La Plata County Organizations Celebrate Local Sustainability Efforts

On Sept. 7, 2013, local businesses and area organizations will share their sustainability efforts with the community at the Sustainability Showcase Celebration. The event will feature food, drinks and music, and a ‘Passport’ that participants get stamped at educational stations and turn in to receive a prize.

In July of 2011, La Plata County received a Climate Showcase Community grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by optimizing business efficiency, educating youth, increasing the production and consumption of local food, and promoting ridership on local transit.

The Resource Smart Business Program is a certification program that helps businesses operate more efficiently by decreasing their energy consumption, increasing worksite wellness, and promoting sustainable business practices. Program partners include the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE), Bright Green, Fort Lewis College Environmental Center, Healthy Lifestyle La Plata, La Plata Electric Association, Local First, and SWConnect.

The Durango Discovery Museum has been working to engage youth with innovative technology by creating a living laboratory that demonstrates the value and science of renewable energy and energy efficient building practices. Healthy Community Food Systems works with producers, processors, marketers, and consumers to make our local food system healthy, economically viable, and good for the land. Southern Ute Community Action Programs reduces commuter vehicle miles traveled by increasing ridership on Road Runner Transit. These groups will showcase their resource efficient programs and activities by educating and entertaining the community on September 7th from noon to 2 p.m., outside on the Durango Discovery Museum Plaza.

"The Climate Showcase Community program is an incredible opportunity to bring together a diverse array of community organizations to collaborate on innovative sustainability programs," says Amanda Saunders, 4CORE Program Coordinator. "We are excited to share what we have been working on for the past two years and how it benefits our community."