Our idea is to use ecosystem management as a fulcrum for leveraging overall (i.e. economic, social, and environmental) community health. The most tangible manifestation of our work is thriving alternative energy crops, now growing on marginalized lands in Pittsburgh such as vacant lots and a brownfield. The crops are strategic choices. Sunflowers and canola, for example, not only produce oil seeds for biodiesel, but also phytoremediate (or naturally absorb and extract) contaminates from soil. Our work provides landowners such as governmental agencies, private developers, or community groups with an opportunity to increase the value of their assets through green “place-holding” strategies. This ultimately improves environmental conditions, and builds human capital in communities.