Congratulations Harrisonburg for becoming VML Green Certified!
In April 2008, the Virginia Municipal League (VML) introduced the Green Government Challenge at regional Go Green Virginia forums across the Commonwealth. Forty-one (41) VML-member local governments participated in the Challenge and twenty-six (26) of them obtained the 100 points or more needed to receive certification. The City of Harrisonburg was awarded its certificate in October 2008 at VML’s annual conference.
Follow this link for more details on Harrisonburg's Green Initiatives and how we scored in the Green Government Challenge.
What is Harrisonburg Doing to be Green?
In each section, the first half of the list includes programs and projects by City of Harrisonburg (municipal operations), and the second half of the list includes programs and projects by our community.
The City provides curb side recycling services for #1 and #2 plastics, glass, metals, used motor oil, and other materials to all residents and businesses. The City also provides a monthly household hazardous waste collection site for residents. Find out more:
Municipal Operations:
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Resource Recovery Facility - Waste to energy facility.
City's "Your Trash" Video! - Watch where your trash & recycling goes.
Community Programs/Projects:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Recycling & Litter Prevention 
James Madison University Recycling & Waste Management
Eastern Mennonite University Campus Recycling
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The City of Harrisonburg's Comprehensive Plan designates areas as mixed use to promote traditional neighborhood development allowing the mix of residential, retail, and office and employment uses, as well as, having a circulation system that uses many modes of transportation. The City has a safe, reliable public transit (bus) system. Biking and walking are two other alternatives to driving a motorized vehicle. Not only do these alternatives help the environment but, they also help you stay active and save money.
Municipal Operations:
Harrisonburg Bicycle & Pedestrian Planning
Harrisonburg Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee - Meets once quarterly.
Harrisonburg Department of Public Transit & Bus Schedules - Bikes also allowed "on" transit buses.
Harrisonburg Planning Commission
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO)
Traffic Engineering & Signals - Improvement of traffic signal synchronization.
Safe Routes to School.
International Walk to School Day at all Harrisonburg City Public Schools & Walking First Fridays at Kiester Elementary.
Community Programs/Projects:
Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition
Everyday Bikes! Community Bicycle Project by New Community Project
Friends of Blacks Run Greenway
JMU No Drive Day
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The City of Harrisonburg has been working to use less energy and are proud to report that it is a member of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability. Some of our actions include: All of our traffic lights are LED, we discourage idling vehicles, we encourage turning off lights when not used, and the Harrisonburg Electric Commission uses energy efficient lighting whenever possible. Saving energy saves natural resources and saves us money.
Municipal Operations:
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - City of Harrisonburg is a member.
Tree City USA Member since 2004.
School & Transit Buses use B5 (5% biodiesel)
Traffic Signals/Lights are low emitting diodes (LED)
Resource Recovery Facility is a waste to energy facility. In 2008, the RRF installed variable drive fans for increased energy efficiency.
Street Lights being switched to energy efficient High Pressure Sodium (88% of street lights are HPS).
Street lights operate by dusk to dawn sensors, only on when needed.
City's Public Works and Public Transit departments utilize waste oil for heating.
Police officers on bicycles division.
Harrisonburg Electric Commission
Community Programs/Projects:
Virginia Department of Forestry
Shenandoah Valley Builders Association (SVBA)
Harrisonburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority (HRHA) & EarthCraft House - Partnered to create green affordable housing.
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The health of Blacks Run, our local stream, is in poor health. Storm water run off consisting of unhealthy levels of fecal coliform, sediment, nitrates and phosphates have led to a decrease in the ability for organisms to live in the stream. Progress has been made by our community to make the stream healthier. Notable actions the City of Harrisonburg has performed include our Annual Black's Run/ Downtown Clean Up Day, many stream bank restoration projects, construction of rain gardens and the Purcell Park Restoration Project.
Municipal Operations:
Blacks Run/ Downtown Clean Up Day
City MS4 Program (Stormwater Management)
Stream Restoration & Planting Projects - Example: Purcell Park Stream Bank Restoration & Conservation Easement, Raingardens, and more!
Thomas Harrison & Skyline Middle Schools' Plant-A-Seed/ Watershed Experience for 6th & 7th graders.
Community Programs/Projects:
Shenandoah Valley Soil & Water Conservation District
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Water Quality Programs
Rockingham County Cooperative Extension Services
Virginia Department of Forestry
Pure Water Forum
James Madison Universtiy Stormwater
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Eating local is a great way to be "green". Instead of buying vegetables and fruits from across the country or from another part of the world (which creates a lot of pollution from transport), we have the opportunity to purchase many of these same items from our local farmers. This stimulates and helps build our local economy.
Municipal Operations:
Harrisonburg Downtown Farmer's Market
"Local Foods" Days at Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Community Programs/Projects:
Shenandoah Valley Buy Fresh, Buy Local & Shenandoah Valley Local Foods Workgroup
Blue Ridge Permaculture Network
JMU's Farmers Market Days
Muddy Bikes Urban Garden Project by New Community Project
Shenandoah Valley Resource & Conservation & Development Council
Rockingham County Cooperative Extension Services
Virginia Department of Forestry
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Other Community Initiatives and Organizations
Virginia Green - statewide program to reduce environmental impacts of Virginia's Tourism Industry
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Healthy Community Council's "Healthy Community Design & Green Infrastructure Team", aka "Green Team"
Harrisonburg High School Ecology Club
Rockingham Memorial Hospital - building green
New Community Project
James Madison University Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World
Climate Action Alliance of the Valley
Rockingham County Fair - Green Tent
International Festival - Green Village
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Want to list your group here? Have comments or questions?
E-mail Thanh Dang or call at (540) 434-5928
*The City of Harrisonburg provides these resources as a public service. Listing on this website does not mean that the City of Harrisonburg endorses any of the organizations or agencies or documentation referenced here. Mention of these organizations and agencies is for informational purposes only.
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