News & Articles

04/28/2008
New award to recognize efforts to go 'green'
Business First of Louisville
by Terry Boyd

 

In a state where coal is king, Gill Holland is starting an awards program to recognize outstanding green practices.

Holland, a Louisville-based movie producer and arts and entertainment impresario, is accepting nominations for the inaugural Acorn Awards.

The program is intended to recognize Louisville-based businesses that are practicing sustainable development, managing resources and conserving them with green practices.

Nominations are open through July 30.

The awards are scheduled to be presented Oct. 15 at a "green-tie" dinner to be held at Holland's new "Green Building" headquarters at 732 E. Market St.

Acorn Awards will recognize:

a large corporation making strides to implement more sustainable practices; a small corporation for being on the cutting edge of sustainability practices, or creating innovative products; a nonprofit group; an individual.

Acorn Award panelists include Holland; his wife, Augusta Brown Holland; Mark Appleberry, owner of Sustain LLC, a company that sells clothing and other items from sustainable sources; Lori Beck, founder and director of Ohio Valley Creative Energy, which plans a methane-powered community arts center near the Clark-Floyd Landfill; and Claude Stephens, a green consultant and director of education at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest.

Three finalists will be selected in each category. Holland's businesses will donate $1,000 to each winner's Kentucky-based environmental nonprofit organization of choice.

Seeking a platinum LEED rating

Holland, who recently has released two documentaries about environmental issues, "Mountain Top Removal" and "For the Love of Water," said Kentucky is behind the rest of the nation in green practices.

For example, any new pavement in Chicago has to be permeable to prevent runoff of contaminated water, Holland said. Other states give tax rebates to people installing such items as low-flush toilets and double-paned windows, he said.

Holland said he first considered creating a "Hall of Shame" to spur environmental consciousness. "But I decided, 'No, let's keep it positive.' "

Initially, Acorn Awards will be for Louisville companies, but Holland said he plans to make it a state competition

To nominate a company or individual, e-mail a nomination of 250 words or less to Stephanie Brothers at stephanie@gallerynulu.com. For more information, see Holland's Web sites at: www.thegreenbuilding.net and www.theacornawards.com.

Going for platinum

Gill Holland is converting a once-abandoned East Market Street building into a headquarters for his The Group Entertainment LLC, which includes movie production, a book publisher and an art gallery.

Holland is going for a rare platinum rating for a business, the highest from the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable construction through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification program.

Building to LEED standards adds about 10 percent to construction costs, including about $75,000 in certification paperwork, Holland said.

There is at least one other platinum-rated building in Kentucky. The visitors center at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest has the designation.

 


 

04/25/2008
Nominate a green leader
The Courier Journal
by Diane Heilenman

 

Send no paper. Only e-mails will be accepted for nominations for the new Acorn Awards for Green Leadership, which come with a $1,000 donation to each of four winners' Kentucky-based environmental nonprofit organization of choice.

 

The deadline for applications is July 30. Announcements will be Oct. 15 at a green-tie dinner.

 

The Acorn Awards are supported by the new Green Building at 732 E. Market St., home of Gallery Nulu. Information: (502) 561-1162

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Green Leadership – Individual

Finalists:

Gary Heine

Patrick Piuma

Tim Darst

 

Winner:

Patrick Piuma

           

Green Leadership – Non-Profit

Finalists:           

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

Heine Brothers / Breaking New Grounds

Louisville Energy Alliance

 

Winner:

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

 

Green Leadership – Small Business

Finalists:  (Four Finalists, due to a tie)

Urbane Homes LLC

21c & Proof on Main

Amazing Green Planet

Eco-Cell

 

Winner:

21c & Proof on Main

           

Green Leadership – Large Business

Finalists:

UPS

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Baptist Hospital East

 

Winner:

UPS

 

04/28/2008
New award to recognize efforts to go 'green'
Business First of Louisville
by Terry Boyd

04/25/2008
Nominate a green leader
The Courier Journal
by Diane Heilenman

 

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