The Environmental Stewardship & Management Initiative was launched by Audubon International to help foster environmental stewardship and improve resource management by a wide range of people.
Green Leaf Hotel Program Launch in New York Complete
Audubon International is proud to announce the completion of the initial launch of the Audubon Green Leaf TM Eco-Rating Program for Hotels throughout New York State. “With support and partnership from the New York State Department of Conservation,
the Pollution Prevention Institute at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and perhaps most importantly, the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, we’ve been able to work efficiently and effectively with an initial ‘freshman class’ of 42 hoteliers across the state to highlight the benefits of the program for any lodging facility,” states Kevin A. Fletcher, Ph.D., Executive Director for Audubon International. “With this first stage completed, we can move on with the task of inspiring other lodging facilities to participate in the program, improve their environmental performance, and positively affect their bottom line.”
This initial ‘freshman class’ in New York State joins other lodging facilities throughout Canada and the United States that are working toward, or that have already earned, an eco-rating through the program. “We’re extremely proud to be working with such a terrific group of hoteliers,” says Fred Realbuto, Audubon International’s Director of New York Operations and coordinator of the Green Leaf TM Eco-Rating Program in the United States. “At a time of great economic uncertainty, we’re hoping that through the leadership of these properties and our other program members that the business value of environmental stewardship at lodging facilities can be revealed. It’s a model we look forward to replicating in other states as well.” A complete list of eco-rated properties, including those located in New York State, can be found by visiting: http://greenleaf.auduboninternational.org.
The launch of the program in September 2009 throughout New York State was part of a larger initiative to support sustainable tourism throughout the state, highlighting the state's diverse natural resources as tourism destinations, connecting travelers to green businesses and assisting New York's tourism businesses to go green. The New York State Green Hospitality and Tourism Partnership, a combination of state agencies, business associations, and academia, worked together to identify and provide a formal review of available green lodging certification and rating programs. After completing the review, the partnership decided to support the growth of the Audubon Green Leaf TM Eco-Rating Program for Hotels throughout the state.
To learn more about the Audubon Green Leaf TM Eco-Rating Program for Hotels, please visit http://greenleaf.auduboninternational.org or contact Fred Realbuto, Director of New York Operations and Green Leaf TM Program Coordinator for Audubon International, at (518)767-9051 x115 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
About Audubon International and the Green Leaf TM Eco-Rating Program
Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources, thus leading to more sustainable communities. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning education eco-certification programs for individual, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities.
For delivery of the Audubon Green Leaf TM Eco-Rating Program, Audubon International partners with Green Leaf Environment (Ottawa, Canada). Green Leaf Environmental is a leading environmental marketing organization dedicated to measuring the environmental performance of different sectors within the marketplace with environmental rating programs. Green Leaf's rating programs provide businesses a snapshot of their environmental footprint and provide advice on how to become more sustainable.
The Audubon Green LeafTM Eco-Rating Program for Hotels rates properties (from one to five green leafs) based on a set of specific environmental performance criteria. The program is grounded in the concept of eco-efficiency and ongoing environmental education, meaning program members are rated but also receive guidance and support to manage energy, water, waste, and other resources more sustainably.
