Florida’s DEP, Department of Environmental Protection, announces some amazing grants. The Executive Office of the Governor is accepting proposals for grant funding under the 2008 Florida Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Technologies Grants Program. This program provides renewable energy matching grants for demonstration, commercialization, research, and development projects relating to renewable energy technologies and innovative technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency for vehicles and commercial buildings.

Florida imports almost all of our energy, despite being bathed in sunshine, and even being called the “Sunshine State”.

Many small businesses contact us, and ask what they can do to ‘green up’ their business. Community Greenhouse Foundation has developed a program to help you reduce electric and water usage, to encourage recycling and use of recycled materials, and to reduce the amount of solid waste your organization produces. And to launch their efforts, they announce the Greening America Business Challenge.

More than just green-washing, they’ve partnered with Energy Star (the US Department of Energy) and WasteWise (US Environmental Protection Agency) programs. Using nationally recognized third party tools and criteria, CGF helps you understand what your organization is doing, individually, and then prescribes a variety of efforts you can undertake to reduce your impact.

How do you change the world? One light bulb at a time. Lighting plays a huge part of our energy use. All of us at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR program would like to wish you, our partners and friends, a happy Change a Light Day today!

October 1 marks the 4th annual ENERGY STAR Change a Light Day, and we just wanted to congratulate you for either being one of the 1.9 million Americans who have taken the pledge or for participating as one of the nearly 2,000 organizations that have driven pledges since 2006. Together we have collectively saved more than $220 million and prevented the release of more than 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gases with lighting alone.

Program takes undersold homes, renovates them to be energy efficient, and works with municipalities for workforce housing.

The Community Greenhouse Foundation has been working for months on a program which is targeted to assist in the rehabilitation and sale of the “glut” of houses being dumped into the market resulting from foreclosures. The “Greening of America’s House Stock” program is a pro-active economic stimulus program that has been developed due to the current economic position of America. Never in our countries history has energy, housing and the environment been seen as critical issues at the same 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.

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.

With Memorial Day and the summer travel season approaching, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) encourages Florida residents and guests to travel close, clean and green with the launch of a new green travel Web site and Florida Green Lodging Program locator map. The newly launched green travel Web site offers resources for families and travelers looking to get away without depleting their wallets, gas tanks or the environment.

Are you ready for the 2008 Hurricane Season? Learn what it takes to be Ready. Set. Safe.

Join us for the 3rd Annual Broward County Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Saturday, May 31, 2008, from 10am to 2pm. The event is held at the Broward County Emergency Operations Center, in Plantation, on 201 N.W. 84th Avenue.

A free, fun and informative event for the entire family featuring more than 40 hurricane preparedness exhibits. Take a tour of the Emergency Operations Center and see displays of emergency response vehicles. We’ll also have giveaways and prizes and parking is free.

DEP’s Coral Reef Conservation Program helps educate and raise awareness of Southeast Florida’s coral reefs. Leading up to the International Coral Reef Symposium this summer, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Coral Reef Conservation Program is encouraging public awareness of coral reefs and their impact on Florida’s marine environment, the commercial and recreational fishing industry and the economy. Recognizing the importance of the state’s reef ecosystem, Florida is the site of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, July 7-11, 2008, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist today announced the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change. The conference will be held June 25-26, 2008, at the Intercontinental Miami. Building on the foundation for Florida’s energy future began at last year’s summit, the 2008 summit will focus on stimulating economic development in clean technologies as well as “greening” Florida’s business community.

“Florida’s businesses continue to demonstrate that there is gold in green, and climate-friendly energy sources – like ethanol and solar energy – are bringing new prospects for our state,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “Encouraging companies to do business the green way as well as building a strong market in renewable energy technologies in the Sunshine State will strengthen our energy and economic future and protect our natural environment for generations to come.”

City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor, Jim Naugle, pushed “it” by displaying his wife’s neighborhood electric vehicle. City Departments showed that they know about “it” and how they are doing “it” daily. A majority of the people who attended knew that “it” was more than just recycling your cans and bottles. “It”, of course, is living, conserving, and putting into daily practice Going Green.

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.”

The Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department will recognize several local businesses for their outstanding environmentally-responsible business practices. Each business will receive an Emerald Award for their exceptional efforts in protecting the environment. The program recognizes businesses for their voluntary efforts in four areas: waste reduction, recycling, improved operating practices, and other “green” strategies that reduce pollution and waste. Both large and small businesses are eligible. One business is also honored with the title “Environmental Business of the Year,” which will be announced at the ceremony.

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners will present trophies to the winners at a special ceremony; followed by a brief reception:

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

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.

Wow, we were so busy with our event, that we forgot to post this awesome Earth Day weekend celebration they’re having in Hollywood, FL. Celebrate Earth Day - Renew the Earth this Saturday April 26th at Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park from 10am - 3pm. Free Presentations and Exhibits (separate Park Exhibit Hall $1/person).

The Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park hosts a nature event celebrating Earth Day and environmental awareness. Presentations, exhibits, arts and crafts, and other activities will be offered. Free and for all ages.

Have you ever wanted to discover the real South Florida? An amazing hands-on educational tour is now available, that will take you to Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and the Everglades National Park. Air boat ride included.

A two-day public education course on Natural Systems of South Florida is being offered on Thursday and Friday, May 15th and 16th, 2008. Topics covered will include wading birds, nutrient systems in natural areas, monitoring the natural system and many others.

Instruction will be by biologists, geologists, hydrologists, engineers, computer modelers, and other professionals working on South Florida environmental problems. Classes will assemble on Thursday at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and on Friday at Everglades National Park. No prerequisites are required.

The City of Fort Lauderdale and the Utility Advisory Committee have planned an amazing celebration for Earth and Arbor Days and Water Conservation Month, this April 26th from 10am-2pm.

How does a municipality help it’s community Go Green? With an outdoor get together, of course. And with environmental booths and displays, educational materials and interactive activities. The Utilities Advisory Committee also welcomes the launch if this new online community, GreenFtLauderdale.com.

On April 26th from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM we are celebrating Arbor, Day, Earth Day, and Water Conservation Month. Green Living Expo Partners are the Utility Advisory Committee, AT&T, FPL, and Community Greenhouse Foundation.

As I speak with people, I try to put down what ties us together and come up with a unifying mission of GreenFtLauderdale.com. Simply put, we speak to diverse segments of the community that care about our collective future. We speak to groups who share a passion for our unique quality of life.

�Quality of Life� is the buzz phrase for the 2000’s. I see mention of it everywhere, from real estate ads to not for profit brochures, from city websites to radio spots.

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.

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.

Wow! We use a lot of Water! I was on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Public Works web site the other day searching for how to get new water service and stumbled onto a Conservation Checklist. The check list is set up like a quiz to see how someone is doing in their home related to water conservation.

First it is a great little check list and I think it is great that the City has that kind of information and tool available for residents. Second–and more interesting to me–was how much water we waste and in ways that I never even thought of which I am guilty off doing. I thought I would pass the Quiz along hoping more people will get a little wake up call.

Like every other day last week, I walked into the office and started to review my task and meetings for the day to make sure I was up to speed on everything. When I looked at my two o’clock appointment, I paused for a few seconds and yelled out to Sandy my assistant, “Who and what the heck is Carbon reduction at 2:00?�”

“Your meeting is with Paul from the Environmental Services Department, I am not sure what the Carbon Reduction relates too, he said you were aware of the meeting,�”Sandy replied.

The Green Earth Expo, May 15-18, 2008, at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, will be the largest show of its kind. Green Earth Expo allows hundreds of Green and Sustainable corporations and non-profits to showcase their Green initiatives to other businesses and consumers. Slated as the “World’s largest sustainable commerce and lifestyle trade show event, the Expo will feature major automakers, alternative energy providers, green construction fabricators and contractors, Green service providers, energy efficient appliance manufacturers, as well as health & wellness groups and organic retailers. Confirmed speakers include top level government officials, Green business leaders, and environmental experts.

The International Bicycle Fund (IBF) is a non-profit organization promoting bicycle transportation and international understanding. IBF promotes bicycle and other aspects of on-motorized transportation worldwide, especially in less developed areas, with a particular interest in Africa and South America. Areas of activities include: creating a bicycle culture, urban planning, transportation planning, rural mobility, mobility for women, economic development, road safety education, human settlement and quality of life, personal health, environmental quality, energy conservation and responsible tourism.

Their fundraising is done through sponsoring environmental friendly, cultural immersion, small group, bicycle tour program for ordinary active people, to Asia, the Americas, and all regions of Africa.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today welcomed both the Hampton Inn and Courtyard by Marriott into the Florida Green Lodging Program. The designations are the first for Brevard County and the 37th and 38th for the program, a voluntary state initiative that provides the lodging industry with technical assistance and encouragement to adopt cost-saving “green”� practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

“With a commitment to adopting innovative green practices and protecting Florida’s environment, facilities in the Green Lodging Program are leading the industry by example,”� said DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein. “Their dedication serves as an example and a challenge to other hotels to adopt innovative green practices, conserve resources and save money.”