GreenFtLauderdale.com tells local stories about people and organizations doing good things in the community. Share your best practices, good deeds, and the people who make a difference. We’d love to show your photos too.

Started in 2004, over 75 local authors have talked about their companies and non-profits. Write an about us page, highlighting how you’ve reduced, recycled, and cleaned up your corner of South Florida. We think being green means communities that care about their future. Wasting less, preserving species, like Sea Turtle and dolphins, setting aside land as green space, using local plants and xeriscaping to use less water. And tell us about all the products you use that save electricity, reduce waste, and lessen our impact.  Read more... (389 words, 1 image, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

The Foundation receives inquires almost daily from governmental organizations, private sector companies and the general public related to funding, programs, resources and general guidance. The approval of the Recovery Act/Stimulus package is loaded with incentives which should move sustainable development and green buildings more into the mainstream.

Unfortunately, a majority of governmental agencies and private sector companies who can tap into resources from the Recovery Act/Stimulus package don’t understand that one of the key methods that projects should be utilizing is an integrated design process.  Read more... (521 words, 1 image, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)

Last May, I found a new American flag, still folded in its box, in a pile of trash on the curb. The instructions for flag etiquette in the box say, “The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, or water.” Does that include trash?

I rescued it, of course. We’ve debated for years whether desecrating the flag should be a crime or is protected speech. But I doubt many would argue that it wasn’t disrespectful and wrong to put the flag on the trash pile.  Read more... (887 words, 2 images, estimated 3:33 mins reading time)

The Community Greenhouse Foundation is proud to announce a new Strategic Partner serving the South Florida communities to delivery it’s Greening Residential America program. The program helps to provides communities with the resources to bring green, attainable housing to their communities. New and renovated energy efficient green homes can be offered to City, County, governmental employees and the public through the program along with the opportunity for local community builders to tap into products and training to build greener and more energy efficient.  Read more... (346 words, 2 images, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

The Sea Turtle Preservation Society has developed a new volunteer program that will be administered through the Marine Turtle Permit for Sea Turtle Strandings. This program, the Sea Turtle Emergency Response Program, has been developed to provide better beach coverage to search for and rescue post-hatchling sea turtles that have washed back ashore after a large storm event. The purpose of this program is to increase the number of post hatchling sea turtles that are rescued, rehabilitated and eventually released back into the ocean.  Read more... (417 words, 2 images, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

When Bunney Brenneman, Chair of the Utility Advisory Committee, contacted the Community Greenhouse Foundation some four weeks ago, asking if we would like to help to put together the first GREEN Living Expo in Fort Lauderdale, our answer was a resounding: Yes.

We knew that the time was short and that we would be underwriting a majority of the cost to put it together, but we welcomed the opportunity. Our mission is facilitating Green America, one community at time, and with our roots in South Florida, the timing was perfect to launch our Green Communities program with www.greenftlauderdale.com.  Read more... (553 words, 2 images, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)

Hurricane Season is almost upon us. It begins June 1st and lasts until November 30th. To give us all the information we need, Broward County provides us their Hurricane Preparedness Guide.

The Official Broward County Hurricane Preparedness Guide is filled with useful information, maps, telephone numbers and web site addresses that helps you be ready – set – safe for hurricane season.

“Every family in Broward County should be prepared to get by on their own for 3 to 5 days in the aftermath of a major storm.” Lori Vun Kannon, Director, Broward County Emergency Management  Read more... (353 words, 1 image, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

One of the main reasons the Community Greenhouse Foundation sponsored the Green Communities program was the idea of communities sharing good news and stories about the way people and organizations are doing positive things as they related to green sustainable living in their communities. The web sites are geared to act as a conduit to all sectors of the community and other communities around the state. This is a PERFECT example of what this program is supposed to promote and share.  Read more... (861 words, 3 images, estimated 3:27 mins reading time)

AT&T, the nations largest wireless carrier, introduces an online starter kit for Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPFS) donation drives and challenges the public to double cell phone recycling by next Earth Day, 2009. In honor of Earth Day and the thousands of men and women serving in the military oversees, AT&T will collect old wireless devices for the Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPFS) program during the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Green Living Expo on April 26, 2008.  Read more... (363 words, 2 images, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Community Greenhouse Foundation welcomes the support of igourmet.com as its newest sponsor of “Green Communities” program. Supporting the not-for-profit “Green Communities” program for a Brighter, Sustainable Future, iGourmet.com has enabled us to use their program as a preferred affiliate. When you use iGourmet.com for your Organic and Specialty food purchases or corporate gift giving, it supports Greenftlauderdale.com and Community Greenhouse Foundation.

The Community Greenhouse Foundation is a not for profit organization that promotes and facilitates greener communities, through awareness, education and partnering, building bridges and uniting communities.  Read more... (724 words, 2 images, estimated 2:54 mins reading time)

Have you ever been to a city that has a great bike trail? Last week we rode some of Orlando’s bike paths, including the West Orange Trail, It took us straight through Winter Garden, FL and what a transformation this town has made to it’s downtown. It is a thriving boom town and ties into its rich history, making for one of the region’s prettiest, and revitalized downtowns. Besides the economic benefits, we saw literally hundreds of people, cycling and walking. From families out for a stroll under the forested pathway to groups of bikers on road bikes training for the latest Iron Man, the place was abuzz with energy.  Read more... (511 words, 3 images, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

Daily, we’re reminded about the violence and chaos that is Iraq. Not so readily available are ways to help. Many people have asked about how to make donations, for deployed troops and how to help the Iraqis. Here are a few things I’ve found.

Looking for ways to support and honor U.S. military service members and veterans who protect our security and freedom? In years past, you could wrap up a care package and mail it to “Any Service Member” for the holidays, but with increased mail restrictions, the Pentagon is asking people to help through financial contributions, letter-writing and e-mail, purchasing authorized pre-made care packages, or volunteering time through non-profits.  Read more... (618 words, 1 image, estimated 2:28 mins reading time)

SBIC is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the design, affordability, energy performance, and environmental soundness of America’s buildings.

SBIC teaches, values, and advocates a balanced, holistic approach to designing new buildings. These days many terms are used to describe improved buildings, such as “green,” “sustainable,” “high performance,” and “environmentally responsive.” We are always mindful that these ideas must be kept in context with other equally important design objectives, such as aesthetics, accessibility, cost effectiveness, flexibility, high productivity, and security. Our members believe that all sustainable buildings must be low-energy, climate-responsive, use minimal fossil fuels and cleaner, renewable energy.  Read more... (372 words, 2 images, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)

Every day we’re reminded that American military personnel are serving in foreign lands. As we write and publish GreenOrlando each and every month I’m ever mindful of those who give of themselves and put their lives on the line to secure our freedom and way of life. Unfortunately, today’s climate in mainstream media often only shows the negative things occurring around the world. This publication’s mission is to shine a spotlight on the good news.  Read more... (830 words, 3 images, estimated 3:19 mins reading time)

Brevard Tomorrow is a community-driven initiative focused on creating a ‘preferred future’ for Brevard County. This task requires diverse groups and people from around the county to come together to collaborate, communicate and proactively carry out initiatives that will protect and enhance the quality of life for all our residents.

Brevard Tomorrow is working to create a community that prides itself on its educational and workforce opportunities, strong economy, well-planned and sustainable development and redevelopment, and responsive government.
One of the primary areas of focus in the Brevard Tomorrow strategic plan is to create a sound civic infrastructure, one that encourages community understanding, cooperation and involvement in those areas that impact our quality of life.  Read more... (1028 words, 2 images, estimated 4:07 mins reading time)

When I moved from Ohio in June of 2000 to the Melbourne beach area, the world was a different place then. We didn’t have a inclining of fear with the sound of a jet overhead, because we didn’t have our innocence ripped from us, as on that fateful day of September 11th 2001.

Only then were we thrust in to a quandary and decision process with our very survival possibly at stake. We collectively pulled together as a team, as a cohesive group of like minded individuals that were going to do what ever it took to ensure that survival.  Read more... (636 words, 2 images, estimated 2:33 mins reading time)

In the United States and many industrialized nations, we’re drowning in activity. Most of us have more than a safe number of plates spinning in the

air: reports due, projects to manage, meetings to attend, doctor visits, home/auto maintenance, school activities, family responsibilities, finances… It’s no wonder that we plop on the sofa after a late dinner and just veg out. A recent study estimated that the typical 65-year-old will have watched almost 9 years of television during their lifetime. Nine years! There is, however, a way to stop this insanity and gain more control over our lives – especially our work life.

One of the greatest joys I’ve found since moving to Brevard County in 2003 is the opportunity to brainstorm potentially synergistic affiliations with other local professionals.

Smack in the midst of building a financial services practice, a communications venture (speaking and writing) and an online magazine (this one you’re reading, as a matter of fact), I naturally do a lot of networking. I intentionally pay attention to the people around me and try to discern possible connections that could produce win-win scenarios.  Read more... (514 words, 2 images, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

American Cancer Society Works to Save Lives
The American Cancer Society is determined to ultimately eliminate cancer as a major health threat. While striving to reach this goal, the American Cancer Society works daily to save more lives until a cure is found.

The real strength of the American Cancer Society lies in its volunteers, who translate policy into reality. Motivated by personal experiences and concern for others, they accomplish the mission of the American Cancer Society. You can join us in accomplishing this mission by participating in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, a team event to fight cancer.  Read more... (565 words, 2 images, estimated 2:16 mins reading time)

What do you get when you add a strategic marketing firm, a design studio, an IT company, two development teams, an internet marketing company, and a public relations duo? You get serious talent, with almost no overhead. You get a lean, mean, communications team, who networks with most everyone in Brevard County. You get Giant3.

You’ve seen their work. It is everywhere. From the United Way’s award winning website, to Brevard County’s new branding campaign, built from Brevard Tomorrow’s storytelling workshop. The Cocoa Beach Area Chamber’s InSite, 211Brevard’s branding, Brevard Job Link, WA1A, XL TechGroup, and yes, GreenBrevard are all examples of their work.  Read more... (882 words, 2 images, estimated 3:32 mins reading time)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida has been serving the local community since 1975. The mission of the program is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships by developing the emotional, social, educational, and physical well being of the child.

Last year in 2003-2004, we served 662 children in Central Florida. Currently, we have over 175 children waiting for a Big in Brevard county.

The Littles in our program can be served in two ways:  Read more... (428 words, 2 images, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

It was late after dinner, almost bedtime, when my son, a first-grader, informed me in a distressed tone of voice that he had not done his school homework, which was due the next morning. Instinctively, I asked him “what are you going to do about it?” Since he looked a bit perplexed, I helped him explore various options. Little did I know at the time, however, that I was following the Love and Logic techniques promulgated by Jim Fay, an internationally recognized educator, speaker, and consultant. The Love and Logic approach can be summarized succinctly in the following way: “Love allows children to grow through their mistakes. Logic allows them to live with the consequences of their choices.”  Read more... (793 words, 2 images, estimated 3:10 mins reading time)

Have you ever heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child?”
The saying of course refers to the belief that it not only takes parents to raise a child successfully, but the process also needs grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and neighbors, teachers and pastors, even strangers. By joining together, the child benefits from the love, understanding, knowledge, as well as the watchful eyes, of many people working as a team to raise a happy, healthy child.

But what does it take to raise a village? The same concept of utilizing teamwork to raise a child also works to maintain a happy, healthy community.  Read more... (702 words, 2 images, estimated 2:48 mins reading time)

Have you ever heard the story of Stone Soup? It’s one of those timeless stories that talks about how, by itself, a community can only get so far; the ingredients seem bland and lacking. But together, with everyone pitching just a few little scraps into the boiling water, we can stir together something wonderful, a tasty Stone Soup.

A community realizes it really is rich when it works together. We can overcome any obstacle, we can reach great heights–if someone just dreams it.  Read more... (749 words, 3 images, estimated 3:0 mins reading time)

We are hard-wired for community. Despite wherever we find ourselves upon the extraverted-introverted continuum, there is a basic and powerful element fused within our emotional DNA that seeks meaningful connections.

The most anti-social person among our peer group still hungers to have rapport with another. An unspoken symbiosis transcends all cultural, economic, political and religious barriers. Ultimately, in this world given to the discretion of human beings, we all play on the same team–as disparate and conflicting our objectives and methods can be.  Read more... (763 words, 2 images, estimated 3:03 mins reading time)