Lake Tahoe’s Granlibakken Resort has been named a Green Business in Placer County by Keep the Sierra Green, a bi-state partnership designed to recognize area organizations that practice sustainable ecological and economic practices.

Granlibakken is one of the first to receive this recognition from the newly formed organization. Companies in Truckee, Incline Village, Crystal Bay, Nevada County and Placer County are eligible.

Keep Sierra Green awards points based on certain criteria in areas including solid waste reduction, pollution prevention, energy conservation, water conservation, employee awareness, unique sustainable practices and plans for the future to maintain recognition. Granlibakken achieved 111 points to wildly exceed the 74 required for certification.

Some of Granlibakken’s efforts include:

* Fuels reduction on more than 50 acres of the 74 acre property;

* Natural firebreaks created between buildings and high-risk forest areas;

* Best Management Practices certified across entire property;

* Replaced polystyrene/Styrofoam cups, takeout containers and plastic cutlery with biodegradable items;

* Installation of occupancy sensors for lighting in remote and low-traffic areas;

* “Good Earthkeeping” option for guests to reuse their towels instead of laundering daily.

* Training for new and current employees on green practices around the resort.

Granlibakken’s focus on restoring and maintaining the natural forest habitat surrounding the secluded resort paid off during the 2007 Washoe Fire. The fire reached Granlibakken’s firebreaks, causing the fire to drop to the ground, stopping the spread onto the property, and throughout the area saving homes, land and wildlife.

For information on Granlibakken, go to www.granlibakken.com; for information on the Keep the Sierra Green program, visit www.KeeptheSierraGreen.org.