Working with the event environmental consulting firm Eco-Logistics (www.Eco-Logistics.biz), we have expanded in 2010 a wide variety of efforts aimed at being environmentally responsible:

• We will be using goodie bags that are made of recycled materials and are recyclable.

• We ceased the printing of paper entry registration forms and the extensive results book (.pdf versions of both will be available on the race website www.cherryblossom.org instead).

• We have established procedures to collect post-race food for composting.

• We have ensured that water bottles and race cups used are of the most environmentally-friendly materials and that they are recycled post-race. 

• The D tags will be collected and recycled at the end of the race.

• There will be an opportunity to recycle race bibs either at the race site or for discounts at one of our vendors, who will recycle them as well. 

• Even the pins will be collected and recycled. 

• We are encouraging the use of Metro to travel to the race and will be offering a bike valet service staffed by volunteers. 

• We continue to work with our vendors and contractors to seek environmentally appropriate ways of staging the event.

• Most importantly, we are depending on you, the runners, to help us accomplish the “greening” of our race by your cooperation with and participation in our “greening” efforts.

* * *

Purchasing Carbon Offsets to Cover Transportation Costs

As you know, we encourage all Credit Union Cherry Blossom participants to use Metro to get to and from both the expo and the race itself. If using Metro isn't an option for you, we encourage you to mitigate the impact of your race related transportation through the purchase of carbon offsets.

This year we are working with NativeEnergy (www.nativeenergy.com) to offer a carbon offset option as part of race registration. For the equivalent of the average one-way Metro fare to the Smithsonian Metro stop--$3.38--you can contribute to Credit Union Cherry Blossom's carbon offset program.

NativeEnergy is a climate solutions pioneer and recognized leader in the US carbon market, offering services that reduce carbon emissions to fight global warming. In the latest North American survey of top providers, NativeEnergy ranked #1. Since 2001, they have used their distinctive “help build” model to support the construction of new wind farms, other renewable generators and carbon reduction projects.

One such project that has been in the news lately is the Greensburg Wind Farm in Greensburg, Kansas <http://www.nativeenergy.com/pages/greensburg/517.php>. On May 4, 2007 a massive tornado leveled Greensburg, destroying 95% of the homes and leaving a path of devastation 2 miles wide. In the aftermath, the residents committed rebuilding as “the greenest town in America.”

The Greensburg Wind Farm will create significant economic and environmental benefits for the City as the community continues to rebuild. The wind farm will generate enough energy to power 4,000 homes – more than enough for every home, business, and municipal facility in Greensburg.
  
By helping finance construction of projects like the Greensburg Wind Farm, NativeEnergy and its customers help communities in need build sustainable economies. For more information about the range of NativeEnergy’s projects please browse the Web page describing their carbon projects <http://www.nativeenergy.com/pages/our_carbon_projects/413.php>.

Thanks for doing your part to minimize the carbon footprint of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run!

Bicycle Valet Service

There will be a bike valet available at 14^th and Independence  Ave., SW.  You may check your bike with race volunteers starting at 6:00 A.M. and retrieve it after the race, or leave it and enjoy the cherry blossoms, then retrieve it later in the day from National Park Service volunteers, who will staff the valet after 10:00 A.M. Do not lock bicycles to any of the race barricades or the locks will be cut off or the bicycles will be stored with the barricades until next spring.