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Nancy Hughes
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

The Nominator: Liz Fowler, Cleveland Zoological Society

How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices in his or her business or organization and what are the triple bottom line benefits (people, planet, prosperity) of the nominee`s work?
As the Zoo’s Composting and Recycling Coordinator, Nancy Hughes has worked tirelessly over the past six years to implement sustainable business practices at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  She has led the design of a successful windrow composting facility for animal waste processing.  This program has been permitted by the EPA and keeps tons of zoo animal waste and bedding materials from entering the waste stream, saves the zoo tens of thousands of dollars on trucking costs for its disposal, is used by Zoo horticulture to beautify Zoo flower beds, and adds thousands of dollars more to the Zoo’s bottom line by selling out of the coveted “ZooPoo” compost each spring and fall!  Nancy also helps to manage the The Paper Retriever® program through Abitibi, which generates funds for the Zoo`s composting facility with every ton of paper collected. She oversees the Zoo’s water conservation program, aluminum and glass recycling, and other resource conservation initiatives. Nancy has led a waste audit that resulted in expanding recycling programs at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to include glass, cardboard, office paper, aluminum cans, metals, cell phones, inkjet & toner cartridges, phone books, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, hazardous waste, vehicle fluids, pallets, tires, and plastics with nearly $13,000 in revenue last year. She manages the Cans for Conservation program: each can drive benefits a dedicated conservation project.  In addition, Nancy dons her boots and actively works the annual Big Creek Cleanup events where volunteers come to the Zoo to help clean up the watershed and creek that run through Zoo grounds.  Each year, Nancy recycles about a thousand pounds of scrap metal that is hauled out of the creek, along with other debris.  This year, Nancy spearheaded the first annual America Recycles Day event at the Zoo and serves as the lead coordinator.  This fun and educational event will be held on November 15.  The Zoo will host dozens of exhibitors who are involved in recycling or other sustainable practices and offers members of the community opportunities to drop off their recyclable items free of charge at the Zoo.    Nancy’s Hughes efforts epitomize the triple bottom line: benefiting People-- especially the Northern Ohio community, saving the Planet from unnecessary waste, and making the Zoo a more Prosperous place to work and visit.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
Nancy Hughes is an inspiration to staff throughout Cleveland Metroparks, the Zoo and Cleveland Zoological Society, local museums, and other zoos and aquariums across the nation.  She has had the opportunity to attend conferences and workshops to demonstrate how zoos can lead their communities in sustainability.  Her bold determination and dedication to this cause has led to greater awareness of, and commitment to, sustainable practices at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, including the “greening” of new construction.  Now, Zoo Director, Steve Taylor, Metroparks Commissioners and Zoo Society Board Members all embrace the reality of opening a new LEED-certified African Elephant Crossing exhibit in 2011.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
Nancy Hughes has implemented successful programs that provide great examples of sustainable business practices from which other governmental and non-profit organizations can learn and build upon.  Other staff members at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo have followed suit in doing “the right thing” for the environment – in purchasing, fleet management, and daily commitments to reduce, recycle and reuse – thanks to the workshops and training she has provided.  Nancy is a “change agent” at Cleveland Metroparks.  She demonstrates leadership and determination as she forges ahead with her vision for a zero-waste Zoo.  Her work provides a model for sustainability that zoos and other similar institutions locally and nationwide can follow with pride.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
Nancy Hughes is a dedicated conservationist and life-long learner and teacher.  She has been an active member with E4S, ZeroWaste, Organics Recycling Organization of Ohio, U.S. Composting Council, Ohio Compost Association, Association of Ohio Recyclers, and Solid Waste Association of North America.  She has been known to use her vacation days to attend lectures and conferences that are related to the environment and sustainability.  Nancy works tirelessly to promote and improve sustainability initiatives at the Zoo and serves on the Cleveland Metroparks EcoTeam Committee.  She chairs the Zoo’s Resource Management Committee, which sponsors the Big Creek Cleanup and America Recycles Day events.  This October, Nancy collaborated with the Biodiversity Alliance to help build and transport boats made from disposable plastic bottles and bags for the Great Lake Erie Boat float.  This unique event helped to raise awareness about the problems with plastics in our environment.  Nancy also provides workshops on recycling, composting, and the eradication of nonnative plants.  She is a knowledgeable and active member of the environmental community.