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Virginia Green

Lightbulb in soil with ideas for sustainable living

Virginia Green Means Business

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Lightbulb in soil with ideas for sustainable livingIf you own a business, or work for a company in Virginia that is conscientious about being sustainable, you should consider joining (if you haven’t already) the Virginia Green Travel Alliance, who works to support, promote, and continuously educate certified partners as they seek to improve their environmental programs.

Consumers are ready and willing to embrace sustainability in the products and services they use.  Research by IBM in 2022 reports that the demand for sustainable consumer goods is on the rise, with 3 out of 5 consumers saying socially responsible or sustainable products made up at least half of their last purchase, and that 2 out of 3 respondents say they are more willing to apply for (67%) and accept (68%) jobs from a sustainable company.

The report also indicated that roughly 1 in 3 consumers say sustainable travel is a priority, ranking environmental impact factors over cost, convenience, and comfort in their purchase decisions.  Note: you can plan your green vacation in Virginia here!VGTA Logo

What is Virginia doing to support sustainable businesses, and how can you get more involved?

  • Visit the website for Virginia Green to learn more about what they do and how they can help businesses become more environmentally friendly.
  • Join the free monthly forums! Partnering with DEQ, Virginia Greens presents a variety of topics from experts and peers who care about the environment. The next virtual forum is Thursday, January 19th from 2:00-3:00 p.m.  Registration is free here.
  • Plan to attend the Virginia Green Travel Alliance Conference on March 21-22 at the Virginia Beach Conference Center!

Yes, we are thrilled to partner with the Virginia Green Travel Alliance to co-host their 10th annual conference on March 21-22, 2023 in Virginia Beach.  The keynote speaker is Jennifer Lawson, CEO of Keep America Beautiful!  We will connect professionals, offer engaging and informative workshops, and celebrate the work of both organizations and allied partners! You can find more details about the conference and register here.

In the meantime, you can check to see if your favorite places to eat, relax, or shop are a certified Virginia Green business by searching the Virginia Green Business Directory and the Virginia Green Suppliers Network.  And encourage your favorite establishments to become Virginia Green certified to support and grow sustainable businesses and services in Virginia.

We hope to see you at the Virginia Green monthly forums and the Virginia Green conference!

golf

The Inaugural Keep Virginia Beautiful Golf Tournament!

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Do you need a little time in the great outdoors?  Do you enjoy a little golf?  Do you want to do your part to Keep Virginia Beautiful?

Have we got an opportunity for you!

Monday, October 10th is the Inaugural Keep Virginia Beautiful Golf Tournament!  We are excited to join our host, Stonehenge Golf & Country Club for this great event.  The course at Stonehenge has been the site of national and regional tournaments in the past and is an exciting Ed Ault design.  Ed Ault was one of the most prolific course architects in America and is famous for his design of the TPC Avenel course in Potomac, Maryland.  We didn’t just pick Stonehenge for its good golf, though.  The Club is also a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.  To achieve this status they had to meet certain criteria in Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Quality Management, and Water Conservation.  Now that’s Going Green while Going FOR the Green!

Chasing a golf ball is hard work and we’re pleased to offer some great food for your effort.  We’re thrilled to be joined by The Republic Restaurant & Bar who will be catering lunch and dinner for our players and volunteers.  Why The Republic?  In addition to their amazing food they are a Virginia Green Restaurant!  You should visit their dining room with it’s stunning repurposed hardwoods.  Menus, napkins, to-go boxes?  All recycled and biodegradable.  They even use solar power!  They are bringing that to the course for us.

We still need your help, though!

Care to join us for a round?  Would your organization like to do its part to Keep Virginia Beautiful?  Opportunities abound for Players, Sponsors, and Volunteers.  You can sponsor a hole, donate a prize, or sign up to enjoy a great day of golf.  Click here to learn more about how you can participate!

Enjoy a day of golf!  Enjoy some Beautiful Virginia Countryside!  Enjoy some wonderful food!  Sign up today and join us for our Inaugural Keep Virginia Beautiful Golf Tournament!

shencamping

5 Ways to Travel Green this Summer!

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Now that the weather is warm and the kids are out of school, it’s time for summer travel!  Consider making your next family vacation a green one.  We’ve got 5 tips for you to be environmentally friendly when you this summer – Travel Green.

1.  Before going on vacation, you can save money and paper by researching trips online or at the library rather than purchasing a guide book.  Visit our partners at Virginia Green for ideas on green tourism in Virginia.  When surfing the internet remember to only print important information needed while traveling, such as hotel confirmations or tickets.  Consider looking into modes of public transportation offered in the city you plan to visit.  Bus systems, subways, bike paths, or trolley cars are all more sustainable ways to get around than by car.  Not to mention you don’t have to deal with high gas prices or parking!

2.  While you’re searching the internet for vacation ideas, research eco-tourism.  This type of tourism focuses on local cultures and promotes environmental awareness.  Eco-tourism draws attention to environmentally sensitive areas around the world and pumps money into the economy of localities visited.  Some ideas for eco-tourism include visiting sea turtle preserves in Mexico, taking a tour of the Amazon in South America or visiting wildlife preserves in South Africa.

3.  If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on an international vacation, look no further than your closest state park.  Virginia is home to 48 state parks, so you should be able to find one to fit your interests.  Hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing and camping are all fun, cheap outdoor activities.  Most state parks offer canoe rentals at affordable prices.  You can also try purchasing used gear to save money and reduce waste.  Find your local sports consignment store to purchase gently used equipment or sell the old gear you no longer use.  After any trip, make sure you leave no trace.  Anything you brought to the park should be properly disposed of either as recycling or trash.  By spending time outdoors and admiring Virginia’s natural beauty, it is easy to instill an appreciation for nature and promote environmentalism to your entire family.  In honor of their 75th anniversary this year, Virginia State Parks are offering three free days for you and your family.  Make sure you visit the park of your choice on June 21st, September 24th or November 11th -13th to visit the park for FREE!

4.  Whether you are traveling by airplane or camping an hour outside of town, make sure you take green measures before leaving home.  Unplug appliances to reduce the amount of standby power used.  Close the shades to keep the house cool and adjust the thermostat to a few degrees warmer since no one will be home.  Set your lights to timers to reduce wasting energy and make it look like someone is home!  If you are going on a long trip, stop your newspaper delivery.  This will save you money and reduce wasted paper.

5.  Above all, the most important things to remember about summer travel are to go green and have fun!