November 2009

November 2009

Topics in this months newsletter

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Rot

R4 Fairs From Key West to Key Largo Offer Green Family Fun & Education

Young Recyclers

The 3rd Annual R4 Fairs will empower you and your family to find simple ways to make a difference. Providing information and resources on the many aspects of green living, the November R4 Fairs bring communities together. As people around the world make lifestyle changes to lessen their impact on the planet, Florida Keys residents are no different. With climate change and sea level rise advancing faster than ever imagined, Keys residents are learning the significance of the 4Rs and the positive impact they can have on our environment. Thanks to our many sponsors for making this education possible.

Big Pine Key R4 Fair, 9 a.m. - noon, Saturday, Nov. 7, Big Pine Academy, 30220 Overseas Highway, MM30 -Swap meet, scavenger hunt, Artist Village (space still available, click here), composter raffle, Kids activities and more. Recycling bins provided by Waste Management, E-waste drop-off at Cudjoe Key Monroe County Transfer Station from 9a.m.- 2 p.m. CLICK HERE FOR FLYER

Key West R4 Fair, noon- 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Ave. ---Play Green Bingo, learn about eco-friendly cleaning products, take the Recycling Challenge, eat healthy food, and check out the solar hot water heater you’ve been thinking about buying. CLICK HERE FOR FLYER

Upper Keys R4 Fair 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15 at Key Largo Community Park, turn off U.S. 1 at MM 99.6, Oceanside – Music by Dave Feder, recycling education, water & energy conservation information, green home improvement how-to and more. CLICK HERE FOR FLYER

Marathon R4 Fair, 10 a.m. – 1p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, Marathon Community Park, MM 49 Oceanside -- Come Celebrate the City of Marathon's 10th Anniversary bash (10am-9pm), which will also host the R4 Fair. Check out Annie’s Organics, a waterless carwash product and learn how you can qualify for First State Banks Green Loan Program. After visiting R4 vendors, please stick around and celebrate with the City of Marathon. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
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Green Business Certification Program is Ready for Take Off

GLEE takes its mission to educate and promote sustainability to a new level with the November launch of a Keys-wide Green Business Certification Program. The program is the first of its kind to address lessening the environmental impact of small businesses in the Florida Keys. LEARN HOW

“The Green Business Program is our response to the many requests we’ve received over the years from those who want to green their business operations but don’t know where to begin,” said GLEE President Alison Higgins. “We’re offering a simple template that will help reduce waste and conserve resources, while trimming the cost of doing business.”

Offered through the KeysGLEE.com website in the form of downloadable tools, the program provides an easy to follow, step-by-step, DIY greening process. Once the required measures have been implemented, an on-site assessment is conducted. If all standards are met, the business becomes certified, a recognition that includes several rewards and incentives designed to inspire businesses to “get with the program.”

A pilot for the program was launched in May. Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens (MARC) staff at the May Sands School used the tools to implement green initiatives and become certified. The facility houses classrooms, offices, a nursery operation, a plant store and a restaurant. The Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center has also become certified, with staff and directors working together to implement best management practices.

Certified Green Business Partners receive a printed certification, as well as a window decal and electronic logo that identifies them as a certified Green Business Partner to customers and the community. GLEE is committed to issuing press announcements and photos of each new partner and encourages businesses to promote their certification as a marketing tool. Certified businesses will also be listed in GLEE’s Online Green Business Directory, which will serve as a valuable resource for visitors and residents looking for earth-friendly businesses, products and services.

“While most other markets are suffering in this economy, the green consumer market is a growing one,” said McDonald. “People want to support eco-friendly business, and by making the Green Business Directory available on the GLEE website, anyone can use it. The beauty of the online directory is that we can update it daily, with no reprints or loss of trees required,” said McDonald.

Green Business Partners will also have first option for ad placement on the new GLEE website, while an online Green Forum will provide opportunity for networking and information sharing on many levels.

The Green Business Program tools provided on the KeysGLEE.com website are available to any business at no charge. To become GLEE certified, there is a $50 on-site assessment fee for GLEE Business Members, and a $150 fee for non-members, which includes a one-year GLEE Business Membership.

The launch of the Green Business Program coincides with steps local government is taking to address climate change and sea level rise, and will complement programs such as the Climate Action Plan adopted by the Key West City Commission last week.

“As major sponsors of EcoWeek 2010, we are encouraging businesses throughout the Keys to get with the program by next November,” said McDonald. “Once that begins to happen, the Florida Keys can embrace the prospect of becoming an international eco-tourism destination that understands the value of environmental stewardship.”
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Volunteer Spotlight

In Banking or Green Politics, Shirley Gun Makes her Mark

Shirley GunFrom London to Miami to Key West, Shirley Gun has lived many different places and has learned many things along the way. A bank employee turned environmentalist, Shirley loves the sweeping change she’s made in her career. “It’s a bit different, but it’s always been green,” she laughs.

Shirley worked for JP Morgan Chase International bank based out of London for 13 years, during which time she was transferred to Miami. Eventually, tiring of the stress of the job, she made her way down to the Florida Keys, in search of something a little quieter. She has now been living and working in the Keys since 2002, and her passion for educating our community and taking important action towards a more sustainable way of life has led her to many different opportunities, including a job at The Nature Conservancy, where she has worked for two years.

Her involvement with GLEE began in a conversation with GLEE President, Alison Higgins, who also works for The Nature Conservancy. Since then, Shirley has become a busy and important member of the organization, involved in any way she can be. “Once you’ve made the decision you want to do something about the environment,” she says, “you realize you can’t continue to waste, to not recycle. You realize you can’t sustain this way of life forever because it’s going to run out. You realize that what is needed is education.” And Shirley has a definite commitment to education on sustainability.

Her work with the Green Living Expo, the annual R4 Fairs and her tireless commitment to recruiting new volunteers has kept GLEE running smoothly while it continues to expand and grow. From sending out emails to engaging people at any of the many GLEE events, Shirley is committed to recruiting new volunteers. “We get so busy,” she laughs, “that if anybody even suggests that they’ll help, they’re in!”

Apart from her work with volunteers and putting her time into GLEE’s major events, Shirley does a lot of behind the scenes work as well. Having just stepped down as GLEE’s treasurer, Shirley can be credited for keeping track of GLEE’s financial business too. While serving on the board for two years she also kept the membership database, updated the website regularly and catalogued GLEE press coverage. She is a woman of many skills who has given generously of her time and expertise.

Since coming to the Keys seven years ago, Shirley has learned a lot about sustainability, as well as teaching a few things. Education has been her instrument of choice for lessening our impact on the Earth, and through her work with GLEE and The Nature Conservancy it’s been an effective one. “Getting people engaged in what we do and seeing them want to make a difference is the best part,” she says. “It takes a lot of work, but when people get it—kids get it, families get it—it makes it all worthwhile.”
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ACTION OF THE MONTH

Stop Junk Mail

American mailboxes are inundated with junk mail. More than 100,000,000,000 pieces of junk mail are delivered each year—that’s more than 800 pieces per household. In fact, junk mail in the United States accounts for one-third of all the mail delivered in the world. Even though 44% of that mail goes to the landfill unopened, we still spend 8 months of our lives dealing with it all.

But junk mail does more than invade our homes and waste our time; it also destroys our environment. Here’s what you can do to stop the destruction.
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Earth Women: Calendar Project Funds Community Gardens

Treehuggers: Erika Biddle and Lucy Carleton

In celebration of Earth Day’s 40th anniversary in 2010, Key West eco-activist Erika Biddle has created Women Sustaining the Earth, a special calendar featuring local women in all their natural beauty.

Erika, who hosts the radio show “Eco-Centric View”, said inspiration for the calendar came from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s remark that if the environmental movement wants more participation, they need to make it sexier.

Women Sustaining the Earth, to be released just in time for the holidays, features 15 ageless women, all of whom are engaged in individual and collective activities to protect and nourish the Keys environment. The calendar features women who are well-known environmentalists, as well as those who work behind the scenes, all of whom donated their time and images. Others who donated their time and effort include Erika Biddle, the calendar’s producer; editor Carol Tedesco; designer Kim Narenkivicius; and four noted photographers: Carol Tedesco, Richard Watherwax, Lynne Bentley Kemp and Sheel.

“We believe that history will mark this time as the beginning of a new era devoted to living in harmony with nature and doing business as responsible stewards of our planet,” said Biddle, who has worked with GLEE as a tireless volunteer to provide education about sustainable living. In this spirit, the Women Sustaining the Earth calendar has been printed on chlorine-free, recycled paper using earth-friendly soy inks.

The limited edition calendar will be released at a launch party on 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16th at the home of Dr. Shirley Freeman and Harvey Server, 724 Eaton St., Key West. Proceeds from calendar sales will benefit community garden projects in the Florida Keys.

Due to popular demand, the first printing of the Women Sustaining the Earth calendar has been sold out. A second printing is in the works and sales will benefit the Mana Project, a 501 (c) 3 organization working to sustain Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden, the last wooded acre in Historic Old Town Key West. Please e-mail your request to Dr. Katharina Arnhold who will provide a mailing address for your check or money order.

Calendars are $25 and include shipping and handling. A limited number of special Collectors Editions, signed by all of the Calendar Girls, are available for $100 each. For more information go to keywestcalendargirls.com.
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Wake Up Laughing: Swami Performance is EcoWeek Fundraiser

Keys to Peace is hoping to raise funds and spirits with the comedic wisdom of Swami Beyondananda who will perform in Tavernier and Key West. Proceeds from the Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 events go to EcoWeek 2010, the Keys ecotourism celebration planned for November 2010. Click here for poster.
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Keys Leaders Collaborate at Florida Regional Climate Summit

By Jody Smith Williams

Keys Leaders

Keys elected officials, municipal staff, utilities, educators, green business, volunteers and environmental groups were all represented at the Regional Climate Summit in Ft. Lauderdale on Oct. 23.

One voice, one message, shared vulnerabilities. These were the themes echoed by most of the speakers and panelists at the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Summit on October 23rdin Ft. Lauderdale. The first of its kind and sponsored in part by GLEE, the summit brought together elected officials and community leaders from four southeast Florida counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe, to discuss the threat of climate change and to begin crafting a collaborative response.

Representing an electorate of more than five million people who comprise 30 percent of the state’s population (more than the populations of 30 US states), and realizing that there is strength in numbers, the four counties pledged to participate in a cooperative effort to address rising seas and temperatures that threaten to profoundly change the landscape and life from Key West to Palm Beach. The primary goal is to shape state and federal climate policies and steer more funding to communities most at risk -- namely, South Florida.

It was heartening to see that Monroe County was so well represented. Keys panelists included county mayor George Neugent, brand new Key West mayor Craig Cates, Key West Environmental Programs Manager Annalise Mannix, chair of the county’s Green Initiatives Task Force Jedde Regante, and Jim Murley, chair of the governor's Energy & Climate Commission GLEE board members Alison Higgins, Jody Smith Williams, Val Candy and Sara Hamilton attended the summit, in addition to other Keys dignitaries including county administrator Roman Gastesi, County Extension Services Director Doug Gregory, The Nature Conservancy Director Chris Bergh, FKAA Executive Director Jim Reynolds, South Florida Regional Planning Council chair Sandy Walters, Key West Sustainability Advisory Board chair Ross Williams, John Hammerstrom, Rich Jones, Shirley Gun, Christina Regante, Anne Morkill, Jim and Alicia Betancourt.

Jedde Regante began his turn on the panel by thanking the organizers of the summit for inviting the “red headed stepchild” to the party, a perception held by many mainlanders toward those of us down here at the end of the road. Yet it was clear that the mainland summit participants recognize that the Keys are at ground zero for the first and worst impacts of climate change and that our voice in this collective action speaks volumes.

Mayor Neugent spoke about the laid back attitude in the Keys that many of us use as an excuse not to pay attention to what is going on around us. As the canary in the coal mine, he said it’s time to push these issues, and to have the courage to step up and do the right thing. He also voiced his concern over problematic proposals for more nuclear reactors at Turkey Point and shortsighted proposals for oil drilling.

Key West Mayor Cates was gracious to accept the invitation to speak after only about a week into his tenure as mayor. He told me on a break that he enjoyed the presentations and that he was learning a lot. Annalise Mannix provided the bulk of the answer to that panel’s question of what the local governments’ accomplishments relative to climate change had been so far. She proudly talked about the city commission’s unanimous approval of the Climate Action Plan last week, and highlighted some of the key components of the plan such as collaboration with the Navy (the city’s largest energy user) on energy efficiency projects, adaptation strategies such as raising of frequently flooded roads, and adding to the tree canopy to increase carbon sequestration. And Green Drinks.

I’ve been to several of these climate conferences before. The laundry list of seriously scary inevitabilities as described by the experts can completely ruin one’s day. However, I always come away with a sense that momentum is on our side and that there are many very smart and dedicated people out there who are fighting for solutions to “save us from ourselves” as Miami-Dade commissioner Katy Sorenson declared.

It’s meaningful that GLEE is not fighting this battle alone and that our local governments are coming along beside us. For the county to be at the table with our Big Brothers to the north can only be a good thing as the regional climate compact takes shape. Let’s hope there’s still time.
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THUMBS UP: City of Key West Adopts Climate Action Plan

The Key West City Commission unanimously adopted a plan to reduce carbon emissions on the island city by 15 percent by 2015, at the Oct. 20 city commission meeting. Read more about the plan that will be used by the city, citizens and businesses of Key West to implement global climate change initiatives.
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County Presents GLEE “America Recycles Day” Proclamation

Commemorating America Recycles Day on Nov. 15th (from left) County Commissioners Heather Carruthers, Mario Di Gennaro; GLEE board members Val Mannix, Jody Smith Williams, Jeff Ruberg; Mayor George Neugent, and Commissioners Sylvia Murphy and Kim Wigington.
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Scenic Highway Designated as All-American Road

The Overseas Highway has been designated as one of five new All-American Roads, the most prestigious scenic highway designation in the United States.

This brings the total, and final, number of All-American Roads to 30 of the 141 highways in the National Scenic Byways Program. The Overseas Highway is the only All-American Road in Florida.

The Florida Keys Scenic Highway corridor runs from MM 110-MM 0, and extends five miles on each side of the highway, including the reef line and backcountry waters. The road was named a state scenic highway in 2001. Since 2007, the Florida Keys Scenic Corridor Alliance has been updating its management plan for the highway and started work on the application for designation in the National Scenic Byways Program.

Jackie Harder, chamber president, and Andy Dickson, Community Bank, are the 2 Key Largo board members who helped in the planning and application process, where we had to prove that the highway was a "destination unto itself" that provides "an exceptional travel experience."

Our scenic and recreational intrinsic qualities "are those which best represent the nation, are nationally recognized, and contain one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere."

WHAT DOES IT MEAN: So what are the benefits of having an All American Road run through our community? They are called the 4 P's: promotion, preservation, partnerships and pride.

The Federal Highway Administration's National Scenic Byways Program promotes the collection with the America's Byways map, on FHWA's traveler website at www.byways.org, and through public and private cooperative projects.

The promotion of the America's Byways® brand and logo increases visitor recognition of the program and encourages travelers to include byways in their trip plans.

Preserving the intrinsic qualities of a byway is essential to its integrity and sustainability. Byways create legacies and offer opportunities to preserve special places. It is those qualities and places that residents love and that draw visitors. In this way, preservation has a strong connection with promotion.

National designation offers the opportunity to expand partnerships well beyond local or state boundaries.

The America's Byways Resource Center (ABRC) provides technical assistance and education directly to designated National Scenic Byways through technical publications, newsletters and the tele-workshops. Staff members respond to requests for onsite assistance and problem solving.

The National Scenic Byways Online team maintains both the byway traveler and the byway community websites. These sites are primary communication tools with travelers, media and the byway community.

An All-American Road designation can instill a greater sense of awareness and pride among citizens. People work with each other to identify the resources that the community believes form the basis of the story of the byway. The byway itself may become the connecting force between communities along a route.

Seeking and receiving national designation often heightens local pride. The byway is noted on the America's Byways map and logo signs along the route build a shared identity. The byway becomes part of the national collection. It is one of America's Byways.

Being part of the national collection of America's Byways brings each byway into a common effort with each other and with the National Scenic Byways Program.

The responsibilities of the program lie in its mission "to provide resources to the byway community in creating a unique travel experience and enhanced local quality of life through efforts to preserve, protect, interpret and promote the intrinsic qualities of designated byways."

It sounds like a big deal, and it is. It takes significant consideration and effort to submit a nomination and receive designation. Once a byway is part of the collection, people will notice.

Efforts to promote and preserve intrinsic qualities will build local and national pride. Partnerships will be built and strengthened. The responsibility taken on will be worth the effort and pave the way to the National Scenic Byways Program vision to create a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories and treasured places.
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November Membership Drive

Fall Membership DriveAs we head into the Fall, GLEE is offering an extended membership for any members who wish to join now. This offer is good for new memberships submitted between October 1, 2009 and December 31st, 2009 and memberships will be valid till December 31, 2010. That means new members will receive membership benefits for the remainder of 2009 and all of 2010 - for the price of 12 months. (read more)
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