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Florida Grows Green -- The New Blend of Economy and Environment

Ensuring a Sustainable Florida through Collaboration and Cooperation

Exploding population growth. Water rationing. Lack of affordable housing. Congested roads. Rising energy costs. Loss of agricultural lands. What’s wrong with this picture? With your help, nothing we can’t change …

Collins Center
Council for Sustainable Florida, Collins Center, www.SustainableFlorida.org


The ability to meet our needs today without compromising the future – to be sustainable – has become paramount. Green building, renewable energy, ecological conservation and education are efforts that help us all reduce our impact on the environment while creating new markets.

Florida’s future depends upon us working together and responsibly to preserve and conserve our natural resources, maintain continued economic success and ensure that all in our state have the opportunity for a safe, healthy and vibrant quality of life.

Since 1990, the Council for Sustainable Florida, a program of the Collins Center for Public Policy, has served as the premier statewide champion for sustainability through collaboration and communication.

Our vision is that everyone adopt and implement values and practices that protect and improve Florida’s natural resources and provide economic opportunities for all. The result? Ensuring that Florida is a place where our children and grandchildren will want to and be able to live, work and play.

This section highlights award-winning examples of organizations that are doing well by doing good. It provides you the opportunity to examine your efforts and adopt a plan for sustainability. Contact us to help you create a Sustainable Florida!

Council for Sustainable Florida

Chairman's Message:

Dave Tillis
Dave Tillis

Florida Grows Green focuses on the efforts of public and private organizations that work to grow our economy while helping maintain and enhance Florida’s natural resources and providing opportunities for all.

Since 1990, the Council for Sustainable Florida – a program of the Collins Center for Public Policy – has worked to promote Florida’s economic, social and environmental future. Concern for our environment, coupled with increased demand for social responsibility creates stronger economic opportunities and a higher quality of life for us all.

Each year, the Council honors those who lead by example through our Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards. This section highlights our 2007 winners and lets you know how you and your organization can follow their lead.
Our vision is to ensure future generations have the opportunity to enjoy our state’s beautiful natural resources while being able to live, work and play. By sharing best practices, working with regional and local initiatives and offering educational and networking programs, the Council works to make sure that together we will have the benefit of a sustainable Florida.

Thank you to our Partners and Board Members who help sustain the Council. With their personal and financial investment, they declare their support for a sustainable Florida.

I invite you to join us. Sign-up online for our free e-newsletter Envision Florida. Participate in a Council event in your region. Working together, we will ensure that Florida Grows Green!

Warmly,
Dave Tillis
Dave Tillis, Chairman
Regional General Manager, Bonita Bay Group

Celebrating Those Who Lead
Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards Program

The Everglades
The Everglades
[Photo courtesy Visit Florida]


Organizations find more efficient and innovative methods to accomplish their goals every day. These efforts may result in reduced operating expenses, enhanced profits and the creation of new markets. Current markets demand more from everyone with a strong eye toward accountability. By blending environmental stewardship principles with economic strategies, organizations create an improved quality of life for us all.

Each year, the Council recognizes the best voluntary sustainable development efforts by public and private organizations and individuals across Florida. The 9th Annual Best Practice Awards winners were selected by an independent panel involved in the sustainability movement. Nominees were judged if they were environmentally friendly, provided a strong business model and could be replicated.

The winners were recognized by Florida Governor Charlie Crist and the Cabinet with a resolution sponsored by Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson.

The Council encourages you to build upon these best practices. Contact us if your organization needs a speaker or presentation on sustainable best practices.


The Council for Sustainable Florida is a program of the Collins Center for Public Policy. It is an alliance of business, government and civic leaders committed to defining excellence for Florida’s economic, environmental and social future. Our mission is to advance the vision of sustainability by identifying, supporting and communicating best management practices — those which protect and preserve Florida’s environment for the future while building markets for Florida’s businesses by enhancing their competitive advantages today.