When you hear “go green”, the first ideas that spring to mind might be recycling or conservation initiatives, but it’s important to realize that going green isn’t only about things people can do… it’s also about how people feel, including consumers’ growing desires to be more in touch with the planet; eat and live healthier lives; and feel as though their choices are making a positive contribution. The key to going green successfully is incorporating ideas that make people feel great because they’re both positive and fun. It’s those ideas that you’ll have the most success in implementing, gaining participation, and promoting. Here are a few fabulous green thoughts to get your ideas growing:

• Start a Community Garden where residents can help manage a whole plot, or assign individual ones. Some communities even charge a small fee for garden plots as an ancillary income generator. Organize gardener meetings in the clubhouse where residents can get together and hear from experts or share information and resources on organic or small gardening. You won’t just have great produce growing on-site … you’ll also be growing a stronger sense of community! On a smaller scale, have a “Green Day” where residents are invited to participate in planting trees or putting fresh flowers in the beds (with your groundskeeper’s oversight, of course).

• Host a Farmer’s Market on site. Invite local gardeners and bakers to sell their produce (try an online search at localharvest.org, greenpeople.org, or regoinalbest.com to see who might be interested in setting up shop), and local chefs to do healthy cooking demonstrations. Your community will earn a reputation as a great place to go for healthy produce, and residents will love having healthy food available right where they live!

• Get involved in the Local Food movement. Many cities have small family farms in the area that sell locally produced meat, produce, and dairy products by allowing customers to order online and pick-up weekly or monthly at predetermined pick-up spots … you might consider making your community one of them! Some of the farms in your area might also offer opportunities for volunteers to visit and participate in caring for the crops and animals—a great opportunity for a green community outing.

• Start a Bicycle Club. Biking is healthy for the body and the planet, and cyclists love to share information about their favorite hobby. Events can include participation in community charity rides; bike safety workshops (for kids and adults) hosted by local law enforcement at your community; bike maintenance workshops; and “biker movie” night (Breaking Away, Quicksilver, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure; or E.T.)

• One resident’s trash is another’s treasure, and the time-honored Community Yard Sale is the world’s greatest way to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Pick a hopefully sunny Saturday or Sunday and invite residents and non-residents to participate. Rent tables and chairs from a local party supply company and charge each vendor a small registration fee to cover the cost (unless they provide their own); advertise in the local newspaper (tell the TV and ration stations, too!); and make it a leasing event by conducting tours while the sale is underway! Don’t forget the cold drinks (free or sold for charity) if it’s going to be a hot day, and hot dogs are always a big hit. Arrange a truck from Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or other local charity to pick up unsold items that vendors don’t want to keep at the end of the event.

If you’re looking for even more ways to go green, join Beau Peelle, Co-Founder & President of Clean Energy Experts, for a two-hour workshop at Brainstorming 2010! Green has unmistakable allure, and Beau’s session will help you attain that eco-magnetic “G Factor” both practically and affordability, and attract and retain more residents as a result! You’ll see and hear high-impact energy saving solutions for property management companies of all shapes and sizes; the latest in green programs, services, and amenities; how to educate residents on saving energy and provide incentives for them to participate; what solar, wind, and other alternative energy projects can do for your communities and how to select the right provider; and more. We’ll see you there!