DENVER, Nov. 19, 2007 - It is easy being green; the Forest Service has been for more than a century. That shade of green darkened a bit last week, however, at the 3rd Annual Sustainable Operations Summit held in Denver November 13-15th.

What began in 2005 as a grassroots effort to improve sustainable operations in the Rocky Mountain Region is now spreading throughout the Forest Service to become the new way in which the agency operates.

"Conservation is our mission. It is only natural that we also do everything we can to carry out that mission while conserving fuel, energy and water, reducing waste and recycling all that we can, seek out renewable energy options and much more," commented Rick Cables, Rocky Mountain Regional Forester.

USDA Assistant Secretary for Administration, Boyd Rutherford, made comments about efforts Department-wide. In August, the Secretary of Agriculture established the USDA Sustainable Operations Council, which Mr. Rutherford chairs. The Council helps support Green Teams throughout the Department, including those in the Forest Service. It is also involved in recommending policies to strengthen USDA environmental, energy, and transportation management. Mr. Rutherford is personally a great advocate for sustainable operations. He has been known to swap out light bulbs and supports a composting effort at the cafeteria in the Washington, DC headquarters building, as well as the recent USDA Unplugged effort to conserve energy.

Additional highlights of the conference included the sustainability specialist from New Belgium Brewing Company, Nicolas Theisen, who presented a business case for sustainability. In addition, Mohan Peck from the United Nations on Sustainable Development spoke about sustainable consumption and the UN's efforts. Representatives from National Geographic and Sustainable Travel International were also featured.

Participants participated in one of six tour locations throughout the Denver metro area that are leading the way in sustainability. They also attended sessions that offered practical approaches for reducing waste and improving recycling, saving energy, buying green products, starting green teams, right-sizing fleet and offering alternative transportation options, as well as how to provide leadership for such efforts.