Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/161733
Sarasota News Leader August 30, 2013 Page 66 COUNTY LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE GREEN MAP ON SUSTAINABILITY A new interactive Green Map on sustainability features is available online at www.scgov.net/ greenmap, the county has announced. The mapping tool provides residents and visitors with information on sustainable community resources and facts, such as ways to find local produce and green hotels and how to check out the solar installations in neighborhoods, a news release says. The Sarasota County Green Map will grow and change as residents use it and add to it, the release points out. "The new Sarasota County Green Map encourages you to engage with the green places in our community in brand new ways," said Aubrey Phillips, administrative manager with Sarasota County Extension, in the release. "Visitors can suggest new sites, share comments and photos and describe Image courtesy scgov.net how places have impacted them, bringing to light the connections between neighbors and Laurel Corrao, an analyst at SCOPE, believes neighborhoods." the effort is particularly important in terms of engaging community members in sustainThere are more than 4,000 existing sites on ability initiatives, the release continues. "I the Green Map, including 1,906 on solar enercan't wait to see all the new ways Sarasota gy, 822 on Florida-friendly landscaping, 137 on County residents share and get excited about green buildings and 130 on green businesses, 'green-centric' data on the new Green Map," the release points out. Among the map's other says Corrao in the release. offerings are alternative health resources as well as locations of businesses selling organ- The Sarasota County Green Map is part of ic and local foods, park and recreation areas the award-winning global Green Map System, and libraries. Residents and businesses are which supports locally led Green Map projencouraged to suggest additional sustainabil- ects in encouraging environmental awareness ity resources or comment on those already and sustainability consciousness, the release featured, the release notes. notes. More than 400 Green Map projects exist in 51 countries to help people locate sustainThe map is a collaborative effort among Saraable urban and rural places and institutions. sota County, the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Services Extension For more information, contact the Sarasota Office and SCOPE (Sarasota County Openly County Call Center at 861-5000 or visit www. Plans for Excellence). scgov.net.