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Awards

GEELA Award | January 7th, 2004

Local Non-profit Receives Prestigious Environmental
Award from Governor Schwarzenegger

Ecology Action of Santa Cruz Honored for Sustaining Economic
Development While Protecting the Environment

Ecology Action of Santa Cruz received the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in Sacramento on December 1, 2003. Governor Schwarzenegger presented the award to Ecology Action in the Environmental-Economic Partnerships category slated for businesses “that foster unique, cooperative approaches between the private, public, and/or non-profit sectors to achieve both environmental and economic ends.” This award acknowledges Ecology Action’s success over the last 33 years as a valuable collaborator with communities and businesses throughout California.

In announcing the award, The California Environmental Protection Agency press release states: “Ecology Action is an environmental non-profit that has instilled environmental awareness and created opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities to save money, create jobs, and contribute to a sustainable local economy. Ecology Action’s success is grounded in relationships with a network of affiliations, government agencies and civic groups. Based in Santa Cruz, the 30-year-old non-profit developed exemplary public-private partnerships beyond county limits, working with governmental organizations dealing with energy, water, land and agriculture.”

Ecology Action received this award for their successful business assistance programs known as the Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI), which include RightLights, the Agricultural Used Oil Network, and the Small Business Solid Waste Reduction program. Each of these three programs help businesses reduce costs, reach new green markets, comply with regulation, and increase environmental performance in harmony with market forces and the laws of natural systems.

Established in 1993, the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards are California's highest and most prestigious environmental honor recognizing individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in building public-private partnerships while making notable contributions in conserving California's environment. This year's awards recognized outstanding contributions by businesses, organizations and government offices in seven award categories.

For more information about the Governors Environmental Excellence Award, visit the Cal/EPA website.

September, 2008

Ecology Action Awarded as a Bicycle Friendly Business

Local Non-profit Honored with Silver Level Designation
The League of American Bicyclists announced the first winners of its new Bicycle Friendly Business designation. The Bicycle Friendly Business program assists companies and organizations of all sizes in developing bicycle commuting programs and incentives for their employees and recognizes them for their efforts to promote bicycling. Thirteen businesses from across the country--from natural food manufacturers, to planning and design firms, and independent bicycle dealers--were recognized by the League today at the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, NV.

Ecology Action received a silver level designation based on longstanding community programs, employee bike commute infrastructure and incentives.

For more information about this program or to nominate your business as a Bicycle Friendly Business, please visit the League of American Bicyclist website. http://www.bicyclefriendlybusiness.org/

October 2008

Ecology Action Vice President Awarded as Pollution Prevention Advocate of the Year

On October 24, Kirsten Liske, Vice President of Ecology Action’s Zero Waste / Pollution Prevention Division, was recognized by the Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) as their Pollution Prevention Advocate of the Year. Kirsten was selected by WSPPN members "for outstanding personal contributions to the purpose and objectives of pollution prevention;" high praise as WSPPN membership is comprised of Pollution Prevention leaders from the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii, commonly known in the industry as EPA Region 9. Kirsten's strengths lie in assembling local groups of environmental advocates and businesses, listening to their ideas, and putting them into action through partnership and innovation, in addition to selecting and motivating excellent staff.

Ecology Action Program Specialist Brennen Jensen honored with DOC Comprehensive Recycling Award

On October 22, Brennen Jensen, Program Specialist for Ecology Action’s Zero Waste / Pollution Prevention Division was awarded the Comprehensive Recycling Community Award by the California Department of Conservation (DOC)for outstanding commitment and dedication on behalf of the Comprehensive Recycling Community, Monterey Peninsula Pilot Project, and for improvement made to the environment benefiting all individuals in the Monterey Peninsula. Brennen was recognized along with Angela Brantley and Lesley Milton of the City of Monterey and Jeff Lindenthal of the Monterey Regional Waste Management District. In addition to increasing public awareness and recycling participation on the Monterey Peninsula, Brennen and Ecology Action helped to recycle nearly one million bottles and cans at special events and venues over the course of the project.