Wilton Go Green Receives Green Coast Award
Wilton Go Green was honored December 4th at the 5th Annual Green Coast Awards ceremony. An initiative of Conscious Decisions, the Green Coast Awards recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that are socially and environmentally responsible, promote sustainability, have high ethical standards, and make conscious decisions that improve resiliency in their communities and support the health of the planet. Eighteen Green Coast Awards were presented this year. Voting was conducted online throughout the year at www.GreenCoastAwards.com. Winners received recognition at Grand Restaurant and Lounge in Stamford, The Shack Hometown Grill in Fairfield as well as online at www.greentowns.com/initiative/green-coast-awards-2012.
Daniel Esty, Commissioner of the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, 2012 Green Coast Award Honoree of the Year, and Green Coast Awards keynote speaker, saluted the honorees and the tremendous work being done statewide to conserve and protect Connecticut’s natural resources and environment.
Wilton Go Green received the award in the category of Environmental Task Force, Community. “We are honored to be recognized for the efforts of both our organization and those in the Wilton community who so generously join in and support our efforts,” said Wilton Go Green president Jana Bertkau. “Together, we are making Wilton a more environmentally beautiful and sustainable home for all.”
Daphne Dixon, Executive Director of Conscious Decisions, commented. “It is heartwarming to see Wilton Go Green win the 2012 Green Coast Award for Environmental Task Force. Their energy, passion and genuine interest in learning about sustainability, sharing information with others, and taking measurable steps toward building a sustainable community at every level is commendable.”
The organization’s major event, the 2013 Wilton Go Green Festival, will take place on May 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Town Green and in the Wilton Library. Past festivals have attracted close to a thousand people covering just about every age group, who came out to hear guest speakers, chat with exhibitors, and enjoy live music and delicious, Earth-friendly food.
The 2013 Wilton Go Green Festival plans to showcase 80 knowledgeable exhibitors from the fields of sustainable building and energy; sustainable water and land management; sustainable and local food; sustainable waste management and recycling; and sustainable transportation. Other event highlights include:
- The latest electric and hybrid vehicles
- Information on enticing residential solar rebates
- Exciting exhibits from our schools’ Art and Eco Clubs
- Expert advice on organic gardening
- Green gift shopping
- A fabulous silent auction!
The ever-popular giant Earth Balloon will return again this year to enhance our understanding of recycling, conservation and sustainability. The balloon’s Green Earth program will demonstrate how each of us can learn and take action to protect our precious planet through rich, interactive educational experiences and engaging, inquiry-based learning.
Live music – including the popular Wilton Steel drum band – and green food vendors will be on hand to add rich, local flavor to this family-friendly, eco-conscious day.
“We each have an important role to play in protecting our planet,” said Bertkau. “Small individual actions can have significant, positive consequences. This is particularly so when we act in concert as a community. The Wilton Go Green Festival gives people a chance to interact with conservationists, environmentalists, individuals and business owners who share a mutual passion for the world we inhabit. Our goal is to create a fun, informative day for people to learn about the simple steps they can take to make better use of energy, money and our scarce resources,” she explained.
Anyone interested in serving on the Festival Steering Committee or simply volunteering for a few hours during the event should email info@wiltongogreen.org.
