Flagler County, Florida - Green Experience

Welcome to the Northeastern part of Florida and its treasure, Flagler County!  If you are looking for a place that cares about its environment, you have come to the right place.  Flagler County strives to be a compelling Florida destination that offers easy access to the pristine nature, multitude of outdoor activities and environmentally-friendly hospitality services.  You can learn what we are doing to preserve and sustain our area.   We also welcome your feedback and suggestions on how to offer our visitors best value while preserving our natural beauty.

Flager County (www.FlaglerCounty.org) Government

For the past 20 years, Flagler County has diligently worked to retain open space and preserve wildlife habitats throughout the County.  Via acquisition (Flagler has had a voter approved acquisition program funded from ad valorem taxes for over 20 years), developer contributions, and coordination with state agencies over 45,000 acres have been protected.

Flagler County has had a regulatory wetlands program for over 17 years.  The County has a permit requirement for wetland impact within the unincorporated area that has stricter criteria than state or federal agencies.

The County also has tree protection and landscape ordinances as well as oversight of listed species during the land development process.

The Environmentally Sensitive Lands Acquisition program was approved for the next 20 years after the Nov. 4, 2008 vote.

Recycling is high priority in our county. Curbside recycling is offered in Flagler County by our respective waste haulers. Plastic and glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans, cardboard and newspaper are collected curbside and recycled.

GREEN LODGING  (http://www.dep.state.fl.us/GreenLodging/about.htm)

The Florida Green Lodging Program was established in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with the intent of recognizing and rewarding environmentally conscientious lodging facilities in the state. Through this rapidly growing program DEP encourages the lodging industry to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources. The Florida Green Lodging Program is unique in that it covers an all-inclusive list of environmental initiatives that are specific to the Florida environment.

Certified Green Lodging in Flagler County:

Fairfield Inn and Suites of Palm Coast

www.fairfieldpalmcoast.com

Sara Bates – General Manager

Tel: 386-445-3450

E-mail: sbates@shstampa.com

Hilton Inn & Suite of Palm Coast

www.hiltongardeninn.com

Tom Grimes - General Manager
Tel: 386-586-2463

E-mail: Tom.Grimes@LionHotelGroup.com

Island Cottage Villas Oceanfront Inn

www.islandcottagevillas.com

Toni & Mark Treworgy - Owner
Tel:  877-662-6232

Sleep Inn Hotel

www.sleepinn.com

Andy Nerha – Owner / General Manager
Tel: 386-446-8180
E-mail: madan_gumit@yahoo.com

Green Businesses:

World of Green

www.aworldofgreen.com
Green/Eco Consulting
Colleen Byrnes - Director of Sales & Marketing
Tel:  386-569-0844
E-mail: colleen@aworldofgreen.com

Electric Boats of Palm Coast, Inc.

www.electricboatsllc.com
Eric Spingath – Owner

Tel:  386-569-4907

E-mail: eric@electricboatsllc.com

Our list is growing – keep checking back periodically!

ECOLOGICAL
Marineland - http://www.marineland.net/index.php
Marineland’s Dolphin Conservation Center offers a wide variety of opportunities for meeting dolphins.  Programs range from up-close encounters from pools edge to deep water swimming.

City of Palm Coast (http://www.ci.palm-coast.fl.us/City)
Palm Coast, a unique new city that lives in harmony with nature, is a paradise set in a forest. Lush native trees and plants along the parkways are reminiscent of "old Florida". This charming city near the sea, is known for its sparkling salt and fresh water canals, the beautiful Intra-coastal canal, parks and tree canopied paths which beckon with every breeze.

HERITAGE
Flagler Beach Historical Museum - http://www.flaglerbeachmuseum.com/
Experience history from the Stone Age to the Space Age! Our motto explains why the Flagler Beach Historical Museum is so popular with both children and adults. Begin with ancient dinosaur bones and fast forward to dehydrated astronaut food and a flag that rode the Shuttle Endeavour into space.

o       Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park

o       Holden House Museum

o       Florida Agricultural Museum

o       MalaCompra Plantation Archaeological Site

o        Princess Place Preserve

CULTURAL

o       Flagler Playhouse - www.flaglerplayhouse.com

o       Flagler Symphonic Society - www.flaglersymphonicsociety.com

o       Flagler Auditorium – www.flaglerauditorium.org

 
OUTDOORS:
The Flagler County Parks and Recreation Department (http://www.flaglerparks.com/)
offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor activities including boating, kayaking, paddling, camping, walking, equestrian and more.  All Flagler County Parks and Recreation facilities offer free admission and are maintained by Flagler County’s Parks and Recreation staff.

Camping - http://www.flaglerparks.com/recreation/camping.htm

Boating - http://www.flaglerparks.com/recreation/boating.htm

Paddling/Kayaking - For an easy paddling route, consider Bulow Creek Paddling Trail - http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/designated_paddle/Bulow_guide.pdf
Palm Coast Linear Park – kayaking along the canal - http://www.ci.palm-coast.fl.us/city/attractions/pcg/

Kayak Rentals:

Tropical Kayaks

http://www.tropicalkayaks.com or http://www.kayakcafe.com/5652.html

The Palm Coast Marina at
200 Club House Dr.
Palm Coast, FL 32137
Tel: (386) 445-0506 

Flagler County Kayak eco tours and kayak rentals. Open year round to kayak with the manatees and dolphins!

Swimming - Flagler Beach,  miles of wide, smooth, sandy beaches offers the best in natural beauty -  serene, without a crowd in sight. Since no construction is permitted on the beach or sand, the shores are lined with sea oats, scattered boardwalks and bike paths along the scenic highway that’s known as A1A.

Cycling - Learn here more about the excellent cycling opportunities in our region
http://www.coastaltravelguide.com/Florida/Flagler/Bike/FlaglerBikeTrails.htm

o       A1A Bicycle and Pedestrian Path offers continuous dedicated paved lane through Flagler County paralleling the Atlantic Ocean.  There are many historic and natural attraction to visit along the way. http://www.palm-coast-flagler.com/scenichighway.html  

o       St. Joe Walkway/Palm Coast Linear Park offers an extensive paved trail system for biking http://www.ci.palm-coast.fl.us/city/attractions/pcg/

o       Heritage Crossroads - Miles of History Cycling Tour - Cycling Maps available on this site

Bike Rentals: 

PC Bike

http://www.pcbike.com/

Bicycle Doctor

http://www.palmcoast.biz/portal/show_entry.asp?TYP=1&EntryID=3307

Tropical Kayaks & Bike Rentals

http://www.tropicalkayaks.com or http://www.kayakcafe.com/5652.html

Equestrian - http://www.flaglerparks.com/recreation/equestrian.htm

Matanzas Meadows Equestrian Stables
5000 Old Kings Rd
Palm Coast, FL 32137
Tel: (386) 446-4237

Florida Agricultural Museum
1850 Princess Place Road
Palm Coast, Florida 32137
Tel: (386) 446-7630

Curleys Place
195 County Road 302
Bunnell, FL 32110
Tel: (386) 586-1171

Ranch At Sleepy Hollow
42 Sleepy Hollow Trl
Palm Coast, FL 32164
Tel: (386) 437-5683