2007 Green Award Winners Announced
By Alan Nakashima for the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department, September 17, 2007.

Consortium Celebrates the Fourteenth Annual Green Awards Program

SANTA BARBARA, CA -- Today, the Green Award Consortium announced winners of the 2007 Green Awards: B&H Flowers, Inc. (Carpinteria); University of California Santa Barbara, Campus Design & Facilities; Valle Verde Retirement Community (Santa Barbara); Chumash Resort Casino (Santa Ynez); and Clos Pepe Vineyards (Lompoc).

This is the 14th year of the Green Awards, which recognize Santa Barbara County businesses and organizations for outstanding environmental efforts.  The program has honored more than 60 outstanding companies from Santa Barbara County over the past thirteen years.  

 “From solar power to water efficient landscapes to non-toxic cleaning products to composting programs, these companies are going to great length to green their practices and minimize their impact, while improving the work environment for their employees,” notes Helena Wiley von Rueden of the Santa Barbara County Water Agency.  

The other consortium members are the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, Community Environmental Council, Santa Barbara County Public Works Department Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division, and SBCAG Traffic Solutions.

The Green Award recognizes companies and organizations for voluntary activities, above and beyond their primary missions that result in cleaner air or water, less waste, less traffic, conservation of energy and natural resources, or reduced use of hazardous materials. The awards are an annual highlight of Pollution Prevention Week, celebrated nationally during the week of September 17 - 23. Winners will be honored at a special awards luncheon on Friday, September 21st. 

Meet the Winners: B & H Flowers, Incorporated, Carpinteria

Kelly Clark, 566-4214

B & H Flowers, Incorporated, a fifth generation family operation located in Carpinteria, has set a standard for sustainable agriculture in the operation of its cut flower greenhouse business.

• B & H is the first flower grower in Santa Barbara County to be VeriFlora Certified as a Sustainable Grown greenhouse operation.  VeriFlora recognizes businesses that produce cut flowers and potted plants in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and meet the highest standards for freshness and quality.
  
• B & H collects all of its rainwater and irrigation water in a percolating pond and holding tanks to recycle the water through a completely self-contained system, resulting in no runoff.
  
• B & H inspects plants and water valves daily to minimize wasted water, and has installed high-efficiency water pumps.