Saturday, March 12 has been circled on Lisa Custer’s calendar for quite some time now. The date marks the Fifth Annual Tampa Clean City Day, a citywide event sponsored by the City of Tampa and Friends of Clean City. 

Custer, a Land O' Lakes resident has been an integral part of the celebration, helping promote the event while helping recruit volunteers, sponsors and vendors.  

As the Founder of goinggreentampa.com (“Where Tampa Goes To Go Green”), a thorough online directory for people seeking eco-friendly, “green” businesses throughout the Tampa Bay area, Custer’s mission is to help her neighbors live a more sustainable lifestyle by providing comprehensive information with the click of a mouse. 

Patch.com spoke to this Florida native about her company and the importance of this weekend’s very special event, with the primary goal of making the City of Tampa – and its 116.1 square miles – a cleaner place to live, work, play and visit.

Patch:  What made you decide to start Going Green Tampa?

Custer:  When I had my son three years ago, I was inspired by some of the businesses that I shopped at – or heard about through word of mouth. Places that offered products and services that were beneficial to the community, environmentally speaking. I knew there were national directories which aggregated information on these businesses, but didn’t know of any local ones.  I asked around and sure enough there was a demand/need for one and I created GGT in April 2010. 

Patch:  Did it take a lot of convincing to transition your family to a ‘green’ lifestyle?

Custer:  My husband James (whom Custer has been married to for almost a decade) and I learned together. We actually tried gardening for many years and have finally been successful! In fact, what started out as a hobby has transitioned into a business for him (Check out www.GrowEasyOrganics.com to read about Lisa & James’ gardening adventures!)

Patch:  Tell us about Tampa Clean City Day this Saturday.

Custer:  The event is part of ‘The Great American Clean Up,’ the nation’s biggest improvement initiative. Volunteers have over one hundred beautification projects to choose from throughout East Tampa, New Tampa, North Tampa, South Tampa and West Tampa. They may be planting trees, landscaping, raking, or cleaning up trash at a designated site. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the clean-up initiative runs for three hours starting at 9 a.m. 

There will be a wonderful post-clean up celebration at Raymond James Stadium from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and will be kicked off by Paratroopers from MacDill AFB, live music, pirate ship tours, the Coca-Cola Football Town, vendors, activities, and much more.  The party is free and open to the public and we encourage residents to come out and join us!

Patch:  Are they still accepting volunteers?

Custer:  Approximately 2,000 volunteers have committed to the project so far, but it’s not too late to register. Come out by yourself or with a group! Click on this link to sign up: http://www.tampagov.net/dept_clean_city/news_and_events/index.asp

Patch:  If people can’t attend this Saturday’s event, what else can they do to contribute? 

Custer:  I’m also a sponsor for EcoFest 2011, a free community event hosted by Learning Gate Community School in Lutz on Saturday, April 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a festival-like atmosphere to this event as well, including live music, workshops, demonstrations, vendor booths and more. 

I also want people to know that preserving the environment is easy. Everyone can do things that are attainable, tangible, and often time, less expensive. You’re helping just by choosing reusable containers or recycling your newspapers. You can clean your home with non-toxic products, or maintain your garden and lawn by hiring companies that use 100 percent organic pest control. Everyone can do it and every little bit helps!

For a complete listing of green Tampa Bay-based businesses – from apparel to beauty salons to pet care to restaurants and more –log onto GoingGreenTampa.com. Users can search by category, city or ZIP code. 

If you are interested in adding your company listing to the GoingGreenTampa.com directory, please log onto the website as well.

Keep up with the latest news, events, and promotions at Lisa’s Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Going-Green-Tampa/480582670220