It’s not easy being Green

When taking a vacation on the Florida Panhandle, it’s not just the crystal clear Emerald waters that are green. Thanks to an innovative program established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, visitors can now choose a hotel that has a Green Lodging designation.

Started in 2004, the Green Lodging Program recognizes and rewards “environmentally conscientious” lodging facilities in the state. To receive the Green Lodging designation, a strict protocol must be met and maintained.

During the assessment phase, applicants outline current energy and environmentally-friendly practices including water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction, clean air practices, and anticipated environmental improvement projects.

An on-site evaluation is conducted and once all requirements are met, the applicant is then named Green Lodging.

Two hotels have been given the Green Lodging designation on the Emerald Coast:

Turtle Beach Inn

140 Painted Pony Road

Port Saint Joe

(850) 229-9366

Environmentally-friendly features at the Turtle Beach Inn include:

• Low-flow showerheads and toilets in the bathrooms

• Towel and linen re-use option for guests

• Double double-paned, tinted windows in each room

• Energy efficient lighting and programmable thermostats

• Proper air conditioner maintenance and efficient AC filters

• Weather-stripping

• Waste reduction through bulk purchasing and recycling

WaterColor Inn

34 Goldenrod Circle

Santa Rosa Beach

(850) 534-5000

The Inn installed environmentally-friendly features such as:

• ENERGY STAR™ appliances and equipment

• Fluorescent lighting

• Automatic lighting sensors

• Low flow water fixtures

• Environmentally protective air quality management

• Environmentally friendly cleaning products

• Recycling and trash reduction programs

For more information, and a more extensive statewide listing of Green Lodging facilities, visit the DEP Web site (http://www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/programs/green_lodging.htm).

For those travelers who want to get to Florida in an environmentally sound way, there are a few outlets where bio-fuels are available. These stations offer B20, or lesser blend, which is diesel fuel blended with 20 percent or less bio-diesel.

• Bitco Auto Center 7106 Hwy 90,Milton

• T. Gill Fuels 2103 W Herman St., Pensacola

• Gbar Service Mart/Shell 5899 North 9th Avenue , Pensacola

• Quality Service/Parade 550 N New Warrington Road Warrington, Pensacola

Find other bio-fuel outlets at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Web site (http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/standard/petro/AltSiteMap.html).

• Things To Do
• Movies
• Dining

• Nightlife
• Local Art