TROY, N.Y.—Environmental nonprofit Audubon International has launched the second annual BioBlitz, a free program for golf courses across the world, which will run from Earth Day, April 22, to International Migratory Bird Day, May 14.BioBlitz is a species-counting competition designed to create awareness among golfers and the general public about the environmental value of the habitats supported by golf courses. The program is open to any golf course worldwide, including those unaffiliated with Audubon International.“A BioBlitz is a great way for golf courses to bring naturalists and families out to see the natural beauty golf courses provide in their...

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The Peninsula Manila General Manager Sonja Vodusek recently announced that the “Hope for the Philippines” The Peninsula—Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Maribi, Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines welcomed its first 50 residents just before Christmastime on December 8, 2015, with the last 25 houses scheduled for completion by January 27, 2016. The village will house 75 families from the coastal town of San Roque who were displaced when Super Typhoon Haiyan, named “Yolanda” by Filipino authorities—one of the most powerful storms on record to make landfall—barreled into the coastal provinces of Leyte and Samar in the Eastern Visayas region of...

LAS VEGAS—The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Convention Center expansion is now complete with this month’s opening of the 70,000-square-foot Oceanside Ballroom. The $70 million expansion includes 350,000 square feet of new exhibit space, a 20,000-square-foot foyer and underground parking, which all opened in August. The Mandalay Bay Convention Center now boasts more than 2 million total square feet and over 900,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space with the ability to grow current shows and attract new corporate, association and incentive groups.Further solidifying what already is the largest convention center solar array in the world, the expanded Mandalay...

Name: Lorraine Francis AIA, LEED BD+CTitle: Director, NEWH Sustainable Hospitality CommitteeYears as Director: 1.5 Committee’s Primary Responsibilities: “The main focus is on the Green Voice series. We try to do three presentations at Boutique Design New York, Boutique Design West, and HD Expo. We also have two student scholarships that get awarded at HD Expo.” Additional Title: Regional Director of Hospitality Interiors, Gensler NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF.—As Director of NEWH’s Sustainable Hospitality Committee, Lorraine Francis leads monthly committee meetings in preparation for educational discussions at key industry events. She works with various subcommittees within the Sustainable Hospitality Committee and has...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—The Caribbean region is experiencing the impact of the effects of climate change. Sea level rise, frequent and intense natural hazards, extended dry seasons resulting in water scarcity, loss of livelihoods and the disappearance of islands are among the present-day dangers faced. The tourism sector and the environment are inextricably linked and environmentally responsible tourism is paramount to the sector’s sustainability and overall success. Tourism must be stewarded and balanced so that the benefits for the environment, the communities it serves, its employees and the economy outweigh the costs.The Conference of Parties 21 *(COP21) came to a close at...

PHOENIX—Waste Management will host hundreds of corporate leaders from global companies, representatives from municipalities across the country, experts, innovators and influencers, on February 4, 2016 at the sixth annual Executive Sustainability Forum in Scottsdale, Ariz. The day-long event will feature renowned speakers and panel discussions offering perspectives on the sustainability of recycling and the circular economy.“The topic of the sustainability of recycling is one that has garnered a great deal of attention over the past few years,” said Waste Management President and CEO, David Steiner. “It’s a topic deserving of conversation and collaboration to find solutions so that, working...

ISLANDS OF LORETO, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR, MEXICO—When the Danzante Golf Course opens at the Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto on February 14, it will operate with the least amount of environmental impact possible. The 7,400-yard Rees Jones-designed course on the Islands of Loreto, Baja California Sur in Mexico, was designed to work with the natural beauty and serenity of its surrounding environment. Where possible, plants that were removed during the construction of the course were transplanted and relocated throughout the golf course to maintain native landscaping. Those plants that were unable to be transplanted were used...

FRANCONIA, N.H.—The Gale River Motel, located in Franconia, N.H., has completed the installation of a photovoltaic roof-top array which will provide energy to satisfy the year-round electrical demand of the property. The 52-panel system has a peak power of 13.8 kW and is expected to produce a yearly total of 15,220 kW.The system will be directly wired into the power grid by means of an AC inverter that will allow electricity to flow to and from the power grid as necessary. During periods when the energy produced exceeds the demand of the motel, power will flow into the grid...

NEW YORK—With hotels filled to capacity as families celebrate the holiday season and new year in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that 16 major hotels are joining the NYC Carbon Challenge, another significant expansion of the partnership between the City and private and institutional sector leaders who have committed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their buildings by 30 percent or more in the next 10 years.This expansion marks a major commitment by the city’s hotels to help New York City reach its goal of dramatically reducing emissions from buildings (which make up nearly three-quarters...

LAS VEGAS—The city of Las Vegas and NV Energy announced a new partnership that has potential to take the city to a new level of environmental sustainability by becoming a leader in renewable energy. Upon approval of a filing to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and ratification by the Las Vegas City Council, this partnership will dedicate to city operations a portion of energy produced by a local solar facility that is currently in development. The energy dedicated from this solar facility, coupled with the power the city receives from NV Energy that already satisfies Nevada’s renewable portfolio...