Slideshow of some of Rock's adventures...

A few of Rock's international projects.

Britt Hosmer - britt@rockenvironmental.com

www.flickr.com/photos/rockenvironmental/

Eco-Friendly Suppliers for the Hospitality Industry

Products and Services

Ecolab
Ecolab is the world's leading provider of cleaning, food safety, and health protection products and services for the hospitality, foodservice, healthcare, and industrial markets. With more than 4,000 patents worldwide and direct operations in nearly 70 country, Ecolab blends eco-friendly practices with cutting edge technology to revolutionize your operations, no matter where the in the world you hold your business. To learn more, click here.

Grainger
Grainger carries facility maintenance and cleaning products that help reduce energy usage, conserve water, improve indoor air quality, and reduce waste. From light bulbs to power monitoring test equipment, to cleaning chemicals and microfiber they can help you operate in more sustainable ways to help save you time and money in the process. Green products include those certified by ENERGY STAR®, Green Seal™, Green Guard®, EPA’s WaterSense® & NEMA Premium®. They also carry products that can help your facilities’ recycling initiatives. Visit a local branch or online www.grainger.com/green for more details.

HD Supply
HD Supply delivers maintenance and housekeeping products to the hospitality industry with a wealth of everyday products, and is committed to doing business in a socially responsible manner. Whether you need light bulbs, showerheads, or towels, their new ideallygreen™ icon makes it easy to identify environmentally preferable products both in catalogs and at hdsupplysolutions.com. Products marked with the ideallygreen icon can increase energy efficiency, help reduce water consumption, create a healthier indoor environment, facilitate waste reduction, and prevent hazardous materials from entering the environment. Visit www.ideallygreen.com for more details.

INNCOM
INNCOM develops energy management systems (EMS) for energy savings and increased guest comfort. Systems range from low-cost standalone products, including the ENERGY STAR-qualified e4 Smart Digital Thermostat, to advanced, centrally-controlled systems. INNCOM also offers the award-winning ecoMODE option. With ecoMODE, guests simply press the Green Button on the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat or other INNCOM Integrated Room Automation System (IRAS) device to instantly trigger an energy-conservation mode and opt into the hotel’s sustainability program. INNCOM’s commitment to the environment extends beyond energy savings. All products are manufactured RoHS compliant and INNCOM’s manufacturing partners are ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems certified.

Pineapple Hospitality
Pineapple Hospitality offers green products, marketing programs and services for the lodging industry. Product categories include: amenities, energy efficiency projects, water conservation, and waste reduction/recycling products. Marketing includes: EcoRooms & EcoSuites (www.EcoRooms.com) and FreshStay (www.FreshStay.com). Services include Custom Linen and Towel Re-use (www.CustomLinenReuse.com).

Purely Organic Lawncare
Purely Organic Lawncare creates all natural organic products for lawns, trees and shrubs, from soil amendments and fertilizers, to insect and disease management. With nothing harmful added, they provide safe, environmentally-friendly choices appropriate for hotels, resorts, and golf courses. Products are pathogen-free and are safe around children, pets, and wildlife. Bare feet too! They do soil testing and tailor programs designed to fit within budgets, and take climate and location into consideration. Consulting services, equipment purchases, and training for your operations team is available. Call Annie Keller at 617-894-1417 for more information.

The Refinishing Touch
The Refinishing Touch® is a world leader in providing on-site environmentally safe, furniture refinishing, reupholstery and armoire modification. It enables its 20,000 customers across the following markets; hospitality, academia and government to save up to 80% of their budgets and maintain environmental sustainability. Services comprise furniture refinishing, reupholstery, armoire modification and re-engineering, granite and fabric selection through the Touch Textiles division. The company operates with processes that are odorless, non-toxic, non-flammable, and environmentally-safe, enabling immediate room re-occupancy. For more information, contact us at 800-523-9448 or sales@therefinishingtouch.com.

Save Your World
Save Your World® offers a hotel/spa amenity line of products designed to provide the hotel/spa industry all-natural personal care products made with organic aloe vera and organic yerba maté. Save Your World is established in conservation arenas and all-natural personal care products by partnering with Conservation International and national retailers such as Whole Foods Market and Vitamin Shoppe. With your partnership, the project will help protect 200,000 acres of both rainforest and aquatic habitat along the Essequibo River in Guyana. Click here to learn more about Save Your World’s environmental mission, eco-friendly packaging, and all-natural ingredients.

Southern Aluminum
Southern Aluminum created the ‘lightweight trend’ for folding banquet and training tables over 30 years ago. Because of the versatility of aluminum, their products offer weight efficiency, durability, and sustainability. Tables contain recycled aluminum and are completely recyclable when you determine the end of their lifecycle. In 2006, Southern Aluminum received the Evergreen Award in the Furniture category by the GSA National Furniture Center (NFC). This program recognizes efforts in recycling, affirmative procurement and waste reduction. Visit www.hospitalitytable.com to learn more.

Programs

Burton Energy Group
Excluding labor, energy is typically the highest cost that hoteliers face. However, more efficient purchasing, process management, equipment and systems can be used to lower energy usage throughout a property. If you represent more than 2,000 rooms, across one or more properties, click here to find out how Burton Energy Group can drastically reduce your energy costs. AH&LA corporate members save 20%, and 100% of Burton Energy Group's clients have realized a positive ROI.

Green Globe Benchmarking and Certification
Green Globe is the premier international benchmarking and certification program for the hospitality industry based on the Agenda 21 principles of Sustainable Development. Green Globe Benchmarking and Certification provides a framework for managing sustainability programs and a measurement tool that enables performance monitoring and improvement.

Maintenance USA
Maintenance USA provides the hospitality industry a cost savings approach to purchasing maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products. In addition, they can help you develop and maintain a plan to “green” your property at the pace that is right for you. EcoSourceSM, Maintenance USA's newly developed green purchasing program, consists of more than 800 green products that collectively span each of the United States Green Building Council’s MRO related categories for sustainable buildings: Energy and Atmosphere, Water Conservation, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Materials Selection. To learn more about EcoSource call 877-ECO-SRCE, or visit www.e-musa.com to view the EcoSource catalog.

Project Planet
Project Planet is the hospitality industry's leader in environmental linens and towels re-use programs. This program revolves around asking guests to use their bed linens and towels more than once. When guests participate (usually between 68-72% do), hotels save money in reduced water, energy, labor, detergent, and sheet/towel replacement costs. Project Planet assists in this effort by providing interested properties with the in-room materials to support this effort. Click here to learn more. To access their Environmental Self-Audit Checklist, click here.

Uniguest
Uniguest is now an official authorized EPEAT reseller. EPEAT is an organization that operates a certification program to ensure electronic products meet specific environmental or green standards. With their new green computer packages they can help guide property managers to choose green computer solutions for their lobbies and guest rooms helping hotels support their environmental initiatives.

American Hotel & Lodging Association, 2009

Britt Hosmer, LEED AP
britt@rockenvironmental.com

Rock to attend dinner in D.C.

Rock Environmental, LLC's president, Brittany Hosmer has been invited to attend the International Conservation Caucus Foundation's (ICCF) dinner on October 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C. The dinner is honoring His Serene Highness the Sovereign Prince of Monaco Albert II with the ICCF Teddy Roosevelt® Conservation Award. In recognition of his leadership in biodiversity and water conservation and his establishment of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation which promotes the sustainable and equitable management of natural resources and places the individual at the center of its projects.



The cost of the event is not being paid for by a lobbyist or an organization employing a lobbyist. This event intends to meet all of the requirements to qualify as a widely-attended event.

More information on the ICCF:
www.iccfoundation.us

MISSION — To educate U.S. policymakers and the world’s political and business leaders on the vital links between good natural resource management and sustainable economic development, poverty alleviation and regional security.

OUR GOAL — To be a catalyst for consensus on international conservation policy across party lines and between the public and private sectors to increase the scale and effectiveness of U.S. government support for good natural resource management worldwide.

WE BELIEVE — As America has exported freedom, democracy, and free enterprise, we have the ability and the interest to see that America also exports good natural resource management. Conservation is compatible with development. Stewardship of natural resources is fundamental to poverty alleviation, conflict avoidance, good governance, and regional security. We are convinced that it is in America’s national interest to expand its leadership in the world to promote sound, long-term policies of sustainable land, water, and biodiversity management.

Sustainable Suppliers

How do you make sure your company's suppliers are sustainable?

What if you had the suppliers address some questions that will drive their sustainability performance both now and in the future? Here are some questions that might help them address sustainability:

Do you coordinate your operational risk management efforts with your sustainability efforts?
Do you have a business continuity plan that is linked both to your operational risk management program and your sustainability effort?
Do you have an active engagement program that you use to determine the interests of your key stakeholders?
Are you making compliance with legal and other requirements (i.e., environment, health & safety, social and financial) part of how EVERY employee does his or her job every day?
Do you use an integrated management system to make sustainability a key component in how you operate your business rather than having it work as a peripheral activity?
Are you using "leading indicators" (i.e., from a formal operational excellence program) to drive your sustainability efforts instead of relying on the lagging indicators found in the Global Reporting Initiative and other sustainability indices?
Are you scoring the performance you are making on the areas covered by your leading indicators and lagging indicators and reporting your performance to your key stakeholders?
Are you quantifying the continual improvement made within your sustainability program with a single score?
Are all three responsibilities (i.e., environmental stewardship, social equity and well being and financial prosperity) integrated in your sustainability program?
Do you require your contractors and suppliers to adhere to a "Code of Conduct" that helps them operationalize sustainability in their businesses?

For each of these questions, the supplier should provide a written "approach" to the performance category. They should then suggest how they are "deploying" that approach. Next they will provide some of the results (lagging indicators, including those in the sustainability index) of their approach and deployment. Finally they will report on the improvements that have been made in their sustainability effort.

Robert B. Pojasek, Ph.D., is the sustainability practice leader at Capaccio Environmental Engineering and an internationally recognized expert on the topic of business sustainability and process improvement.

www.rockenvironmental.com

June 2009 - Friedkin Conservation Fund Newsletter

2nd Quarter 2009 Newsletter: June 2009

Anti-Poaching
Microlight Pilot Appointment
FCF’s microlight division recently hired a second pilot, Doug Braum. Doug brings years of bush experience to the organization and we look forward to working with him. He will compliment an already efficient component of our anti-poaching division and should further streamline our field operations. Happy flying Doug!



Msima Operation
As the bush continues to dry up following a late rainy season, the teams should continue to improve and make further inroads. The Maswa and Ugalla Game Reserves now have two full-time RAT teams patrolling and the presence of 2 microlights will also have a positive effect on operations. A special operation is being undertaken in the Msima area of the Ugalla Game Reserve: joint efforts between the Wildlife Division Game Wardens, members of the specialized Zonal Anti-poaching Unit and FCF rangers and pilots will focus on a notoriously dangerous area in an attempt to snuff out elephant and hippo poaching in the Reserve.

We are at the halfway point in 2009 and the following reflect our field personnel’s efforts so far this year:

853 poachers have been arrested
27 firearms, including 9 automatic weapons, have been confiscated
Community Development
Mzuri Wildlife Foundation Tree Project and Hobby Tree Project
Through the generous support of the Mzuri Wildlife Foundation, FCF is preparing to implement a $30,000 environmental education and reforestation program in 30 schools in three districts of western Tanzania near the Moyowosi Ecosystem. This program will focus on environmental education through workshops with student groups in each school together with establishment of indigenous tree nurseries which will be run by the student groups.



A similar project is already underway through the generous support of the Hobby family. Environmental workshops have been held and tree nurseries are being established in 12 secondary schools near the Ugalla, Maswa and Natron/Monduli wildlife areas.

In order to raise awareness on the FCF reforestation programs, Aurelia Mtui represented FCF as the guest of honor to open the National Malihai Club Conference on the 10th of June 2009, attended by student representatives from across the country. Malihai Clubs of Tanzania is the organization under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division that disseminates conservation education to Tanzanian youth in schools. There is a strong effort to expand the reach of the Malihai Clubs and through the tree nursery program FCF is working closely with these student Environmental Clubs to start up indigenous tree nurseries for planting at the schools and in the wider community.



Natron Villages
FCF has been facilitating the negotiations of an agreement between the Maasai villages of Natron Game Controlled Area and Wengert Windrose Safaris (WWS). This agreement reestablishes the partnership between the public and private stakeholders. FCF community development has played an important role in mediating and negotiating on behalf of WWS in the hope of reaching an agreement which provides tangible benefits to the community from hunting and photographic operations in the Natron Area while allowing the company to operate on community land. This agreement, which involves 16 villages in northern Maasailand is awaiting final confirmation and signing from all the villages. FCF is pleased to have played a role in reestablishing the mutually beneficial partnership. FCF recognizes the importance of engaging the community in development and wildlife conservation and we are pleased to have reached this stage in maintaining positive relationships with the communities.



Brittany Hosmer
FCF is pleased to welcome Brittany Hosmer to the FCF team. Brittany is the President of Rock Environmental LLC, which provides businesses with the solutions and strategies enabling them to become more profitable through efficient and creative environmentally sound practices. Brittany will be working with FCF in fundraising, donor relations and on-the-ground implementation of projects to expand our impact in community development.

Brittany grew up on the coast of Maine and started her work in southern Africa in 2000 for a small, family owned and operated safari company. Brittany's experiences in tourism led to further involvement in wildlife conservation and community development in Africa. She is actively involved with organizations like Safari Club International Foundation and Shikar Safari Club.

Brittany holds a Bachelor’s of Technology Degree (B.Tech, Hons.) in Ecotourism Management (Natural Sciences and Business Management) from Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa. She is also a LEED Accredited Professional.

Community Conservation Banks (COCOBAs)
FCF Community Development is focusing increasingly on programs which have a direct link to conservation and empower individuals in a community. This year, through the community development funds allocated from hunting revenue generated in 2008, FCF is planning to establish COCOBAs in several villages surrounding the reserves.

The concept of COCOBA savings and credit groups has developed out of the micro-finance movement and has proved to be a highly successful tool for empowerment and poverty alleviation as well as a forum for conservation through eco-friendly enterprise initiatives.

Research


Surveys: 2009
We have been planning our surveys for this year, which will take place over the upcoming months. In August we will begin with a lion survey in the Moyowosi Game Reserve, using calling stations to estimate numbers and population dynamics. This survey will be followed in mid-September by a total count of buffalo and elephant in Ugalla Game Reserve. The survey season for 2009 will end with an SRF in Muhesi-Kizigo. These surveys will be performed in close collaboration with TAWIRI. Petri Viljoen will be joining us for these surveys, providing us with his numerous years of experience as a consultant in Africa.

Mike Beckner has become the latest member of FCF to be certified as an official game counter, as he completed the TAWIRI-certified game counting course in June. We look forward to his assistance over the upcoming surveys.

Field Database
The field database is nearing completion, and we are now on the testing stage of the process. After successful testing of the database we will begin the time-consuming task of data entry. We would like to use local graduates as volunteers for this task, introducing them to the types of data that are important in managing a conservation fund.

Green Stereotypes

A new national study of green consumers is busting the stereotypes about them: The environment is not their top concern, their kids are not influencing them to be green, and while many know what they should do to save the planet, they often don’t do it. As a result, messages aimed at them often fall on deaf ears ...

Our Green Living Pulse study published last week, and our PR team has done such a good job of boiling down a few of the key findings, that I’m literally stealing from their press release here.

First, though, a bit of context. Shelton Group conducts four national consumer studies a year to keep our finger on the pulse of shifting attitudes and behaviors around energy and the environment. We use these insights to fuel the development of our advertising and communications work for our clients.

Aramark to Add 50 Green Vehicles to Uniform Services Fleet
GreenBiz Weekly Roundup: Biofuel Boom Fizzles, a Deluge of Water Data and More
Has the Balloon Burst for Inflatable Electric Cars?
Who's the Greenest Generation? New Study Finds Out Who Isn't...
Retailers to Develop Green Rating System for Port Truck Fleets We’ve noticed that about 3/4 of the population consistently pops up as participating in at least some green attitudes and behaviors, and the Earthsense Eco-Insights study confirmed this.

So we reached out to the 77 percent of the population identified as green buyers in the most recent Eco-Insights study of 30,000 consumers and probed deeper on knowledge vs. behaviors, attitudes and messaging responsiveness. Through the course of our study, we busted six big myths that marketers have long held true about green consumers:

1. Myth: Green consumers’ top concern is the environment.

When asked to identify their top concern, the economy, by far, is No. 1 (with 59 percent calling it their top concern) and the environment falls far behind (8 percent).

2. Myth: Green consumers’ main motivation when reducing their energy use is to save the planet.

When asked the most important reason to reduce energy consumption, 73 percent chose “to reduce my bills/control costs” and only 26 percent chose “to lessen my impact on the environment.”

3. Myth: Green consumers are all-knowledgeable about environmental issues.

For example, the survey asked, “From what you have read or heard about CO2 (carbon dioxide) please place a check beside any of the following statements you think are true.” Almost half (49 percent) chose the incorrect answer, “It depletes the ozone layer.”

4. Myth: Green consumers fall into a simple demographic profile.

While the study detected some demographic tendencies, it found that green consumers aren’t easily defined by their age, income or ethnicity. Instead, the survey found that green consumers generally share one of two mindsets. The Engaged Green Mindset is marked by optimism, extroversion, and a propensity to try new things -- and is more likely to respond to themes of innovation and possibility. The Mainstream Green Mindset is more pessimistic, introverted and apt to like things known and tried -- responding to themes of security and reliability.

5. Myth: Children play a big part in influencing their parents to be green.

Only 20 percent of respondents with children said their kids encouraged them to be greener -- promoting recycling and turning off the lights, for example.

6. Myth: If people just knew the facts they’d make greener choices.

Green Living Pulse shows that knowledge does not always lead to behavior. Individuals who answered all of the science questions correctly did report participating in a significantly higher average number of green activities -- such as driving a fuel-efficient car or lowering their thermostat. However, the 25-34 age group consistently answered the question correctly, yet, on average, their green activity levels were lower than those of older respondents.

The moral of the story is this: Many marketers and, frankly, advertising agencies, are stereotyping green consumers and embracing many of these myths as fact. If green messages were simply better targeted, more people would be buying green products, conserving electricity and doing more to save the planet. If you’ve got a green ad campaign in the market now and you don’t feel like it’s driving inquiries the way it should, it’s a good bet it’s because the campaign is founded on myth rather than fact.

Suzanne C. Shelton is founder, president and CEO of Shelton Group, an advertising agency focused exclusively on motivating mainstream consumers to make sustainable choices. She writes a blog at http://www.sheltongroupinc.com/blog/, where this piece originally appeared.

Consulting in northern Tanzania

June 20-July 4, 2009
Wildlife Conservation, Humanitarian, & Private Anti-poaching Programs
www.friedkinfund.org


The "Boardroom". Meeting with villagers about the establishment of COCOBAs (Community Conservation Bank). A simple savings/credit system designed for rural communities to create conservation-focused entrepreneurial ventures.


The middle of Nowhere, TZ. On the highway back to Arusha.


Britt Hosmer meeting with FCF sponsored school children in the Maswa area of Tanzania.

Class of 2009 – Graduation Commencement Speech

07 June 2009
North Yarmouth Academy – Yarmouth, Maine USA
Class of 2009 – Graduation Commencement Speech

By: Brittany A. Hosmer



Thank you Mr. Mertz.

Thank you for this honor to be here in celebrating your achievements!

Eight grade, winter sports season – I stepped out onto the ice, my legs bowed and contoured, arms flapping out to either side, grasping – reaching for edge then ramming my knees into sideboards…THAT was the way I stopped myself as I learned to skate that first season. At the end of the year, I did not receive the coach’s award for “most graceful”… but rather for “perseverance”.

Freshman year through sophomore year in upper school, almost everyday, I would feel an aching pain of nausea… as I entered… Madame’s French class. I do NOT have a gift for learning foreign languages. I believe I passed with a D the last semester! But Madame’s comments to me were that the D was the hardest earned grade in the class and she was happy I stuck with it.

During this time period of my life I had a great summer job – working for safari lodges and game capture companies in South Africa. My passion for sub-Saharan Africa was evident to the NYA community in my artwork, my English papers, and the photographs that lined my open locker door. Although I had people laugh with amusement – my dream was to own a safari company in Africa.

My parents required me to go to school for at least one year in the States before ultimately moving to Africa. This was so that I would have a comparison between a U.S. university and a third world university. The beginning of my senior year came around and I found myself in front of Mrs. Latvis, my college guidance counselor, explaining to her I only wanted to apply to one school – the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business, School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management…. I was accepted with an Early Action Decision. Which took the pressure off the rest of the year.

My first year at the University of Denver was very academically successful and when the time came that I sat in front of my university Academic Advisor and he asked why I would not be returning next year? I simply stated, “I’m sorry Sir, but it’s just not Africa.” He looked at me a little sideways, wrote something down, smiled as he said, “Good luck.” And thus I started to make the arrangements for my trans-Atlantic move to the southern Hemisphere.

The best way to describe African protocol is to bring you to Africa. Imagine…

There you sit at a candle lit table, covered in crisp white linen – you leaf through an elaborate four page menu. Your eyes skim over dishes such as antelope Carpaccio and Indian Ocean rock lobster served with fresh drawn butter.

However…
When you ordered these the waiter shakes is head regretfully.
“Ish! Sorry, um - no.”
It swiftly develops into a guessing game… “Eaahhh…sorry, no got tonight.”
The waiter looks truly distraught as you worked your way UNsuccessfully though the entire menu, until you noticed that everyone else in the dining room is eating stringing roast chicken and rice.
“Ah- yeah, got chicken and rice!” The waiter beaming his endorsement. “What do you want for dessert?”
By now you had learned the technique. You scan the other tables. “How about chocolate pudding?”
The waiter shakes his head, “No.” But you could tell by his expression that you were getting warmer.
Standing up and walking to another table, where a Nigerian business man sits, “Excuse me, sir, what is that you are eating?”
You returned to your own table, look up at your waiter, “I will have Chocolate Delight.” And the waiter nods gleefully.
Your own little humor has to restore your smile, yet it reminds you of the ridiculous – but, yes… proving you are in Africa.

Take this story and apply it everyday. For instance, sending my application for temporary residence to the South African General Consult and letter appears in the mail stating that my Tshwane University letter of acceptance was not “official” ENOUGH. With some time and frustrations everything worked itself out.

Now in Africa, classes begin…My first test, in my business management class… The professor hands out the graded papers from highest grade to lowest grade. I got second to last – 36%. I was FLOORED! I went to the professor’s office later that day and explained how I had studied and this could not possibly be correct! He took my paper and while eyeing it, said, “Here’s your problem – you are answering the questions in your own words.” …”Excuse me?” “My dear – you are not educated enough to have an opinion.” Because I was an UNDERgraduate – he was saying in order to pass an exam you must regurgitate word-for-word what is written in the text book. Also he explained when a question is formed “List and explain” dot-dot-dot… it does not mean write an essay and underline keywords – literally list the points 1-10, then write a sentence or two to explain each point. My NYA-groomed essays were automatically ½ wrong because I did not have a LIST at the beginning of my answer.

Classes carried on… Many amusing “chocolate delight” incidents in between… And during this time I started my dream of operating my own safari company – specializing in high-end bird hunting trips. With a team of German Shorthair Pointers and English Pointers, I caravanned throughout southern Africa catering mostly to European and American clients. The epitome of my passions was documented on the American TV show – Expedition Safari – during an episode on international bird hunting it highlighted my company and my love of wingshooting.

Backing up a bit, when I was 13, I started to learn to fly. This dream was put on the back burner as academic, athletic, and social commitments increased. Regardless, my desire to fly twirled around in my mind for a while. Eventually I learnt to fly using metric measurements, English-Afrikaans slang, hours of ground school, and hours in the air. Although it took about 8 years to complete my goal, at age 21– I flew solo. And now hold Pilot’s License in the States and South Africa.

At the moment – everything I set my sights on I was accomplishing – things could not be better.

Five months before I graduated, several serious moments occurred in my life.

In Pretoria, I survived a car hi-jacking and a few weeks later a home invasion by burglars. I had always felt safe, by now my eight foot high security wall wasn’t high enough, my electric gate wasn’t strong enough, and armed response-motion detector security system did little to calm my nerves. I asked myself is it WORTH IT? Painfully, I decided, “No, it was not worth it” – I was not in a relationship, I could sell my car, I was renting my house, my business was seasonal, and I was almost finished with my degree… I wanted to come home.

Once back in the States, it took a good six months for me to decide if I was “running away” from Africa and my life that I had created there or if being in the States was what I truly wanted and needed now.

With the support and encouragement of my family and loved ones I began to pour myself into creating, Rock Environmental, LLC, a business and conservation consulting company. In the beginning projects were small, local companies hiring me to help find environmentally friendly alternatives. Gradually it grew to attract the attention of high-end boutique hotels wanting to become more sustainable and international 501c3 organizations seeking my help to develop third-world wildlife and humanitarian focused projects. Last week I was in Colorado finishing a project outside of Aspen and next week I will be in northern Tanzania to oversee the implementation of several conservation programs.

My company allows me to do what I love everyday – help show people the value their environment, the importance of community and culture, and the feasibility to sustainably grow their businesses. It affords me the ability to live in the U.S., be close to my family, and still be actively involved with the continent I adore. I am sincerely so blessed.

I hope these stories have illustrated to you how I’ve chosen to created my life. Where I am right now is from deliberate actions not random consequences.

I dreamt big even when people laughed at my ideas. I stuck with it even though it didn’t come naturally. I accomplished what I wanted even though it took longer than I had expected. And at the end of the day – my accomplishments are my own – not something I compared with to others.

If you remember nothing else from this speech – remember to set AND commit to your goals …and THEN to chase those dreams until they are your life.

I will leave you with the only words printed on my senior page of the 2003 year book and what I’ve chosen to live by. A quote by Peter Hathaway Capstick. “There will be trials and tribulation, victories and elation, but certainly, if nothing else, there will be adventure.”

Thank you and congratulations again!

Kessler Canyon backs up green initiatives with honest actions.

PRESS RELEASE

Kessler Canyon employees hold a public information session on their sustainability and conservation plans.

De Beque, CO, May 25, 2009: The green industry is soured with trendy adjectives and warm-fuzzy marketing terms. As a result, often the ethical real-world approach to conservation and sustainability seems a bit watered down to the public. Refreshingly, this is not the case for Kessler Canyon! A beautiful 23,000 acre retreat and luxury guest lodge located outside of De Beque, approximately a 45 minute drive east from the Grand Junction Airport. At Kessler Canyon the employees are backing up their ‘green’ words with hard work, honest actions and a sincere commitment to community, environment, and business here in Colorado.

The employees of Kessler Canyon opened their doors to the public for an informational meeting on the company’s environmental and community initiatives. After about two months of work with conservation consulting firm, Rock Environmental, LLC, Kessler Canyon was proud to introduce to the community a new set of standards, operational activities, and policies that will create a more sustainable future for the company. The document presented was referred to as an Environmental Management System (EMS) within it describes the processes Kessler Canyon will take to minimize harmful environmental and community impacts and maximize positive conservation and cultural impacts.

The presentation was given by employees about several key aspects; all of which had clear objectives, goals, indicators to measure success, and plans to improve over time.

Employees
1. TRAINING: A comprehensive employee orientation and training schedule and manual was developed to continually improve staff knowledge and ability to communication information about conservation initiatives, operational objectives, native flora and fauna, and local culture and history to guests.
2. RESOURCE USAGE: The usage of water, amount of waste disposal, CO2 emissions, and energy usage by employees will now be monitored by management. Kessler Canyon seeks to create an industry standard/baseline of non-guest occupied areas and residences of employees that live onsite in order to keep track of usage, measure, evaluate and improve over time.
3. FOOD PROCUREMENT: The Head Chef is committed to purchasing products of natural, organic, local, wild harvested, minimally processed meats and produce. Kessler Canyon records and measures the amount of sustainable products in order to reach their desired percentage of the food procurement budget. This information is conveyed to guests either verbally or written in items like the menu.
4. SAFETY & LEAVE NO TRACE: Employees are committed to accurately and consistently provide clients with risks and safety information before all outdoor activities. Kessler Canyon believes in a “leave no trace” policy in regards to maintaining habitat used during activities and properly discarding waste created during such activities. The employees openly encourage guests to participate.
Guests/Clients
5. EDUCATION & AWARENESS: Kessler Canyon has a desire to inform guests about local history, culture, flora, wildlife, and their own personal commitments to conservation. Employees’ communication this through newsletter, the website, verbal interpretation onsite, and soliciting guest satisfaction surveys for ways to improve the presentation of their message.
6. RESOURCE USAGE: The usage of water, amount of waste disposal, CO2 emissions, and energy usage by employees will now be monitored by management. Kessler Canyon seeks to create an industry standard/baseline of all guest consumption in order to keep track of usage, measure, evaluate and improve over time.
Community
7. CHARITABLE DONATION: Kessler Canyon has committed to the Colorado Division of Wildlife to donate and host six, 3-day cow-elk hunts for kids from Colorado. Employees donate their time and knowledge to give Colorado children the opportunity to experience a true wilderness adventure.
Land
8. LAND IMPROVEMENT & MAINTENANCE: Kessler Canyon has created a baseline to evaluate the property and improve upon the percentage of land enhancements since the property was purchased in 2001. A percentage of the annual maintenance budget is designated to continually improve the stream, canyon, and mountain habitats for fish, bird, and other wildlife habitat.

After the employees gave their presentation, Dougald Scott, a resident of California and De Beque area land owner, shared with the audience a series of old photographs from the property that illustrated his family’s heritage and historical connection with the canyon. Scott’s personal narrative reiterated how important it is for Kessler Canyon to share these types of unique stories and history of the area to guests.

Wayne Klahn, Broker Associate of Colorado Heritage Real Estate Company and resident of De Beque, commented that “The presentation was impressive… It was a great concept to include the community.”

Guests enjoy the grandeur of Colorado’s mountains and wildlife in the ultimate mixture of luxury, adventure, and tranquility. The Guesthouse over looks a historical apple orchard, the trout-filled lakes, and the meandering Brush Creek nestled between 8,000 ft high mountains. The Guesthouse offers six private guest rooms, while the Homestead contains nine private guest rooms for accommodations of up to 30 people. With four-star amenities and services the stay is sure to please the guest seeking quiet relaxation or the guest craving exciting activity. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, fly fishing, clay shooting, four wheeling, photographic tours, big game hunting and wing shooting or simply relax and enjoy the Poseidon Spa, gourmet meals, the world-class Kessler art collection and the tranquil surroundings. The perfect destination for your next weekend away!

For more information, contact Kessler Canyon at (866) 548 3267 or visit them online at www.kesslercanyon.com.

About The Kessler Collection - Richard C. Kessler's luxury hotel collection includes the AAA Four-Diamond Beaver Creek Lodge in Beaver Creek, CO; the AAA Four-Diamond Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, FL; the AAA Four-Diamond Celebration Hotel in Celebration, FL; the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville, NC; the AAA Four-Diamond Grand Bohemian Hotel in Orlando, FL; the AAA Four-Diamond El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa in Taos, NM; Kessler Canyon in De Beque, CO; the AAA Four-Diamond Mansion on Forsyth Park; Savannah, GA; Columbia Place luxury condominiums in Savannah, GA; and The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront opening July 2009.
Kessler’s Grand Theme Hotel collection includes the Doubletree Castle Hotel in Orlando, FL and the Sundy House, a Kessler-managed property, in Delray Beach, FL.

For more information, visit www.kesslercollection.com.

Brittany A. Hosmer, LEED AP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28 April 2009

Britt Hosmer, President of Rock Environmental, LLC has recently qualified as a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) of the U.S. Green Building Council. A LEED AP is recognized as an expert in the field of sustainable design. This internationally recognized certification allows Rock Environmental, LLC to operate as a consultant for sustainable design, major renovation, and construction of commercial and residential buildings.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system based on six categories:
1. Selection of sustainable sites
2. Water saving technology & strategies
3. Energy efficiency
4. Material & resource selection
5. Indoor environmental quality
6. Innovative design

The title LEED AP distinguishes building professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the LEED certification process. LEED APs have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and the LEED Rating System.

Rock Environmental, LLC offers environmentally sound and sustainable practice consulting directly to:
• Architecture firms
• Construction companies
• Hospitality & Ecotourism industry
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Landscape architects
• Interior design firms
• Private households
• Community planning
• Schools, Medical centers & Residential developments

For more information please contact Rock Environmental, LLC directly.
www.rockenvironmental.com
info@rockenvironmental.com
Tel: +1 (830) 928.3085
Fax: +1 (830) 443.4259 Attn: Rock

WHAT IS AN EMS??

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a management tool for evaluating specific activities of your company. To recognize the environmental impacts associated with those activities. Once identified, those aspects will be managed by monitoring resources (money, people, products/materials, and processes) to reduce negative and enhance positive impacts. The key concepts of an EMS are intended to help your company understand the full range of its environmental impact, prioritize and effectively manage its programs, track and document its progress.

Rock will work closely with your employees to create an EMS that details the processes to be followed to enhance positive impacts and limit negative impacts. This plan will help you map your progress, and continually improve upon the process. This strategy will provide you with a road map that will give you a clear competitive advantage in your marketplace.

This plan will be unique to your company and will contain the following components:

· Start by understanding the whole picture
· Adopt an environmental policy
· Manage significant impacts and legal requirements
· Stakeholders (Employees, clients/guests/customers, community) are key to success
· Write it down
· Measure effectiveness
· Review, evaluate and improve

To find out what more... Britt Hosmer - britt@rockenvironmental.com

Energy Crisis? Nope.

There is no energy crisis.

Every day, 6 hours of sunlight falling on land provides the equivalent of all energy consumed for human use. The so-called energy crisis is rooted in 18th century Egonomics and 20th Century engineering whose combination fails to generate (pun intended) the obvious solution, NOT any lack of available supply.

But what about water? Now THERE'S a crisis. No new water has been created on the planet for a few billion years: What we've got is what we've got.

To refresh peoples' memories about water distribution: About 97 percent is salt water and 3 percent is fresh. Two of the 3 percent is locked up as ice in the poles. Of the remaining percent, roughly two-thirds is underground and one-third is surface water. Of the underground water, about half is too deep or saline to use effectively and another quarter is polluted. About half of the surface fresh water is too polluted to treat for use. The non-polluted part of underground and surface water is what's left for us. For those following the math, about four- to five-tenths of a percent of the planet's water is reasonably available for ALL human use.
(The above is by Rob Watson, 2009.)
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Rock Environmental, LLC is based in central Texas - currently in an 18 month drought.

Contact Rock at (830) 928.3085 for more information on local alternatives and resources that can help your household and/or business conserve water.

Water Solutions provided by Rock:
Water catchment systems
LEED for New Construction
Grey water collection and use
Non-potable landscape irrigation
Storm water runoff
Erosion problems

Britt Hosmer
britt@rockenvironmental.com

Food for thought: cheap fast food and cheap oil...

The New York Times released a comprehensive evaluation of American green power programs and found that only 2% of households can voluntarily afford electricity powered by renewables.

The study reveals that while green power may be expensive now, resources like wind and sunlight are free and safe from the price jumps found in oil, coal, or natural gas.

Cheap fast food - the majority can afford it but does anyone agree that it is good for you, especially in the long run? So are you willing to pay more and seek out healthier foods? Hmmm...

Britt Hosmer
Rockenvironmental.com

Google PowerMeter

The Google PowerMeter, now in internal testing, hooks up with smart meters to provide simple, clear realtime graphs of electricity use. Studies show that simply seeing your home energy use can lead to savings of 5 to 15 %.

Analyze: Get better information about how you use energy and what you can do to be more efficient.

Save: Reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint by making smart decisions about your energy use.

Share: Strike up a little friendly competition to see how your energy consumption compares to your friends and neighbors.

Check it out:
http://www.google.org/powermeter/howitworks.html