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Visit Florida's Green List
Adopt a Manatee: Save the Manatee ® Club: www.savethemanatee.org 1.800.432.JOIN (5646)
VISIT FLORIDA'S list of destinations, organizations and attractions that have already taken steps to minimize their impact on Florida's environment. (Arranged by city from north to south). www.VISITFLORIDA.com
is the official marketing agency of the state.
Port Saint Joe -- The Turtle Beach Inn is a certified member of the DEP's Florida Green Lodging Program (FGLP). While providing a breathtaking beach getaway for guests, the bed and breakfast has remained conscious of their impact on the environment. The inn conserves water, encourages clean air practices and strives to reduce energy waste. (850) 229-9366. www.turtlebeachinn.com
Steinhatchee -- The Steinhatchee River Inn joins several other state resorts in receiving FGLP Certification. The Inn practices several activities to improve the quality of the environment including the use of lighting timers to reduce energy waste, the installation of low-flow faucets and showerheads and a strict adherence to a paper and aluminum recycling program. Among other initiatives, the inn hopes to continue their green efforts by installing a drip irrigation system, Energy Star certified appliances and introducing a new glass and plastic recycling program. Located across the street from the Steinhatchee River, guests are sure to enjoy the scenery while remaining confident in its preservation. (352) 498-4049. http://www.steinhatchee.info/steinhatchee_river_inn.htm
Gainesville -- The Mary Ann Harn Cofrin Pavilion at The Harn Museum of Art is one of only fourteen buildings in the state to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The Cofrin Pavilion houses the museum's contemporary art collection and was built to reduce natural resource waste and provide a safe and comfortable establishment for visitors. (352) 392-9826. www.harn.ufl.edu.
Clearwater Beach -- The Sandpearl Resort has achieved one of its greatest goals by doing its part in conservation. The resort is designed to meet LEED requirements. Upon completion in summer 2007, the LEED-certified resort will be one of many buildings around the nation devoted to saving the environment. The Sandpearl will have several benefits for the environment and its visitors, including energy efficient appliances and improved air and water quality. These requirements will help beautify Clearwater Beach, preserving it for future generations. (727) 441-2425. www.sandpearl.com
Clearwater -- Green Gables Bed and Breakfast's commitment to environmental friendliness is found in their use of organic cleaning supplies, dedication to composting and regular cleaning of nearby mangrove beds. By planting only native plants and caring for them without the use of an irrigation system, Green Gables' helps keep Clearwater beautiful for its residents and visitors. (727) 442-8722. www.greengables.usSt. Petersburg -- St. Petersburg is Florida's first "Green City," as designated by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) in May 2007. The city earned this title by pursuing programs to improve the environment. Initiatives include the use of bio-diesel fuel and hybrid city vehicles and the creation of one of the largest reclaimed water systems in the country. (727) 893-7111. www.stpete.org
St. Pete Beach -- Joining the ranks of its sister resort, The Island Grand, The TradeWinds Sandpiper Suites recently received FGLP Certification. The resort maintains a paper, aluminum and cardboard recycling program, participates in a water conservation program, and uses appliances that are Energy Star certified. TradeWinds has also become the state's first resort to adjust its beach front lighting to be sea turtle-friendly. The resort recently created a special package for environmentally-conscience guests dubbed "It's Easy Being Green." The package includes a three-night stay at either facility, two tickets to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a dolphin watch or sunset sailing cruise, one-day beach trolley pass for two and two take-home souvenirs -- a double travel hammock and a special sea turtle adoption certificate from the Clearwater Aquarium. (866) 587-8538. www.JustLetGo.com
Orlando -- Jungle Adventures, Inc. educates visitors on Florida's history, ecology and biology. In doing so, the organization hopes to sustain a clean environment for everyone to enjoy. Among other initiatives, Jungle Adventures, Inc. refrains from using pesticides, does not landscape and uses an electric motor for their guided boat tours. (407) 568-1354. www.jungleadventures.com.
Harmony (near Kissimmee) -- The "environmentally-intelligent" community of Harmony in East Osceola County is truly unique. Within the community's 11,000 acres, residents have designated nearly 70 percent as protected land. In an effort to keep the community clean and to preserve the surrounding environment, Harmony has also established "green" guidelines for its residents. Each home is Energy Star certified and every resident is committed to earth's preservation. The community is also home to Central Florida's only Johnny Miller-designed golf course. The course not only provides a great golf experience, but is also a protected environmental preserve. Environmental education is never far away with help from the Harmony Institute, a non-profit organization housed within the community. The institution's mission promotes Harmony's cause: to maintain human health and well-being through the promotion of a harmonious ecosystem. www.harmonyfl.com
Gulfport (near St. Petersburg/Clearwater) -- Kayak Nature Adventure's "Bring Back the Bayou" program provides visitors a chance to help clean up the environment while kayaking for free. In exchange for one bag of garbage, visitors are able to spend an afternoon on the water at no charge. The program has been incredibly successful, removing 10,700 pounds of garbage from the bayou in the last 11 weeks. (727) 418-9728. www.kayaknature.com.
Punta Gorda -- Fishermen's Village Yacht Basin is certified as the second Clean Marina in Charlotte County. Under this DEP certification, Fishermen's Village has committed itself to keeping Florida's waterways clean. The marina has formulated environmental emergency plans and introduced a waste removal system for watercraft, making it easier to encourage ecological mindfulness among boaters. Visitors to Fisherman's Village will also enjoy the great shopping and restaurants. (941) 575-3000. www.fishville.com/marina.html
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel -- Residents of the Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel are committed to sustaining the land's natural beauty. Hotels and resorts in the area donate nearly one-third of collected taxes to shoreline-improvement programs yearly. The monies are used to protect preserved habitats and support visitor education programs like wildlife excursions. Lee County also recently purchased 5,000 acres of undeveloped land, saving it from potential destruction. These efforts are due to the execution of the Conservation 20/20 program, accepted by the community in 1996 to help preserve critical habitats and natural resources. www.fortmyers-sanibel.com
Bonita Springs -- The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa recently celebrated its one-year anniversary of FGLP Certification. The anniversary also marks the resort's designation as a Two Palm Certified facility. As the first resort in Florida to receive the One Palm designation, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point has continued its efforts to keep Florida clean. Since first becoming certified, the facility has made drastic changes to encourage clean and economical practices. Statistics show that the hotel has reduced water consumption by 28 percent, energy usage by 1.8 percent and waste disposal by 2.8 percent. As a leader in the fight for the environment the resort also provides a great tropical getaway for its visitors. (239) 444-1234. www.coconutpoint.hyatt.com
Marco Island (near Naples) -- The Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort has placed sea turtle safety as a top priority. Regular inspections of the beach are conducted and the resort is outfitted with "turtle friendly" lights and blackout drapes in guest rooms. The resort encourages visitors to remain aware of their impact on the fragile environment by placing sea turtle awareness brochures in guest rooms. (239) 642-2613. www.marcoislandmarriott.com
Boynton Beach (near West Palm Beach) -- The Florida Festivals and Events Association, a small non-profit organization for Florida's event producers, has shifted their registration process from paper to strictly computer-based. All seminars, memberships and registrations are now done online. In addition, all newsletters, credit transactions, receipts and surveys are also distributed by computer, cutting back on time and paper waste. (561) 736-7071. www.ffea.com
Fort Lauderdale -- The Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has introduced policies to help the surrounding wildlife feel as comfortable as their guests. The resort has created regulations to keep the beaches safe for loggerhead sea turtles. Initiatives during sea turtle season include regulated inspections of the beach for new nests, firework and bonfire restriction and the use of "turtle friendly" lights. (954) 525-4000. www.marriottharborbeach.com
Miami -- Management of Parrot Jungle Island maintains the park's beauty without the help of pesticides. Park visitors can be confident that the park's foliage has been grown and maintained in a chemical-free environment. The facility is also quickly becoming world-renown for their Integrated Pest Management and Plant Health Care programs. (305) 400-7000. www.parrotjungle.com
Coral Gables (near Miami) -- Dragonfly Expeditions, Inc.'s "green" philosophy and eco-friendly options make travel fun for the explorer and safe for the environment. Adventure mixes with ecological education and culture as groups explore areas filled with wildlife and mingle with locals. Dragonfly Expeditions, Inc. supports the fragile nature of earth's ecosystem by continuing efforts like water bottle recycling, trash clean-up during tours, and continuous donations towards local preservation efforts. Created in 1996, the company provides families and small groups several different travel packages including day and overnight excursions. (888) 992-6337. www.dragonflyexpeditions.com
Statewide -- In an effort to reduce the effect of pollution on the environment, Hertz introduced a new fleet of environmentally-friendly cars. The Hertz "Green Collection" launched last September features fuel efficient vehicles. All of the cars are EPA highway rated and receive at least 28 MPG. The 18,000 cars in the fleet are also Smartway certified, guaranteed to limit both air pollution and greenhouse gases. Cars in the "Green Collection" can be reserved by make and model. (800) 654-3131. www.hertz.com
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Laura-Leigh Wood, Realtor®, ABR
Your Success Is Our Business!
EXIT REAL ESTATE RESULTS
Accredited Buyers Representative
LL@LLSellsHomes.com
407.310.4908 Direct
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