Friday, November 14, 2008

Jacksonville Business Journal - by Marisa Carbone Finotti Correspondent

When Sarah Boren took over the Green Team Project in Jacksonville in late 2001, she admits the going was tough. There just were not a lot of people in Jacksonville back then thinking about being more environmentally friendly, she said.

That's no longer the case.

"There has been a huge shift in consciousness," said Boren, executive director of the Green Team Project, headquartered in the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Center on Norwood Avenue.

Boren described her nonprofit organization as solutions-oriented. It helps residents and small businesses change their environmental behavior and become environmental stewards for a lifetime.

"We're not green and white in terms of black and white," said Boren, a California native who earned a master's degree in environmental management from Duke University.

For those interested in being greener at home, the nonprofit meets with small groups of three to 15 people for a series of seven meetings. Each meeting focuses on a different topic: solid waste, transportation, community action, energy usage, chemical usage and water usage. The seventh meeting is a wrap-up and graduation.

Ponte Vedra resident Lynne Paradise took the training through her church and liked the program so much she is now a Green Team coach. Paradise learned there are easy things everyone can do to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

"For instance, we used to use paper napkins. During the course, we switched to cloth. It was an easy action item," Paradise said.

Experts from the Green Team Project also visit workplaces to help owners and employees determine how to make their businesses greener.

Boren said the charge for this type of consultation is figured out on a case-by-case basis.

"It depends on the size of the small business and the needs of the organization," said Boren.

Through Paradise, The Unitarian/Universalist Church of Jacksonville hired Boren to give its sanctuary an environmental assessment. The local church is trying to become certified as a green sanctuary by the national Unitarian/Universalist Church.

Paradise said Boren has been a big help moving the church towards its goal.

"Sarah is quite an asset to the community," Paradise said.

SARAH BOREN

Company: Green Team Project
Title: Executive director
Green efforts: Works with individuals and small businesses to teach them environmentally friendly habits.
Other: Boren is also the secretary of the U.S. Green Building Council's North Florida chapter.
Web: http://www.greenteamproject.org/.