Green Lodging Program Grows to 650 Properties

TALLAHASSEE – Labor Day is a perfect time to celebrate the accomplishments of 12 hotels helping to protect Florida’s environment by becoming designated members of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Lodging program. The Green Lodging program recently designated additional properties throughout the state for travelers who would like to stay in an eco-conscious facility. The designation of the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Clearwater Beach marks the 650th property designated statewide.

“Florida’s Green Lodging Program encourages and enables vacationers to be environmentally conscious even while they are relaxing on a getaway,” said DEP Director of Sustainable Initiatives Deas Bohn. “While Floridians are vacationing, they can also be conserving water and energy while protecting the state’s natural resources.”

To become a designated member of the voluntary program, lodging facilities adopt cost-saving green practices that conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality and reduce waste. The Florida Green Lodging Program includes facilities of all sizes, from local bed and breakfast inns to resorts with thousands of rooms. All Florida State Park cabins have received Green Lodging designations and make great destinations for any type of vacation.

The summer season might be ending but the Green Lodging Program is just getting started. The 12 new designations include:

Northeast

• Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown/Southbank, Jacksonville
• Homewood Suites Jacksonville Downtown/Southbank, Jacksonville
• Residence Inn by Marriot, Gainesville

Northwest

• Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, Tallahassee

Central

• Fairfield Inn and Suites, Melbourne
• Fairfield Inn and Suites, Titusville
• Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista
• Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, Vero Beach

Southwest

• Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, Clearwater Beach

Southeast

• Hampton Inn, Tamarac
• Sherry Frontenac, Miami Beach

South

• SpringHill Suites by Marriot, Naples

About the Florida Green Lodging Program
Launched in 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for lodging facilities to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As incentive for the designation, the state recommends the designated Green Lodging properties to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscientious lodging and convention facilities. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

About Easy As One
Easy As One - Ordinary actions. Extraordinary results. is an environmental awareness campaign by DEP that highlights easy actions each one of us can take to make sustainable practices part of our daily lives at home, at school, at work and at play. As the lead agency in state government for environmental management and stewardship, DEP encourages citizens to adopt green habits that protect Florida’s air and water quality, conserve water and reduce waste. A sustainable Florida depends on the collective efforts of citizens, groups, businesses, industry and government. For more information about Easy As One, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/EasyAsOne or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EasyAsOne.