If it Can Happen in Blacksburg

It's happening in Blacksburg, Virginia. That means it can happen anywhere in the country. Blacksburg is a sleepy town among rolling hills hours away from the nearest city. It's home to Virginia Tech and the folks there are mighty proud of their Hokies. But it is not a town usually associated with progressive, green minded citizens or businesses. Now that's changing. I was there for a conference hosted by the Virginia Sustainable Building Network the other day and I ran into a gentleman named Pat Bixler. Pat is the Executive Director of a group called, "Sustainable Blacksburg." As it says on their web site, "Sustainable Blacksburg is a non-profit community organization which facilitates effective environmental stewardship in the Blacksburg area to enhance the region’s livability and economic vitality by reducing its impact on the local and global environment." But it's really so much more than that. Sustainable Blacksburg represents to me the next step in the greening of the American mind. Sure, Takoma Park, Catonsville, and Arlington have been doing green for years. There is a lot to be proud of in those parts. But to get this country to turn the corner and embrace a sustainable lifestyle, free of the threat of climate change and pollution requires the mainstreaming of all things green. It can't be just for progressives in the "blue" areas. There's hope. It's happening in Blacksburg. And if it's happening in Blacksburg, why not Lexington, or Fredericksburg, or Frederick?