2011 SUSTAINABILITY SHOWCASE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Now in its fourth year, the Sustainability Showcase Awards recognizes the successful sustainability policies, programs, practices, and technologies implemented by leading organizations. The Sustainability Showcase highlights the efforts of organizations in the state of California that are paving the way towards California’s sustainable future. The 2011 award winners have demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing sustainability goals in their operations and communities. Their efforts are proof that even in tough economic times, incorporating sustainability measures into everyday practice is critical to economic as well as environmental being.
The Alliance recognizes leaders in four areas: Commercial Buildings, Multifamily Housing, Local Government and Water Agencies. We are pleased to announce that the following organizations have been selected and honored as award recipients.
Winners:
- Kilroy Realty Corporation - Commercial Buildings
Kilroy Realty Corporation—a Los Angeles based real estate investment trust with over 60 years of experience—is working to educate and implement sustainability throughout all aspects of real estate. Kilroy’s innovative collaboration between their lighting vendor and the nonprofit, The Rozalia Project, sponsored two weeks of Rozalia’s Summer Trash Tour which removed 1,758 pieces of trash from the ocean. Additionally, Kilroy Realty built the first LEED for Core and Shell building in San Diego and is currently developing one of the world’s first LEED for Neighborhood Development projects.
- First Community Housing - Multifamily Housing
First Community Housing (FCH), a California nonprofit located in San Jose, is focused on constructing and managing affordable housing for low-income residents in the San Francisco Bay Area. The company’s Murphy Ranch property in Morgan Hill features Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, recycled carpeting and innovative features including furniture made from wheat fiber and sunflower hulls, sustainably harvested hardwood floors, PV panels and free transit passes for all residents. FCH has also created a Sustainable Facilities Manager position to ensure that all the company’s buildings are maintained to green standards.
- City of Riverside - Local Government
The City of Riverside has implemented multiple initiatives and programs across all City departments to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy, foster alternative fuel vehicle use, and improve water use efficiency. A few of the City’s notable best practices include the Grease-to-Gas anaerobic digestion, Riverside’s Green Action Plan (GAP), Cleaning Up Riverside’s Environmental Program (CURE), the City’s award winning Green Power Radio Show and Riverside’s Sustainability Workbook which is available online and provides hundreds of tips and ideas on how to go green.
- Burbank Water and Power - Water Agencies
For nearly 100 years, Burbank Water and Power (BWP) has been providing the City of Burbank with safe and affordable water and electric services. BWP was the first utility in the nation to adopt a commitment to 33% renewable energy by 2020 and continually invests, researches and incorporates new innovative technologies in their sustainability efforts. The BWP Campus improvements include green roofs with rooftop gardens, which absorb 70% of rooftop rainfall; the remaining overflow is captured in underground storage tanks. The campus also features a solar carport that powers more than 100% of the building with the remaining power servicing the community.
Honorable Mention:
- Cathedral City - Local Government
Cathedral City staff focus on environmental programs that promote energy efficiency, waste and water reduction, and greenhouse gas reduction. The City’s community-oriented approach to deliver customized solutions is inspiring, as shown through the SCRAP Gallery (Student Creative Recycling Art Project), where city youth use discarded materials from participating local governments to make sculptures and artwork that is displayed throughout the city. This project alone has diverted over 75,000 tons of waste from local landfills.
Winners in each category were honored at the California Sustainability Alliance Showcase Awards Luncheon held May 22, 2012.
To learn more about this year's award recipients click on the links in the navigation bar to the right.
