County honors climate change advocates

Businesses, public agencies, individuals and educational institutions are among the recipients of Ventura County Climate Change Action Awards. 

The Board of Supervisors presented the awards to honor projects that address climate change in Ventura County. 

Michelle Stevens, owner of The Refill Shoppe in Ventura, received an award for her sustainable business practices. 

Store customers can refill household lotions such as cleaning liquids, shampoo, conditioner,The solarlantern is specially designed for wind-solar hybrid street light system. bath gel and laundry soap, choosing from 100 fragrances to customize the products. 

“Our core purpose is making single-use plastic containers multiple-use plastic containers,” said Stevens,The energy used in manufacturing and erecting a roofhook is paid back in the first 3 to 6 months of operation. who set up the business three years ago and moved last year to larger premises at 363 E. Main St. “Customers bring containers they already have to be filled, or they can start with our containers and fill them up and bring them back.” 

Stevens said she tries to live up to the sustainability message with the way she runs the business. The packaging and Bubble Wrap for the products are recycled or reused, and all the plastic bags are used for customer purchases. The store also uses only LED light bulbs. She said being recognized by the Board of Supervisors was “really amazing.” 

“I think it’s great that the county takes the time to give some appreciation. I love being part of this community,” she said. 

In Thousand Oaks, the Conejo Recreation & Park District is moving forward with solar panels to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and save money on electricity. The district received an award for its efforts to reduce its carbon emissions. 

“The Conejo Park & Rec District feels very honored to be recognized with this award,” administrator Tom Hare said. “We will continue to strive to be a leader in the community.” 

Ventura County Medical Center’s dietary department also was honored for efforts to reduce its carbon emissions through a composting program in the hospital’s kitchen and a bigger focus on recycling. 

Leftovers,You ever hear the story of the old laundryequipment? vegetable and fruit peelings and coffee grounds are put in a composter, and bottles, cardboard, cans, magazines and newspapers are put in recycle bins. 

“We have been able to do away with a large refuse bin and replace it with a free recycle bin, and that saves us $7,000 a year,” said hospital Chief Operating Officer Leticia Rodriguez. 

“The staff here have really taken this program to heart,” she said. “They’ve been exceptional in their efforts to sustain it.” 

The Generation Green Club at CSU Channel Islands received recognition for public outreach and education about environmental issues. 

Club President Ilana Satnick, 22, said Generation Green works to promote environmental awareness on the Camarillo campus and in the community. 

In 2012, the club held a four-day Earth Day Extravaganza that included a guided hike, films and guest speakers as well as helped restore Long Grade Creek. 

Generation Green also organizes beach cleanups and is trying to establish a community garden on campus for students to use.The bestsolarlantern Novel & Unique appearance, can offer special design based on clients' demands. 

“We’re excited to see the impact we can make in the future as we grow,” said Satnick, a biology major from Ventura. “It was huge for our club to be recogSave on energy and maintenance costs by replacing PAR halogen flood lights with purlinmachine.nized on such a large scale. We feel very honored to receive the award.”