On March 16 and 17, the Sarasota County Green Business Partnership Program, now part of UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota, joined the East West College of Natural Medicine for its first annual Go Green Days. The event marked a new partnership that featured speakers from East West College, Transition Sarasota, the Sarasota County Green Business Partnership and Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department.

The goal was to educate college students about introducing greener initiatives into their school and medical practices. Over 100 students learned ways to become more environmentally sustainable through recycling, proper handling of sharps containers and waste management in the medical field. A classroom session was held for future graduates to address questions and concerns about how to introduce green business concepts into their future practices.

At the event, the East West College of Natural Medicine was officially recognized by Sarasota County as a Green Business Partner. The college demonstrated excellence in implementing conservation practices related to their business operations, solid waste management and energy conservation. Go Green Days was a concept designed by Michelle Stauffer of East West College and will be an ongoing partnership between the UF/IFAS, Sarasota County Green Business Partnership and the College of Natural Medicine.