Neighborhood Conservation Clubs
Everybody can agree that using our limited resources efficiently makes good sense, especially as we live through peak oil, crippling energy prices, a global recession and a growing climate crisis. We simply must transition away from an energy system built on the inefficient combustion of fossil fuels.
With our neighbors, we can build communities that use less energy, are better connected and are healthier to live in.
What's a Neighborhood Conservation Club?
Working in groups of five to ten households, neighbors join forces to conserve energy in their homes, travel habits and purchasing patterns. Neighborhood Conservation Clubs (NCCs) are a forum to take action and conserve resources by working within small neighborhood groups. The NCCs are guided with resources and suggestions from the NCC organizers who include home energy efficiency specialists, transportation experts, landscape designers and building contractors.
We suggest that you use our "Club Planning Guide" to identify community assets and values and determine what type of projects to focus on. Pick a simple project and get to work.
For example, a club that wants to focus on landscaping for energy efficiency might collectively buy a shared push lawn mower, help each other build laundry lines in their yards, plant shade trees on the south side of their homes, or "xeriscape" lawns by replacing water intensive plants with native plants and shrubs.
An important reason for working in small groups is to hold each other accountable. Frankly, a little peer pressure and a little friendly competition among and between clubs will go a long way towards helping all of our participants be more efficient energy users. Neighbors are able to take advantage of each other's expertise, tools and knowledge.
Getting Started
If you would like to get involved with an existing NCC or start your own, call Ben at 443-7272. Download the Getting Started guide to learn more. Download the Club Planning Guide for help putting together your first meeting. Download the Energy Assessment Unit for help calculating how much energy you currently use.
Getting Started with a Neighborhood Conservation Club
Analyzing Your Energy Consumption
Conservation Tip Sheets
These tip sheets focus on the most critical resource-saving changes you can make in your home or lifestyle. You'll find easy to follow suggestions and credible information. The "Energy Savers Guide" is produced by Montana Department of Environmental Quality - it is an excellent all-around resource for home energy saving projects.
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MTDEQ's Energy Savers Guide: |
Improving your Home's Insulation
Improving Your Water Heating Efficiency
Improving Your Lighting Efficiency
Who's Involved?
The Helena Neighborhood Conservation Club pilot project is a joint effort of AERO, the S.A.V.E. Foundation, Saturn Resource Management, the City of Bozeman and the Montana State University Local Government Center.