Sustainability: the ability to continue a defined behavior indefinitely. Something that improves the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems.

Using a model that responds to the debates over the past decade, the United Nations now uses a method of 4 Circles of Sustainability

  • Economic sustainability
  • Ecological sustainability
  • Political sustainability
  • Cultural sustainability.

 

Ideally, every action we take and every decision we make will consider the impacts on these 4 Circles. A sustainable activity is one that can be repeated; it will not use more resources than are being created.

The mission of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor is to work with community partners to preserve and promote the Valley's historic, cultural, natural and recreational resources for current and future generations.

Historically, when mills used the power of the river and disposed of hazardous materials into the same water, the ecology of the river system suffered. Our actions today seek a balance through creativity and innovation that supports and promotes development which, in turn, supports and promotes our environmental systems, as well as our social and cultural systems.

This results in strong, resilient communities that embrace all 4 elements of sustainability. The future will provide opportunities for communities that are stronger and more creative than the ones we have today.

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