Community Events Go Green! By: Valerie Longa Eco-Team Coordinator Alabama Coastal Foundation

ACF’S MISSION To improve and protect Alabama’s coastal environment through cooperation, education and participation.

ACF’S MISSION COOPERATION: Bringing together stakeholders with differing interests to facilitate mutually beneficial solutions; inclusive environmental stewardship. EDUCATION: Providing fair and factual information to educate current and future leaders; PARTICIPATION: Offering hands-on volunteer opportunities for people to play a role in preserving our environment and our coastal way of life.

For a Clean Water Future in Alabama, visit and take action: Create a Clean Water Future For a Clean Water Future in Alabama, visit and take action: www.CleanWaterFuture.com

Create a Clean Water Future Background: Cooperative Partnership Our challenge is to adopt habits at home, work and play that turn the tide of pollution, then share those habits with friends, family and community leaders. Prevention & Collection

Oyster Shell Recycling Program National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Grant Based off of programs in Galveston & New Orleans Recycled oysters will go back into AL waters to help more oysters grow, provide habitat, limit erosion and improve water quality.

Eco-Team Dedicated to reducing waste at the city’s largest downtown events through recycling. Recycling becomes further integrated into the city and creates a generational change where recycling is an expected behavior. Less litter ending up in waste stream due to recycling. Less litter ending up in local waterways (stormwater runoff) due to greater options for throwing away trash and volunteer efforts. Increase in public awareness about recycling and environmental stewardship in the Mobile area. Sustainability efforts create cleaner, more efficient events.

Coastal Alabama Green Events Planning Guide Free Download- www.joinACF.org Green Events Planning Guide, City of Vancouver and Greenest City 2020 Green Events, 2013 Green Meeting Guide 2009, United Nations Environment Programme Checklist Area Recycling Companies & Centers

A Green Event minimizes the impact on the environment through thoughtful planning and implementation.

Assess the Event Reducing Waste Greening Transportation Recycling Composting Vendors Greening Transportation Reducing Energy & Offsetting Emissions Marketing

Marketing Media Release TV, Print, Radio, Social Media Recruit Volunteers Promote Sustainability Efforts Be specific about actions the public can take. Signage & Online Resources

Recommendations Building Relationships Increasing Sustainability Annually Strong Volunteer Base Maximize Resources Don’t Be Discouraged, Stay Positive

Benefits of Greening Events Save Money Positive Public Relations Education & Awareness Increasing Best Practices Regional & State Influence

Questions?

Contact Information: Email – vlonga@joinACF.org ACF’s Phone Number: 251-990-6002 www.joinACF.org