An ecological framework for predicting citizen participation in grassroots community organizations and predicting community disorder problems (such as crime and fear) was developed and tested. The framework, which is called an ecological framework for sustainable community learning and development, delineates the relevant economic, political, social, and physical environment factors and makes distinctions between stable and transient predictors. The framework's relevance to the following items was discussed: community development (social capital); community psychology; the relationship between environment and behavior; and ecological research methods. The framework was then used as a backdrop for discussing two examples of sustainable development in the United States. The first example was a participatory action research process called the Block Booster Project. The second example was a service learning project designed to redevelop a blighted area. (The bibliography lists 40 references. An appendix contains lists of the following items: 4 service learning resources on the Internet; 23 sample questions for student journals or reflection discussions; 9 general learning principles; and 10 questions to address when starting and teaching a service learning course.) (MN)