Local leaders have traditionally based re-election campaigns on their success at promoting local economic development, livability, and quality of life. That pattern still predominates, but some U.S. towns have reframed their objectives in terms of sustainable development. Highland Park, NJ, is one such place, where the mayor and Borough Council have resolved to balance economic, social, and environmental objectives as they work towards a better future. To help Highland Park understand its environmental challenges, my students and I conducted a municipal green audit that evaluated public buildings and vehicles, storm water management, municipal solid waste, and other activities having environmental impacts. This differs from the standard audit of environmental assets and liabilities typically conducted by local environmental commissions, and featuring tree and brownfield counts. This talk will share our substantive findings, summarize recent positive municipal activity, describe the implications of using sustainable development as a policy platform, and discuss the current effort of a Highland Park Green Community Working Group to develop a green master plan for the Borough.