JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 19, 2021) – The North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce (NFGCC), making it cool and convenient to go green, is recognizing August as National Water Quality Month.
To focus on an important natural resource, we usually take for granted, the Green Chamber is accepting nominations for the 2021 Green Chamber Water Quality & Resource Awards. Deadline is July 27.
The awards will recognize examples of water quality improvement and conservation that best demonstrates significant, lasting, and measurable excellence in water quality improvement or in prevention of water quality degradation by Green Chamber members and other businesses in North Florida in four categories.
Creative Landscape Award
Successful candidate uses engineering design principals of Low Impact Development to reduce or eliminate flow of stormwater and potential contaminants carried with it from the property to receiving waters or that uses natural systems to manage stormwater and contaminants. Living shorelines, xeriscaping and concepts included in the minimal impact design manual are good examples as well as other efforts to use existing natural landscape or restoring landscape to provide water quality improvement and wildlife habitat.
Conservation and Water Reuse Award
Successful candidate successfully demonstrates sustainability through reduction of consumption and reuse of resources. Examples include water conservation through low flow facilities and water reuse from converting wastewater or stormwater into water that can be reused for other purposes. Types of reuses include urban reuse, agricultural reuse (irrigation), environmental reuse, industrial reuse. Reuse may include irrigation of gardens and agricultural fields. Reused water may also be directed toward fulfilling certain needs in residences (e.g., toilet flushing), businesses, and industry. Creative reductions in energy use and resource recycling are included.
Stormwater Management Award
Successful candidate demonstrates creative and beneficial stormwater management activities in their Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans, either on behalf of their own facility or their client’s, by keeping potential contaminants from stormwater exposure at covered industrial sites or optimizing erosion and sedimentation controls at construction sites.
Wetland Protections Award
Candidate demonstrates successful efforts in protecting and enhancing wetlands through project design that avoids impacts to wetlands, including secondary impacts, enhancing wetlands through exotic species removal and hydrologic restoration or other efforts that preserve and expand wetland functions.
What are you doing to protect and conserve sources of freshwater? Let the Green Chamber know so they can acknowledge you during National Water Quality Month or nominate someone. Deadline is July 18. Winners will be announced in August.
The green chamber is a regional networking organization for all sizes of businesses and community organizations including non-profits that emphasize green and sustainable business practices. The award is being created in cooperation with St. Johns Riverkeepers, the Florida Green Building Coalition and the St. Johns River Water Management District.
The Green Chamber Water Quality & Resource Award will recognize examples of water quality improvement and conservation that best demonstrates significant, lasting, and measurable excellence in water quality improvement or in prevention of water quality degradation by Green Chamber members in North Florida.
Enter or nominate someone today.
The North Florida chapter has ongoing networking and educational events and benefits including the Tuesdays@2 monthly virtual meetings, a Buyers’ Club, Sustainability Coaches, the Solar Collective, job fairs, newsletter as well as sponsorship opportunities, discounts, awards, and a mentoring program.
To learn more email [email protected], call (904) 878-3474 or visit www.NorthFloridaGreenChamber.org.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 9, 2021) — The North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce, making it cool and convenient to go green, today announced that JEA has become a corporate sponsor.
The Green Chamber and JEA will partner on outreach programs to communicate to consumers and business owners the value of environmental stewardship as partners in the community. Topics will include energy, water and environmental conservation and utility safety.
“We are excited that JEA is supporting our mission with their leadership role in sustainable business practices,” said Christina W. Kelcourse, executive director. “JEA continues to promote many levels of water conservation. They also evaluate opportunities to expand renewable energy programs by utilizing energy resources including solar, photovoltaic, biomass, landfill gas and wind.”
JEA understands how critical it is to grow in ways that are sustainable financially, but also socially and environmentally. They are committed to striking a balance between sustainability and providing reliable, affordable utility services. Ensuring that our environment is protected and preserved is at the very core of their business, added Kelcourse.
The Green Chamber is a regional networking organization for all sizes of businesses, non-profits and community organizations that emphasize green and sustainable business practices that are economically viable, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly.
In addition to promoting the economic success of Green Chamber members using environmental, socially responsible, and sustainable practices, the North Florida chapter offers mentoring opportunities, educational and social events, job fairs, the Green Marketplace, a Sustainability Coaches program, a Solar Collective, a Buyers’ Club (volume purchasing program), a newsletter and dedicated social media platforms.
To learn more email [email protected], call (904) 878-3474 or visit www.NorthFloridaGreenChamber.org.
ABOUT THE NORTH FLORIDA GREEN CHAMBER COMMERCE
Welcome to The North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce (NFGCC) where being green is cool and convenient! Today, more businesses than ever understand how critical it is to grow in ways that are sustainable financially, but also socially and environmentally. NFGCC is a 501(c)6 non-profit member organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. and established in 2018 to advance sustainable business in Northeast Florida through networking, education, and advocacy. NFGCC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and is a member of the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mike Bonts Public Relations
(904) 424-6641
[email protected]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 7, 2021) – The North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce (NFGCC), making it cool and convenient to go green, has announced additions to its 2021 Board of Directors.
Paula Holanchock is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Social Entrepreneurship Program Director at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla.; Dolly Penland is President & CEO of Business Results; Dr. Simmie Raiford, Executive Director of the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership and Joe Sampson, Founder, Nuera Marketing.
They join Chairman Mary Tappouni, Breaking Ground Contracting; Secretary Kelly Karstaedt, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Justice Association; Treasurer Jessica Handley, Tax Manager at BDO; Craig Barzso, co-founder of AltWays and Paul Sifton, a partner in Bee Friends Farm and co-owner of 927 Events.
“The additional leadership on the Green Chamber’s board of directors has strong representation across sectors from our business community,” said Christina Kelcourse, NFGCC Executive Director. “They will help shape the Green Chamber’s mission and programs. We could not fulfill our purpose without their commitment and expertise.”
Holanchock encourages socially and environmentally conscious entrepreneurs and business leaders to consider a circular economic approach that embraces the triple bottom line. She inspires compassionate and conscious leaders to create prosperous and inclusive ‘life economies’ through spiritual decision-making, embodying conscious leadership for systems change, regeneration, and organizational renewal.
Penland works with organizations helping them to hire and manage their talent to their highest potential. She specializes in multiple areas including helping businesses grow sales, reduce turnover, and develop leaders. Dolly helps companies achieve their strategic objectives by employing expert consulting, a wide range of leadership training, and a suite of human capital assessments.
Sampson is passionate about helping people and organizations reach their potential, starting companies and growing others. Through the organization’s first two years, Joe led One Spark as executive director and COO to become a top-20 event—by attendance—in the United States while expanding to Germany and launching a training academy for entrepreneurs and creatives.
Raiford has over 35 years’ experience as an educator at the elementary school, district, and state level. Leadership experience includes work as a principal of a gifted magnet elementary school, and district director of staff development and served as a district-level instructional coach for first-year teachers. State level experience includes working as an educational policy analyst for the Florida Legislature.
The green chamber is a regional networking organization for all sizes of businesses and community organizations that are committed to green and sustainable business practices and support the growing Green Marketplace.
The North Florida chapter has ongoing networking and educational events and benefits including the Tuesdays@2 monthly virtual meetings, a Buyers’ Club, Sustainability Coaches, the Solar Collective, job fairs, newsletter as well as sponsorship opportunities, discounts, awards, and a mentoring program.
To learn more email [email protected], call (904) 878-3474 or visit www.NorthFloridaGreenChamber.org.
ABOUT THE NORTH FLORIDA GREEN CHAMBER COMMERCE
Welcome to The North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce (NFGCC) where being green is cool and convenient! Today, more businesses than ever understand how critical it is to grow in ways that are sustainable financially, but also socially and environmentally. NFGCC is a 501(c)6 non-profit member organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. and established in 2018 to advance sustainable business in Northeast Florida through networking, education, and advocacy. NFGCC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and a member of the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mike Bonts Public Relations
(904) 424-6641
[email protected]
