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
"Being a local here in Tahoe for many years I am not one to sign up for a tour, but inspiration came when my friend invited me for the Full Moon Kayak tour on Lake Tahoe. What a treat to see the sun set behind our boat and then to watch the full moon rise and reflect upon the lake." -Jani O.
"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.
"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.
"I bring large groups to them for team building and they ALWAYS come back happy. They know the soft skills required to help businesses bond and learn." -Barb S.
-- Barb S.
"I found Tahoe Adventure Co to be extremely organized, passionate, and flexible when I brought a bachelor party to them for a sunset kayak tour. The main guide on our tour -- Erica -- was friendly and outgoing; giving the effort to make conversation and ask questions with everyone in our and other groups. The sunset tour is an accessible option for folks who have rarely/never done paddling water sports." -Gordon C.
-- Gordon C.
"We had a great time on our sunset snowshoe tour with Nikki. She was very considerate of our group's needs and offered options to ensure that everyone was able to participate and have fun. The snowshoeing was easy to get the hang of thanks to her tips and we really enjoyed being among the trees and seeing great views!" -Ashley B.