2009 Individual Category
Amy Jones
After getting recycling off the ground in two large school communities, I have seen people recognize the importance of reducing and reusing. In both locations I have witnessed the amount of waste cut 50% because of these three "R's." By involving over 75% of the Key West High School teachers and many students, the education effect is invigorating. In my endeavor to "practice what I preach" I have spoken in over a dozen public forums to support sustainability and continue to reduce my personal consumption.
Carole & Bill deHart
We have been, and continue to try to live our lives by, leaving as little impact on our environment as possible. We have been coming to the Keys since 1994 and accomplished our goal of retiring here in 2007. We are now dedicated to doing our part to keep the Keys the beautiful string of pearls we came to love years ago. We feel our efforts to educate our neighbors and community, and our various volunteer activities continue our philosophy of "Think globally, Act locally". We are thrilled and astonished to be recognized for this award. Thank you.
Debra Stucki
I am going to presume that someone nominated my work on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. The project could not be accomplished without the resources available through the various divisions, advocates, sister agencies and the many individuals that helped support and make possible all of these projects. The names of all those people past and present would fill up a page. I cannot take credit for any of it, only the fact that I forged ahead in a relentless manner to see something accomplished. These days I am focused on building support for places where compassion, economic innovation, cultural inclusivity, the environment and health are all part of what comprises a sustainable community. There are new and innovative ways these areas are being addressed by groups and institutions all over the globe. It is certainly a great time to be involved.
Kathryn dePoo
Sorry I do not have stats or lists of accomplishments, I simply try do make an honest effort to leave my area of activity in better or at least as good a shape as it was before I came. Even though I appreciate being nominated, I am certainly not comfortable holding myself up as an example for any kind of award, but I do not want to disrespect the GLEE program by not participating. It is my deep held belief that as responsible citizens of the planet we should do what we can when and where we can to leave the smallest footprint possible on the Earth and her resources. That choice includes eating as low on the food chain as possible, seeking out natural products with minimum chemical and processed additives for daily use and minimizing creation of personal waste by reusing, recycling, composting and buying products with little or no packaging. These are small personal concessions that can have a large impact in what kind of planet we leave future generations. It is worth it.
Leda & Thor Dunmire
This year was the beginning of our lifelong commitment to each other and to the planet and people that have made us who we are. Our first big steps included installing a solar water heater (thanks to generous wedding donations of many), building and using a 55-gallon compost tumbler and building a 110-gallon dual rain barrel system that collects rainwater from the carport awning for outdoor uses and landscaping. We estimate that we have conserved about 3,000 gallons of water through a combination of the rain barrels and a low-flow toilet and kept more than 400 gallons of trash out of a landfill. Beyond home life, we each work in professions that give back to the Keys community: Thor in research diving and Leda in fisheries conservation. We look forward to contributing more as we learn the best ways to build a greener community from GLEE and other committed groups and individuals.
Pam Godfrey
After so many years of being the odd person by recycling and doing other Green or considered "Hippie" things in the past, it is nice to stand with other like minded individuals, to see what we can accomplish with our combined efforts. I am so happy to see recycling bins at community events, and trucks get filled with all of the toxic electronics, motors, paints and other debris that end up in our water ways and land fills, killing our earth. I am sorry it took so long for others to see what we were doing all those years and now we are in such a state that the small efforts of some have now become a reality for the masses in order to have a brighter tomorrow for our children. I am sorry I don't have stats just a continued passion for being GREEN.
Pamela Suarez
One of my missions in life is to use my skills and talents in a way that makes the world a better place. So I am grateful to the editors and publisher of the Keynoter/Keys Sunday and the fine folks at GLEE for helping me further that mission. Since moving to the Keys 18 months ago, I have written approximately 50 articles for the Keynoter/Keys Sunday and the Miami Herald about local environmental issues, GLEE and green living.
Roland & Sloan Muench
We estimate that 1/3 of our energy savings came from awareness and energy-conscious living habits (no cost), 1/3 from use and installation of energy-conserving materials and appliances and 1/3 from capture and conversion of renewable (solar) energy. Our combined expenses for energy and water have become "painless" when compared to the monthly cost of communication alone, and we are gratified by the occasional negative electric bill. We were able to retrofit an existing concrete structure into a "green" home without compromising comfort or quality of life. In addition to the satisfaction of "green" transportation and consumption modes, we thoroughly enjoyed sharing our experience with other like-minded folks in the Keys and elsewhere.
The Gerbracht Family
We have always followed a "a walk gently on our earth" approach to living, and have instilled this philosophy in our children. There is no doubt that we think of the environment in almost everything we do from as simple as reusing envelopes for our shopping lists to tapping solar energy. I can't put stats to our green living, it is our lifestyle. There is still much we want to do - we want a wind turbine (Pacwind) and solar panels for our electric, get another eco friendly car (we're waiting to see what comes in the next few years; ZAP solar trucks are intriguing), use our Preserve earth website better as an educational forum and much, much more. We see the richness Mother Earth offers, we also see the damage man has made and how these actions are causing the Earth to suffer. We strongly believe every little bit helps which is why the Gerbracht family is committed to doing our part. We are honored to be nominated for this award. Did I mention Jim's hero is Ed Begley, Jr.?
Tina & Dennis Henize
As said last year, "We're hard-pressed to brag about ourselves, and are pretty ordinary." We merely try our best within our economic means to generate as little waste and live as 'green' as possible. We buy "clean & green" products and go organic to the extent that we are able -- appropriate items are not always affordable or available. We put time and effort into conservation of native habitats because we recognize that powerful forces want to destroy what's left of the "natural" Keys (and everywhere else) in the name of profit. As for energy conservation, it makes economic and environmental sense to reduce energy use; enlightened selfinterest usually, if not always, coincides with the common good. We are honored to be nominated for recognition, and if our activities and efforts might encourage others to do more, this can only be a good thing.
Tom Lavender & Debbi Rothstein
With the dual flush toilets, tankless hot water, and new washing machine we've reduced water consumption. With the tankless hot water, and other new appliances along with the bulb replacement, we've reduced our energy use. We try to eat low on the food chain, never accept plastic bags and clean with HPGP and rags. Basically, we just try to do our best and talk to everyone who has a question about the 50mpg with the Smart car.
Fran and Mali Wagner
Fran and Mali have done all they can think of to reduce, reuse, recycle and rot, but the accomplishment they are most proud of is convincing the State Department of Health not only to approve the conversion of septic tanks to cisterns but to make that conversion less cumbersome and less costly. In 2005, they received the first variance in the State of Florida which gave them permission to convert their septic tank to a cistern. In a few days, the rules will be changed so that a variance is not even needed to take this important step for the conservation of water. Since the Keys are now in the process of installing sewers, Fran has made many presentations from Key Largo to Key West, trying to educate homeowners about this important ecological opportunity.
Rosalind Brackenbury
My Green Living nomination is really based on the fact that my husband and I have built our house and yard and general living around conservation of resources, mostly out of necessity. He is really the one to nominate as he has done all the work!
Jim Chenault
I feel I try and do a little bit for the green of the earth. I also try to pass along what I have learned to others so they may consider it for themselves. Thru living and exploring the green path, I hope to contribute a wee bit to the good green of the earth.
Jane Tallman
Jane Tallman has worked with GLEE from its inception to promote its vision and extend green education throughout the Keys community. In addition to organizing and presenting at GLEE Expos and serving as a Board Member and Secretary, Jane worked to create funding partnerships, organize multi-agency meetings, initiate a marina water conservation signage program, and assist in Green Lodging assessments. As a Professional Environmental Engineer and member of state and national water conservation standards and advocacy committees, Jane provides technical assistance on water conservation issues and its wide reaching applications (Green Lodging, Clean Marinas, Energy Efficiency, etc.). Jane's Keyswide water conservation projects have won 3 statewide awards from the American Waterworks Association.
Jedde Regante
I try to incorporate green living into every aspect of my life, constantly searching for ways to improve myself and to teach others what I have learned.