The environment is a multi-faceted issue, encompassing issues like air quality, mass transit and parks. That's why more than 100 residents and community members (including NYLCV) gathered in Jackson Heights, Queens, last weekend to plan for a comprehensively greener future for the neighborhood.

Len Maniace is one of the Green Agenda's lead organizers. (photo courtesy QueensBuzz.com)The centerpiece of Saturday's Green Agenda for Jackson Heights meeting was a "visioning" workshop to figure out what a greener, more environmentally healthy Jackson Heights should look like - including park space, better bike lanes, greening of private space and tree pits, and much more.

Next up will be a series of smaller portable workshop sessions, which are expected to be followed by two more big sessions early in the new year.

Saturday's gathering also featured sustainability exhibits by 10 organizations such as Transportation Alternatives, a green-roof business Alive Structures, Solar One, New Yorkers for Parks, the Council on the Environment of New York City and NYLCV.

The Green Agenda is sponsored by the Jackson Heights Beautification Group and Queens Community House, with planning services provided by the Pratt Center for Community Development and funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.