Two Palms for Turtle Beach Inn

Kermit the Frog's existential crisis aside, being green can be both easy and rewarding.

Take, for instance, the Turtle Beach Inn, which recently earned a Two Palm designation for its continued commitment to conservation and waste reduction under the state's "Green Lodging" program.

In January 2006, Turtle Beach Inn became Florida's first bed and breakfast to be certified as a Green Lodge by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The Inn, located at 140 Painted Pony Road in Indian Pass, received its Two Palm designation last Thursday for maintaining its established green practices for at least 12 months.

Those practices include the use of low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets, manual thermostats, a linen re-use program, landscaping with native plants, bulk purchasing and aluminum recycling.

To receive the Two Palm designation, the Inn, owned by Trish Petrie, also developed and implemented performance improvement goals.

Since its initial designation as a Green Lodge, the Inn has replaced aerators in kitchen and bathroom sinks and reduced overall water usage by 16 percent.

The Inn has also installed energy efficient light bulbs, high efficiency air filters and expanded its recycling program to include plastics.

Because Gulf County lacks a recycling program, Inn staff transports all aluminum and plastic waste to Apalachicola, which has a public recycling receptacle.

Since the March 2004 launch of the Florida Green Lodging Program, DEP has designated 169 properties as Green Lodges and received more than 335 applications.

Northwest Florida has 13 Green Lodges, and only four properties have received the Two Palm designation statewide.

"When you think of the thousands of hotels and motels we have (in Florida), this is kind of an exclusive club," said DEP Northwest District Director Dick Fancher at last Thursday's ceremony.

Stephanie Petrie, the Inn's "Green Manager" and Petrie's daughter-in-law, shared her plans to achieve the Three Palm designation, the Green Lodging Program's highest distinction.

To earn Three Palms, a hotel or motel must maintain the facility's Two Palm designation and demonstrate continual improvement for three consecutive years.

Petrie will also serve as a mentor to Port Inn manager, Kaycee Krum, in her efforts to transform the Inn into a Green Lodge.

"It's going to be a real challenge because it's a larger facility," said Petrie of the 21-room Port Inn.

Petrie plans to help Krum begin the application process this week. Once the Port Inn becomes a Green Lodge, Petrie will begin mentoring the staff of MainStay Suites.

Both facilites are owned by David and Trish Warriner of Port St. Joe.

Following Petrie's discussion of her mentoring plans, Trish Petrie predicted a Gulf County milestone.

"If you do that, we'll have the highest percentage of Green Lodges in Florida."

For more information on the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.FloridaGreenLodging.org.