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Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge – Barbara, Campbell, CA
I volunteer for the organization, in particular the Environmental Education Center, where they are in the process of restoring native plants and salt ponds. The organization isn't just going green but they also educate the public, schools, and organized groups on how to protect and save wildlife. They could do so much more with more help and I love to see them awarded, as they certainly deserve it.

Eco-Cycle – Jeremiah, Longmont, CO
They develop technologies and logistics to recycle and reuse common household items including hard-to-recycle items like electronics and foams.

Scenic Hudson – Christy, Windsor, CT
Scenic Hudson is dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the Hudson River located in New York. Projects vary from educational programs, promoting smart growth in this rapidly growing region, and saving key parcels of land that will forever remain open to the public to enjoy as scenic and recreational treasures. This group has impacted my life significantly. They've taught me through action that everyday people, like me, can and do make a difference.

Tree Musketeers – Anna, Venice, CA
Mission Statement: To empower young people to be leaders of environmental and social change in Earth's communities. It was the first youth environmental organization. Definitely a nonprofit charity where kids are boss!

Last summer, we asked our policyholders to submit any memorable roadtrip photos they had taken. The submissions were creative and visually interesting and reflect the diversity of our policyholders. To take a look at the outstanding photos of those who participated in our Roadtrip Photo Contest, click here.

In our inaugural policyholder newsletter, we asked our customers to tell us what they do to make this world a little greener. We received lots of good advice from our eco-friendly friends, but the individuals below stood out for their originality and commitment to saving some green.

Congratulations to Emily, of Chicago Heights, Illinois for her truly inspiring response. Esurance is working with Chicago Gateway Green to beautify the urban landscape along Chicago's expressways on Emily's behalf.

Green is my thing. I ride my bicycle to work year round, hence the under 40,000 miles on a 6-year-old car that has environmental plates and gets 40 miles to the gallon. I dug up 1,200 square feet of my yard and planted native prairie plants for wildlife. For my profession, I teach environmental education.

The local co-op is my source for organic produce and vegetarian staples. All household products are cruelty free. Low-flow water-using products and energy efficient lighting have been installed. Ceiling fans are used instead of air conditioning, while in the winter the thermostat is no higher than 62 degrees.

If I see litter on the ground, I recycle it or properly dispose of it. Using both sides of a piece of paper is second nature. Just about everything I do, I try to make its impact on the world as minimal as possible. I am very lucky that I have so many opportunities to be green.

Mary, from Bellevue, Washington, minimizes her footprint on the earth by making biodiesel a part of her daily life. Mary asked Esurance to donate her tree-planting to Flower World Inc., her favorite nursery.

Biodiesel looks like a thick vegetable oil, doesn't stink, and is considerably less polluting than regular diesel. It can be made from vegetable oils grown for that purpose or recycled cooking oil. We made an experimental batch from the peanut oil left over when a friend cooked his turkey in a deep-fat fryer. The exhaust smells like french fries.

Over a year ago, I bought a Volkswagon Beetle TDI so that I could fuel up with biodiesel. The car gets 40 mpg (city) to 50 mpg (highway). Any diesel vehicle can run on biodiesel. This year, we're going to replace our aging gas furnace with a high-efficiency oil burning furnace and run it on biodiesel.

Jeremy, an Orlando, Florida policyholder, is using music to help spread the word. A donation was made in Jeremy's name to the University of Central Florida Foundation in support of the
Florida Solar Energy Center.

I helped organize an event at my university promoting Recycling and Sustainability practices including bands playing off of solar energy! (I also rode my bike to the event.)

Bridget, an artist from Escondido, California has certainly found a unique way to save some green. Thanks to the Escondido Citizens Ecology Committee for working with us to plant a tree on Bridget's behalf.

I moved closer to work. I now spend less than $40 per month on gasoline for my car. I'm saving fuel and reducing pollution. I am also an artist. I use scrap lumber and a magnifying glass to do wood burning with the sun. No power tools, no toxic materials, no waste.

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