FLORIDA – In an effort to protect Florida’s environment, save taxpayers money and reduce the state’s carbon footprint, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service recently purchased 72 electric-battery powered Global Electric Motorcars (GEM®) cars for use in state parks. A division of the Chrysler Company, GEM® creates low speed, neighborhood electric vehicles that run purely on battery and electric power.

“GEM® cars allow state park staff and volunteers to conserve energy and gasoline when traveling within parks and to nearby destinations,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “The cars are more cost-efficient, saving valuable state funds during this tough economic time.”

Using the new eL model GEM® cars allows the Park Service to maintain a high level of service to visitors while saving money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Using the energy efficient GEM® cars reduces carbon dioxide emissions within state parks since the vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions. In addition, GEM® cars save taxpayer dollars, with virtually no maintenance or fuel costs and an initial purchase price of less than $10,000 – half the cost of a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle.

The GEM® eL model purchased by the Florida Park Service accommodates two passengers with a carrying capacity of approximately 750 pounds and a top speed of 25 miles per hour. The vehicles meet federal safety requirements for street-legal vehicles on roads with speed limits up to 35 miles per hour and include many features of traditional automobiles, including safety belts, an automotive windshield with wiper, headlamps, rear brake and tail lights, turn signals, mirrors and street-rated tires. Powered by a 72-volt battery system, a typical GEM® car with fully charged batteries can get up to 30 miles on a single charge.

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 161 parks spanning almost 700,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach, including the 2008 Best Beach in the Nation, Caladesi Island State Park, located off the coast of Southwest Florida in Pinellas County. From swimming and diving in Florida’s rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks offer year-around outdoor activities for all ages. Battle re-enactments and Native American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage. Florida State Parks are also dedicated stewards of land management, engaging in prescribed burning, natural habitat management and resource restoration and preservation.

For more information on Florida State Parks, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org. For more information on GEM® electric-battery powered cars, visit www.gemcar.com/.

MIAMI – The Department welcomed seven new properties to the Florida Green Lodging Program this week in the following DEP districts. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

• SOUTH – The Ocean’s Reach Condominiums Resort is the first to be designated on Sanibel Island and the 210th in the state.

  “Ocean’s Reach Condominiums Resort and Sanibel Island are sanctuaries not just for our guests, but also for the plants and wildlife that have lived here for hundreds of years. By recycling and conserving energy, we will keep the area as pristine as possible,” said Andy Boyle, general manager. “It’s an honor to be part of the Florida Green Lodging Program, and we hope every facility on Sanibel joins us.”

  “DEP is pleased to welcome Ocean’s Reach as the first property on Sanibel Island to participate in the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said Jon Iglehart, Director of DEP’s South District. “Their leadership will hopefully encourage others in the area to make a similar commitment to conserving and protecting the precious resources of the Island while still providing a rewarding experience for their guests.”

• SOUTHEAST – Miami’s Solara Surfside Resort is the 185th in the state to become a designated member of the Green Lodging program.

  “Becoming a part of the Florida Green Lodging Program is our way of demonstrating our commitment to protecting the environment,” said Davie Pontius, President of Bluegreen Resorts. “It’s also very important for us to show this commitment to our guests. All 13 Bluegreen resorts in Florida are undergoing designation, and we’re honored to receive our Green Lodging designation at Solara Surfside™.”

  “By reducing water use, conserving energy, improving air quality and decreasing solid waste, the Solara Surfside Resort is contributing to the state’s efforts to protect, restore and conserve Florida’s natural resources,” said Jack Long, DEP Southeast District Director. “Their leadership and enthusiasm serves as a great example to encourage other hotels to adopt environmentally friendly practices.”

• SOUTHWEST – The Residence Inn Tampa NorthPointe is the first in Pasco County and 207th in the state to become a designated member of the program; the Embassy Suites Tampa is the 209th in the state; and Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay is the 212th in the state, respectively.

  "The Residence Inn Tampa NorthPointe is proud to be part of the Florida Green Lodging program,” stated Lisa Lawson, Senior Director of Sales at the Residence Inn Tampa NorthPointe. “We are striving to raise environmental awareness across the state as well as in our community.

  “We are honored to receive the Florida Green Lodging Program designation,” said Jeff Silsbee, Director of Front Office for the Embassy Suites Tampa - Downtown Convention Center. “Working through the designation process has raised our awareness as to what we can do to make a difference and increased our commitment to preserving our natural resources. The program is crucial in helping our hotel to conduct business in a more environmentally conscious manner while providing cost savings at the same time.”

  “Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay’s commitment to improving and protecting our environment is at the forefront of our daily practices,” stated hotel General Manager, Robert L. Steele, III. “We are honored and proud to be a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program and we will continue to strive towards creating a more sustainable environment.”

  “Participants in the Florida Green Lodging Program stand out as the industry’s environmental leaders,” said DEP Southwest District Director Deborah Getzoff. “By providing guests with ‘green’ alternatives, these properties are preserving the state’s natural resources, conserving energy as well as protecting waterways.”

• CENTRAL – Orlando’s Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is the 214th in the state to become a designated member of the program; the Weirsdale Shamrock Thistle & Crown Bed & Breakfast is the 204th in the state.

  "The entire team at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress has worked hard to achieve this designation and we are proud to become a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program," said Paul Tang, Vice President and Managing Director of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. "I would like to thank our Green Team for spearheading these efforts and continuing to encourage our associates and guests to be responsible stewards of our environment."

  "We have been practicing conservation for over ten years now and it feels great to receive the Green Lodging designation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection,” said Owner Brantley Overcash. “As the first bed and breakfast designated south of Jacksonville and north of Everglades City we are striving to be a leader in this emerging market."

  “DEP is excited to welcome these properties Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress as a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein. “With its 750 guestrooms, Hyatt’s reduction in energy usage and amount of water conserved by being a part of this program makes a tremendous impact on Florida’s environment.”

To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must follow certain green practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures, a linen reuse program, energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR® appliances and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All designated members of the Florida Green Lodging Program must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters.

Recently, Governor Crist hosted the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, building on the foundation of last year’s summit for Florida’s energy future. During the 2007 summit, Governor Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use policies, including one that requires state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences only at hotels with Florida Green Lodging Program designation as of January 1, 2008, whenever possible. This year’s summit explored technologies and strategies to stimulate economic development in clean technologies as well as “green” Florida’s business community.

Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program established environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As a reward for designation, Florida is recommending designated facilities to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention facilities. With the addition of the Solara Surfside Resort, the program has 216 designated properties and more than 400 applicants. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary, non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.

TARPON SPRINGS – The Department, together with the Clean Boating Partnership, today recognized Belle Harbour Marina as a designated member of the Florida Clean Marina Program. Located in Pinellas County, the facility is the 168th designated Clean Marina in the state and the 20th in the county.

“Florida has more than 2,000 marinas, and facilities such as the Belle Harbour Marina play an important role in the protection of our waterways and marine resources,” said Deborah Getzoff, Director of DEP’s Southwest District Office. “This marina has taken the initiative to preserve the state’s natural resources and lead the boating industry by example.”

Florida Clean Marina Program facilities are required to meet a variety of best management practices to receive designation. These practices include, but are not limited to, properly storing and disposing of used oil, using fertilizers and pesticides according to directions and using cleaning methods that prevent the release of pollutants.

“Belle Harbour Marina staff contributed lots of hard work to achieve this designation,” said Belle Harbour Marina Manager Steve Turner. “The staff was very instrumental in educating boaters of clean boating practices.”

The Clean Boating Partnership is a consortium of industry leaders who contribute time and input to the Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater programs, which DEP administers, to protect Florida’s waterways. The partnership includes DEP, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

“The Clean Boating Partnership congratulates the Belle Harbour Marina for its commitment to Florida’s environment,” said the Partnership’s Chair John Naybor. “The dedication and hard work in becoming a Clean Marina is an accomplishment this facility can be proud of and we welcome them to our growing Clean Marina family.”

With more than one million registered motorized vessels in Florida, environmental education within marine industries is the first step towards safeguarding the state’s natural resources. By providing ‘green’ education and alternatives, the Florida Clean Marina Program, part of DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives, helps ensure a sustainable future for the environment and the billion-dollar marine industry. For more information about the Florida Clean Marina Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina.

DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary, non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.

In central Florida:

• A guided bird walk through Fort Mose Historical State Park on July 20 will offer both ardent and proletarian birdwatchers a chance to spot some of the parks many feathered friends, while an experienced birder from the St. Johns County Audubon Society leads the way.
• On July 26, visitors can take a wagon tour in Ravine Gardens State Park to identify the various plant species.
• And offered daily, throughout the year, at Blue Springs State Park is a two-hour cruise down the St. Johns River to educate visitors about the fragile ecosystem; additional fees apply.

Southeast Florida’s state parks are offering a diverse assortment of activities beginning with:

• A butterfly walk through some of south Florida’s last remaining hardwood hammocks in John D. MacArthur Beach State Park on July 19, while birding enthusiasts can discover the many bird species found within the park using their own, or rented, binoculars on July 27.
• A tidal pool walk and guided canoe trip in the mangrove lagoon is offered at Long Key State Park on July 24.
• At Jonathan Dickinson State Park, on July 25, those interested in the creepy, crawlies can discover Florida’s native snakes, including the park’s featured guest, King, a 27-year old kingsnake, and on July 26 learn about the local wildlife that inhabit the park.
• Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is offering a snorkeling and scuba diving program on July 26 along with a guided nature walk and shipwreck exhibit.

And not to be outdone, state parks in southwest Florida are offering up some exciting programs:

• History buffs can get their fill on July 19 at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park’s “Soldier Talk” discussions highlighting the Second Seminole War, and again on July 26 with the “1830’s Trader” program.
• A beach walk along the shore and through the estuary of Lovers Key State Park on July 22 and 29 will introduce guests to the many species that live in the coastal ecosystem.
• Fishing fans of all ages can learn the art of cast netting on July 25 at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, and on July 30 hear about the rare and endangered sea turtles that return to the location of their birth each year and about their current nesting sites.

With 161 award-winning state parks, Floridians and visitors can pursue their favorite pastime, while saving gas and money. For more details about July activities, information and history about each park, or programs offered year-round, visit www.floridastateparks.org.