Past & Graduated Projects
Since 1998, more than 40 community projects have been part of the Center for Sustainable Living. Some grew into organizations of their own; others finished their work. We are thankful for the contributions each and every one made to our community.
Graduates of CSL
Some Projects grow and reach a point where they wish to become their own 501(c)3 and take on new, exciting things. Other Projects might become part of another movement or organization.
EcoReport
2007
News program on WFHB, providing coverage of weekly environmental topics.
Local First Indiana
2009
Promoted the local economy by showing consumers the importance of local businesses and connecting businesses to each other. Local First became its own 501(c)3 in 2013!
BOGA
2004
The Bloomington Organic Growers Association was established by graduates of CSL’s Grow Organic Educator Series to continue the work and momentum of the class. BOGA focuses on organic gardening and lawn care education as well as related trips and workshops for participants, and continues to host two plant swaps each year.
Friends of Lake Monroe
This organization works to protect and enhance Lake Monroe and its watershed through science, advocacy, and public involvement: working collaboratively with citizens, government, and business to improve and support lake water quality.
Check out Friends of Lake Monroe →
Healthful Food for All Fund (now the Farm to Family Fund)
2013
To make fresh, local, healthful food more available to low-income households, the Healthful Food for All Fund started the Farm to Family Fund, which now continues as its own organization.
The Farm to Family Fund aims both to make healthful, sustainably produced food more available to low-income households and to support our local, sustainable food system. Every Saturday at the Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market, the Farm to Family Fund offers to pay farmers half price for food they don’t sell at market. The food is delivered directly to agencies serving those in our community currently experiencing food insecurity – The Rise, The Community Kitchen of Monroe County, and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard.
Past Projects of CSL
In any organization, projects come and go—CSL is no exception. We have had a number of Projects take part in our collective mission, and we are thankful for the contributions each and every one made to our community.
Simple Living Circle
1998–2003
This group formed around the idea that we don’t need as many material possessions as we think. They sought the fulfillment and benefits of a simpler way of life, including a reduced impact on the environment.
Food Project
1998–2009+
This project distributed mostly vegan and vegetarian food from Hoosier Hills Food Bank to low income families. The Food Project was one of CSL’s longest-lasting projects, operating out of Lucille Bertuccio’s basement in the early years. The impact was substantial: In 2007, around 60 people were benefitting from the program each month, and grew to 764 households in 2009.
BloomingHOURS
1999–2001
Former President and active board member Mike Englert led this initiative to establish a local currency for Bloomington, aiming to encourage more local exchange and support for Bloomington businesses. Ultimately, most of the currency ended up at Bloomingfoods and many of the businesses that accepted BloomingHOURS already provided uniquely local services. However, even if consumers did not change their shopping habits drastically, the idea still penetrated the community to show the importance of our local economy.
Composting Project
1999–2004
Lucille Bertuccio was a strong supporter of composting, and this project worked with local schools to create and maintain food waste composting in schools.
Wild City Initiative
1999–2005
This project emphasized the importance of maintaining biodiversity and wildlife habitats in urban spaces and focused on certifying areas as wildlife refuges. The group worked with homeowners, businesses/organizations, and schools. For example, in 2000 the Binford School Project brought 1800 native Indiana trees to plant at the school and reduce the need for mowing.
GoodFoods Group
est. 2000
This project advocated for labelling foods that are genetically engineered and held teach-ins and workshops to talk about the issue with the community.
BloomingVision
2000–2005 & 2015
BloomingVision gathered input and prepared comments for the Growth Policies Plan for the City of Bloomington, looking at ways to improve urban development, mixed use zoning for more walkable neighborhoods, and more. Lucille Bertuccio and Christine Glaser from the CSL, along with Chris Sturbaum and Dave Rollo from city council, were the main participants in the early 2000s. A second report was created in 2015 by Andrea Avena Koenigsberger, Christine Glaser, Ryan Conway, and Eric Ost.
Natural Building Group
2000–2007
Led by Jeanne Leimkuhler and Joe Davis, the Natural Building Group’s main achievement was the construction of a straw bale house with Habitat for Humanity. The project partnered with Bloomingfoods and Harmony School, finishing the house in the spring of 2004.
GOES
2000–2016
The Grow Organic Educators Series was a semester-long course (3 hrs./week) on organic farming which took place at Hilltop Garden. Farmers, professors and other experts were involved and the course had 120+ graduates in the first four years. The project was a partnership with the City of Bloomington through the Free University started by Michael Simons.
GenEthic Alliance
2001
Worked to build awareness of genetically modified foods.
Green Space Initiative
2001
Worked on a Natural Resource Inventory for Monroe County and wanted to protect, preserve and restore natural areas.
Tea Party
2002–2004
Prior to and unaffiliated with the political Tea Party, this journal and CSL project published articles on a variety of topics, taking open submissions and advertising through the CSL newsletters.
Earth Garden
2002–2005
This was another project to promote wildlife habitats and green spaces in Bloomington. Specifically, Earth Garden wanted to modify the “weed ordinance” and take vegetation out of the city’s trash code, aiming for the city to encourage natural landscaping.
Holistic Affordable Housing
2003–2007
This project aimed to establish low-income eco-apartments in Bloomington using a variety of green techniques and focusing on sustainable living through efforts in energy efficiency and re-use as well as organic agriculture.
B-TOP
2004–2009
Bloomington Transportation Options for People promoted the transition from cars and other vehicles to public transportation, biking, walking, etc. The group held workshops and hosted speakers on topics related to sustainable transportation.
Young Activist Funding Network
2004–2006
This project valued the voices of youth and aimed to empower them in their passion for justice issues.
Green Dove Network
2004–2010
The network provided news and resources related to peace and justice efforts.
Habitat for Sustainability
2004–2006
This project grew out of the efforts of the Natural Building Group with the goal of providing more sustainable homes for low income residents.
Bloomington Community Wildlife Habitat
2004–2008
Lucille Bertuccio took the lead on CSL’s mission to turn Bloomington into a certified Community Wildlife Habitat as designated by the National Wildlife Federation. Habitat Stewards then trained volunteers to help complete the individual assessments/certifications. In order to qualify, homes/businesses/churches were required to provide food, water, shelter and a place to raise young for the wildlife in their yard area. The project was successful, officially obtaining the certification in October of 2008.
Habitat Stewards
Habitat Stewards shared the National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat principles with the community: the joy and benefits of growing local native plants and providing water and shelter for wildlife. The group started by working to certify Bloomington as a Community Wildlife Habitat, then went on to encourage new wildlife habitats in backyards throughout Bloomington and share what it learned about our local ecosystem.
Bloomington Urban Gardens for Students
2005
A project partnership with Unitarian Universalist Church and Templeton Elementary to create Plant a Row for the Hungry.
Bloomington Circus Collective
2005–2006
Held a variety of artistically-driven events and spectacles with a focus on social and environmental justice issues.
Indiana Holistic Health Network
2006–2010
Provided information and resources regarding holistic services and green lifestyle choices. Co-sponsored the Simply Healthy Fair with the Green Dove Peace Network.
Eco-Link
2007
Connected members to sustainability-focused events, activities, and resources through weekly email newsletters.
The Luna Moth Art Gallery
2007
Supported ecological principles through the display of different kinds of art in the lobby of the Caldwell EcoCenter. The art was changed twice a month to showcase various groups and individuals.
The Declaration of Peace
2007
Advocated for the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Iraq with the goal of ending U.S. involvement in the Iraq war. Planned protests, rallies, and lobbying events.
The Cool Earth Relay
2007
Organized a relay race to Indianapolis from all over Indiana with the goal of raising awareness and educating people on actions to take in the face of climate change.
Worm Composting
2007
This project worked with Middle Way House to turn food waste into worm castings and compost.
The Oasis Project
2008
A community garden located on Washington St. behind Stahl Furniture started by IU students who took Peter Bane’s permaculture class in the Collins Living-Learning Center.
Deep Roots Animal Sanctuary
2008–2010
A sanctuary for wild, domestic, and farm animals. Provided veterinary care and wildlife rehabilitation as well as programs and education for the community. This project aimed to take the facility off the energy grid and use native materials in its construction.
Bloomington Raw
2009
Hosted a monthly potluck of raw foods, amongst other events.
Transition Town Bloomington
2009
Interested in climate change, the oil industry, and the economy and “educating the community about localization and resiliency.”
Trillium
2011–2018
Effort to turn Thomson site property into horticultural park that used sustainable agriculture practices and provided food to the community; looked to Bloomington Peak Oil Task Force Report for food security recommendations.
BloomingVeg
est. 2012
BloomingVeg is an all-ages social and advocacy group for vegetarians, vegans, and veggie-lovers alike. It was founded in 2012 to help at the local animal sanctuary, promote and publicize vegan dining options in Bloomington, demonstrate against animal cruelty at circuses, and engage in similar friendly efforts to help others live more compassionately, along with potlucks and other gatherings.
Open Streets Bloomington
2013–17
For this event, the streets were closed off in downtown Bloomington and a plethora of activities took over—dancing, climbing, sword fighting, and more! The goal of Open Streets was to encourage active pastimes and to make the streets more pedestrian-friendly.
Carbon Xchange
2013
Reducing carbon impact by connecting consumers who are using less carbon with businesses who are using more.
ShareBloomington
This project hosted ShareFest, a sharing economy event, with workshops on building rain barrels, book libraries, and seed libraries; and operated a time bank, speaker events, tool share, and more. The motto was “don’t buy, share something.”
EcoSolvency Project
“…explores opportunities for starting ecologically sound and profitable local businesses”
Bloomington Sustainable Agriculture Cooperative
“…promotes sustainable agriculture in our community through a local certification that ensures soil community and grower health”
Eco-Warrior
This was a 3-part film project focused on environmental issues in Turkey, India and U.S., specifically movements led by women.
Also part of CSL’s history
- Pedestrian Movement (2003)
- PeopleTree (2004–2006)
- Deep Ecology Education Series (2006)
- Sycamore Springs Waldorf School (2006–2008)
- Garden the City