Describe your “team” – the people who have allowed you to achieve this level of success.

Mar Vista is blessed with a creative spirit that runs through the community – at the outset the challenge was to enable those people to find each other. The process has been organic and began with the formation of the Mar Vista Community Council. Zones and neighborhoods within Mar Vista began forming, with members communicating with neighbors, developing and working on projects of interest. Mar Vista Park has provided us with tremendous support and from the very early days, has always been there as a community seat. The idea for a Mar Vista Farmers Market inspired an NPO that retained its ties to the MVCC. With the market we suddenly had a Sunday morning town square. The MVCC booth at the Farmers Market provided the Community Council an informal place to hear from residents’ first hand – and for the residents to interact with community sponsored projects and concerns. This core – both in spirit and with a physical presence – gave people a forum and a means of coming together and the environmental efforts began to blossom. As events were organized, they became a catalyst to draw in more talent and the core began to grow. The team morphs as people respond to needs – some are more visible then others: some invest 30 hours a week while others may make one single contribution that insures success. It is always collaboration.

Video on Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase

Radio interview with community members about the MVCC Green Committee

Radio interview with community members about the Go Solar Initiative

Photo - assembled participants of 2009 Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase