Green Map
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Green Maps are locally created environmentally themed maps which use an universal symbol set and mapmaking resources provided by the non-profit Green Map System. A Green Map plots the locations of environmentally and culturally significant resources e.g.; recycling centers, toxic waste sites, public art, community gardens and socially conscious businesses. The purpose of a Green Map® is to serve as a guide for sustainable living, and to help everyone get involved with local nature, ecological, social and cultural sites.
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[edit] History
Green Maps are an educational tool for advocacy and public awareness first created by eco-designer Wendy Brawer of Modern World Design in 1992 as seen at Green Apple Map. The global Green Map System was formed as a result of the response to the NYC Green Map. Since 1995, Green Mapmaking has been adopted on every inhabited continent, with more than 350 registered projects in 50 countries, and over 275 unique Green Maps have been published. Over 70 are linked to GreenMap.org, hundreds more have been created in workshops and classrooms.
Due to the growth in the number of projects a decentralized or "hub" based management system has been adopted. Green Map System has encouraged various regions to form local support networks including Mapa Verde of Latin America and the Caribbean, Green Map Europe, and Green Map Japan; where there are an astonishing 66 projects. Every Green Map project is locally-led. Grassroots and established non-profits, universities and schools, governmental and tourism agencies initiate the Green Map projects and use Green Map System's adaptable tools and methodologies to develop and publish their own community's Green Map in a way that meets the needs of residents and visitors. The original Green Map symbol set was revised and extended to the 125 "icons" of the current set in 1999. Because concepts of sustainability are continually evolving, a group of Green Mapmakers is currently developing a 3rd version of the symbols scheduled for release in 2007[1].
Green Map System welcomes new project leaders every week. Join them and share your vision of a healthier, more sustainable community.
[edit] Branding & Spelling
While Green Map System prefers and promotes the spelling "Green Map" to preserve trademark claims[1], the less awkward "green map" and "greenmap" are often used by others. Green Map System is concerned with maintaining control of copyright and trademark in order to preserve the perceived integrity of the system; they wish to prevent the use of Green Maps in greenwashing[2] and do not allow commercial use of their assets.[3]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Wendy Brawer, e-mail message to Jerrad Pierce, November 21, 2004 regarding word choice in "Improving the Cartographic Quality of Green Maps"
- ^ Brawer, Wendy. "Copyright & Icon updating". 11 December 2004. http://www.greenmap.com/gm/forum/viewtopic.php?p=90 (31 August 2006)
- ^ Green Map System, "Mapmaker Checklist". 22 September 2003. http://www.greenmap.org/report/checklist03.txt](31 August 2006)
[edit] External links
- Green Map Atlas, an anthology of mapmaking stories
- List of web-based Green Maps
- Google's Summer of Green
