Pecan Hollow Golf Course Recognized for Environmental Excellence
"Pecan Hollow Golf Course has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Jim Sluiter, Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs.
"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Sluiter. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Mangement.
Amy Fortenberry, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Plano, praised the staff at Pecan Hollow for their dedication during the past 2-1/2 years to achieve this important certification.
For more information on Pecan Hollow Golf Course, visit their Web site at http://pecanhollowgc.com/golf/proto/pecanhollowgc/.
Commercial Recycling Focuses on Apartment Living
The City's Commercial Recycling Team is having great success with multi-family recycling at area apartment complexes. Three multi-family locations, which comprise over 800 units, have begun single-stream recycling programs in the last two months. Three additional complexes are slated to start their recycling programs over the next few weeks, while eight others are waiting for management approval. One-third of all Plano residents live in apartments, so with everyone's involvement we can minimize our impact on the environment by reducing landfill use and increasing recycling.
LED Lamps
Over the last three years, the City of Plano Public Works Department replaced 6,747 incandescent signal lamps (all color, arrows and pedestrian signals) to light emitting diode (LED) lamps. This involved 137 intersections. The LED technology uses 78% less energy than the 135 watt incandescent lamp, lowering the City’s energy use by 1,908,234 kilowatt hours. In addition, the LED lamps can last up to 10 years compared to less than two years for conventional traffic signals, resulting in lower maintenance costs and less risk of failing. The LED lamps also provide better lighting for the motoring public to see at night and during the daylight hours.