FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kitsap County Announces Earth Day Award Winners

Each year Kitsap County recognizes individuals, organizations, and business for their notable contributions to the environment in Kitsap County. This year the Earth Day awards presentation will take place on April 23 at the Board of County Commissioners regular televised meeting at the Kitsap County Administration Building in Port Orchard. 

(Photo Op)
There will be a reception immediately following the presentation in the Administration Building’s main lobby. The press is invited to meet this year’s winners.

The winners are as follows:

Clean Kitsap Award—Frank Salazar 
Frank has diligently picked up litter along Indianola and West Kingston Road in North Kitsap since the inception of Kitsap County’s Adopt-a-Road program. He also frequently calls in illegally dumped material on the right-of-way and surrounding properties. During 2006, he volunteered 36.5 hours to the Adopt-a-Road program and collected 74 bags of litter, equaling approximately 520 pounds of litter! Adding the many times he has cleaned the same sections of road, Frank has cleaned a road equal to 31 miles. Frank not only picks up litter on his own, but he has inspired others to make Kitsap County a cleaner place. Several other individuals have signed up for the Adopt-a-Road program solely due to seeing him out picking up the roads they travel everyday. 

Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability—Stephanie Bailey
Stephanie is someone whose lifestyle reflects her strong belief in environmental protection. At home, she has reduced water runoff by removing impervious surfaces on her property. She has replanted her backyard with native wildflowers and wildlife-friendly vegetation, which are drought tolerant, and allows her to not water her lawn. She protects the wildlife by ensuring her property is pesticide/herbicide/conventional fertilizer-free. She disposes of food wastes in a worm bin, which provides castings and worm tea for use on her fruit and vegetable garden. Within her home, conventional cleaning agents and personal hygiene products have been replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives. Stephanie is an active member of the Great Peninsula Conservancy and three years ago she was appointed by the Mayor of Port Orchard to serve as the City’s representative to the Kitsap County Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Stephanie works for the Environmental Protection Agency in Manchester and has inspired her co-workers with her environmental commitment helping them to “walk the talk” by providing volunteer opportunities to make everyday Earth Day. She continually considers the impacts her choices and behaviors will have on the environment and acts accordingly. 

Best Hazardous Waste Reduction program—Fabricare Cleaners
Fabricare Cleaners in Bremerton is Kitsap County’s first 5-star Envirostars certified dry cleaner. They use a dry cleaning system that uses a non-toxic hydrocarbon cleaning solvent (HCS) rather than the conventional solvent used by most dry cleaners. They also use very few spot cleaners and when they do, they use them sparingly. In addition, the owner, Dan Lewis, constantly looks for innovative ways to reduce waste and reuse products. They reduce solid waste by recycling hangers, reusing or recycling plastic garment bags, and donating uncollected clothing to a local women’s shelter. Fabricare Cleaners also educates customers and employees about their commitment to protecting the environment by including information on customer orders about their non-toxic cleaning methods. Their employees are trained on how to properly dispose of their own household hazardous waste

Environmental Education (Schools)—Voyager Montessori Elementary School
Staff at Voyager Montessori have adopted the Earth Charter as part of their overall school curriculum. Their environmental curriculum focuses on the four components of the Earth Charter: 1) Respect and care for the community of life, 2) Ecological integrity, 3) Social and economic justice, and 4) Democracy, non-violence, and peace. To kick off the new curriculum, the staff began an Ecological Integrity Project with their students. Each student was given an oversized sealable bag to take home, and fill with his or her trash. All trash was then brought back to the school, weighed, and data was gathered to give a clear idea of the impact of throwing stuff away. They decided that they could make less garbage by recycling more and composting. The staff and students recycle their papers, bottles, cans, cardboard, and even compost their lunches. Students began creating bokashi compost to use in their strawberry fields and are excited to see in June how the compost from their food waste has nourished their strawberry plants. 

Environmental Education (Community)—Wet Apple Media 
Wet Apple Media has been in the publishing industry locally since 1979. Within the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, they publish an environmental section in an effort to educate the business community on issues important to preserving our environment and conserving natural resources. In WestSound Home & Garden magazine, they regularly feature articles on ways to protect our environment. These include educational articles on environmentally friendly gardening techniques, low-impact design, how to reduce and properly manage household hazardous waste, and methods to minimize stormwater runoff with rain gardens. Wet Apple Media also prints all of their magazines (WestSound Home & Garden, Remodel Kitsap, and Kitsap Peninsula Builder) on high-quality, recycled paper and uses soy-based inks. In house, they implemented a comprehensive recycling program including paper, cardboard, aluminum cans and plastic bottles, and focused on waste reduction by using electronic forms of communication wherever possible. 

Excellence in Environmental Leadership—Kyle Cruver
Kyle Cruver has been a mover in shaker in Kitsap County for several years, from hosting compost classes at his previous business, Café Destino, to organizing Kitsap County’s first biodiesel conference. Last year he helped organize the first Kitsap Earth Day, a celebration of local efforts with speakers and exhibits about alternative energy, alternatives to toxics, green building, and other cutting edge environmental topics at the Norm Dicks Center. Again bringing his commitment to community, Kyle was the campaign chair for Kitsap Community Resources’ new LEED certified green office building and little over a week ago he was instrumental in organizing a march in Bremerton to bring awareness to Climate Action Day. Green Film Fridays at the Norm Dicks Center in Bremerton are another of Kyle’s efforts to bring environmental awareness to Kitsap residents. His dedication and skill in planning community events has provided an effective, convenient way for the citizens of Kitsap County to learn how they can make a difference.

Green Building— Alder House, (Kinley Deller, homeowner) 
One of the primary goals behind the design and construction of Alder House was to demonstrate to local residents and builders that right-sized, cost-competitive, environmentally responsible homes are possible to build. Alder House, located in Kingston, was designed from the outset to minimize its impact on natural resources. Many of the building materials were salvaged, made from recycled content, or came from a third-party certified sustainable forest. During the design and construction phase, many steps were taken to reduce the amount of waste generated by the project. Plastic wrap, metal, and cardboard were recycled, shipping pallets were reused, and sawdust was composted. In the construction of the house, recycled content countertops, glass tiles, and wallboards were used. The house is off-grid with a 1.4 KW solar electric system. Energy Star or equivalent appliances as well as compact fluorescent bulbs are used throughout. This house is being used as an educational tool to promote energy efficient options to others. This is an example of how a house can be created to be a home and have minimal impact on the Earth. 

Waste Wi$e Kitsap Award—Administrative Services
Each year, an employee, committee, or department is honored by the Waste Wi$e Kitsap program for their efforts to prevent waste, increase recycling, conserve water and electricity, and use more environmentally protective products. Administrative Services has been selected as the recipient of the 7th Annual Waste Wi$e Kitsap Award. Staff worked with suppliers to make environmentally preferred purchasing easier, properly managed and tracked electronics recycling, cut down on unwanted junk mail, coordinated a waste reduction training for two departments, and managed their own and other department’s surplus.

Lifetime Achievement Award—Don Palmer
Don Palmer has been a superhero in the world of garbage and recycling. He has always tried to provide the best service for his customers and has made the name of his company, Bainbridge Disposal, synonymous with premium recycling programs.

In the early days of curbside recycling, many communities found themselves in arguments with the garbage collection companies. Often, the long established companies were resistant to the idea of adding recycling service to their garbage collection routes. For some of them, it was too difficult to make changes, and for some, they just didn’t want to complicate their operations. Don was just the opposite. He jumped into recycling service with enthusiasm and was way ahead of many of his fellow hauling companies.

In Kitsap County, the cities, Tribes, and Navy all work together to plan the solid waste management system. The City of Bainbridge Island asked Don to represent them on our planning projects. The coordinated system of garbage and recycling facilities, household hazardous waste service, and litter collection programs all have Don’s opinions woven throughout them. 

When we first heard of Don’s passing, our first reaction was of disbelief. We could not imagine our daily solid waste world without Don’s participation. He was such a major part of all that we work on. We are awarding this posthumous Earth Day award to honor his diligent efforts to provide environmentally excellent services and his contributions to our community.

Kitsap County Clean Water Partner Awards
The Kitsap County Clean Water Partner Awards are given to Kitsap citizens, community groups and businesses that have partnered with the Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management Program to improve local water quality. The four agencies funded through the program are Kitsap County Public Works, Kitsap County Department of Community Development, Kitsap County Health District, and Kitsap Conservation District. Each agency has chosen a recipient based on their participation and cooperation with that agency’s responsibilities in relation to water quality.

Stormwater—Costco Incorporated, Silverdale
This award is given to the owner of a privately maintained stormwater system in unincorporated Kitsap County who has consistently cooperated with Kitsap County to ensure their system is functioning at or above county standards.

This year’s award goes to Costco Incorporated. Costco Silverdale has consistently maintained their extensive on-site stormwater system on a yearly basis. Costco has a maintenance schedule to insure their system is in good working condition. When a deficiency in their system has been found whether it is on site or off site they have, without hesitation, worked to correct the problem. 

Agriculture—Nikki and Allen Johanson
The award from Kitsap Conservation District is given to the owner of a farm in unincorporated Kitsap County who has consistently cooperated with the Conservation District to ensure their farming system is functioning to serve conservation and sustainable farming. 

This year’s award goes to Nikki and Allen Johanson who operate Pheasant Fields Farm in Silverdale, a homestead since 1885 that has been farmed by the family since the early 1900's. The farm sells its products in farmers' markets and through a subscription program called a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Some of the most beautiful vegetables, eggs, chicken, and beef come from the 15 acre site. Nikki is a member of local farm groups and a strong supporter of conservation and sustainable farming methods. She has installed a large structure to compost waste from the garden and chickens, returning it to productive soil. Theirs is a terrific example of active conservation farming in our county.

Stream Team—Bill Wilson and his advanced placement students at Central Kitsap High School
The Kitsap County Stream Team recognizes the outstanding contributions provided by local citizens who are committed to environmental education and natural resource conservation by promoting stewardship of our water resources. This award is given to an individual, student association, business or community group who has consistently demonstrated a positive example of stewardship with regard to water quality, stormwater management, stream habitat, wetlands, lakes, and nearshore habitats.

It has been Stream Team’s utmost pleasure to work with and receive outstanding support from Bill Wilson and his advanced placement students at Central Kitsap High School, all of whom strive to set a positive example of stewardship with regard to water quality, conservation, and habitat improvement

Septic System Repair— Peter and Laurie Dawson
This award is given to an individual or business that exemplifies the responsibility and the commitment that are necessary to protect Kitsap County surface and ground waters from contamination from failing septic systems.

When Peter and Laurie Dawson of Seabeck were notified by the Health District that their septic system was failing and impacting Hood Canal, and that their old dug well was contaminated and had to be properly abandoned and replaced with a new drilled well, they moved swiftly to make the necessary repairs. The design and installation of the new septic system and well was extremely stressful, but they kept a positive attitude and corrected the problems in a timely fashion. 

Kitsap County Public Works
The Open Line
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
openline@co.kitsap.wa.us