TALLAHASSEE - The New Year is a time for new resolutions, and 19 hotels recently made their resolutions to protect Florida’s environment by becoming designated members of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Lodging program. With the new designations, the program has surpassed 600 members, and now boasts a total of 614 designated properties statewide.

"Earning designation in the Florida Green Lodging program is an achievement these 614 facilities can be proud of," said DEP Director of Sustainable Initiatives Deas Bohn. "The environmental commitment demonstrated by Green Lodging facilities serves as an example and challenge to other hotels to adopt innovative green practices, conserve resources and save money."

To become a designated member of the voluntary program, lodging facilities adopt cost-saving green practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality and reduce waste. The 19 new designations include:

Northeast

• Addison on Amelia, Amelia Island
• Country Inn and Suites, Gainesville

Northwest

• Sleep Inn and Suites, Panama City Beach

Central

• Barefoot’n in the Keys, Kissimmee

Southwest

• Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore, Tampa
• Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Innisbrook

Southeast

• Hampton Inn and Suites, Wellington
• Hampton Inn West Palm Beach Vista Center, West Palm Beach
• InterContinental West Miami, Doral
• Largo Mar Resort and Club, Fort Lauderdale
• Marriott’s BeachPlace Towers, Fort Lauderdale
• Marriott’s Ocean Pointe, Palm Beach Shores
• Ramada Inn, Stuart
• Springhill Suites by Marriott, Boca Raton
• The Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa, Hallandale
• The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
• Towne Place Suites, Boca Raton

South

• Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center, Fort Myers
• Ocean Dawn Suites, Islamorada

Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As reward for designation, the state is recommending designated properties in the Florida Green Lodging program to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention facilities. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary, non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting the environment. The Clean Marina program, the Clean Vessel Act grant program and the Florida Green Lodging program offer a variety of services including consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/green.