All properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection have implemented over 100 environmental initiatives since the inception of the Destination Earth^® program in January 2008. The eco-friendly program elements include decreasing energy and water usage, reducing waste, increasing recycling and composting, and purchasing local and organic food and beverages when possible.

Additionally, a Green Meetings program was launched throughout all properties in late 2009 in an effort to maximize waste diversion from meetings and conferences and to increase overall environmental awareness among hotel guests.

Resort at Squaw Creek Initiatives

Resort at Squaw Creek, in keeping with Destination Hotels & Resorts Destination Earth environmental stewardship program, and to best serve the sensitive natural environment in which we operate, has implemented the following “green” measures:

General Manager:

• Establish environmental policy statement
• Mandate printed materials on recycled content with soy ink

Housekeeping: 

• Energy efficient guest room protocol for check in
• Replace all styrofoam products in breakroom with reusable/washable alternatives
• Provide permanent/reusable hangers in guest rooms (i.e. wood)
• Recycle uniform and linen hangers
• Retired bedspreads,towels and linens to converted to rags or donated to charity
• Washable (reusable) mugs and glasses available in guest rooms 
• Linen and towel reuse program for guestrooms
• Keep recycling bins in work areas and break rooms
• Use eco-friendly products in the guestrooms:  all-purpose cleaning product, glass cleaning product, deodorizer, drain cleaner and carpet spot cleaner
• Program in place for guests to decline housekeeping services in exchange for a gift voucher

Green Meetings:

• Recycle stations placed nearby meeting rooms for conference attendees
• Encourage use of white boards instead of paper flip charts
• Use of post consumer recycled content for paper
• Reuse or recycling of leftover conference supplies, handouts, materials, packaging, nametags and binders
• Eliminate disposable plates, napkins and cups and encourage use of washable items
• Print menus on post consumer recycled content
• Use ramekins for condiments instead of prepackaged disposable packets
• Menus and wine lists offer vegetarian and/or sustainable options; menus identify sustainable options
• Hotel uses email communication whenever possible
• Lighting and HVAC settings will be reset after events conclude
• Use of refillable water pitchers unless by request
• Encourage patronage of vendors that offer eco-friendly products and services
• Online room reservations offered
• Create signage that can be reused

Engineering:

• Use energy efficient lights in administrative offices, fitness center, public restrooms, employee breakrooms, exit lighting and guesthouse hallways
• Create a beta/pilot guestroom with all energy efficient lighting
• Ensure restaurant freezer doors and curtains in perfect working order
• Hazardous materials stored in a locked cabinet
• Install aerators on public restroom faucets, guestroom faucets, hand wash sinks in kitchens and dish spray valves
• Install motion sensors and/or timers in storage areas, administrative hallways, guest house hallways for lights
• Establish leak detection and repair program for guestrooms and kitchens
• Policy in place to ensure meeting room lights are turned off within 2 hours when room isn't in use and HVAC systems are reset to "unoccupied" settings
• Complete capax plan for lighting in administrative offices and storage areas

I.T.:

• Establish computer shut down policy for all departments and business center
• Set all computers to sleep mode default

Administrative Offices:

• Recycle all printer toner cartridges
• Use manual double sided printing for specific jobs; set centralized printers to default double sided printing 
• Utilize copy paper that has post consumer recylced content in administrative offices and business center
• Purchase eco-friendly office supplies when available
• Offer envelopes only by request for guests checking out
• Establish comprehensive paper (white, copy, magazine, newspaper, packaging) recycling program and ensure recycling bins are placed in work areas

Food & Beverage

• Provide reusable/washable cups and mugs
• Provide bottled water upon request: provide water in pitchers as a standard service
• Eliminate styrofoam from restaurants, kitchens and bars and replace with eco-friendly materials
• Provide unbleached or post consumer content napkins and take-away containers
• Utilize reusable/washable cups and mugs for employees
• All coffee and tea is organic
• Purchase seasonable goods locally where possible
• Offer sustainable (organic or biodynamic) red and white wines, vodka, beers on the menus
• Seafood comes from sustainable source
• 100% of the chicken and pork is to be from sustainable sources (no antibiotics, space to exhibit natural behaviors, vegetarian fed- no animal by-products)
• Implemented regionally sourced still and carbonated water in restaurants and guestrooms
• Eliminate automatic use of prepackaged condiments and use ramekins
• Offer sustainable options to banquet clients; menus identify sustainable options

Spa

• Low flow aerators on faucets
• Provide complimentary water in pitchers instead of plastic bottles 
• Facial tissues are made with post consumer recycled content
• Puchasing policy established for organic and natural products

Squaw Creek Golf Club: 

• Signature Sanctuary Certification from Audubon International, a non-profit environmental organization headquartered in New York State. This certification recognizes that the golf course has been successfully designed, constructed, and managed with a comprehensive approach to environmental protection.
• Does not use artificial pesticides, herbicides or fungicides on the golf course

We are proud to have a "Destination Earth^®" taskforce, comprised of leaders throughout the organization and representing hotel and resort operations, to ensure that all departments and associates of Destination Hotels & Resorts are personally involved and committed to the program.  Each of our properties has a designated "green team" onsite and has made a commitment to pursuing:

• Sourcing environmentally  responsible services and products locally, and purchasing organic, environmentally friendly- and recycled supplies, whenever possible.
• Purchasing fresh and sustainable foods locally grown, whenever possible.
• Creating partnerships with other organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to preserving the environment.
• Leading our associates to apply eco-friendly practices in their daily operations.
• Utilizing environmentally responsible building materials and strategies for new properties and renovations to reduce environmental impact.
• Retrofitting existing properties with energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems, as well as water-saving devices.
• Implementing tools that allow us to continually measure the progress of our individual properties and support their commitment to preserving the environment through the Destination Earth^® program.

Destination Hotels & Resorts recognizes that our customers, owners and associates all benefit from and desire a healthy, sustainable environment. As we continue on the journey of environmental stewardship, we are committed to maintaining the superior guest experience that our customers expect, while reducing our impact on the earth's natural resources. Throughout our portfolio, our hotels and resorts have received numerous awards, recognitions, certifications, and honors for implementing eco-friendly practices.  The following is a sample of sustainable initiatives taking place at our properties:

Property Initiatives

Suncadia Resort
Cle Elum, WA

LEED® Certification

The Glade Spring Spa at received LEED® Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in June 2009.

Awards

Suncadia was awarded the Environmental Achievement Award by the Pacific Northwest Section of the Air and Waste Management Association In November 2009

Suncadia is a 3 Star Built Green Community and it’s next phase of development in Nelson Preserve is committed to build only 3 Star Build Green certified or better.

Sunriver Resort
Sunriver, OR

LEED® Certification

The Sunriver Resort Marina and Sunriver Stables Trail Ride Registration Facility received LEED® Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in January 2010. These buildings made history for both the resort and the Sunriver community as these are the first two facilities in Sunriver to accomplish this.

Embassy Suites at the Chevy Chase Pavilion
Washington, D.C.

Awards

The Embassy Suites at Chevy Chase Pavilion in Washington, D.C. was a runner-up in the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Green Guidelines Challenge. The Challenge urged hoteliers across the country to track and improve their green business operations by taking the AH&LA Green Guidelines Challenge. Hotels used a tracking tool to air their measurement of occupancy statistics, monetary and energy expenditures and return on investment from specific green practices.

The Embassy Suites at Chevy Chase Pavilion has also been recognized as an Energy Start Partner and recently was awarded the 4-Key Award from Green Key which certifies the hotel as a leader in hotel sustainability programs.

InterContinental Tampa
Tampa, FL

Green Certifications

InterContinental Tampa is recognized by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as a "One Palm" member of The Florida Green Lodging Program. The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary initiative of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that designates and recognizes lodging facilities that make a commitment to conserve and protect Florida's natural resources.

Stowe Mountain Lodge
Stowe, VT

Green Certifications

Certified as a "Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State".

Received The Audubon Green Leaf certification, with a score of 4 of 5 Green Leaves.

Stowe Mountain Club: The golf course received Signature Sanctuary Certification from Audubon International.

Tempe Mission Palms Hotel and Conference Center
Tempe, AZ

Transportation

Participates in Maricopa County's Trip Reduction Program by offering benefits to its employees who commute. The hotel has been noted as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters for exceeding the national standard of excellence designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Terranea Resort
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Preservation

Terranea was meticulously built on the Palos Verdes Peninsula with more than 631,800 square feet of native habitat areas. One example of habitat preservation is that approximately 45 mature trees dating over 50 years were boxed prior to construction and then replanted throughout the site as a tribute to the history of this location.  Additional environmental mitigation efforts include, but aren't limited to, protecting and enhancing local water quality. To do this Terranea is implementing a series of environmental best management practices that include wet ponds, bioswales and storm filters. Bioswales are vegetated channels, essentially created wetlands, which enhance water quality and provide a habitat for many avian species.

The Carolina Inn
Chapel Hill, NC

Water Conservation

All public area restrooms are equipped with sensor toilets, minimizing water flow. In addition, water efficient shower heads have been installed in all guest rooms. A towel and bed linen reuse program is in place and the housekeeping department uses a patented aqua-fusion laundry system that customizes the amount of ozone delivered to each washer. The system reduces hot water usage and overall water use by 30%, decreases energy expenses, shortens wash cycles and reduces linen replacement costs.

GAIA Consulting Group helps us strategically gain maximum value for our sustainable efforts through environmental reporting systems, increased public relations and marketing, and enhancing our brand image.

www.thegaiagroup.net