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
You know how the last day of vacation looms, and you can't help but feel a little sad? These folks have the cure for you! We booked the Sand Harbor adventure for the last day of our trip and we just LOVED it. The cherry on top of a wonderful trip. The kayaks they use are stable and have great back support, but the guide really made this trip for us. Jill was helpful and knowledgeable, and we definitely learned more about the lake from her than we have on any other excursions. Jill found us some super cool and secluded rocky inlets and gave us a chance to wade around and explore. Everything was amazing! We'd highly recommend this company and this adventure. Everyone else we worked with deserves high praise as well. (Kate, Erica, and Nicole... y'all are rockstars!) -Karen M.
"Did a snowshoe tour. Location was fabulous with great views of the lake and mountains. Our guide Nicole was wonderful with our group of first-timers. And I loved her knowledge and commentary about the area. Would definitely do another tour with them." -Michelle M.
"The snowshoeing was fantastic. Nikki was our very knowledgeable and friendly guide. Everything that could have been thought of was. Great equipment. Amazing scenery. Highly recommended." -Chris Y.
"We have been using Tahoe Adventure Company for fun adventures for the past 5 years. They are always just the best!!! Their booking is efficient, their equipment always great and their guides are wonderfully informative and enjoyable." Anne T.
All people involved had a great time. Your guides are awesome also. I was going to call you about the pictures so I am glad you have the disc. Thanks again! -Doug, Levins Auto