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GREEN YOUR ROUTINE

he idea of Green Your Routine began several decades idling, we passed ordinances to reduce water usage, we
ago in places all around our City. It began with formulated environmentally preferable purchasing practices,
T neighbors teaching neighbors to recycle, children and we built LEED certified facilities. We utilized grant
reminding their parents not to litter, businesses testing funds to enable faster change, like the switch to single
carpooling, scout troops volunteering for beach clean-ups, stream recycling and the installation of LED lighting in our
visitors reusing their towels, and hundreds of other garages. And we took on the responsibility to spread the
individual actions that together began to make a difference. word and provide the tools through programs such as
LauderScape and SmartWatts.
Elected leaders, city volunteers, and employees were all a
part of that. Environmental responsibility became In December of 2011, we updated our SAP to
a topic at meetings. People wanted to learn reflect new scientific findings and new
more. The culture of our City was shifting. technologies. We anticipate a progress
report in 2014 and another plan update
In 2009, the City of Fort Lauderdale
formed an inter-departmental Green in 2015. This new one will reflect our
Team to take action within our links to regional and State partnerships.
operations. That same year, our City It will tie the plan more directly to our
Commission created the Citizen’s City’s strategic plan and vision, and
Sustainability "Green" Committee enable us to streamline resource
(CSGS), which later became known as commitment and performance tracking
the Sustainability Advisory Board. The City so that we know our investments are
Commission and CSGC approved our first working. Our most recent stride was to
Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) soon after. The formally organize a Sustainability Division.
initial SAP introduced five priorities for a greener We Still Need You!
government and 17 goals towards a more sustainable city.
Working towards these goals would ensure that City We know that you are interested in taking action too. Green
operations, services, and regulations would be “triple Your Routine started with volunteerism, and it still needs you.
bottom line” focused, taking into account fiscal, social, and So turn off those lights, and bring your own bags to the
environmental factors. market. Plant a native garden, and carpool to work. Teach
your kids to brush with the water off, and teach your
Taking Action coworkers to buy local. The more we can each lower our
impact on the environment in small ways, the easier it will be
We are proud to say that every City department took
for us to work together on big challenges.
action. We made policy changes to decrease engine

24 The Landings & Bay Colony