The North Lake Tahoe, Truckee and Nevada County Foothill Region have come to embrace environmental sustainability and conservation practices. Actions to minimize impacts on the local and global environment can be performed in many different ways. Installation of water and energy efficient fixtures, recycling, and responsible use and disposal of hazardous and toxic household substances are all activities that can be undertaken by local residents and businesses on a daily basis.

Keep the Sierra Green (KSG) is a new program designed to recognize community business leaders focused on sustainable ecological and economic practices in the North Central High Sierras and Foothills. The KSG program is a self certifying, voluntary check list of various waste reduction, pollution prevention and energy conservation measures. The check list is modeled after the Bay Area Green Business Program and has been refined and tested for local application.

In order to receive recognition and potential award a participating business must certify that they are in compliance with certain regulatory standards as well as meet the required and voluntary measures outlined in the check list. Business meeting the minimal requirements will receive recognition whereas businesses demonstrating outstanding green practices such as innovative approaches to some of the measures may receive an award of excellence presented by the awarding jurisdiction. Additional program details are outlined below.

KSG is a partnership between Nevada and California agencies in the Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Eastern Placer and Nevada County regions. The sponsoring agencies include: The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, Town of Truckee, Incline Village General Improvement District, Placer County, Nevada County and the Sierra Green Building Association (SIGBA).

Who can participate?

All businesses located within the jurisdictions below are eligible to apply.

· Town of Truckee, CA
· Eastern Placer County, CA (at Lake Tahoe)
· Nevada County, CA (including the cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City)
· Incline Village and Crystal Bay, NV

Why should my organization get recognized as a Green Business?

· It’s FREE! There is NO fee to apply to become a recognized Green Business.

· Voluntary Participation: The program is designed to increase community awareness of regional business leaders focused on sustainable practices.

· Better Image: Your community image is enhanced through Green Business recognition.

· Save Money: Saving energy, water, raw materials and sending less trash to the landfill saves you money.

· Positive Workplace: Your employees will enjoy a sustainable workplace and will have one more reason to take pride in working for you. Developing a positive, proactive relationship with local compliance inspectors can help you avoid liability, fines and other sanctions.

· Free Advertising: The program promotes your business to the public and other businesses for free.

· Annual Awards Luncheon: Outstanding green businesses will receive additional recognition and an award.

Upon the completion of minimum requirements and acceptance into the program your business receives:

· A Certificate of Recognition

· A window sticker designating program participation

· KSG logo for use in business promotions

· Media coverage (websites, press release, radio, etc.)

· An invitation to the Awards Luncheon

Each year (in the fall), businesses that are exemplary will be selected for additional recognition at an Annual Awards Luncheon. Three businesses from each participating jurisdiction will be selected for this honor.

The award winners will receive:

· Framed Award Certificate presented by governing body of the jurisdiction

· Two free tickets to Awards Luncheon

· Free one year bronze membership ($145 value) in Sierra Green Building Association (SIGBA), plus recognition on SiGBA.org website to award winners and participants

· Specially designed KSG Award Winner logo for business use

· A special window sticker designating awardee status

· Profile of business in regional Chamber publications

· Additional media coverage (websites, press release, radio, etc.)

How to become a Recognized Green Business....

Applications are accepted year round. Please visit www.KeeptheSierraGreen.org to download the application. Unfortunately, at this time, an interactive, online form is not available. For a printed application, contact the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce at 530-581-6900.

Remember, the program offers free, non-enforcement, technical assistance to help meet the criteria. We can refer you to professional, technical staff to assist you in meeting the energy, water, resource conservation, and pollution prevention requirements.

Workshops on this program will be held in 2009, hosted by SIGBA.

Schedule and details to be announced. If you have questions, please call the coordinator for your area, listed below.

Truckee, CA:
Town of Truckee Solid Waste & Recycling Division
Nichole Dorr, Recycling Coordinator
530-582-2909
ndorr@townoftruckee.com

Incline Village & Crystal Bay, NV:
IVGID Waste Not
Madonna Dunbar
775-832-1212
mod@ivgid.org

Nevada County (including the Cities of Nevada City and Grass Valley) CA:
Lynne Cody, Recycling Technician
530-265-7119
Lynne.Cody@co.nevada.ca.us

Placer County (east), CA:
Michelle White
Environmental Resource Specialist
530-886-4923
MJWhite@placer.ca.gov