THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 12, 1995 TAG: 9501100125
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
It seems that ``clean'' means ``environmentally healthy'' and that picking up a discarded piece of paper is just the start in a long chain of good habits that lead to a community working well with the air, water and wildlife around it.
That's the reason why the city has a new ``Environmental Commission'' for those who want to get involved in cleaning up a street or helping the city recycle more.
This new commission is the reorganization of the renamed Clean Community Commission. The committee is renaming itself in line with its practices that embrace more than just picking up litter. They now include a whole range of activity meant to protect or help the environment. The City Council approved the name change informally Jan. 4.
The present commission has helped start the curbside recycling program and leads or helps lead a number of volunteer efforts. They include Clean the Bay Day, telephone book recycling, Christmas tree recycling and monitoring the state legislature on environmental initiatives. Last year, the city estimates, the commission helped pick up 228,000 pounds of litter and almost 10,000 tons of recyclable materials.
The name change is in part to align the commission with its latest initiative, starting a Citizen Environmental Action Center at the Virginia Zoo at Lafayette Park. The center would coordinate environmental activities in the city.
It would also fit in with the zoo's expansion plan over the next few years that includes starting a new orientation and environmental center within the park. The redesigned zoo will be aimed at teaching environmental awareness and wildlife conservation.
The Clean Community Commission/Environmental Commission has a budget of $136,000 in the current fiscal year. The commission estimates that the city receives $1.74 in value for every $1 that is spent on the commission's efforts. by CNB