Sedona News – On April 25, Keep Sedona Beautiful (KSB) presented its annual Awards of Excellence. This was the 53rd year that KSB has recognized businesses, organizations and individuals whose activities have contributed significantly to our communities. This year, awardees came from Cottonwood, the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona.
The Ripple Effect Water Conservation Program received an environmental stewardship award for its collaboration between Arizona Water Company, Big Park Water, Yavapai County and the City of Sedona. The program educates residents and businesses about water conservation through social media and offers water audits to businesses. More information is available at RippleEffectSedona.com.
KSB Vice-President Craig Swanson presented Cottonwood’s Pines Inn and Suites and owners Anna May Cory, Martha Bruening and Cory Bruening with a sustainability award. The inn installed its first electric vehicle charging station in 2014, converted their pool to saltwater, installed over 140 solar panels with federal grant assistance, and implemented numerous waste reduction and energy-saving measures, becoming a model for how a small business can have a big impact.
Hozho Sedona received a Dark Sky Lighting award for participating in KSB’s Grandfathered Lighting Initiative. Working with KSB trustee Norris Peterson, they replaced non-compliant lighting, reducing glare for motorists and installing warm-toned lighting that aims downward instead of outward.
In 2017, Marty Aronson purchased the eyesore that was then the Oak Creek Factory Outlet Mall in the Village of Oak Creek. From the start, he had the vision to transform that property into an exciting shopping, entertainment and dining asset for the community. In the process, he created Sedona Vista Village, earning him KSB’s Award for Building and Signage Design.
Peggy Chaikin earned the Community Service award for spearheading the STEP tool lending library in collaboration with the Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance and Sedona Public Library. Community members can borrow donated tools at step.myturn.com/library.
Local photographer Mike Koopsen received KSB’s inaugural Preserving the Wonder award for his contributions, including litter cleanup and donating photographs for awards. KSB has also launched a new responsible tourism website at PreservingTheWonder.org.
Keep Sedona Beautiful, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that, by acting through the stewardship of its members and volunteers, is committed to protecting and sustaining the unique scenic beauty and natural environment of the Greater Sedona Area. For more information about Keep Sedona Beautiful, please call 928.282.4938, or visit www.keepsedonabeautiful.org.