Green Living and Energy Education Florida Keys - GLEE

Sponsored by Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Key West, the ceremony was led by GLEE Executive Director Alison Higgins, who also announced GLEE’s 2010 accomplishments and the release of the organization’s annual report.

2011 Green Living Awards, selected by the GLEE board of directors include:

Individual Award: Annalise Mannix, recently appointed to the Monroe County Climate Change Advisory Committee was also a member of the county Green Building Task Force.  As a member of the Key West Climate Action Team, she was instrumental in the design and adoption of the plan by the city commission. She is a founding member of the US Green Building Council, Keys chapter, and serves as advocacy chair. An engineer, she designs buildings and renovations for sustainable living and also practices water and energy conservation at home. In her 20 years with the city of Key West, Mannix managed the Engineering Department, Stormwater Utility and then Environmental Programs. Her endless enthusiasm for climate change issues brought together more than 100 people to help create sustainable plans for the future of the community. A driving force in the creation of a four-county South Florida Regional Climate Summit, her environmental work has been recognized with awards from ICLEI, Last Stand, and GLEE. Her volunteer corps has saved the City over $75,000 with clean ups and other ventures.

Student Award: Poinciana Elementary School Recycling Rangers, in one school year, taught 650 students, their teachers and administrators how to recycle, creating a process for recycling in every classroom, office and in the cafeteria. Their efforts diverted 40 dumpsters of recyclable waste, reducing solid waste at the school by about 40 percent. Savings exceeded expectations with trash pickups decreasing from five to three times per week, saving approximately $600 per month in disposal fees.

Business Award: First State Bank of the Florida Keys has served as a community leader in using and promoting sustainable strategies that reduce energy usage, promote reuse and increase recycling through education and incentives. Over the years, FSB has invested more than $50,000 to further green efforts by supporting green initiatives and education with cash donations, distributing green tips with bank statements, offering reusable bags, and providing over 270 paid volunteers at green events throughout the Keys. Three of the bank’s branches -- Whitehead Street, Big Pine Key and Marathon -- have been certified in GLEE’s Green Business Program, meeting all water and energy efficiency standards, as well as conducting a waste assessment and making any adjustments needed to comply. FSB was awarded GLEE’s Green Business Ambassador Award in 2010.

Agency/Organization Award: Florida Keys Electric Cooperative conducted 74 free, in-depth energy audits for cooperative members last year and its Marathon solar array, the first grid-connect solar array in the Keys, now serves 29 interconnected solar homes. Simple Solar, an innovative program that allows members to lease FKEC solar panels in return for bill credits continues to be promoted. FKEC staff provided energy education at local schools, donated trees, and participated in the GLEE Biodiesel Rally, which caravanned from Florida City to Key West in a ride to generate awareness. The utility’s fleet runs on biodiesel fuel and synthetic oil. Last year, FKEC earned GLEE Green Business Certification for its Tavernier facility, and has for the second year earned national recognition as a "Tree Line USA Utility" from the Arbor Day Foundation. Local Government: Monroe County. FKEC participated in Earth Day events hosted by Mariners Hospital, Curry Hammock and Green Turtle Hammock, and was a major sponsor of EcoWeek. FKEC has also won the popular vote in the Green Living Awards for all four years.

Local Government Award: Monroe County Commissioners and county staff, committed to GLEE’s Green Living Pledge, hired a sustainability coordinator to manage a $2.3 million energy grant, and adopted resolutions to reduce GHG emissions, while setting policies for energy, fuel, water and waste reduction. Employees have developed creative ways to reduce consumption, including continued inventory of all energy and fuel usage through a Green House Gas (GHG) emissions audit conducted by the County Extension staff. Using B30 biodiesel fuel in fleets and combining trips to conserve fuel to reduce GHG. Through a state grant, the County will purchase four hybrid vehicles to replace conventional vehicles, saving 4,000 gallons of gas while saving $16,000 annually. Efficiencies in new buildings include natural lighting, efficient windows and insulation, and computer controlled lighting and air conditioning systems. A policy to turn off lights and equipment when not in use is in place and incandescent light bulbs are replaced with energy efficient CFLs. Other measures include drought tolerant landscaping, recycling education and classes on installing photovoltaic systems, composting and rain barrel workshops provided by Extension staff. The county participates in the Keys Energy-Key West Lighting Task Force, testing new, lower energy streetlights. 

2011 Green Ambassador Awards are selected through an online vote system.

Individual Award: Adriana Sanchez-Gomez was born on Earth Day. Her sustainable choices include use of organics, composting, a home garden, recycling, reusing and homeopathy. She gives green gifts and bases purchases on waste reduction, choosing eco- and health-friendly options for family and pets in food, medications, apparel and accessories. She shares her passion for healthy living choices with coworkers, promotes green education and awareness via mother groups and on Face Book. She uses bamboo cloth reusable diapers as much as possible, reducing waste. Adriana uses green cleaning products and vinegar to sanitize, uses an aerator on her garden hose to conserve water and has participated in numerous beach clean ups. 

Student Award: Reade Lawson is a nine-year old who lives on Sugarloaf Key. Last October his grandmother took him to see polar bears in Canada and it changed the homeschool student’s life. Reade learned about the effects of climate change and wanted to invent something to fix the problem. His mom suggested they start by making small changes at home while Reade works on a big solution. They started by hanging the laundry outside instead of using the electric dryer.  Now the family also has a vegetable garden, compost bin, and uses homemade cleaning solutions. They recycle, open the doors and windows instead of using a/c, and try to use less water and electricity. Instead of going out on the powerboat, they kayak or ride bikes. The cost of these changes was minimal to none, resulting in conservation of gasoline, electricity and grocery bills, which make Mom and Dad happy.

Business Award: The Hammocks At Marathon is a certified DEP Green Lodging property that has earned a “Two Palm” designation. The Hammocks uses non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaners and provide guests with recycled bags for their recyclables. A linen reuse program is in place, as are bulk buying, use of native plants and no fertilizer. In the lobby, a display detailing commitment to green is accompanied by a "Green Suggestion Box" for guests. Environmental policy is also discussed at monthly employee meetings. Boilers, air conditioners, ice machines, hot water heaters and dishwashers are adjusted to maximize efficiency. Daily readings of the irrigation water meter detects spikes in usage and automatic clocks with rain sensors on the sprinkler system conserves water. All appliances and plumbing are state of the art energy efficient, and a DEP approved wastewater treatment plant is on grounds. 

Agency/Organization Award: Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (See above for details.)

Local Government Award: City of Marathon, which tied with Monroe County for popular votes, will meet goals to have all properties under Advance Waste Water Treatment well before the 2015 deadline. A $24 million citywide storm water project will capture and retain storm water run off from all city street Right of Ways, making Marathon the first municipality within Monroe County to achieve this goal. The project will meet or exceed State and Federal Standards resulting in improved water quality. The city is installing water re-use components at multiple regional treatment plants, which will reduce potable water usage in excess of 750,000 gallons per day.  The city marina facility provides free pump out with mooring/dockage, has recycling available for oil, gas, diesel, antifreeze, filters, oily rags, and starter batteries.  Staff has served as mentors to other municipalities in creating mooring fields with pump out services. City staff was involved in the Monroe County Green Initiatives Task Force, which recently completed a Sustainable Vision Statement for Monroe County. Since that time the City Council voted to support the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact.

Local Government Award: Monroe County tied with the City of Marathon for votes. See above for details.

CUTLINE: Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers (left), who accepted a 2011 Green Living Award for the county, looks on as nine-year old Reade Lawson is presented the Individual Award by GLEE Chairman Steve Grasley and Executive Director Alison Higgins. The awards are presented annually by Green Living & Energy Education (GLEE) to promote and educate on sustainability.