SEPTEMBER DECLARED GREEN PORT MONTH

Board of Port Commissioners Approves Resolution Recognizing September as Green Port Month; Events Lined Up to Celebrate

PRESS RELEASE: September 13, 2017.

As part of Port of San Diego Environment, the Board of Port Commissioners approved a resolution at the Sept. 12, 2017 Board Meeting declaring September as the Port of San Diego’s annual Green Port Month.

Established in 2008, Green Port Month aims to achieve long-term environmental, societal and economic benefits through the conservation of natural resources, as well as increase environmental awareness amongst Port employees, businesses and the public. Also at the Board meeting, the Port’s Green Port Year in Review was released to the public, providing a summary of the Port’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact over the past year.

“Green Port Month is a reminder of our commitment to being champions of conservation and protecting our diverse ecosystems,” said Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Robert “Dukie” Valderrama. “We hope that our employees, tenants and the public will participate in the events being offered and use them as a chance to learn more about what they can do to contribute to safekeeping our environment.”

This year, the Port will celebrate its 10th annual Green Port Month. The Port will hold several Green Port Month events for the public. These include the popular Taste of the Port event where guests can enjoy sips and bites from local restaurants and watch top San Diego chefs compete in a sustainable cooking contest to win the Green Chef of the Bay title.

Throughout the month, the Port will be hosting a series of eco-friendly events for its employees including a Health and Sustainability Fair and educational lunches with presentations on topics such as solar energy. The Michelle White Environmental Awards were presented to a Port tenant and 11 employees in recognition of their work as environmental champions.

For more information on these events visit: portofsandiego.org/greenportmonth.

The 2016-2017 Green Port Report highlights the Port’s Climate Action Plan progress, along with achievements from the Port’s Blue Economy program, Green Business Network and many other environmental programs. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Green Port program, the Port has also released a Ten Year Timeline showing environmental milestones over the last decade. Some accomplishments include:

• Since 2006, the Environmental Fund has provided approximately $10 million in funding for 85 projects.
• In 2012, the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan was approved by the California Coastal Commission, providing significant open space and habitat protection.
• The Port adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2013 establishing greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
• In 2015, the Port established an aquaculture program, aligning with public trust responsibilities focusing on fisheries and environmental remediation.
• In 2017, the Port initiated the first update to the Port Master Plan since its original certification in 1981.

The Ten Year Timeline and Annual Year in Review can be found here.