Image: Ned Noel

It’s not easy being green, but a number of local businesses, individuals, and organizations have done it anyway, and now they’ve got awards to prove it. The City of Eau Claire’s Sustainability Advisory Committee recently bestowed its annual Sustainable Eau Claire awards, which carried the theme “Towards a Renewable Energy City.” Winners in the energy category included Xcel Energy, which currently provides a 58 percent carbon-free energy mix in the Upper Midwest; David Donovan, a longtime Xcel executive who was heavily involved in the creation of the company’s solar garden in Eau Claire; and Focus on Energy, a statewide energy conservation program.

In addition, Royal Credit Union, Patty Scott, and Mark Ruddy were honored as Exceptional Natural Resources Stewards; Huebsch Services was cited in the Green Products or Practices category; Jeff Pippenger, the city’s community services director, received the award for Sustainable City Staff; and Volume One (that's us!) was honored for Environmental Education. And, in keeping with the spirit of these honors, even the award plaques themselves are earth-friendly: They’re made of wood from “upcycled” city street trees by Eco Urban Timber.