PROJECT PRODUCER
URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AT THE TIPPING POINT
There is an exciting new consensus emerging that
it is possible to restore America’s degraded urban
environments and plan for future growth with
greater wisdom.
Using Integrated Resource Planning (IRP), envi-
ronmentally-beneficial projects that have been spear-
headed by dedicated community activists and civic
leaders are increasingly recognized as part of the
solution to many of the challenges facing our cities.
Bold strategies to create sustainable urban ecosystems
are improving the quality of life and the public health
of citizens and their communities in urban environ-
ments across the country.
Currently, 80 percent of the U.S. population lives
in urban environments with insufficient access to
open space and public parks. The lack of clean water
and air continues to be a national issue. Cities have
been built without adequate planning and community
involvement. Decisions have been made with little
understanding of the impact on the natural environ-
ment. In the past, we have designed our technologies
and urban infrastructure from the top down, as if
there are no social, economic, or environmental costs
Wiland-Bell Productions
The Media & Policy Center Foundation
to these choices. But there are, and it is time for a new 2125 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404
approach. www.edenslostandfound.org
The issue of urban sustainability is at a critical tip- 310-828-2966
Bringing
ping point. Professionals in many different fields—from
architects to urban planners, from utility managers to PROJECT ADVISORS communities
mass transit engineers, from landscape designers to storm Representatives from these organizations have been contributing together to
water managers—are finding creative, cost-effective and their expertise and helping to shape the outreach initiative
high-impact solutions that can transform the quality of through the project’s advisory committee. learn
life in America’s cities if public will and government
action are galvanized not only to support them—but to
Center for Neighborhood Technology; Center for Sustainable talk
Cities, USC; Chicago Wilderness; Mithun; Rivers & Mountains
expect them. Conservancy; Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; Philadelphia take action
The urban sustainability movement is a revolution
rapidly taking root among government agencies from
Green; Seattle Public Utilities; and TreePeople of Los Angeles.
support
PROJECT FUNDERS create
thriving
new urban
environments
the DOT to the EPA, in mayoral offices and municipal
departments, among community activists and the profes-
sionals who build and manage the civic environment. The
goal is a recognition and appreciation of an integrated
approach to restoring and supporting our urban
environment with broad-based community participation.
Demonstrating that environmentally-beneficial
solutions can cost less, not more, and can contribute
Significant Funding also provided by the William Penn
to growth rather than impede it, Edens Lost & Found
recognizes that people are part of nature and the city has
become their natural habitat.
Foundation, LA Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, and the
Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
LOST& FOUND
Additional Funders include LA County Public Works, LA City Dept. of
www.edenslostandfound.org
Sanitation/WaterShed Management, Chicago Community Trust, Richard
Driehaus Foundation, FJC, Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and
Natural Resources, Philadelphia Water Dept., The American Public
Transportation Association, and the Seattle Dept. of Sustainability/
Environment.
EDENS LOST & FOUND:
FINDING SOLUTIONS AND
PUTTING THEM INTO ACTION
Edens Lost & Found, a four-hour public television
series, highlights practical solutions and models for
urban transformation that go beyond pollution pre-
vention to tackle the challenge of improving the quali-
ty of life in cities for ourselves and future generations.
It showcases determined ordinary citizens, as well
as professionals and government officials, who have
developed innovative “best practices” that address the
widespread problems facing many of America’s urban
environments.
A multimedia project with an extensive resource-
rich website, Community Action Guides, educational
curricula, community-based and national outreach,
and a PBS companion book, Edens Lost & Found is
poised to engage the public and provide the encour-
agement, tools and hands-on guidance to transform
these “best practices” into “common practices” in
cities across the country.
• The project website is already a valuable
resource on urban sustainability and offers
continually expanding content. Log on to
www.edenslostandfound.org.
• A companion book called Edens Lost & Found:
How Ordinary Citizens Are Restoring Our Great
American Cities is part celebration and part
inspiration as it chronicles the forward-looking
transformation of America’s urban landscapes
and communities.
• An extensive community and education outreach
project in conjunction with Edens Lost & Found
is gathering momentum with screening events
taking place across the country.
ABOUT THE FOUR-PART PBS
SERIES PREMIERING IN 2006
Edens Lost & Found travels to four American cities in
search of natural urban ecosystems. Created by award-
winning television producers Harry Wiland and Dale Bell,
Edens Lost & Found tells the story of inspired individuals
in cities across the country who are improving the quality
of life and public health through the restoration of their
urban environment. It highlights the importance of com-
munity involvement in finding creative and lasting solu-
tion to restore our great cities.
Focusing on Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and
Seattle—four cities that face a
range of demographic, eco-
nomic and environmental
challenges—this special docu-
mentary series shows how
integrated resource planning
combined with local commu-
nity support have come
together with bold strategies
offering hope to our great
American cities.
Many of the problems
these cities are confronting
pose similar challenges to other metropolitan areas—of
all sizes—across America. And there is much to be
learned from the solutions they are finding.
Showcasing strategies that contribute to a sustainable
urban ecosystem—including open space and public parks,
urban forestry, watershed management, public art, waste
disposal, recycling, green architecture and mass transit
alternatives—Edens Lost & Found presents the integrat-
ed “best practices” that are making a significant differ-
ence in these four cities.
Edens Lost & Found reminds us that America’s cities
are for their people. The human need for connection is a
fundamental part of a healthy urban ecosystem, and the
act of bringing people together to be part of the solution
is a critical component in finding our lost Edens.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT! LOG ON TODAY TO
WWW.EDENSLOSTANDFOUND.ORG
Interest in Edens Lost & Found is spreading from coast For the latest information on urban sustainability,
to coast at a rapid rate. visit the website and sign up to receive the free
Here are some of the events where Edens Lost & e-newsletter that will keep you informed about:
Found has been presented already or will be previewed • Preview screening events
in the year ahead: • Valuable resources on urban sustainability
• World Environment Day in San Francisco • Free Action Guides to download
• Chicago Wilderness annual meeting • Coalitions forming in communities
• Smart Growth Conference • The PBS premiere date of Edens Lost & Found
• American Planning Association annual meeting
• EPA conference in Washington
ORDER THE COMPANION BOOK
• Conference of Mayors annual meeting Richly illustrated throughout, this companion book
from Chelsea Green Publishing highlights the power
• Urban Land Institute annual meeting in Los Angeles of hope, pride, and ingenuity among ordinary citizens
engaged in a new era of collaboration. Features tips
from urban activists, resource directory, and guidance
SPREAD THE WORD for taking action.
To order please call 1-800-639-4099 or visit
• Include information about Edens Lost & Found in
your organization’s newsletter and website. www.chelseagreen.com/2005/items/edens.
• Order quantities of this free brochure to share with
your colleagues, members or constituents.
• You can have a screening too! Request a free DVD
so your group can preview Edens Lost & Found at
your next meeting.
For information on how to get involved, contact
Kelly & Salerno Communications at 914-239-7207 or
visit www.edenslostandfound.org to download materials.
TEACHING TOOLS
Edens Lost & Found is an ideal teaching tool for
environmental science and service learning programs.
Excerpts of the documentary have been previewed
already at dozens of conferences for educators.
Visit www.edenslostandfound.org for curriculum
guidance, resources and suggestions on how to mobilize
kids to make a difference in their urban environments.
$40 USD | Hardcover | 8 x 10 | 304 pages
ISBN 1-931498-89-X