Who We Are Now
The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) is a subtropical semi-arid region with rapid population growth. The LRGV has economic vitality in part due to its border location- as a result, booming population growth. High population density has caused rapid urban development with an array of sustainability issues and impacts on quality of life.
There are a variety of entities (governmental and non-governmental) in the Valley addressing some of these issues but there is little coordination, facilitation and monitoring of their efforts due to a lack of communication and organization. The LRGV Sustainability Network (the Network) is intended to enhance, facilitate and expand all that is being done to address sustainability in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
It is important to know that sustainability is where:
- Natural resources are used responsibly so that they can be renewed naturally;
- The structured environment contributes to a sense of revival and rejuvenation;
- There is zero waste – waste is reduced, reused, recycled, repurposed, retrofitted, or composted;
- Sustainability principles are embedded in decision-making, planning and actions of individuals;
- All members of the community are enriched by the experience of working within its boundaries.