Who are we?
What We Do
Green Bicycle Co. is a boutique firm specializing in community based projects. We are dedicated to ‘creating conscious communities’ which is commitment we make ensuring radically inclusive engagement, meaningful communication, and a fresh perspective to every project we work on.
strategic planning
sustainability planning
cultural asset mapping
organization infrastructure
community building
policy and program development
Featured Projects
Cultural Asset Mapping
Leverage assets to increase representation, ownership, and belonging.
Project: Cultural Asset Mapping - Phase 2
Since 2015, the Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series, presented by the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC), has demonstrated how the power of free, live music can be a catalyst for creating vibrant public spaces like City Green. Within the increasingly diverse town of just under 50,000 people, the Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series has created a ripple effect of investment and revitalization that has been felt throughout this freshwater haven dubbed the “Malibu of the Midwest.” From the creation of a new public space, City Green, and outdoor permanent stage, to mixed-use public housing, to an increase in cultural events held onstage beyond Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series, the community has enjoyed more opportunities to experience the arts as well as access to community resources.
While the music series has been wildly successful, JMKAC sought to build on opportunities that the events presented. Specifically these included:
Create representation in the audience that reflects what is seen on stage and in the Sheboygan community.
Leverage Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series to make a positive impact on JMKAC and the community.
Foster community ownership and connection to the event.
Strengthen Asset Relationships
Project: Cultural Asset Mapping - Phase 1
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center engaged Green Bicycle Co. to begin a process of cultural asset mapping in September 2020. Cultural asset mapping identifies the resources in an area that make it unique. These assets include the people, places, and organizations that make valuable contributions to the community; they influence the cultural fabric of a region. By identifying and recognizing these assets within the City of Sheboygan, this project will make all these treasures, both tangible and intangible, more visible.
Through many different avenues, this project attempts to grasp the diversity of voices among Sheboygan residents, acknowledge their personal perspectives, and discover their various needs. The process included conversations around the themes of community, culture, representation, and investment. Engagement strategies included one-on-one interviews, surveys, and discussions. Identifying existing resources and gaps, Green Bicycle Co. developed recommendations for investment and tools for collaboration where the people of the City of Sheboygan believe they are most necessary, beneficial, and sustainable.
In 2021 and 2022, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center is continuing their work with the Green Bicycle Co. for phase two of the Cultural Asset Mapping project. The Arts Center staff is diving deeper, utilizing recommendations from phase one to work specifically on additional ways the Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series can positively impact the City Green and other third spaces, strengthen community partnerships, and create a sense of belonging and ownership at the event.
“We were fortunate to begin working with Green Bicycle Co. in 2020 and our partnership continues to grow today. Heather and Team focus their work around intentionality, care for community, and deepening engagement. They are responsive, inquisitive, and proactive. They took on the daunting task of cultural asset mapping and turned it into an ongoing investigation that continues to impact the role youth have in the community, the design of 3rd spaces, and how we work collaboratively to create a healthy and vibrant Sheboygan.”
˗ Amy Horst, Director John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Telling the Full History Grant
Project: Change-Making, Community Engagement Modeling, Community Development + Collaboration
The Sheboygan County Historical Society has received $25,000 from the Telling the Full History Fund—a grant program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and made possible through the National Endowment for the Humanities’ American Rescue Plan Humanities Grantmaking for Organizations. To learn more about this program, visit Forum.SavingPlaces.org/tellingthefullhistoryfund.
The purpose of this project is to develop a better understanding of the role that underrepresented communities played in the history and evolution of Sheboygan County, as well as educating and creating a model for continued data collection, communications, and partnerships. In this project, we will be engaging with specific communities including to collect and archive information and create opportunities for engagement and exhibition. The project will include educational workshops that weave into the project including storytelling or exhibiting to help communities tell their stories into the future.
In order to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse communities throughout Sheboygan, the Green Bicycle Co. will enlist and lead a Project Task Force composed of representatives from women, LGBTQIA+, and Hmong communities in Sheboygan County. These members will meet regularly and determine the best strategies for dialogue with their communities, as well as promote this project to their organizations, businesses, and networks. There will also be partnerships with the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and organizations to host exhibits, host conversations, presentations, and workshops.
For more information about this grant go to https://sheboyganmuseum.org/
Food Freedom Foundation
Project: Development and Administration
Green Bicycle Co. has worked with the Food Freedom Foundation since 2020. We support their mission to “provide financial support via grants to organizations and educate the general public about the rights of sustainable family farms and artisan food producers, making their products available to consumers in a manner that protects, preserves and enhances the environment and its natural resources.”
In 2020, we worked together to help with a name change and branding along with building infrastructure and consistency that matched the Board's vision and values. In 2022, Green Bicycle Co. is continuing to build consensus and infrastructure around the effort to support their mission by developing the grant applications, fundraising, and outreach.
Green Bicycle Co. has been a joy to work with and has transformed our Foundation’s life. Heather is knowledgeable, professional and always responsive to all of our needs. 5+ stars.
-Kay Craig, Board Treasurer
Harbor Centre Business Improvement District
Project: Strategic Planning, Development, Administration, and Outreach
Green Bicycle Co. began working with the BID in April 2021 and continues the work in 2022. We are supporting the BID’s shift into a more focused grant-based organization while improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the BID, solidifying the new strategic direction, and working towards effective communication and engagement. We support the strategic plan while connecting with partners and seeking opportunities to expand impact through additional placemaking and planning strategies.
Partners for Community Development
Project: Strategic Planning Support and Facilitation
Green Bicycle Co. worked with Partners for Community Development to develop a framework and support for their strategic planning efforts from July to October 2021. In August 2021 Green Bicycle Co. planned and facilitated a Strategic Plan Visioning Session for their Board of Directors, and supported Partners’ staff in understanding and compiling data and key themes and strategies for their strategic plan.
Green Bicycle assisted our organization in collecting very valuable community information, processing that, and objectively assisting in determining future plans. I felt like they "got me" and were able to put into action what I was trying to verbalize. I know that I can always count on them as consultants moving forward.
-Karin Kirchmeier, Executive Director
High School Internship
The Green Bicycle Co. engages with high school students who are interested in working on our projects, gaining new and building on existing skills, and helping improve cultural community investment in Sheboygan. There are opportunities to collaborate with various organizations and expand your network, as well as creating a plan to achieve personal and professional goals. Our purpose for this internship is to offer an opportunity that enables you to learn and grow, while also teaching and working with us to build sustainable, conscious communities.