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Nature Conservancy One of 100 Best Green Companies to Work for in Oregon

Recycling and other sustainable office practices lauded by Oregon Business Magazine and City of Portland

Portland, Oregon — July 27, 2009 — The Nature Conservancy is being honored by Oregon Business Magazine as one of the 100 Best Green Companies to Work for in Oregon. The City of Portland is also recognizing the organization with a RecycleWorks award.

The first-ever 100 Best Green Companies selections were determined by an anonymous employee survey and an independent assessment of the company’s sustainability practices. Topics addressed include support for waste reduction, recycling, renewable energy, alternative modes of transportation, and use of nontoxic materials. Nearly 400 companies participated in the project, and surveys were conducted in the fall of 2008.

“Sustainability is crucial to the future of our planet and the people and wildlife it supports,” said Russell Hoeflich, Oregon director for The Nature Conservancy. “But green practices also are key to being a great place to work. Our staff is committed to nature professionally and personally, and I’m proud of our efforts to preserve it — from using energy-efficient office lighting to protecting and restoring important lands and waters.”

The RecycleWorks award is a program of the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development’s Recycle at Work program. Award winners commit to going beyond recycling with activities that range from reducing paper use to purchasing at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled paper.
 
"The Conservancy’s always done curbside recycling,” said Natalie Bennon, grant writer and co-chair of the Conservancy’s Green Team, a staff group committed to making the Conservancy a more environmentally sustainable organization. “Once we added composting and a way to recycle plastic bags and take-out containers, our large dumpster became a recycling bin, and the small bin a trash can."

“We’re very proud to receive the RecycleWorks award,” said Doug Donahue, Oregon director of operations for the Conservancy. “By taking our recycling efforts to the next level, our staff is clearly showing they care about our community, protecting the diversity of life on Earth in the office as well as in the field.”

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. In Oregon, the Conservancy owns or manages 46 nature preserves and has helped protect over 500,000 acres of important habitats, with support from 23,000 member households.

Nature picture credit: Researcher at Sycan Marsh Preserve © Avi Hesterman