About
Pando
Source: US Forest Service
What is Pando?
Pando is an online compendium of illustrative examples, references, and descriptions of professional associations, networks, NGOs, a glossary, and other tools and resources to aid sustainability advocates in their own research. Since the field of sustainable community development is growing and changing rapidly, readers of Toward Sustainable Communities: Solutions for Citizens and Their Governments can stay abreast of new developments by visiting this Pando website.
Is Pando new for this 5th edition of the book?
Yes and no. Pando was originally launched to accompany the 4th edition of Toward Sustainable Communities at the ICLEI World Congress of Local Governments for Sustainability, associated with the Rio+20 Earth Summit in 2012. It was revised and relaunched at the ICLEI World Congress in Seoul in 2015. In 2023 Pando is being completely revised and relaunched on a new platform to accompany this 5th edition of the book.
What is Pando LinkedIn?
Readers of this book can interact with the authors and with other readers by joining the Pando LinkedIn group.
Why “Pando”?
In the Fishlake National Forest of Southern Utah is what appears to be a forest of individual trees. But underground, this clonal colony of 47,000+ individual male quaking aspens is actually a single living organism with one massive underground root system. At 106 acres and 80,000 years old, Pando is the largest, heaviest, and likely the oldest tree on Earth. In Latin, Pando means “I spread.” As one of the world’s most resilient organisms, Pando symbolizes sustainable community development and collaborative governance.
Pando is now under threat—from cattle grazing, exploding deer and elk populations (due to the elimination of predators), misplaced development, and the impending prospect of radical climate change. Learn more about Pando and how to help here.
The Authors of Toward Sustainable Communities
Dr. Roseland is Professor and past Director of the School of Community Resources and Development, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, at Arizona State University. He advises communities, governments and organizations on sustainability practice and thought leadership.
Dr. Stout is a highly esteemed Professor at West Virginia University, recognized globally for her theoretical work in Public administration and governance studies. With a robust academic background she has substantial expertise in sustainable community development.
Dr. Spiliotopoulou has a PhD in sustainable community development and works on regenerative and sustainable systems education, research, and practice.
Acknowledgements
We've had lots of help assembling Pando and its content, and we appreciate it all. Thanks in particular to our web designer Kevin Frost, and to our research assistants Emily Chan, Dawn Drake, Nico Eaton, Corey Kaufman, Amber Lucky, John (Jackie) Masters, Anna Melis, Taylor Schulz, and Emily Stoback.