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QAWITH GREEN VOLUSIA ’ S
Katrina Locke
by Elesha Mavrommatis
County ’ s across the country are thinking and going green . From recycling programs and water conservation efforts to building practices and commuting options - local communities are greening their operations and are encouraging their citizens do the same .
In Volusia County , our sustainability program is “ Green Volusia .” It was “ established to expand green practices within county government operations and to provide information and education about environmentally responsible practices that benefit the community as a whole .”
Katrina Locke is Volusia County ’ s sustainability and natural resources director . She manages Green Volusia , which includes the county ’ s Sustainability Action Plan and also oversees Lyonia Environmental Center , the Manatee Protection Plan , Explore Volusia and Volunteer Volusia programs .
We asked Ms . Locke a few questions to gain a better understanding of Green Volusia ’ s goals and how her office interacts with the small business community .
What are your priorities ?
We are currently working on outreach that encourages water conservation and efficiency and a project that will promote environmental resiliency and water quality practices . Programs that promote natural resource conservation , especially those linked to energy conservation , are always important .
How does your office interact with the small business community ?
Green Volusia works with the Florida Green Building Coalition ( FGBC ) to provide green building education in the county and encourage green building practices . Businesses can build green or retrofit their property to green building standards , which include disaster mitigation ( natural disasters and pests ), energy and water conservation . Buildings can be built or retrofitted to green standards . The county is a certified Green Local Government through the FGBC .
Employees from Volusia County ’ s Solid Waste Division often speak at chamber meetings and other events to engage with small businesses and encourage recycling . They also help businesses implement recycling programs and realize cost savings by decreasing their solid waste output and increasing their recycling . Staff can perform free assessments to determine the business ’ s solid waste and recycling needs . The main focus of this program is to increase recycling for all commercial businesses and schools . We are looking for businesses that are interested in helping us to further develop , and to participate in , a pilot green business program . Their input will help us ensure that the program is relevant and beneficial to businesses and our community .
The county works with FDOT ’ s reThink program ( www . rethinkyourcommute . com ) to share information about alternative commute options . Rather than driving a single occupancy vehicle to and from work , the program encourages people to take alternative options , which include car or van pooling , bicycling , walking , or taking the bus or SunRail to work . ReThink and Green Volusia are interested in working with businesses and individuals to share information on the benefits of alternative commute options , which can include saving money .
Green Volusia staff has worked with community partners to host a workshop for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection ’ s Green Lodging program . Hotels , motels and associated businesses were invited to participate in the program and encouraged to “ green ” ( or further green ) their operations . We are planning another workshop soon .
What are the deliverables you provide to the business community and Volusia County citizens ?
We have educational materials for many of the programs , and we can schedule presentations for groups . Green Volusia ’ s website , www . greenvolusia . org , offers many practical tips .
How do you measure the success of your programs ?
We measure the success of our programs through involvement of participants , although metrics will be involved in some of the programs we are working on .
What are the challenges you see ? How is the county preparing to meet those challenges ?
Water quality continues to be an interest and concern in the county . Anything businesses can do to reduce their impact on our ground and surface water bodies is great . This can include water conservation and practices like ensuring the landscaping crews they hire are following the county ’ s fertilizer ordinance .
It ’ s really about community effort , from the county , cities , businesses , residents and students .
What should our business owners be thinking about today to better respond to the environmental challenges they may face tomorrow ?
Reducing energy and water use can help to reduce operating costs . Resiliency , from weather events , includes incorporating green infrastructure into their projects .
Elesha Mavrommatis is the Associate Editor of EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine . She launched her career at ABC News in New York before moving to the non-profit arena as a front line fundraiser , grant writer and communications manager . She is currently working as a freelance writer and consultant to non-profits .
NOVEMBER 2017 | 11 |