ECO-Leader Designation Questionnaire The ECO-Leader Designation provides recognition for environmentally-conscientious businesses that use best management practices to lessen their footprint on the Maurice River Watershed. Designated Eco-Leaders are committed to preserving community health and promoting economic growth by making a concerted effort to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, manage storm water ecologically, improve water and soil quality, and create habitat. Read the checklist. Respond "yes" or "no" regarding whether you have incorporated these eco-friendly actions into your land management routine or included green infrastructure on your property. Each yes answer is the equivalent of one stewardship point, while no responses represent opportunities to expand on your best management practices. Prospective candidates for designation are those who answer yes to multiple actions in one or more categories and are working on expanding their stewardship in others. Business Name Name of Contact Property Address City E-mail Phone Eligibility Is your company interested in protecting the community's environmental health and economic vitality? Yes No None Based on the map below, is your place of business located within the Maurice River Watershed? Yes No None 1. Energy ConservationWe are lowering our footprint on air and water quality by... If you answered yes to both questions, your business is eligible for ECO-friendly designation. Answer the questions below to apply. conducting yearly maintenance of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems Yes No None changing or cleaning HVAC filters every 30 days during peak use months Yes No None blocking western and eastern windows from direct sun during summer by using awnings, shade trees, exterior solar screens, and/or solar films Yes No None lowering or turning off the heating or air-conditioning when no one is in the facility Yes No None turning off lights when not in use or installing motion-sensor lights and/or energy-efficient exit signs Yes No None reminding employees to turn off computers and other electronics at night Yes No None using natural daylight when possible Yes No None replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs Yes No None upgrading from T12 fluorescent light bulbs to T8s or T5s Yes No None reducing light pollution (i.e. shielded lighting) and energy waste from over-lighting of parking area Yes No None reducing light pollution (i.e. shielded lighting) and energy waste from over-lighting of parking area Yes No None updating kitchen appliances with energy-efficient models when replacement is needed Yes No None installing a Cool Roof that reflects solar energy better than standard black roofs and reduces energy used for cooling Yes No None increasing daylighting (natural light) by adding windows, skylights, solar tubes, and/or reconfiguring offices Yes No None choosing light-colored paints and materials for walls, floors, and ceilings to increase daylighting efficiency Yes No None controlling daylight glare through the use of blinds, sun shades, light shelves, etc Yes No None purchasing Green Power from your local utility Yes No None 2. Water Conservation We preserve local drinking water supplies by... OUTDOORS reducing grass cover and choosing native plants that require little watering Yes No None watering remaining grass on an as-needed basis versus a set schedule Yes No None watering before 9 am or after sunset Yes No None avoiding watering on very hot, windy or rainy days Yes No None periodically checking that in-ground sprinklers are watering intended areas Yes No None installing an irrigation system that is controlled by a moisture-sensing device Yes No None collecting rainwater to be used in watering planting beds Yes No None installing riparian buffers along water bodies with native vegetation Yes No None bringing company vehicle(s) on an as-needed basis to a car wash that recycles water Yes No None ensuring that grounds keepers leave grass and leaf clippings in place, raise lawn mowers to 3-4 inches high, and sweep instead of using water to clean pathways and driveways Yes No None INDOORS conducting a company water use audit to understand where water demand can be reduced Yes No None prioritizing the repair of leaking faucets, pipes, and toilets Yes No None taking pointed actions to curb overall employee water waste indoors Yes No None updating and maintaining cooling and heating systems to minimize water needs and save energy Yes No None installing aerators and low-flow or motion-sensing faucets in bathroom and kitchen areas Yes No None replacing outdated toilets and urinals with more water-efficient ones Yes No None using tap water and/or a water filter instead of bottled drinking water Yes No None purchasing products/furnishings produced with renewable energy and recycled materials Yes No None 3. Reducing Water PollutionWe reduce the amount of contamination flowing off the property by... ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING reducing lawn cover by planting native species that require fewer pesticides and fertilizers Yes No None using native trees for shade tree considerations Yes No None maintaining the health of mature trees, thereby extending their longevity Yes No None reducing use of chemical fertilizers by testing soil before deciding on a fertilizer, calibrating spreader before each use, following label instructions, switching to organic alternatives, and cleaning spills immediately and/or confirming that the lawn service provider is following these basic eco-friendly practices Yes No None reducing the use of chemical herbicides by employing organic products to spot treat only, and/or weeding by hand, and/or requiring the lawn service provider to use these options Yes No None reducing the use of pesticides by adopting integrated pest management (IPM) practices, or prioritizing the use of IPM when choosing a pest management company Yes No None GREEN PARKING LOT maximizing green area in parking lots through replacing rarely used parking spots with native flowers, bushes, and trees and/or turf grids Yes No None removing exotic flora species and replacing them with native ones and/or planting bare areas with native flora Yes No None shading paved areas with native large canopy trees Yes No None creating planting islands and perimeter gardens using native plants Yes No None installing planting boxes with native flowers, trees, and bushes along sidewalks Yes No None avoiding the use of road salts after snowfall and selecting salt-free de-icers Yes No None keeping snow piles at least 100’ away from streams and floodplains, and piling snow in areas that will allow the melt to soak into the ground Yes No None scheduling street sweeping to remove residual salts from parking areas Yes No None RUN-OFF REDUCTION promoting the flow of rainwater off paved areas into bio-retention areas like bio-swales, storm water planter boxes, tree trenches, rain gardens, planting islands, and native flora perimeter gardens Yes No None replacing impermeable surfaces with porous ones like pavers, plastic grids, and porous asphalt/concrete, or using these options in original design Yes No None including curb cuts to allow water to run into green areas Yes No None incorporating depressions along remaining impermeable surfaces and using native plants to enhance them Yes No None using landscape contours to keep storm water perking into the soil Yes No None disconnecting downspouts and extending them into garden beds or installing a downspout planter(s) Yes No None using rain barrels/cisterns to catch water from downspouts and reusing it in green areas Yes No None storing de-icing material on pads and under cover away from rain and storm water flow paths and storm drains Yes No None monitoring septic tanks annually and servicing them every 3-5 years Yes No None INDOORS switching to biodegradable and/or organic hygiene products and cleaning agents Yes No None disposing of medicines, paints, cleaners, oils, and other contaminants properly Yes No None 4. Creating Stop-over Habitat Between Natural AreasOur facility or property provides shelter, food and water for native wildlife communities by… SHELTER re-creating the characteristics of nearby natural habitat on the property Yes No None building a brush pile Yes No None installing, maintaining, and monitoring avian nesting boxes Yes No None leaving leaf litter and dried plants on the property over winter as mulch Yes No None planting native flora species Yes No None maintaining or planting a layered arboretum Yes No None leaving dead and/or fallen trees to decay when safe Yes No None FOOD reducing lawn cover and replacing it with native nectar plants Yes No None planting native flora species that are hosts for specialized fauna species Yes No None incorporating a variety of native vines, trees, and bushes that bear fruits and berries Yes No None planting native flora species that provide a source of seeds and nuts, and leaving them to stand through the hard winter months Yes No None planting native flora species that bear cones and sap Yes No None WATER installing vernal pool(s) (a fishless pond simulating natural aquatic habitat that dries up each season to fill up again in the spring) Yes No None maintaining a variety of birdbaths throughout the year, changing water every 5 days to avoid mosquito breeding Yes No None ERADICATING INVASIVE SPECIES buying only native flora species and no exotic varieties Yes No None researching the native range, benefits, and disadvantages of each new flora species incorporated into the business’s landscaping Yes No None removing invasive flora species and disposing of them appropriately Yes No None supporting local native plant nurseries Yes No None keeping gutters clean and free of standing water to avoid breeding mosquitoes Yes No None 5. Creating a Culture of Watershed StewardshipWe make a difference for community health by… making an effort to share our green infrastructure initiatives with other business and large tract owners Yes No None being an advocate for water protection with peers, staff, customers, and visitors Yes No None creating an energy-efficient work culture by engaging the employees in an ongoing dialogue about energy conservation Yes No None supporting policies promoting watershed health, preservation of natural areas, and the fight against climate change Yes No None volunteering or donating to local watershed and environmental organizations Yes No None Time's up Next Post
