The Smart Growth Network works to encourage development that boost the economy, enhances community vitality and protects the environment through its network of partners.

The Smart Growth Network is a partnership of government, business, and civic organizations that support smart growth. EPA is one of the founding partners of the network. Since its creation in late 1996, the network has become a clearinghouse for information about smart growth strategies. The Smart Growth Network website, Smart Growth Online, features an extensive array of smart growth-related news, events, information, research, presentations, and publications.

Mission

The SGN works to encourage development that serves the economy, community and the environment. It is a forum for:

• Raising public awareness of how growth can improve community quality of life;
• Promoting smart growth best practices;
• Developing and sharing information, innovative policies, tools and ideas;
• Cultivating strategies to address barriers to and advance opportunities for smart growth.

Network Partners

	The American Farmland Trust is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated to saving America’s farm and ranch land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices and supporting a sustainable future for farms.
	The American Institute of Architects, Communities by Design is a catalyst, convener, and source of information that helps AIA members work with citizens and other stakeholders to envision and create more livable communities.
	The American Planning Association, an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that provides leadership in the development of living communities, brings together thousands of people—practicing planners, citizens, elected officials—committed to making great communities happen.
	The American Public Health Association is the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. The Association aims to protect all Americans, their families and their communities from preventable, serious health threats and strives to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States.
	The American Society of Landscape Architects, ASLA, is the national professional association for landscape architects. The Society’s mission is to lead, to educate, and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments.
	The Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, AMPO, is a nonprofit, membership organization serving the needs and interests of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) nationwide. AMPO is the transportation advocate for metropolitan regions and is committed to enhancing MPOs’ abilities to improve metropolitan transportation systems.
	The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia, as well as the 120,000 public health professionals these agencies employ.
	The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) has been a leader in promoting urban sustainability since 1978.CNT is a creative think-and-do tank that combines rigorous research with effective solutions.
	The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is the leading organization promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.
	The Conservation Fund partners with community, government and corporate organizations—fulfilling their conservation priorities. Conservation Fund activities have environmental and economic value, from protecting “working” forests and recreation destinations that provide local revenue to helping communities grow thoughtfully.
	The Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance (DVSGA) is an initiative of more than 200 government, private sector and non-profit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia tri-state region. The DVSGA facilitates smart growth by recognizing proposed projects—development plans, municipal plans and conservation projects—at the earliest stages and helping them get approved at the local level.
	Enterprise Community Partners is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. Enterprise creates opportunity for low- and moderate-income people through fit, affordable housing and diverse, thriving communities.
	The Environmental Finance Center Network currently includes centers at Universities within EPA’s ten regions. Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs) provide state and local officials and small businesses with advisory services; education, publications, and training; technical assistance; and analyses on financing alternatives.
	The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) fosters innovative, just, and practical law and policy solutions to enable leaders across borders and sectors to make environmental, economic, and social progress.
	The Florida Department of Health seeks to promote, protect and improve the health of all people in Florida.
	Forterra is the largest land conservation, stewardship and community building organization in Washington State.
	The Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities exists to inspire, strengthen and expand funding and philanthropic leadership that yield environmentally sustainable, socially equitable and economically prosperous regions and communities.
	The Institute of Transportation Engineers is an international educational and scientific association of transportation professionals who are responsible for meeting mobility and safety needs.
	The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is the premier local government leadership and management organization. Its mission is to create excellence in local governance by advocating and developing the professional management of local government worldwide.
	The Local Government Commission (LGC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization that provides inspiration, technical assistance, and networking to local elected officials and other dedicated community leaders who are working to create healthy, walkable, and resource-efficient communities.
	The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is dedicated to helping community residents transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy and sustainable communities of choice and opportunity—good places to work, do business and raise children.
	The National Association of Counties provides a forum for county leaders to work with other governments, the private sector and communities to develop policies and programs, including those that will lead to economic enhancement, environmental stewardship and social well being—the three pillars of sustainable communities.
	The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s regional planning and development organizations to strengthen the economic competitiveness and quality of life across America’s local communities.
	The National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals (NALGEP) is the premiere national association representing local government professionals responsible for environmental compliance and the development and implementation of local environmental policy.
	The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the nonprofit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation districts. NACD’s mission is to serve conservation districts by providing national leadership and a unified voice for natural resource conservation.
	The National Association of Realtors strives to be the collective force influencing and shaping the real estate industry. The National Association of Realtors® provides a facility for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members and to the public and government.
	The National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education is a non-partisan center for research and leadership training on smart growth and related land use issues in Maryland, in metropolitan regions around the nation, and in Asia and Europe.
	The The National League of Cities is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents.
	The National Multi-Housing Council (NMHC) is a national association representing the interests of the larger and most prominent apartment firms in the U.S. NMHC’s members are the principal officers of firms engaged in all aspects of the apartment industry, including ownership, development, management, and financing.
	The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, is an agency with a mission of Science, Service, and Stewardship, working to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts; to share that knowledge and information with others, and; to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.
	The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America’s communities. The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to save America’s diverse historic places and revitalize our communities.
	The Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC, is the nation’s most effective environmental action group, combining the grassroots power of 1.3 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals.
	The Northeast-Midwest Institute is a Washington-based, private, nonprofit, and nonpartisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality, environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states.
	The Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is a nonprofit planning, design and educational organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build stronger communities.
	The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., whose mission it is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.
	Scenic America is the only national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated solely to preserving and enhancing the visual character of America’s communities and countryside.
	Smart Growth America is the only national organization dedicated to researching, advocating for and leading coalitions to bring smart growth practices to more communities nationwide.
	The State of Maryland has been actively involved in smart growth policies since 1992. Maryland boasts a number of smart growth successes at the state and county level.
	The Surface Transportation Policy Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is a diverse, nationwide coalition working to ensure safer communities and smarter transportation choices that enhance the economy, improve public health, promote social equity, and protect the environment.
	The Sustainable Community Development Group Inc. (SCDG) is a not-for-profit corporation at the forefront of working with the public, private and community sectors to advance environmental sustainability, equitable development and global smart growth.
	The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places. We work from the inner city to the wilderness, ensuring livable communities for generations to come.
	The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, helps communities grow in ways that expand economic opportunity, protect public health and the environment, and create and enhance the places that people love. Through research, tools, partnerships, case studies, grants, and technical assistance, EPA is helping America’s communities turn their visions of the future into reality.
	The U.S. Forest Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands. The Forest Service has a long and distinguished History of service to the public and stewardship of our national forests and grasslands.
	The Urban Land Institute (ULI), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization known as the preeminent multidisciplinary real estate forum. ULI facilitates an open exchange of ideas, information, and experience among local, national, and international industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places.
	The Virginia Tech Metropolitan Institute and Urban Affairs & Planning Program conducts basic and applied research on national and international development patterns, focusing on key forces shaping metropolitan growth such as demographics, environment, technology, design, transportation, and governance.