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Actively Green 2015 ambassador profile: Lori Ann Barnes

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Editor’s note: This is a weekly spotlight that celebrates a local person who works for an Actively Green 2015 participating sustainable business.

Name: Lori Ann Barnes.



Job: Town of Vail Librarian.

What does Actively Green mean to you? It translates to taking care of the environment, being conscious of what we do, how it will affect our earth in the coming years and actively keeping this effort going. It’s a movement that we need to maintain. My co-worker Liz Wilhoff has been the true ambassador for the Vail Public Library, but because she is on maternity leave, I’m answering in her place.

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How has the Vail library implemented environmental practices? We switched over to environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, reusable dishware, flatware and glasses in our staff kitchen and, of course, we recycle paper, cardboard and comingled items. Since Actively Green started, we have begun composting, and we’re switching our lights to LEDs.

Discuss a time you learned about a sustainable practice firsthand: When we started composting, Kristen Bertuglia, the environmental sustainability manager from the town of Vail, came in with a full garbage bag taken from a random can. She dumped it out to show our staff that the majority of what gets thrown away could actually be recycled or composted.

What is the most rewarding part of being involved with Actively Green? Being part of the big picture as team players in the town of Vail.

My big vision for an environmentally sustainable Vail Valley includes: Getting everybody in the valley used to easy green habits like recycling, bringing reusable bags to the store and making use of public transportation or riding bikes when weather allows.

The Actively Green 2015 sustainable business certification program is a community partnership supported by the town of Vail, the Vail Valley Foundation, Sustainable Travel International and Walking Mountains Science Center. To get involved, go to http://www.activelygreen2015.com.


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