LANCASTER, CA – Desert Haven Enterprises is the first nonprofit dedicated to developing, enhancing, and promoting the capabilities of persons with developmental disabilities to achieve not one, but two AGZA Certifications. Having eliminated the health and environmental impacts of gas landscape maintenance equipment at their site, Desert Haven received the AGZA Green Zone Certification for their 5-acre headquarter property located in Lancaster CA. Additionally, Desert Haven grounds crews went through AGZA Service Pro training for electric landscape maintenance operations, whereby all participants received certificates and are now “low noise, clean air operators”.
AGZA was introduced to Eric Walker, Senior Operations Manager for Desert Haven, by Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) Executive Director, Bret Banks, who felt it would be a good fit to have AGZA assist this organization in transitioning their landscape maintenance crews to low impact, less polluting operations.
“We feel so fortunate to have the support of the Antelope Valley AQMD and the opportunity to work with AGZA. Desert Haven has been able to take our time and transition into battery electric operations safely, and responsibly.”
Eric Walker – Senior Operations Manager at Desert Haven Enterprises
AGZA initially met with Desert Haven several times to allow them to try several different platforms of commercial battery electric equipment preceded by safety, operation, and charging tutorials. After testing a few platforms for several weeks, the Desert Haven landscape maintenance crew members themselves played a huge part in influencing the decision as to which tools were chosen.
Jenni Moran – Executive Director, Desert Haven Enterprises Inc. “Since 1954, Desert Haven Enterprises has been an integral part of the Antelope Valley, training and assisting persons with disabilities to achieve their hopes and dreams for employment and independence. Since the organization’s inception, this community has supported our mission and has backed us and those whom we serve every step of the way. When we have an opportunity to give back to our community in such a powerful way, by doing our part to lower emissions and to make our beautiful valley a healthier place to live, we are going to jump all over that! We are beyond thankful for all that AVAQMD and AGZA have done to help us to achieve this remarkable distinction.”
Marvin Crist – Chairman, AVAQMD (Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District) “Desert Haven Enterprises has been an amazing community partner within the Antelope Valley for decades. Desert Haven Enterprises has shown tremendous leadership in converting to clean battery electric equipment that will aid in protecting their workers, their customers, and the Antelope Valley environment.”
Dan Mabe – President, AGZA (American Green Zone Alliance), “This is one of the most rewarding projects I have had the pleasure to work on. The AVAQMD has had such a positive and profound impact on the communities they serve, and this is a prime example. All of the folks at Desert Haven have been focused, professional and pleasant to work with. AGZA cannot express enough how impressed we are with what Desert Haven and the AVAQMD have accomplished together.”
0 comments