In a world characterized by large non-profits and big brands, it is often the smaller, agile, deeply committed non-profits that provide the highest levels of service and inspiration for the funding support they receive. Such is the story of Green Map which has not only survived many challenges but has continued to evolve, taking whatever steps were needed to honor the many promises Green Map has made and continues to make. With its active board, sound leadership and global connections to Green mapmakers and other environmental actors, Green Map continues to perform its "loaves and fishes" service to the world, giving local communities the tools they need to chart and practice environmental sustainability while offering rays of hope in these difficult times for our climate, biodiversity, forests, oceans and other ecosystems. All who serve Green Map remain committed to the organization, its many partners, and the contributions Green Map makes to a healthier more sustainable world.
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My involvement with Green Map has been longstanding and almost universally satisfying. Being involved with tools and networks that help people make connections within their communities, not only to challenges but to resources and opportunities for change, has been a huge personal and professional benefit. Especially since most of my work is policy oriented and deals with 'big' security issues, being able to maintain the connection to communities and their sustainability leaders has kept me (and others) grounded and energized.
Green Map operates on a shoestring, but if there is a lesson to be learned in our time it is that there is only a modest relationship between the size of your budget and the size of your impact. The creative and entrepreneurial spirit of people still makes the difference and Green Map has been able to tap such spirit in abundance.
Green Map System has been leading the way with local mapping of global environmental resources for nearly 25 years. The amazing leadership of Wendy Brawer has brought together a worldwide community of mapmakers in 65 countries, producing powerful maps and projects using its award-winning icons, tools and mapping platform. After getting to know the organization, I became a board member and appreciated the richness and depth of its educational platform even more. I highly recommend Green Map!
Green Map System has been empowering communities around the world based on local action strategies. The biggest asset of the organization is the global network of mapmakers who support each other - a sustainable model of community development.
Green Map is a fantastic, dynamic organization. They have developed a methodology used by local communities to map their own green resources, using a shared set of universal icons. Their web-based Open Green Map should be THE platform for sharing information with each other about sites that promote sustainable living.