TUCSON, Ariz. — With multiple eco-friendly groups and organizations popping up in Tucson and Southern Arizona, each with their own mission and focus, one organization is working to bring all these groups under one sustainable umbrella.

Sustainable Tucson is a locally based group that has taken up the task of organizing and communicating with any and all groups that have environmental or sustainable interests in the region. Rather than take environmental issues on itself, it acts as a networking source to provide information and resources to those who are already fighting to turn Tucson green.

"We're trying to aid others in getting the tools they need," said Tres English, a member of the Sustainable Tucson CORE Team.

English also said that Sustainable Tucson covers a broad range of activities and acts as a valuable resource to those doing environmental work in Tucson.

"We're providing a space for people to create their own initiatives," said James MacAdam, another member of the CORE Team.

Rather than create its own policies and fight their own battles, Sustainable Tucson instead acts as a place for organizations, businesses and the public at large to turn to for information, contacts, experts and support on green issues like rainwater harvesting, solar power, green building and green landscaping. And this resource hasn't been lost on Tucsonans.

"We've been very well received," MacAdam said.

He added that at least five people per day send inquiries to its Web site about joining in its efforts, and at least 500 people, groups or businesses have already joined the list, showing there is a strong local interest in sustainable issues.

One local small business, Lotus Massage & Wellness, is one of the 500-plus groups to get involved.

Laura Key, a massage therapist at the center with a background in environmental education, said she tries to attend Sustainable Tucson's annual meetings. She said the relationship between Lotus and Sustainable Tucson is informal, but considers the group to be very valuable to the community.

"Rather than try to form their own organization, [they're] trying to pull people together and encourage the exchange of ideas," Key said. "They're playing a valid and useful role."

Among the many resources provided by the Sustainable Tucson Web site is a link to the homepage for the Arizona chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. The group works with constructors and developers to incorporate green issues and sustainable ideas into new buildings.

Nate Riggle, a committee chairman with the Arizona chapter, said it has not established a formal relationship just yet with Sustainable Tucson, but it likes what the chapter sees.

"We're interested in strengthening our relationship with them so we can coordinate our effort," Riggle said. "They have a good reputation within the community."

To find out how to get further involved with Sustainable Tucson or with sustainability issues as a whole, check out the "What You Can Do" page at the Sustainability Tucson Web site.