Indicators and Linkages

Number of individuals of key species

• Species habitats
• Clean water

• Stormwater runoff
• Construction practices
• Farming and forestry practices
• Increased development
• Loss of habitat

Biodiversity

• Abundance and species diversity
• Number of surviving indigenous native plant species
• Acreage lost to development

• Wetlands quality
• Soil erosion
• Stormwater runoff
• Population growth
• Development and land use
• Agricultural activity

Air Quality

• Reported respiratory problems
• Carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide emissions
• New cars with alternative fuels

• Transportation
• Land use
• Economic development
• Public health

Open Space

• Open space acreage
• Proximity to open space and recreational facilities

• Reduces impervious surfaces
• Increases urban biodiversity
• Supports trees and plants that can reduce air pollution
• Provide visual pleasure
• Source of recreational activity

Farmland and Agriculture

• Public agriculture gardens
• Farmland losses
• Education and training programs on sustainable agriculture

• Increases in impervious surfaces
• Vehicle miles traveled from farms converted to suburban development
• Reduces availability of local farm products
• Reduces cultural and economic diversity of the region

Retail Development in the Downtown

• Vacant storefronts
• Employment opportunities
• Use of transit services

• Less sprawl and greenfield development
• Focal point for social and business activity
• Fewer vehicle miles traveled
• Opportunities for pedestrians and walkways
• Preservation of historic and cultural resources

Historic District Designations

• Properties preserved
• Local heritage history programs

• Preserve properties and reduce demolition
• Maintain integrity of neighborhood
• Continuity source of tax revenues

Downtown Historic Preservation

• Increasing tax revenue
• Retail sales

• Maintain integrity of downtown area
• Establish theme for downtown
• Preserve economic vitality of downtown
• Reduces vehicle miles traveled
• Reduce commercial development in greenfields
• Increase level of business activity in the downtown

Toxic Releases

• Data from toxic release inventory
• Air quality

• Improved air quality
• Public health

Demand for Waste Disposal Space

Landfill permit applications

• Reduce land devoted to disposal of solid waste
• Water quality
• Loss of habitat

Reduced Vehicle Miles

• Fuel consumption
• Annual miles traveled
• Walking and biking

• Air quality
• Impervious surface
• Fuel consumption
• Uncontrolled land use development
• Habitat losses
• Loss of open space

Transit Usage

• Ridership
• Vehicle usage

• Reduce air pollution
• Encourage more densely populated communities
• Zoning regulations

Public Schools

• Graduation rates
• Test scores
• Youth involvement in community service
• Diversity of teachers

• Skilled labor force
• Economic development
• Income
• Crime in the community
• Housing and job demand

Libraries

• Services
• Circulation

• Literacy
• Political interest
• Education level
• Intellectual vitality

Fire and Rescue

• Equipment and facilities
• Response time
• Training and education

• Public safety

Neighborhood Activities

• Regular meetings
• Picnics and other social activities
• Representation in community affairs and organizations

• Enhanced cultural and economic health
• Reduce crime
• Increase civic participation

Voter and Electoral Participation

• Voter registration
• Voter turnout
• Candidate recruitment

• Improved social environment
• Informal citizenry
• Political awareness

Volunteerism

• Arts and cultural activities
• Governmental affairs
• School and library activities

• Higher literacy and education levels
• More activities at less cost
• Positive influence in school academic, athletic and social activities

Residential/Commercial/ Industrial

• Energy efficient building design
• Power usage
• Use of alternative energy systems
• Public education
• Financing availability
• Barriers to energy-wise practices

• Land use
• Economic development
• Air and water quality
• Community action

Health Care

• Access to care
• Insurance
• Services
• Cost

• Personal income tax rates
• People identifying obstacles to health care
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Number of Children without health insurance
• Health Care System rating
• Health Care Expenditures

• Amount and effectiveness of education programs to increase awareness of environmental issues
• Percentage of population who believe pollution a priority
• Number of environmental education programs at elementary schools
• Percentage of population who are environmentally literate
• Number of environmental education programs available for community

• Amounts and types of hazardous wastes generated
• Toxic chemicals released/ transferred
• Number of Users to Hazardous Waste Depot