2009 Agency/Organizations Category
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock State Park Volunteer Nursery
The park’s native plant nursery started out in 1995 to produce native plants used in park lands restoration projects. The project has grown to educating others in the nearby community on the importance of planting native plants. With every event we attend or native plant we give away, more people have been educated to be a part of the effort to live “green.” If by being nominated, more people will learn the importance of planting local native plants, than we are already winners.
Dolphin Research Center
We have a huge banner at our entrance that sums up what we are about; "In the end, we will only conserve what we love;We will love only what we understand, And we will understand only what we are taught" Teaching and demonstrating how we can all contribute to a sustainable future for all of Earth's inhabitants is the heart and soul of our facility. As a not-for-profit we are often limited in how many "green" renovations we can do as funds are limited, but we are continually looking for ways to make a difference and as things need to be replaced we are doing so in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Currently grants are being investigated for solar power and automatic timers for public areas. Additionally, we just completed a contest where staff submitted over 50 excellent ideas on what else we can do to be more eco-friendly and we will be implementing many of those suggestions in 2009.
FDEP Green Lodging Program
The FDEP Green Lodging Program has become an overwhelmingly successful endeavor for both the state and Monroe County. Statewide, there are over 400 properties currently participating in the program. Locally, we have over 24 Green Lodges in Monroe County making us the 3rd highest ranked in the state of Florida. This totals over 2,135 rooms throughout Monroe County that are "Green" certified. This program supports the overall mission of GLEE to become a more sustainable island community. We exemplify, by example, that "going green" can be easily achieved and that the Keys can become a sustainable, green destination. We are grateful for the nomination and support of organizations such as GLEE who have been instrumental in the success of the program.
Florida Keys Acqueduct Authority
As the steward of the potable water supply for the Florida Keys, the FKAA recognizes that it is a critical partner in the sustainability of these indispensable islands. The FKAA's progressive Strategic Plan, established by its Board of Directors, affirms the agency's role in environmental stewardship. The effort to promote sustainability is evident not only in its participation in GLEE, KSAP, conservation incentive programs and the new Marathon LEED Service Center, but also because the efforts permeate the smaller day to day activities of the dedicated FKAA employees. The FKAA remains committed to the environmental mission not only through the tackling of the major sustainability projects but also by recognizing that even the smallest efforts implemented on a day to day basis make a difference.
Florida Keys Electric Cooperative
Florida Keys Electric Cooperative is a progressive, member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility committed to serving its community efficiently and effectively in an environmentally responsible manner. In 2008, FKEC proudly installed its first grid-connected solar array, which is also Florida's second largest array according to the installer. FKEC was also the first fleet operator in the Keys to switch to biodiesel fuel in 2007, the first utility to welcome interconnected solar homes, a founding member of GLEE, and an original member and first host of KSAP. FKEC's green initiatives include a wide variety of contributions, ranging from providing free energy audits and distributing free recycling bins to the community all the way to arranging a CFL bulb donation to an organization in need. FKEC's board of directors, staff and employees are dedicated to caring for the Keys and are continually investigating new technologies and advancements to make the delivery of power as safe, reliable and environmentally responsible as possible.
Healthy Start Coalition
The Healthy Start Coalition is the only agency in the Keys that exists to promote optimal health for pregnant women and babies. Our mission is to give every baby the healthy start he or she deserves. Healthy living habits and care for the environment are central to this misssion. We help clients save money and live green by promoting breastfeeding, organic and nutritious food habits, eco friendly diapering, and passing along second hand items. We promote green parenting and GLEE in presentations, publications and on our website. In our small office we strive to have a light environmental footprint through carpooling, bicycling, using energy efficient appliances, printing and copying double sided on recycled paper, scanning and emailing whenever possible, recycling, using reusable food containers, reusing scrap paper and envelopes, and reducing junk mail. We are always searching for additional ways to go green.
Key West High School Alternative Energy Center
We have made great progress in Green Living! From most aspects, we work towards making a positive difference in lives of youth, and in turn, works towards a better society. The youth are dismayed when they are inheriting an intractable, overwhelming planet. However, by giving them the tools that allow them to make a difference, they are consumed with uncharacteristic optimism. That is combined with the fearlessness of youth, who are not concerned with the notion that something hasn't been done before. This robust perspective sallies forth with the enormous energy that radiates from students. Instead of discouragement, these students are encouraged by our island community who support us with their donations, time, and energy. It's great being here!
Keys Energy Services
As the public power utility for Key West and the Lower Florida Keys, KEYS has long been growing GREEN initiatives for quite some time. While the aforementioned actions are new, long standing noteworthy programs include KEYS' nationally recognized annual Tree Giveaway, free on-site or online home energy surveys, and KEYS' award-winning Energy Conservation calendar. These programs have long been pillars of KEYS' GREEN efforts and continue to play important roles as lasting environmental changes are sought and new actions take their place beside them.
Keys to Peace
Keys to Peace is a grass roots organization committed to building and awareness of peace through education, outreach, community activities. Through our local Peace Academy, we support the mission of the National Peace Academy which addresses the root causes of violence. Some of these include supporting restorative justice, mediation, conflict resolution, peace education, bullying and gang prevention, etc. We believe these are the Keys to a Sustainable Future, as we learn and understand the complex relationship between the individual and community actions and its affect on the health of the planet. We challenge our neighbors to grow with us to cultivate a compassionate, balanced and sustainable community.
Monroe County School District
We are pleased that kids, teachers and community advocates find their voices for a healthy future through our schools. We are ambassadors to the future and we hope our students will internalize healthy living skills through our strong academic programs and initiatives. As an organization we hope to lead by example not only because it is the right thing to do but because our children's future depends on it!
Montessori Elementary School Charter School
The use of recycled paper products, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, and filtered water coolers are all more costly for us. As leader of this organization I feel it is more important and cost effective in the long run to make these green choices. More important though, is our commitment to educating our students in ecological literacy and their responsibility to be stewards of the earth.
"The first aim of education should not be to prepare young people for careers but to enable them to develop respect for life." Norman Cousins
Reef Relief
For over 22 years Reef Relief has been a global leader in efforts to educate and activate citizens and public officials to progress "green" stewardship of environmental resources. The Green Living Nomination that we are submitting encompasses a wide variety of ways Reef Relief is expanding as a community leader in the Florida Keys, regionally, and globally.