New regional awards program raises the bar for business Published: December 14, 2009 by Beth Ingalls
Keep Sierra Green Businesses of 2009 Placer County Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge Tahoe Mountain Sports Tahoe Adventure Company Integrated Environmental Restoration Services
Incline Village Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort and Casino Law Office of Lara Pearson EV Village The Potlatch Soli Real Estate The Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences
Nevada County GreenSmart Truckee's Cedar House Sport Hotel was the setting for the first annual Keep the Sierra Green (KSG) Exemplary Business Awards for 2009. Born out of a shared vision and collaborative partnership between Truckee's Recycling Coordinator Nichole Dorr and Incline Village General Improvement District's (IVGID) Resource Conservationist Madonna Dunbar, KSG recognizes businesses focused on ecological and economic practices in the north central Sierra and foothills. The program has grown into a partnership between the Town of Truckee, IVGID, Nevada County Recycles, Placer County, the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and the Sierra Green Building Association.
Any business located within the town of Truckee, eastern Placer County, Nevada County, Incline Village or Crystal Bay may participate in the regional program, but the annual award goes only to businesses that score highest on an eight-page application. The form is no walk in the park. To qualify as a Keep Sierra Green business, applicants are required to recycle, develop energy, pollution and water conservation programs, define how company purchasing practices are eco-minded, create employee awareness procedures, and complete energy and waste audits. The form also awards points for voluntary programs as well.
Lynne Cody, Nevada County recycling technician, opened up the ceremony by declaring, "We want to set the bar really high and all of you are the first to be recognized...you are the true green leaders in your communities."
As attendees noshed and tension built among the applicants awaiting the announcements, Eli Meyer, president of the Sierra Green Building Association, reminded the crowd that the Keep the Sierra Green program is "not about greenwashing it's about setting a benchmark for people in the community." 'Greenwashing' occurs when companies pose as friends of the environment, but their actual practices and products don't match up to their claims. Kym Fabel, manager of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce added, "All kinds of people and businesses are looking to be green. Green is big."
Visitors Love To Adventure With Us
"We went kayaking in the morning, had lunch and then went for a hike in Squaw Valley. The day was fantastic! Our guide, Chase was so flexible, very knowledgeable and made the day so comfortable and fun! We had a group that ranged in age from 13-48; it was fun for all ages and abilities!" -Trip Advisor Review
"We had a wonderful adventure to Thunderbird Lodge. The kayak trip to the lodge was beautiful and at a casual pace. Our guides Bailey and Collin were very informative and shared their knowledge of the history, nature & geology of Lake Tahoe. The tour of Thunderbird Lodge was interesting and thorough. We then had a great picnic lunch on the grounds before paddling back to Sand Harbor. We would say that if you could only do one thing at Lake Tahoe, that this trip would provide some of the best Lake Tahoe has to offer." Angie R.
"The views were awesome. Our guide, Parker, was so nice and so knowledgeable about the area. It was my first kayaking experience, so it will be a special memory." -Peter C.
"I went out on the Sunset~Full Moon tour with TAC this week and it was just an exceptional experience, one I'll cherish for a long time. Safe and socially distanced, a great group of folks all visited easily which I attribute to our guide Tyler. He was so welcoming to all of us from the get-go. Organized. Streamlined. Professional. Lots of good information about the lake, the area, and just great upbeat vibes all around. Thank you, TAC!" -Cheryl L.
-- Cheryl L.
"This was such a fun adventure for our family and friends! The guide was so kind and knowledgeable and put everyone at ease. Kayaking in Lake Tahoe was an amazing experience! We would absolutely do this again!" -Lisa L.
-- Lisa L.
I want to thank you for a wonderful Thunderbird Lodge Kayak Tour. I hesitated spending the extra money for the Lodge tour, but everyone in our group seemed very pleased with this extra. Seeing the estate from the water and then leaving our kayaks of the sandy beach while doing the tour felt special. Mark was knowledgeable and the timing was relaxed. Having lunch in the gazebo was a nice touch. Kori was personable and we enjoyed her description of the geology and history of the area. We spoke highly of the trip to Stefanie of the Cedar House where we were staying. Thanks for a great trip, Ruth A.