In these changing times it is very apparent that we need to have a positive focus on what we can do in our own community.  Sustainable Homer is dedicated to being the resource for information and available programs that can help people make a difference.  Sustainable Homer has hosted speakers on a variety of topics from peak oil to permaculture and collaborated on forums concerning energy and conservation to promoting local foods.

Everyone can participate.  Sustainable Homer is more like a network than an organization.  Sign up for the UPdate e-newsletter to find out what Homer is doing this week. Call or e-mail with other ways you would like to join in, programs you would like to see, with questions about how you can implement more sustainable practices, or with ideas about how Homer can grow sustainably. We look forward to hearing from you!

Our Mission...

To enhance the long-term quality of life for citizens of the Homer area by promoting a healthy natural environment, a prosperous economy, and an equitable community. 

Our Goal…

To increase public awareness of the effects of the climate change and other issues affecting the development of the Lower Kenai Peninsula while addressing what residents can do to be proactive in working towards a sustainable community. 

Our Approach…

To network the business, political and private community together to find realistic solutions.

Our History

Sustainable Homer got its start in June of 2007 when Donna Maltz organized the first meeting  to share and exchange information and ideas with a diverse group of individuals selected from different sectors of the community. Donna, owner of the Fresh Sourdough Express Bakery & Café, has been active in sustainable business practices since the 70’s. When she began pursuing certification to be the first Green Restaurant in Alaska, she found there was a lot more support and new sources of information available for living in a healthier, cleaner community with viable income solutions. Sustainable Homer has continued to grow in numbers and enthusiasm since that first meeting .

Six months earlier, Mayor Hornaday had the foresight to pull a team of educated Homer citizens together to form the Global Warming Task Force.  After months of research and weekly meetings, these twelve dedicated individuals put together a landmark document, The Climate Action Plan, which is intended to outline different ways the City of Homer can reduce their carbon footprint.  The Climate Action Plan presents calculated solutions to substantially reduce energy use, increase efficiency, and save the City money.   http://www.ci.homer.ak.us/CLPL.pdf

The first Sustainability Forum was a cooperative event put together by Sustainable Homer, Alaska Marine Conservation Council, and the Global Warming Task Force in Sept of 2007.  The Forum brought out a packed house of community participants to see Deborah Williams from Alaska Conservation Solutions, Bernie Carl from China Hot Springs, and a panel of speakers covering topics from sustainable food production to waste management.  The following day even more participants came to the first public presentation of the Task Force’s draft Climate Action Plan to listen and give input.  With the astounding support and donations from the community, a banquet of locally grown food was prepared and served at the end of the day at the Fresh Sourdough Express.  The Climate Action Plan was officially adopted by our City Council December 14^th.   

Afterwards, Sustainable Homer was adopted by the Chamber of Commerce as a subcommittee of the Economic Development Committee.  As the years have gone by, Sustainable Homer has outgrown and ended the official title of just a subcommittee of the Chamber, but continues to collaborate with local businesses, environmental organizations, youth/educational groups, and the arts community to bring the conversation of sustainability to the forefront.  Speakers have come to present on a variety of topics from peak oil to permaculture.  

Stay tuned to what is coming up next!