The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging Program has awarded Longboat Key's Zota Beach Resort with a Two Palm Status, designating the resort as a facility committed to protecting the state’s natural resources. The resort scored in the in the third-highest percentile in the fields of sustainable communication and education, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, water conservation, energy efficiency and indoor air quality to achieve this commended award. Launched in 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program seeks to recognize lodging facilities that make a voluntary commitment to protecting Florida’s environment.