Dear Eartha, I’ve noticed a lot of local businesses and community members going the extra mile to make Summit County more environmentally friendly. Do they ever get a gold star for all that effort?
Ahh, you’ve spotted Summit County’s sustainability superheroes in the wild—nice work. And lucky for them (and you), those good deeds don’t go unnoticed.
We’re pretty spoiled here. Between passionate locals, dedicated businesses, and folks who actually enjoy sorting their recycling, our community shows up in a big way for the planet. So, each spring, High Country Conservation Center rolls out the green carpet for the Green Scene Awards. These awards celebrate the businesses and individuals going above and beyond to make Summit County a better place to live, visit, and play—without costing the Earth.
Who earned bragging rights this year? Let’s dive in.
Outstanding Community Advocate: Dave Hicks
The Outstanding Community Advocate award goes to those Summit County residents who don’t just talk about protecting the planet; they roll up their sleeves and actually do it. This year, that honor goes to Dave Hicks.
Dave spotted a problem in our community and thought, “Well, somebody’s gotta fix this,” and that somebody turned out to be him. He collects plastic bags and film – stuff like grocery bags, bread bags, and even bubble wrap. This type of plastic doesn’t belong in our curbside bins or at the recycling centers. But instead of letting them clog up the landfill, Dave collaborates with local partners to corral loads of plastic bags and film. Then he personally hauls them down to Denver for proper recycling.
It is this kind of grit, initiative, and no excuses attitude that makes Dave not just an advocate, but a true community hero.
Sustainable Business Champion: Bistro North
The Sustainable Business Champion award goes to a local business that doesn’t just talk the green talk, they actually walk it. This year the award goes to Bistro North.
Since opening in October 2021, Bistro North has been quietly showing off its green streak. From day one, they’ve been composting food scraps and ditching flimsy single-use straws for sturdy metal ones. Turns out, doing the right thing pays off—these days there’s less trash to haul away, they’re saving money with fewer trash pickups, and just about every scrap of food finds its way to the compost instead of the landfill.
Bistro North shows that smart sustainability can be good for the planet and good for business.
Tim McClure Lifetime Achievement: Doozie Martin
The Tim McClure Lifetime Achievement Award is named after the original sustainability trailblazer, Tim McClure, founder of High Country Conservation Center and the guy who got Summit County recycling before it was cool. This award honors someone who is not just continuing that legacy, but pushing it forward in bold, creative ways. This year, that honor goes to Doozie Martin, Executive Director of Friends of the Dillon Ranger District.
Doozie is a true doer, connector, and force for good in our community. He’s not just showing up to volunteer days—he’s organizing them, rallying the crew, and then jumping in to do the work himself. Through his work with FDRD, he turns strangers into teammates and ideas into real, on-the-ground impact, all while keeping things fun.
He is also full of ideas. Doozie has helped create innovative, community-driven programs that expand who can participate in forest stewardship, including people with limited time or physical ability. He’s made programming more inclusive by adding bilingual trail signs and expanded after-school opportunities for kids—meeting a huge need in Summit County. He’s always asking how to include more people and then actually making it happen.
The partnership between FDRD and the Forest Service is a big deal, and Doozie is a big reason it works so well. When the Forest Service faced a spending and hiring freeze, he stepped up to support critical projects and keep things moving. Summit County’s forests are better off because of his leadership.
You can Be a Sustainability Hero, Too
Green Scene award winners prove year after year that saving the planet is not just for superheroes in capes. It looks a lot more like composting your food scraps, dialing up your home’s energy efficiency, or being a little smarter about how you use water at home. Turns out, everyday choices can pack a pretty heroic punch.
Ask Eartha Steward is written by the staff at the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation. Submit questions to Eartha at info@highcountryconservation.org.
