The Sustainability Office organizes community education and outreach initiatives to enhance sustainability throughout Durham’s community, including the Earth Month, an Energy Fair, the Green Durham Photography Competition, and presentations on sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions.
The City and County are working to make our community more sustainable:
Transportation
The Durham Station Transportation Center links area bus, bike and rail transportation. In 2006, the City passed comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plans, which map the road to healthier, more sustainable transportation.Recent bike rack installations help make Durham more bicycle-friendly. The County’s Commute Trip Reduction Ordinance requires businesses with more than 100 employees to facilitate alternative forms of transportation.
Water
The City offers a $100 rebate to residents who install water-efficient toilets. The County Soil and Water Conservation District has rain barrels for sale (as well as compost bins, wildflower seeds and boxes for birds and bats).
Open Space
The Open Space and Trails Commission has offered a 20-year series of matching grants for projects in the community, facilitating playground construction, park land purchases, trail building, gardens, and other initiatives.
Land Use and Development
The City and County convened a stakeholder group to review and recommend improvements to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that would enhance environmental protection. This initiative is called the Environmental Enhancements to the Unified Development Ordinance (EEUDO). The redevelopment of downtown facilitates sustainability by reusing historic buildings and creating a walkable community.
Ways to get involved: