OARC Department of Sustainability and Education

OARC’s newest department is responsible for implementing the organization’s projects that form a comprehensive strategy to transform Northwest Philadelphia into a sustainable community, and position OARC as a leader in the local green economy. By advancing sustainability in our community, we seek to balance the social, economic and environmental impacts of our revitalization efforts. This triple bottom line approach helps preserve resources and alleviates the burden on our region’s aging infrastructure. 

Some of OARC’s projects to make our community more sustainable include:

Urban Energy Conservation Block Initiative
OARC works with organized blocks to retrofit homes with energy efficient devices such as CFL bulbs, low flow shower heads, faucet aerators, programmable thermostats, window and outlet insulation. These devices are installed during a full day of energy events, including vendors that set up educational tables and displays. Rain barrels are also installed to reduce storm water runoff, and vacant lots are cleaned to prepare for community gardens. OARC then monitors the residents’ utility bills to help homeowners achieve best practices in energy efficiency.

Rain Garden Installation
The John F. McCloskey Elementary School and Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center share a large asphalt courtyard. During any rain event, this area became flooded. OARC partnered with the school, the recreation center and Awbury Arboretum to install a rain garden on the site in the summer of 2010. The new rain garden is a beautiful and functional green space that provides green infrastructure for storm water management, wildlife habitat, and educational opportunities. The garden’s design allows water to be slowly absorbed by the soil and plants, thereby reducing pollution and the amount of water entering the storm drains.

Creating Community Gardens
OARC is partnering with Carson Valley Children’s Aid (CVCA) to create community vegetable gardens throughout the Northwest. We will initially identify vacant lots on blocks participating in the Urban Energy Conservation Initiative, and then train the residents to plant and maintain the gardens. Our goal is to increase access to fresh, local food.

Green Buildings
All of OARC’s real estate development projects are now designed to be energy efficient. In the Spring of 2011, we will break ground on LEED certified twin homes and our LEED certified “green infill” models on vacant lots in West Oak Lane.

Northwest Regional Composting Initiative
Our new composting initiative will use a variety of systems to re-use and recycle clean organic waste (food scraps, plant materials, wood, etc.) generated in Northwest Philadelphia with the goal of establishing self-sustaining enterprises. OARC will develop demonstration sites and educational components of the initiative. We will provide educational opportunities, job training and entrepreneurial opportunities, and will assist residents and institutions to manage their organic waste in an environmentally friendly and economically beneficial manner.

Reducing our own Carbon Footprint
OARC is seeking to reduce our own carbon footprint and energy consumption by implementing energy saving measures in our commercial, institutional and residential properties. We are currently working with a team of students from Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania to analyze our energy and materials consumption and determine ways to improve our energy efficiency. As we implement these improvements, we will track utility usage to document the reduced energy consumption and savings.

Car Sharing
OARC recently brought Zipcar car sharing service to the Ogontz Plaza Shopping Center. This is Zipcar’s second location in Northwest Philadelphia, and there has already been great demand for the service. This provides a convenient service for residents and shoppers, and positively impacts the environment. Car sharing services such as Zipcar reduce the number of cars on the road, which means less congestion, less pollution, and less dependence on foreign oil. On average, each Zipcar takes 15-20 personally owned vehicles off of the road.

Educational Workshops
OARC partners with other organizations to bring valuable information about sustainable practices to residents in Northwest Philadelphia. Our “How Green Is Your Garden” series offers hands on gardening workshops. Other workshop topics will include energy conservation, weatherization, healthy eating, and stormwater management.