gaining silver-level certification, and from there we’ll go to gold,” she said.

Over the past two years, city staff and MGG implemented sustainable practices in all aspects of the city’s operations, including energy and water consumption, green building standards, reducing waste and protecting green space and trees. Additionally, they have tirelessly promoted sustainability at city events and local schools.

“Milton [is] setting an example for businesses and other organizations seeking to use resources wisely and efficiently,” said Tad Leithead, ARC chairman. “Sustainability – economic, social and environmental – is the foundation of ARC’s Plan 2040, and we applaud the efforts of all of our certified Green Communities for their leadership in ushering in a more sustainable region.”

ARC developed the Green Communities Program to foster greater environmental stewardship and recognize local governments that invest in programs leading to a more sustainable region. The nationally recognized program showcases the ways in which local governments are helping to transform the region by reducing their environmental footprint.

For more information on the City of Milton’s sustainability efforts, please visit the MGG by clicking here. You may also contact Eade at 678-242-2509 or cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us.