Floracliff Nature Sanctuary is a 346-acre nonprofit nature preserve located along the Kentucky River in Fayette County. Our mission is to care for the sanctuary property, ensure its protection as a nature preserve and promote public education of the natural history of the Inner Bluegrass region.
Current Sustainable Practices
Below are the initiatives Floracliff Nature Sanctuary has completed on the Green Check scorecard.
Sustainability Management and Green Team
- Designated a Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.
- Holds quarterly Green Team meetings.
- Provides time for quarterly updates from Sustainability Coordinator in management meetings.
Awareness, Education, and Outreach
- Includes sustainability tips in a monthly newsletter.
- Includes a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
- Provides volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
- Hosted an environmental event.
Energy Efficiency
- Established a power-down policy and checklist that includes items such as shutting off lights at night.
- Established a regular filter maintenance policy for your HVAC system.
- Has the HVAC system evaluated every 2 years by a certified service provider.
- Established a dress code that encourages employees to dress for thermal comfort.
- Installed power strips for computers and equipment to power down during non-business hours.
- Installed energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.
- Insulated roof to control energy loss.
- Installed efficiency-rated HVAC of minimum standard SEER rating of 14.0.
- Assessed building envelope and address any leaks.
- Performed external lighting audit.
- Daylit work spaces wherever possible.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Implemented a basic recycling program.
- Provides clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas. Recycling bins ares paired with a waste bin.
- Trains and requires staff responsible for cleaning to segregate waste and recyclable materials.
- Uses reusable mugs and dishware instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
- Established a policy for environmentally friendly printing such as two sided printing, reusing copy paper, and electronic document sharing.
- Establish an electronic waste policy that diverts all e-waste away from landfill.
- Replaced at least 50% of paper stock with post-consumer recycled paper.
- Developed a composting program.
- Host, sponsor, or participate in a zero-waste event.
Water Conservation
- Assessed, tracked, and documented water consumption using Energy Star Portfolio Manager or similar program.
- Conducted a water audit within the last three years. Monitor and record water usage, check indoor and outdoor pipes and fixtures for drips and leaks.
- Established a policy for purchase of high efficiency (i.e. WaterSense) rated fixtures and appliances.
Install water efficient faucets in all of the restrooms. - Installed water efficient toilets in all of the restrooms.
Water Quality
- Established a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
- Organized or participated in a storm drain stenciling.
- Posted information in restrooms about proper disposal of flushable wipes and other items.
- Coordinated or participated in a community litter clean-up.
Urban Forestry and Landscapes
- Participated in a community reforestation project.
- Assess the ecosystem services of trees on property using the National Tree Benefits Calculator.
- Establish a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting.
- Remove all invasive species from property.
- Establish an Integrated Pest Management policy to reduce use of pesticides in the landscape.
- Plant a pollinator garden.
Sustainable Purchasing
- Established a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in the workplace.
- Establish a policy to purchase non-Styrofoam cups and plates for use at the workplace or at events.
- Established a policy for purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
Transportation Efficiency
- Established a no-idling policy.
- Telecommuting option available to some employees.
- Provide employee shower and dressing room facility.
Innovation
- Generate energy from renewable resources such as solar or wind power on-site.
- Leaves downed woody debris on site.
- Minimizes paper use by utilizing all electronic waivers for events.
- Installed window decals to reduce bird strikes.
- Uses zoned HVAC.
- Purchases recycled paper towels and toilet paper.
Certified as Gold level Green Check business since 2024
