Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) “sets a high standard” as a “green community champion,” according to the San Francisco Business Times. SSMC was among 14 winners out of over 200 nominations at the Business Times’ first annual Green Business Awards held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on June 12, 2008. SSMC was the winner in the “Green Community Champion” category.

Download the Business Times article featuring SSMC, CLICK HERE.

Nominated for the award by Supervisor Jerry Hill, Sustainable San Mateo County impressed the six-panel judging team of Bay Area experts in sustainability with its trailblazing approach to sustainable education and advocacy. Most notably, SSMC’s Indicators for a Sustainable San Mateo County report is the nation’s first county-wide annual indicators report on sustainability (first published in 1996). The report is used extensively throughout San Mateo County as both an educational and policy tool. By tracking over 30 indicators of sustainability, ranging from energy use and air quality to children’s health and voter participation, the indicators report gives county leaders and individuals the data and information needed to make sustainable decisions. “With its vision and community approach to sustainability,” noted Supervisory Hill, “Sustainable San Mateo County has established itself as the leader in our community. I’m proud to have nominated them.”

Also of note to the judging panel, SSMC has assembled a legion of over 50 community volunteers – council members, business owners, students and more – who dedicate themselves to bringing sustainable decisions and actions to their communities. Sustainable San Mateo County has become the hub by which those interested in sustainability can connect with relevant programs in the community. “SSMC volunteers lend a sustainable voice through various community programs and committees such as the San Mateo County Green Building Committee and the San Mateo County Food System Alliance,” says outreach director Tina King. “Volunteers really provide the backbone of the organization and make possible the message of Sustainable San Mateo County.”

Ruth Peterson, board chair of SSMC said, “We are absolutely thrilled about this recognition of our efforts. After 15 years of educating the community on the importance of sustainable thinking and decision-making, we are heartened to have SSMC, its staff and volunteers receive this great honor.”

Sustainable San Mateo County wasn’t the only local winner at the Green Business Awards, which drew over 300 leaders and innovators in the surging green tech and green business arena. Other San Mateo County business winners include: Draper Fisher Jurvetson in Menlo Park, Solar City in Foster City and LS9 in South San Francisco.