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 did the Sand Harbor Kayak tour with Tahoe Adventure Company. Emma Hoffman was our tour guide. This tour was worth the money. Emma guided the tour well, was informative about the history of the place, friendly and kept us engaged. But what I am happy about is something bigger than that...Myself and my husband are beginners in kayaking. We were struggling with balancing the Kayak and suddenly our kayak toppled down. Emma took charge of this unexpected situation and immediately helped us! She stayed calm and guided us step by step as to how to get back on the kayak and got us back on kayak. Without her, I don't know how we would have managed! Because we are very new to this. Thanks, Emma! A guide's or Company's worth is known especially based on how they handle unexpected situations! Also, Emma helped our group Cliff jump by jumping along with us. Without her lead none of us had the guts to jump by ourselves. I am glad I chose Tahoe Adventure Company for this tour and glad that Emma was our tour guide. I’d come back to Tahoe adventure company again for both summer and winter activities. They ensure safety along with providing adventure." -Viv N.
"We went on two trips with Tahoe Adventure Company: a sunset kayak trip, and a rock climbing trip. They were both superb. The guide for the kayak trip was knowledgeable and fun. The rock climbing guide, Chris Baumann, was outstanding. We have been on several other rock climbing trips, and Chris was hands down the best guide we have had (and we liked the others.) His relaxed, low-key approach was great for our group, but at the same time he was obviously very safety oriented. One of the members of our group, a 4th grader, became very frightened about halfway up the rock face. Without any fuss or drama, Chris mounted a rescue, and his cheerful, encouraging approach soon had the boy climbing again, with great enjoyment. We all had a great day" -Rachel P.
I went kayaking today with a youth group I volunteer with, ages 10 to 14. We had a great time! The instructors were helpful and knowledgeable, and made everyone feel safe. We paddled out into Tahoe Lake individually, including a boat race, and then the kids got to swim (with their life vests) in the lake, or play games between the kayaks. The bottom wasn't more than 30 feet deep. We spent about 2.5 hours on the water. On the way in, we linked all the kayaks and paddled as a chain. Nice teamwork! Overall a great experience. I hope to return again. -Chris C.
"We had a wonderful SUP day with Chase as our guide. We took off from Sandy Harbor on the longer paddle board trip with a last minute (day before) reservation. As newbies, we had a quick lesson in the basics and off we went. It was a great place to SUP because the water is crystal clear, the vistas breathtaking and our Chase shared lots of interesting facts to answer all our curiosities. Lunch on the beach after was peaceful and relaxing. Go for the longer trip! And enjoy it." Anna R.
-- Anna R.
"We had a fantastic sunset snow shoe tour with Eric and Michelle today. They were fun and very knowledgeable about snow shoeing, the trail, the area and the plants and animals of the area both past and present. It was a three hour tour at a good pace (we definitely got our workout in). I would totally go on another tour with them. Actually we found out they do kayak tours in the summer so when we come up in the summer we will definitely be giving them a call! Great afternoon! A+ experience!!!" -Trip Advisor Review
-- Trip Advisor Review
"Highlight of our Tahoe trip! We had so much fun in the half day kayak tour of sand harbor, we went back the next day for a paddleboard tour. Th guides added a lot to the fun of the sport with tons of cool information about the lake ecology and the history of Tahoe. Definitely recommend!" Frankie S.
