At Ecology Action, we’re proud of the work that we’ve accomplished to further our mission. When others recognize us it only serves to reinforce our commitment to helping people act now to create a thriving environment and economy. We’re grateful to the following organizations for acknowledging our efforts over the last four decades.
State of California Department of Water Resources (2017)
Department of Water Resources Grant: WaterLink
The California Department of Water Resources awarded Ecology Action with a Resource Grant to expand its WaterLink program work.
Silicon Valley Water Conservation Organization (2017)
Silicon Valley Water Conservation Award
The County of Santa Cruz’s Department of Public Works listed Ecology Action as a Public School Resource Conservation Program partner for our resource conservation commitments.
Miller Maxfield, Inc. Strategic Communications and Public Affairs (2017)
Communicator Award (Silver)
Miller Maxfield, Inc. awarded Energy Upgrade California and Ecology Action a Communicator Silver Award for the Energy Upgrade California Video.
PG&E (2016)
PG&E 2016 Corporate Services Supplier of the Year Award
Pacific Gas & Electric named Ecology Action 2016 PG&E Corporate Services Supplier of the Year because of our energy efficiency implementation and dedication to customer service and community partnership.
Santa Clara Valley Water District (2016)
Santa Clara Valley Water District Grant Award
Ecology Action was awarded a grant to investigate water savings from captured rainwater for indoor purposes such as toilet flushing and clothes washing. We partner with residential, commercial, and institutional property owners in Santa Clara County to construct and monitor water use and water quality of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems for indoor, non-potable uses.
United Way of Santa Cruz County (2016)
Community Builders Award
Ecology Action was recognized by the United Way, a county-wide public policy and advocacy nonprofit, as a Community Builder for our Go Green campaign.
Rails to Trails Conservancy (2016)
2016 Doppelt Grant Award
Ecology Action was awarded a grant as the fiscal sponsor of Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail & Trail to increase education about, and support for, the 32-mile Santa Cruz County Coastal Rail Trail, which will be built parallel to freight and future passenger train service.
PeopleForBikes (2016)
PeopleForBikes Community Grant
Friends of the Rail Trail and Ecology Action received a grant to help advance our fundraising efforts and develop community and business support for this transformative project.
State of California Department of Water Resources (2015)
Department of Water Resources Grant: WaterLink
The California Department of Water Resources awarded Ecology Action with a Resource Grant for our dedication to water use efficiency programming through its newly launched program, WaterLink.
California Department of Transportation (2015)
Caltrans Active Transportation Grant
Caltrans awarded Ecology Action and County Health Services Agency a partnership grant for the Santa Cruz Citywide Safe Routes to School Crossing Improvement Program. The Caltrans Active Transportation Program helps to increase walking, biking and safety in Santa Cruz while serving a wide spectrum of active transportation users.
California EPA (2013)
Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA)
Ecology Action becomes the first organization to win the prestigious Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for a second time. The GEELA is California’s highest environmental honor.
U.S. Department of Energy (2013)
Small Market Advanced Retrofit Transformation Grant
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Ecology Action a Small Market Advanced Retrofit Transformation Program grant for our dedication to energy efficiency programming through our debut program, SmartScale. SMART Scale program won as a proven, best-in-class, deep retrofit program for small and medium-sized commercial buildings designed to be easily replicated in a wide range of markets across the country.
The U.S. Green Building Council (2011)
US Green Building Council LEED Gold Certification for the Ecology Action Headquarters
The Ecology Action headquarters was awarded a LEED Gold Certification for its environmentally friendly building design. The LEED Gold Certificate recognizes and certifies buildings, homes, and neighborhoods that operate at an environmentally responsible level and use resources efficiently.
Pacific Gas & Electric (2011)
PG&E Supplier Award Nominations
Ecology Action received two PG&E Supplier Award nominations; one for the PG&E Small Business of the Year award and one for the Corporate/Customer Care/IT/Shared Services of the Year award.
Pacific Gas & Electric (2011)
PG&E Integration Awards for CasinoGreen Program
Ecology Action was selected as a PG&E Integration Award winner for our customer service and partnership with Thunder Valley Casino, Chumash Casino, and Rolling Hills Casino as part of the CasinoGreen program.
Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce (2010)
Woman of the Year Award, Virginia Johnson, CEO
The Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce awarded Ecology Action CEO Virginia Johnson with the Woman of the Year Award for her contributions to the County, its businesses and its residents.
Pacific Gas & Electric (2010)
PG & E Integration Awards for LodgingSavers Program
Ecology Action was selected as a PG&E Integration Award winner for our customer service and partnership with Four Points by Sheraton-Emeryville as part of the LodgingSavers program.
CoolCalifornia.org (2009)
CoolCalifornia.org Organization of the Year, for Climate Change Leadership
Ecology Action was named Organization of the Year by Cool California for our achievements in climate change management practices and climate change communications. The CoolCalifornia.org small business awards program recognizes small, California businesses (under 100 employees) that have demonstrated leadership and made notable, voluntary achievements towards reducing their climate impact.
United Way of Santa Cruz County (2009)
United Way of Santa Cruz County Community Hero Award
The Community Hero Award was bestowed on Ecology Action by the United Way of Santa Cruz County because of our dedication to community service. The Community Hero Award commends remarkable individuals, organizations, and small businesses who dedicate their time and energy to supporting a community, voluntary organization, club, or association.
Pacific Gas & Electric (2009)
PG&E Integration Award for the RightLights Program
Ecology Action was selected as a PG&E Integration Award winner for its customer service and partnership with Couch Distribution as part of the RightLights program.
Western Region Sustainability & Pollution Prevention Network (2008)
Pollution Prevention Advocate of the Year
The Western Region Sustainability & Pollution Prevention Network presented Ecology Action with an Advocate of the Year award for its dedication to preserve, protect, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources.
California Department of Conservation (2008)
Comprehensive Recycling Award
Ecology Action was awarded the Comprehensive Recycling Award by the California Department of Conservation for its leadership in innovation and waste recovery. The award honors facilities that demonstrate leadership in key measurements, such as innovation, quantity of materials collected and/or processed, types of materials recovered, site improvements, or sustainability measures adopted.
League of American Bicyclists (2008)
Bicycle Friendly Silver Award
The League’s Bicycle Friendly America (BFA) program provides a road map, hands-on assistance and recognition for states, communities, universities and businesses. The BFA℠ program is a tool for states, communities, business and universities to make bicycling a real transportation and recreation option for all people.
California Stormwater Quality Association (2008)
The Outstanding Regional Storm Water News, Information, Outreach and Media Award
Ecology Action received an Outstanding Regional Storm Water News, Information, Outreach and Media award for the Green Gardener Training and Outreach Program.
County of Santa Cruz (2007)
Community Hero Award for Cleaner Beaches Coalition
The Community Hero Award for Cleaner Beaches was awarded to Ecology Action by the Clean Beaches Coalition for its positive impact on the local community. The Clean Beaches Coalition (CBC) is a network of coastal organizations and individuals committed to promoting clean, healthy and well managed beaches around the world.
California Department of Pesticide Regulation (2006)
Integrated Pest Management Innovator Award
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s IPM Innovator Award identified Ecology Action as a skilled leader who is inspiring new systems for pest management. The IPM is an approach to managing pests that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. Each IPM Innovator and IPM Achievement Award winner has shown a commitment to applying such techniques to their specific circumstances and sharing their experience with others.
CalRecycle (2006)
Beverage Container Recycling Grants
Ecology Action received Beverage Container Recycling Grants to address recycling challenges, aid in increasing beverage container collection, and reduce beverage container litter in the waste stream.
US Environmental Protection Agency (2005)
EPA Innovation Workgroup Grant
In the fall of 2005, EPA awarded Ecology Action an Innovation Workgroup (IWG) Grant. IWG grants fund creative approaches to waste minimization, energy recovery, recycling, and land revitalization that may be replicated across industries, communities, and regions.
CalRecycle (2005)
Beverage Container Recycling Grants
Ecology Action received Beverage Container Recycling Grants to address recycling challenges, aid in increasing beverage container collection, and reduce beverage container litter in the waste stream.
County of Santa Cruz (2004)
Community Hero Award for Bike to Work Program
Ecology Action was the recipient of the Community Hero Award for its contributions to Santa Cruz County residents for the Bike-to-Work program. The Community Hero Award recognizes organizations who are doing extraordinary work to make a real difference to their communities by addressing critical social, economic and environmental community issues, and bringing people together to have a positive impact on the local community.
CalRecycle (2004)
Beverage Container Recycling Grants
Ecology Action received Beverage Container Recycling Grants to address recycling challenges, aid in increasing beverage container collection, and reduce beverage container litter in the waste stream.
California EPA (2003)
Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA)
The Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) was presented to Ecology Action by the California EPA for our leadership and contributions to conserving California’s precious resources and strengthening the State’s economy. The program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses that demonstrates exceptional leadership and notable voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the State’s economy.
California State Legislature Assembly (2002)
California State Assembly Resolution of Commendation
Kirsten Liske, VP of Community Programs for Ecology Action was awarded a legislative resolution from the California State Assembly commending her significant and vital contribution to the state’s household hazardous waste programs.
City of Santa Cruz (2001)
City of Santa Cruz Mayor’s Proclamation ‘Ecology Action Day’
The City of Santa Cruz honored Ecology Action’s community work with a Mayoral Proclamation that April 21st be the Cities official Ecology Action Day.
CA EPA Integrated Waste Management Board (1999)
Trash Cutters Award
Ecology Action was given the Trash Cutters award for our waste reduction and recycling programming. The Trash Cutters Award program is the result of a partnership effort between the Board and its Local Government Technical Advisory Committee (LGTAC) to recognize the wide range of successful waste reduction and recycling programs.
United States Congress (1998)
US Congressional Recognition Certificate
Ecology Action earned a U.S. Congressional Recognition Certificate for our community service work. The U.S. Congressional Recognition Certificate is an official recognition of individuals and businesses for outstanding and invaluable service to the community.
City of Santa Cruz (1998)
City of Santa Cruz Mayor’s Proclamation for the Bike to Work Program
The Mayor’s Proclamation recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations for a specific cause which is commemorated on a day set by the Mayor. The Mayor honored Ecology Action for Bike-to-Work Day. Bike to Work Day is also recognized through a United Nations proclamation.
City of Santa Cruz (1997)
Sustainable Quality Award
The City of Santa Cruz recognized Ecology Action with a Sustainable Quality Award for excellence in sustainable economic development, social responsibility, and stewardship of the natural environment.
County of Santa Cruz Department of Public Works (1997)
Green Schools Program Partner
The County of Santa Cruz’s Department of Public Works engaged Ecology Action as a Public School Resource Conservation Program (now called Green Schools Program) partner for its resource conservation commitments.