A History of Sustainability in Sarasota County Government

Sustainability Efforts History - 1979-2005, Contributed by
Sustainable Sarasota

1979

Ann Marbut Environment Library Established

1985

Established the Artificial Reef Program

1986

County establishes used motor oil and lead acid battery drop-off recycling program at the Bee Ridge Road Landfill and the Jackson Road Transfer Station

1987

County launches voluntarily recycling curbside collection program
County establishes a used motor oil and automotive battery drop-off program
The Street Tree Program started

1991

County adopts mandatory recycling requirements for all residential, commercial and construction/demolition debris generated in the unincorporated areas of the County

1992

Master Gardener Program launched
Master Conservationist Program initiated

1993

FL Yards and Neighborhood Program established

1994

Florida House Learning Center (demonstration building and landscape) opens
County initiates free compost and mulch program

1995

County C&D vendor opens Construction Reuse Center
Recycled Paint Program begun
County adopts Integrated Pest Management Resolution

1996

Initiated Community Gardens Program
County initiated Beach and Inlet Management Program

1997

County adopted progressive Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance

1998

County joins USDOE Rebuild America Program
Sharps Disposal Program initiated

1999

Citizens approve special tax for the purchase of Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection
County joins USEPA Pesticide Environmental Stewardship partnership
Ammunition Disposal Program Launched

2000

County launches compostinfo.com web site as a result of an FDEP grant
County conducts carpet recycling pilot collection program
County establishes household battery collection program at commercial sites

2001

Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance adopted
County, University of Miami and University of Florida conduct chromated copper arsenate treated wood separation program at landfill

2002

County approves Sustainability Resolution and establishes Sustainability Office - Sustainable Sarasota
County purchases its first two hybrid vehicles
Sarasota County as one of three model â€˜green; communities in the State by the Florida Green Building Coalition
Office Supply Reuse Centers launched
Household electronic recycling program begun
Sustainability Committee established to focus on green fleet operations ie: bio-diesel fuel, hybrids, non-toxic lubricants, etc.
County reorganizes units to form a watershed approach to water resource management and conservation
County incorporates â€˜green' design and build standards in procurement construction specifications
County conducts a food waste composting demonstration project

2003

County adopts Environmentally Preferred Products preference in Procurement Code
Sustainable Sarasota initiative becomes apart of Cooperative Extension
Construction begins on County's first USGBC LEED Office Complex - Twin Lakes
Sustainability Committees are established to focus on:Â least toxic janitorial cleaning products, energy efficiency electronics and recycled content/recyclable/least toxic office products
Rails to Trail Program began
County works with Habitat for Humanity to Open Construction Materials Reuse Center
County's passes Golf Course Ordinance requiring all new courses to meet the Audubon International Standard
County hosts first USDOE Energy Efficiency Workshop
Chemical Reuse Center Opens
County launches mobile hazardous waste collection program
County enters into partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium and Mote Marine Laboratory to host workshop with regional marine science, industry, government groups to create a Southeast US Seafood Watch Card
Judicial Center achieves ENERGY STAR label (top 20% of Energy Efficient Buildings in the U.S.)
Construction begins on County's first USGBC LEED Library building - North County (registered as Silver)
County launches Sustainable Sarasota Community Partnership Monthly Meetings
County launches Sustainable Sarasota newsletter
County approves â€˜green' corridor plan for State Road 776 (8 mile stretch)
County begins â€˜green' celery fields (Fruitville Road area immediately East of I-75)Â planning efforts for mixed use community
Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Teams Program Established

2004

BCC's stretch goals for 2004 and beyond focus highlight the need to understand and build on the concept of sustainability for the good of future generations.
County evolves the BCC's Enterprise Balanced Scorecard (strategic initiatives and core services) business model to indicate the center of hub as sustainability (social, economic, and environmental); the strategic community objectivesÂ (promote neighborhood safety; diversify & increase income per capita; improve commuting; ensure safe & sustainable water supply; etc.) are the inner circle and that the outcomes of our efforts (preserve & enhance neighborhoods; promote economic opportunity; enhance movement of people & services; safeguard the environment and enhance community health) are the outer rings of our Government's business model.
Commuter Assistance/Van Pool Program established.
SCAT commits to purchasing all hybrid buses in future
First hydrogen fuel cell (powered by natural gas) installed in a K-12 School at North Port High School; WCI Communities is the second fuel cell application to be demonstrated in Sarasota County.
USDOE debuts first Hydrogen Energy Curriculum at North Port High School
School Board joins Energy Smart Schools Program
County joins USEPA ENERGY STAR Program.
Florida House Learning Center celebrates its 10^th Birthday with a special event.
County conducts first ecological footprint analysis of Sarasota County's impact on the world - 22.2 acres of space required per capita.
Extension Services sets goal to reduce County's Ecological Footprint via education and outreach by 2.2 acres by 2009 (goal of 20 acres per capita)
WCI Communities hosts grand opening of â€˜Casa Verde' (green house) their greenest model home.
Audubon International approached County to serve as its model for the State; County joins Audubon International.
Florida House Learning Center adds durability to its list of sustainability-oriented features with the addition of a hurricane safe room and hurricane shutters.
Joint effort of Monterey Bay Aquarium, Mote Marine Laboratory and County result in release for SE US a Seafood Watch education card
County incorporates Sustainability into the fabric of it services provided to the community
Urban Ecosystem Analysis conducted using satellite images/surveys to calculate where and type of trees/plants growing; and, used economic modeling to determine the monetary value of vegetation (reducing air pollution, collecting and cleaning stormwater, gathering carbon from the atmosphere, increasing property values, cooling neighborhoods and saving household energy).
County's Growth Management "2050" Plan adopted (provides for villages, increased density, green spaces, affordable housing, and mixed use - walkable communities).
Economic Development Council incorporates the concept of economic into its Five Year Plan and Vision: Sarasota County fosters the formation, expansion, and retention of quality jobs and competitive businesses that lead to a diversified, year-round, and sustainable economy.
County hosts with the USDOE two Workshops entitled: Design/Building Schools in Hot Humid Climate Zones (beginner/advanced)
Three Biomimicry Workshops held for Board of County Commissioner, local wastewater treatment service providers, and the general public
Hyatt Sarasota agrees to become County's first hotel to earn FDEP's Certified Green Lodging designation
Customized sustainability educational curriculum is assembled at distributed to schools upon request i.e.: Booker High, North Port High, Venice High, Brookside Middle, and Pineview
USDOE funds retreat for key County staff to begin the development of an Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) for County facilities and fleet operations
County Team established to review and recommend green building incentives, code (local/State), and land development regulations (LDR, for those lands not following within the 2050 Growth Management Plan area)
Sustainability staff present sustainability concepts implemented in Sarasota County with the ten counties falling within the University of Florida's District IV region
County writes Request for Bids for Janitorial Cleaning Services requiring the use of non-toxic cleaning products.
Sustainability staff receives â€˜go-ahead' from County Administrator, Executive Director, and General Manager to begin planning of sustainability festival - Efest 2005!
County IT Staff creates and distributes to employees Energy Conservation Tips for Computer usage.
Construction begins on Gulf Coast Girl Scout Council's LEED registered building.
Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Cards created in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory and Sarasota County (among others) is distributed at events, at Cooperative Extension, Florida House Learning Center, Sustainable Sarasota, libraries, and the tag offices.
Sustainable Sarasota moves from County building to a storefront on Orange Ave.
The Twin Lakes â€˜Green' Office Building Construction (LEED - Gold, registered) is completed.
County acquires major access to unused train rails in the County for rails to trails program.
The North County â€˜Green' Library Construction (LEED - Silver, registered) is completed.
SMR's Lakewood Ranch development is certified as a green development by the Florida Green Building Coalition.
Whole Foods opens its first and the second â€˜green' grocery store in the U.S.

2005

Sarasota and Pinellas Counties host Basic and Advanced Community Based Social Marketing Workshops with Dr. Doug McKenzie-Mohr from St. Thomas University, Canada.
County Administrator signs Green Housekeeping Policy to govern manner in which all County owned buildings are maintained.
County hosts with GWIZ and the School Board the National Energy Foundation's energy education program for 17 teachers and to conduct school energy audits and to establish in eight school /student energy patrols.
County approves a Resolution to commit itself to building â€˜green' all future County government buildings; and, establishes a green incentive program for local builders building either commercial or residentialÂ buildings that meet either the USGBC or FGBC Green Building Standards.
County partners with the Economic Development Corporation to secure Dr. Janine Benyus to be annual meeting speaker.Â Ms. Benyus speaks with general public at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.Â Economic Development Council funds seed money for Case Study and workshop.
Planning staff and various committees and Extension staff work to integrate sustainability principles, practices and programs into the Evaluation and Appraisal Report - Update of County Master Plan.
County purchases five Ford Hybrid SUVs (County hybrid total is nine); establishes Vehicle Purchase Committee to include focus on Green Fleet and alternative fuels.
Twin Lakes Park Green Building Dedication; Easter Seals tours Twin Lakes Green Office Complex and pledges to build its new Manatee/Sarasota headquarters (on University Parkway) green.
County joins the US EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) as a County partner.Â County seeking vendors to withdraw methane from the former Bee Ridge Landfill and the Central County Solid Waste Disposal Complex.
County Administrator addresses Tiger Bay Club and challenges attendees that for the community to become sustainable - they must all take responsibility for their actions.
Sarasota County selected by the Florida Green Building Coalition to host its 2^nd Annual statewide GreenTrends 2005 Green Building Conference at the Chelsea Center.
Sarasota County Government via its Rebuild Sarasota efforts with the U.S. Department of Energy partners with the Florida Green Building Coalition to host a pre-conference (to GreenTrends 2005) which focuses on â€˜Green Affordable Housing'.Â Mike Meyers (Austin, TX) keynote facilitator.
County approves updated Integrated Pest Management Resolution establishing pesticide use guidelines for outdoor applications.
Southwest Florida Water Management District celebrates Manatee and Sarasota Counties joining its Water CHAMP water conservation program for local hotels and motels.
Construction begins on â€˜Kanaya', the area's first green multi-family and mixed-use building.
County, City, and the Friends of Sarasota County Parks host its first Efest 2005 event at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.Â Keynote speaker is CEO Ray Anderson of Interface Inc.Â Other speakers include:Â Greg Andrews, USDOE, Atlanta; Judy Wicks, White Dog CafÃ©, PA; Ron Dodson, Audubon International, NY; Clyde Butcher, FL/Everglades Photographer, Venice, FL; and Mike Holsinger, Retired, Sarasota, FL. Â Over 100 exhibitors, 18 Kids Activities, 3 bands, puppet shows, storey telling with over 7,000 attendees.
County installs solar powered Enviro-lum outdoor lighting fixtures at South Lido Beach Park - lights do not attract sea turtles when leaving nests.
County joins US EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program as a Community Partner; assists FDEP/FEO to organize State Workshop.
County staff and local businesses develop the Green Business Standard (FDEP Solid Waste Innovation Grant) as a State model; program to be formally launched March 2006.
County receives $28,000 USDOE/FDEP Grant for 4 projects: GreenTrends Conference, Green Lodging Workshop, Energy Expo, and USEPA Change a Light - Change the World programs.
Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program now amasses over 16,000 acres; effort begun to increase funding to continue to purchase lands and green spaces; public voted in November 2005 to expand the program.
Sustainable Agriculture Program established, ad hoc committee working on Sustainable Agriculture Resolution, Master Plan Update and Policy Documents.
Sarasota Green Connection launches first edition of its Green Directory (listing businesses that sell either green or holistic products).
Vision of a Center for Sustainable Living Center crystallizes for Celery Fields project.
North Sarasota County Library earns USGBC LEED Rating of Gold!
County staff and invited guests meet with National Renewable Energy Laboratory staff to discuss establishing a renewable energy community in Sarasota County as a demonstration site (one of approximately a dozen being proposed).
County conducts multiple â€˜Community Conversations" forums to discuss the vision and needs for the future of Sarasota County; effort led by County Administrator with Community Services; outcome:Â the number one rated Value and Legacy items were our â€˜Environment'.
Staff begin preliminary discussions North American Properties about the County's first green commercial development.
County is the second county government in the nation to sign a Resolution to become Plug-In Sarasota, an initiative that hopes to build market demand for flexible fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles.
County initiates Request for Proposals and selects a Commissioning Agent for green building projects.
County selects the architecture firm of Fleishman and Garcia to design its first green fire station.
County selects the architecture firms of The ADP Group and Harvard Jolly to design the new Osprey Library.
County Neighborhoods Speaking Forum includes a focus on sustainability.
County joins the USDOE's Change A Light - Change the World program which promotes the use of compact fluorescent lamps.

2006

A work in progress!