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Dunedin earns green ribbon

The city's focus on recycling, conservation and education wins an environmental seal of approval.

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY, Times Staff Writer
Published December 28, 2007

Valerie Lane, hired in August, is the city's first sustainability coordinator.
	[Ted McLaren | Times]

DUNEDIN - It's a small club, but growing, and Dunedin is the newest member.

With its emphasis on recycling, conservation and education, this city recently became the fourth local government in the state to have its commitment to the environment certified by the nonprofit Florida Green Building Coalition.

The other governments to achieve this recognition, so far, are St. Petersburg, Tallahassee and Pinellas County.

City officials, who in August hired their first sustainability coordinator to focus on environmental issues, welcomed the recognition.

"It's stating that we have made the effort and gone the extra mile to conform with an independent standard," City Commissioner Julie Scales said. "It says we are acting in a sustainable way."

In the 3-year-old program, municipalities earn points for incorporating environmentally friendly methods.

Dunedin qualified for the certification through various green-friendly initiatives. According to city sustainability coordinator Valerie Lane, they include:

- Educating new city employees on green city policies.

- Reviewing training procedures in the Fire Department to conserve water.

- Purchasing hybrid and electric vehicles for the city's fleet.

- Offering environmental education through the city's Web site www.dunedingov.com, television station (Bright House Networks cable Ch. 615) and schools.

- Providing curbside recycling.

Although some of the programs are new, many of them were launched years ago, Lane said. Her job was to document it all.

The city earned enough points to be certified at the silver level, the lowest of the three levels, Lane wrote in a memo to City Manager Robert DiSpirito late last week. The other three municipalities are also certified at the silver level.

"Of course we are going to strive to be a gold city eventually, but this was a good start," Lane said. "We came right behind our capital, Tallahassee, so I think that's pretty good."

There's more to be done. Lane is starting a free sustainability seminar series. Each seminar will focus on a different topic. The first one, scheduled for Jan. 12, will focus on how people can conserve energy in their homes.

She is also continuing to expand the city's recycling program. Bins for aluminum, mixed paper and plastic were recently added at the Hale Activity Center at 330 Douglas Ave.

And just Wednesday, recycling bins were placed at the cafe on Honeymoon Island.

"I think that's a perfect place because you get to see what you're saving," Lane said.

Tamara El-Khoury can be reached at tel-khoury@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4181.

FAST FACTS:

Join the green movement

Dunedin sustainability coordinator Valerie Lane is starting a free sustainability seminar series. The first topic is energy conservation. The seminar is at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 12 in the Elliot Room of the Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst Road. A Progress Energy representative will share tips on how to lower your power bill by saving energy. Sign up at (727) 298-3215, ext. 24.

[Last modified December 27, 2007, 21:28:39]