- Learn more about what Mayor Bishop and ISC have done together.
- Find out about how ISC helps communities fight climate change.
- Support this work by donating to ISC.
The Good Guys
Saving the Earth one village, turtle, and bag of recyclables at a time. (And what you can do, too).
, O Magazine
April 1, 2009
Editor’s Note: The interview below with ISC partner Mayor Xavier Bishop appeared in the April 2009 edition of O Magazine profiling six “eco role models.”
XAVIER BISHOP, 52
Mayor, Moss Point, Mississippi, the River City
How He Started
I ran for mayor because I wanted to help transform and improve Moss Point’s economy. We used to be known as an industrial city, but the last big plant closed in 2001. These businesses damaged our environment—we’re still learning how much. I vowed to create an economy that didn’t have such a negative environmental impact. I think the area’s greatest asset is its natural beauty. It is on the Escatawpa and Pascagoula rivers. The Pascagoula is one of the largest free-flowing rivers in the United States.
Darkest Moment
I took office in 2005, just weeks before Katrina hit. After the hurricane, City Hall, the police station, and the fire station were flooded. We lost more than 100 homes.
What His Team Does
The terrible damage from the storm turned out to be an opportunity. Government funding enabled us to rebuild in new, green ways. For instance, instead of just repairing our city offices, we moved them away from the river, which protects them from flooding and opens up the public access to the waterfront.
Biggest Success
Forging partnerships with groups like the Institute for Sustainable Communities was key. They are experts not only in environmental management but also leadership training.
Just One Thing You Can Do
Don’t litter. Many of the products we dispose of don’t degrade.
Our partnership with Moss Point is made possible by the generosity of people like you.
