Case Summary

In 2006 Westchester county executive Andy Spano launched a Global Warming Task Force to create a countywide action plan to reduce emissions and promote sustainable development. To achieve Spano's environmental goals for Westchester, the county entered into a partnership with the Green Map System, Inc. to develop interactive mapmaking tools that increase conservation awareness and promote citizens to identify local green activities. Westchester has already received multiple awards for this ambitious use of GIS technology.

Business Challenge

Westchester is a densely populated county of more than 900,000 residents that directly borders New York City. To cope with the environmental challenges associated with this demographic reality, county executive Andy Spano launched a Global Warming Task Force in 2006 to create a countywide action plan to reduce greenhouse emissions and promote sustainable development.¹

Approach Taken

To achieve Spano's environmental goals for Westchester, the county entered into a partnership with the Green Map System, Inc. (GMS) in December 2006.² GMS is an organization that works with communities to develop interactive mapmaking tools that increase awareness of local conservation opportunities and promote green initiatives. Green Maps have been utilized since 1995, and are now active in 400 cities, villages, and neighborhoods in 50 countries.³ Working with GMS, Westchester's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff designed a Map to meet the sustainability objectives of the county, and officially launched the tool in April 2007.⁴

This Green Map allows users to select resources they wish to see labeled across six categories:

1. Recycling/Waste Reduction- Facilities where items can be dropped off for compositing or recycling.
2. Green Buildings- Structures designed to minimize energy usage.
3. Alternative Energy- Sites that use or provide energy efficient systems such as solar and wind energy.
4. Green Purchasing- Venues carry ecologically conscious products and/or organically grown produce.
5. Land Use- Sites with exciting design features that use materials and energy efficiently or that offer environmental workshops and lectures to the public.
6. Transportation- Mass public transportation alternatives including ferry and train.

Consequently Map users can find out where to participate in such green activities as disposing of household chemicals and old cell phones and tires, locating a farmers market or visiting a public garden or walking trail. Also, for each of these 6 map corresponding datasets are available via download.

Through the 'Helping Out' section of the site, county residents, business representatives, school and community groups, and grassroots organizations are encouraged to nominate new projects and programs to include on the Green Map.⁵ This serves as a critical component of the Map utilized to encourage active citizen and stakeholder involvement in improving environmental sustainability in Westchester.

Results Achieved

According to the County Executive's office, public involvement in conservation efforts has already increased significantly since implementation of the Green Map in 2007. On March 19, 2008 the Westchester County Green Map garnered its first formal recognition when it was awarded the Best of New York Award in the Green IT category.⁶ Further, exactly two months later it was announced that this Green Map would receive a 'Special Achievement in GIS' award at ESRI's 28th Annual International User Conference to be held in August.⁷

Lessons Learned

Since Westchester's Green Map site just launched last year, conclusions regarding ways to improve the site are still immerging. However, it can certainly be said that the county's early success has alerted other communities across the nation to the potential benefits of this mapping technology.