The answer to that question may depend on who you talk to and what the weather is that day.  The response may vary according to what side of the fence you are riding on, skiing on or jumping over; if the wind is blowing or if it is snowing outside.  There is a wide spectrum of views in the valley and it is clear that sustainability means different things to different folks.   Overall, the most widely accepted definition seems to be related to the triple bottom line, benefiting people, profit and planet.

From reading the letters to the editor prior to the election of a new mayor, it is clear the need to continue to plan for future development within our communities exists.  I think we can all agree that we would like economic prosperity for our community without sacrificing the many assets we either grew up with or moved here to enjoy.  This means that we must consider and be cognizant of our natural resources as well as our social and community investments, to ensure all three are healthy.

A recent discussion with the Assistant Director of the Bozeman Planning Department, Chris Saunders, indicated that he clearly believes that Bozeman is a sustainable community.  Maybe not necessarily in the traditional way most think of sustainable communities, but sustainable nonetheless.  When I asked Chris to clarify, he said “Bozeman tends to be sustainable in non-traditional ways such as the large emphasis on citizen involvement, social sustainability, the arts and music community, active citizen boards, and historical preservation, which all demonstrate a strong draw of citizens pulling together and being actively involved in their communities.”  This is certainly a critical component of sustainability.  However, if it is good for the environment and good for the bottom line, but bad for the people, then it is not sustainable.  I think this strong sense of community is what draws many people here and connects them to the area.

One recent “non-traditional” example of sustainability was the chicken ordinance adopted by the City Commission in September 2009.  Some local citizens decided it was time to reconsider the chicken policy.  This brought together people that were for the ordinance and those who were against the ordinance in a public process.  Whether you like or dislike the decision the Commission made, it showcased people actively engaged and involved in their community.  Those people on both sides of the fence were civil and respectful of each other and a lot was accomplished.

Another is the Historic Preservation Program.  There is an exorbitant amount of embodied energy and legacy in our old buildings.  They represent stable neighborhoods, carry a sense of identity and provide a role model for future development to mirror.  They provide a good example of proper land use planning: dense and close to city centers and services.

Saunders also sees sustainability from a professional standpoint.  There is an evident commitment to long range planning, whether it is related to infrastructure, fire, or police services.  This provides greater predictability and security amongst the citizens, which helps us make a larger commitment to our community and participate in public dialogue.  We are encouraged to attend community events and take ownership in our community, which in the long run yields a better outcome for all residents.

Bozeman is also very unique with its strong and vibrant downtown core.  It is evident people come to Bozeman and feel “at home” here and it contributes to their sense of community.  We have a traditional western lifestyle that we cherish and are very proud of; it is with this lifestyle in mind that I believe sustainability will lead us on a path to preserving this community. This social fabric is what helps Bozeman earn its distinct identity and commitment to community.  I don’t feel it is in anyone’s best interest for Bozeman to be a disposable community that is used and tossed out the door without careful consideration for future residents and future generations experiencing what we love.

Saunders sees the biggest challenge of sustainability is developing a workable definition that makes sense for everyone, that puts us all on a level playing field.  Many still view sustainability as an “environmental” movement.  This is just not the case.  There will always be proponents arguing on the extremes but we must identify common ground, a middle point, making sure the triple bottom line is in intact.  If all three (people, planet, profit) are not thriving, it is not sustainable.  Last but not least, there must be social connections, available jobs, clean air to breathe, and clean water to drink.

The above represent many of the critical components, but are by far not all that Bozeman has done.  The City of Bozeman recently completed the update to the growth policy (Bozeman Community Plan).  The tagline phrase for the plan– Shaping Our Future Together— says all that’s really needed to be said about what Bozeman is trying to accomplish through sustainability.  The plan is the centerpiece of Bozeman’s commitment to its future and the growth it will inevitably experience.  The document addresses many issues, all while avoiding conflict and maximizing the return on private and public investments. Each chapter pulls together critical concepts, addresses important issues in a concise and readable way, and includes a column on how sustainability is being addressed.  For example, in the third chapter, sustainability is addressed by the statement “Providing for the needs of today’s residents and visitors should be done in a manner that does not jeopardize the quality of life, including the natural environment, of future residents. Careful community design and thoughtful development can serve the community well both now and in the future. Sustainability is a holistic issue and should be interwoven through the City’s operations and regulations.”

Another progressive move was made several years ago when the City signed onto the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement in November 2006.  This agreement committed the City to meeting or exceeding the Kyoto Protocol target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by seven percent below 1990 levels by 2012.  To date, the City has conducted an emissions inventory for both City operations and the community.  In addition, they have set a reduction target and developed an action plan for internal operations, known as the Municipal Climate Action Plan.  This document is quite impressive.  It can be found on their website at Bozeman.net.

To continue to fulfill their obligations under the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement, the City has formed a task force to develop a community emissions reduction goal and action plan.  The City was able contract through a grant provided by New Priorities Foundation, a sustainability consultant that will assist in the development of a Community Climate Action Plan.  The City has already implemented a full recycling program, began using only FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) paper, changed all traffic signals to LED lights, has established an interdepartmental sustainability team, and conducted energy audits on all City facilities.

Natalie Meyer, the Grants and Climate Protection Coordinator for the City of Bozeman, is tasked with initiating such programs stemming from UnCommon Sense (discussed below) as well as implementation from the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.  Ms. Meyer believes that the rapid growth Bozeman experienced during the boom, which averaged over 5%, was handled relatively well; and Bozeman is ahead of the game with smart growth compared to some communities.  For a western community, the Planning Department did a good job of, well, planning.  She believes one big challenge will be improving bike lanes and trails in the area because it can be difficult to go back and provide better connectivity once the infrastructure has already been put in place.  She thinks the City has stepped up to the plate by recognizing climate change and being willing to tackle the issues head on, instead of skirting around them.  By being a leader, they are ahead of the game.

To top all of this off, Bozeman is the first City to participate in the Yellowstone Business Partnership’s UnCommon Sense program.  This is typically a program geared towards business entities, but the City fits in quite well since they are in business for the community.  UnCommon Sense is a two-year leadership program that helps businesses in the Greater Yellowstone-Teton region become more sustainable in all aspects of their operations. Responsible businesses in our region are recognizing that a healthy environment and strong communities are vital to their long-term prosperity. Participating businesses have recognized that sustainable practices can help preserve the region’s social and natural assets, strengthen the local economy, and enhance the growth potential of their own business in the process. The program encourages its participants to incorporate environmentally-sound and community-friendly practices that make long-term business sense for a variety of enterprises within the Greater Yellowstone area.  This is quite a challenge for a government entity with so many departments and offices, as well as the public scrutiny that is placed upon them.

This past summer, Bozeman’s then current mayor, Kaaren Jacobson was the first mayor in Montana to join the US Green Building Council’s Mayors Alliance for Green Schools.  This is a coalition of mayors seeking to strategically harness the leadership and creativity of community leaders across the country to promote the benefits of green schools in their cities and towns.  This action signifies support from the Mayor to the School District and our educational system.

There are also numerous grassroots and non-profit efforts going on throughout the City. They are working tirelessly to ensure our unique home maintains the high quality of life we have all come to expect.  One group, the Bozeman Sustainability Group, is a volunteer group consisting of engineers, architects, builders, developers, planners, landscape architects, and citizens from the community.  They have been meeting regularly and working to define what sustainability means in the Gallatin Valley and develop a program that can be used to guide us towards becoming a sustainable community.  Their working groups are helping provide resources and information in the development of the Community Climate Action Plan and are also pushing for a broader Community Plan to encompass all of the many facets of sustainability.

Bozeman is certainly taking the necessary steps to determine what sustainability means for its citizens and identifying the social, economic and environmental benefits for our community.  This commitment to staying on the path of sustainability will reap benefits well into the future.

In summary, what is sustainable about the City of Bozeman?

• Signed onto the Mayor’s Climate Action Plan
• Developed and implementing Mayor’s Municipal Climate Action Plan
• Developing Community Climate Action Plan
• Climate Action Task Force created
• City Sustainability Team created
• City has Sustainability Coordinator on staff
• Participating in the Yellowstone Business Partnership Uncommon Sense Program
• 2 LEED buildings (Library and City Hall)
• Vibrant downtown
• Bozeman Community Plan
• Bozeman Mayor Signs Proclamation for Mayor’s Green School Alliance
• Grassroots and non-profit organizations that are successfully working with City Staff