[OKC] FW: ECO News from Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Dept.

Wed Feb 17 11:48:13 PST 2010

From: Travel OK [mailto:jessica at travelok.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 1:02 PM
To: sstruby at cox.net
Subject: ECO News from Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Dept.

 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjigYXg5UWFk1jXZ6hjWXT_pVD_O43ZEMICYbfNRKzXlQFYjJOVuciCHUGFv3maObNh1DvGQ4TuJKzAS5LUO7bbZVbG_9Cchv9b-Fp_W0azQyg==> Oklahoma Wind Farm ECO <http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs050/1102923281641/img/4.jpg> 

In This Issue 

ECO Launch 

Clean the World Partnership 

Travel Talk 

 Brenda Granger <http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs050/1102923281641/img/7.jpg> With Noted Oklahomans

Brenda Granger is the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Museums Association. OMA is a non-profit organization with the mission to assist Oklahoma museums with their efforts to educate, inform and entertain.  Prior to her position at OMA, she served as Executive Director of the Edmond Historical Society Museum for 10 years.  

My favorite green travel tip is:  using my own soap and shampoo at the hotel then sending my extra hotel toiletries to the local homeless shelter. 

In the past 12 months, the coolest Oklahoma experience I've had was: staying the night in the two-story suite with bedroom loft at the Inn at Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  Price Tower is Frank Lloyd Wright's only built skyscraper and it is wonderful!

My favorite sustainable travel destination is: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver).  They are a LEED certified building and the MCA Denver Cafe offers organic and locally grown food.  MCA Denver recently received Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council for its design.  

I can't travel without: a good magazine which I regularly leave at the airport or hotel after I have read it so that another person can pick it up an enjoy it.

I travel because: I love visiting museums and expanding my life experiences!

Link up with The Green Buff

 Green Buff <http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs050/1102923281641/img/1.jpg>  

The Green Buff serves as ECO's mascot. Find him on Facebook, Twitter and our industry blog. 

 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjhh0Kcjph-Q9dYZ07NV8_HJzRqAEzFRH3QR--L2aZqANTFthGa6EfxDf7hBLIoQOZ-dzp52RjDpG4ev_wPMTtdn9uWPPY2EyBqcSwdsyllhBStmucJUaoBD> Facebook <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjhh0Kcjph-Q9dYZ07NV8_HJzRqAEzFRH3QR--L2aZqANTFthGa6EfxDf7hBLIoQOZ-dzp52RjDpG4ev_wPMTtdn9uWPPY2EyBqcSwdsyllhBStmucJUaoBD>   <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjhh0Kcjph-Q9dYZ07NV8_HJzRqAEzFRH3QR--L2aZqANTFthGa6EfxDf7hBLIoQOZ-dzp52RjDpG4ev_wPMTtdn9uWPPY2EyBqcSwdsyllhBStmucJUaoBD> 

 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjggbxJpp37Y6bYEvLcsxLNhL-cTTMftUaDNHk2sw9ut_zNPlIRQF11FZiSPl_IHorbd5BPkf0oQ9wKtnG9ecBREjw3R-n2WzP0qxXQIzN6W3RdwTE5ldh_W> Twitter <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjhh0Kcjph-Q9dYZ07NV8_HJzRqAEzFRH3QR--L2aZqANTFthGa6EfxDf7hBLIoQOZ-dzp52RjDpG4ev_wPMTtdn9uWPPY2EyBqcSwdsyllhBStmucJUaoBD> 

 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjjLDm8PB08pHANFRcDLAQ7esn17qnSfRFWwt9FwHGtNfPWBKHTSCwzLJPjwCsxCV18H78Wx9EyrDVizQuwNLco4B_e2yNFjUCYqOUznCGOh4EKgp5sQr-QHOln4O5acHR4=> Blog

Upcoming ECO 

Opportunities

Integris' Discover Oklahoma will be doing another great episode on sustainability in Oklahoma. We are looking for story ideas now. 

Oklahoma Today is dedicating their entire  May/June issue to sustainability. Advertising opportunities are available. 

Email  <mailto:Jessica at TravelOk.com> Jessica Blackstock for more information on either of these topics.

Think ECO. It's in our nature. 

ECO, Encouraging Conservation in Oklahoma, promotes, educates and encourages sustainable travel practices in Oklahoma.

ECO Launches with 7 Pilot Programs  

In September 2009, OTRD  and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality launched ECO,  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjigYXg5UWFk1jXZ6hjWXT_pVD_O43ZEMICYbfNRKzXlQFYjJOVuciCHUGFv3maObNh1DvGQ4TuJKzAS5LUO7bbZVbG_9Cchv9b-Fp_W0azQyg==> Encouraging Conservation in Oklahoma.This dynamic partnership and program works to increase sustainable tourism practices throughout the state. 

"Now more than ever, travelers are looking for green options and the ECO program meets that need," said Hardy Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

As part of this exciting new program, OTRD and DEQ have developed an ECO certification which identifies businesses that have made a commitment to reducing their environmental impact. There are currently seven businesses and organizations participating in the ECO certification program. The pilot programs include:  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjh6luTupGrd9xoOT8qZnqLMMQeqe1aBTT1GFCv_1HR-ADFMWhyBu_T-ns56chkMFEokpigQH9ReDPtglYOdY9CTTTvLAglzF_pWd_DoEWokTw==> Colcord Hotel,  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjhWTbzPPpaUqCRSb8oZM37F0laXK2x3gkoOzH57CF5VGMrYOpJ_FGJFwwiZdt-UhoOm-bssMubN1zQQAsyS_HBWtlGVg7mGP2itgKNlEnnEO-M4GClY9Xqm> Science Museum Oklahoma,  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjgYtlStbUaOdbimtj7d10OUMyGihnNAJpI50K-eei_OR_1YkH7Nmd41rBY2baZ7lD_Fsc3Hcjt_dmCoj9yWaD_h6EbiQgY2T5cJ8d-6FYLN_A==> Maple Place Bed and Breakfast,  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjjCfibj30lHdMp7Xwiiqjb0zipx7z7NQoVy0pQDjq4H-g15a6ZAmD7J6XB-T76R593cRoNReo5ML3Eapjot7_QxuVVx7_4iG1R0N87UeD2ZhJX6A9jzaNT-oKXNspbY34dsi1yIyydE_2FO5h_93LqR> Keystone State Park,  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjirrYw4qKQIdAF_VsIEM9xqTOY9k3QRWxTwn9_BQm3_I7HvRb_AE49QTXAY2Ck1L5drySpoEH-mkzECaOz4BQenhC_Gu1zZ7-wRx4DqsLnIdoqC0GO0o8hxFps2Dhy_hWI=> Blackwell Information Center, the  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjgwaVDcGuRwfIQg49y3n-ioXTxIOx3O7o_4f3PXk3zWUCYmPmWxwLmQy2-VCuq7OlaI2BKF0G_YytZ_VQa_ZG70SIN9eS-YAtODXhE5muw9br6HGlUQG4nfVMP-BBxAon33RwQ0uVJKeNb_13DWrUfn> Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytji0z8Ibm7Z_-rDkk4Lv71dWzlcbbGVmss9qWt921dXpPlbS5-6Q9kA8CkrbfQzKCCHItjYgyyWusGEG9B5Rw5ty5E1PYdNrxUPYqvAPy4uc0w==> The Polo Grill. 

"The certification is meant to be a journey," said Dianne Wilkins, pollution prevention manager at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. "Facilities will be asked to report their progress and establish new goals. We do not want the program to be accused of any greenwashing and will work with properties to take the necessary steps needed to achieve recognition."

OTRD and DEQ offer continual support to participating organizations every step of the way through education, marketing, and consultation. Free workshops are being held throughout the state so Oklahomans can learn more about the program. 

 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjhGGXAlUKvXcIcZQ1MMutqcuXh8qY3FPSAv3eK9RpPx8EpstLdB2WkGDO9glIMxqeVHBmWhyyFm0EzJ8NEOckkwxVuUMBfMeiVYq0a2QipvEugaGqaEglciaezLOQvHfJMp6HAdz2yOKuvl26TzbgKV> Click here to see a video clip from Integris' Discover Oklahoma about ECO.

Oklahoma is First State to Partner with Clean the World

 Isabel Palacio and Jeff Erwin of the Colcord Hotel collect soap for Clean the World. <http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs050/1102923281641/img/6.jpg>  Just under a year ago, Shawn Seipler and Paul Till became inspired to make a difference-through soap. Their non-profit organization,  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjiis_7JcaGDJui2PEf4YFqvrQtjxVbZBw4GiGq3GFZPKtd5Z-yLZzF25XToRIa11INZQoPEaoBiCOGlIwP1FDwF7YkkmvueZSWwnF57qrzgrw==> Clean the World, is dedicated to collecting gently used soap and hotel amenities, sterilizing them and then distributing them to third world countries where these items are scarce. These seemingly simple items have been proven to significantly reduce deaths and illnesses by up to 42 percent.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Oklahoma's ECO program and the tourism industry," said Shawn Seipler, executive director of Clean the World. "With a majority of our work done in Haiti the importance of partnerships is vital. We can save lives, especially young children, by getting them the supplies they need to stay healthy and prevent disease."

Oklahoma is proud to be the first state to partner in the Clean the World mission. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department's ECO program is committed to encouraging Oklahoma hotels to partner with Clean the World as part of making state travel more sustainable. Oklahoma currently has three properties partnered with Clean the World, Oklahoma City's Colcord Hotel, Tulsa's Hotel Ambassador and The Canebrake in Wagoner.

"The decision was an easy one," said Jeff Erwin, general manager of the Colcord Hotel. "Clean the World makes it very simple to collect the items. More importantly, it is great to be able to provide people with the resources they need to stay healthy." 

 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjiis_7JcaGDJui2PEf4YFqvrQtjxVbZBw4GiGq3GFZPKtd5Z-yLZzF25XToRIa11INZQoPEaoBiCOGlIwP1FDwF7YkkmvueZSWwnF57qrzgrw==> Click here to learn more about Clean the World and how you can get involved today.

For more information about the ECO program, please contact Jessica Blackstock, Sustainable Initiatives Coordinator, at  <mailto:Jessica at TravelOK.com> Jessica at TravelOK.com or visit our website at  <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102936400873&s=185&e=0018NUOH1tytjjAL3RkruN1MhzN2XWqFpWAC0qQurGtFGo3-3yPecQPpOhj4lB288S3hVBzRnPaiMGC_R9lAyZN1HoFt0l_Dmie6_Qq1SscPeAMeP8FnlW6pg==> www.TravelOK.com. 

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Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Dept. | 120 North Robinson | Suite 600 | Oklahoma City | OK | 73102

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