We all need to find ways to reduce our impact on the planet. According to the World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Report, since 1970, our ecological footprint, or rate of consumption relative to population, has exceeded the earth’s ability to regenerate. Put another way, we are spending down our natural capital. This is not a sustainable path. No one person, business, or government can solve this problem. However, we must all do our part to both reduce our impact on the environment and to do as much as possible to rejuvenate and replenish the natural areas around us.
Conservation at Sojourner means the following:
Minimizing our impact
• Start with sustainable design:
o Low impact development (LEED design)
o Sustainable building materials (FSC wood, etc.)
o Gray water management (re-use for landscaping, etc.) and water efficiency
o Energy efficient materials
• Maximize solar and renewable energy supply (use as much solar and thermal as possible)
• Minimize water and energy use (reduce our water and carbon footprint)
• Reduce/eliminate the use of single use plastics (serve/bottle own filtered water to reduce plastics)
• Local and sustainable sourcing for our menu and consumable (we will grow our own, or source as
locally as possible)
• Work towards continuous improvement (Sustainability is a journey, not a destination)
Promote conservation and sustainability.
• We develop our facilities/operations to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Standards
• Fund local conservation programs, and/or directly put land back into conservation easements.
• Promote wildlife corridors and habitat, where feasible.
• Educate our guests about the natural environment.
• Expose our guests to opportunities to interact with and appreciate the natural environment.
• Develop in young ones an appreciation for the wonders of nature and wildlife.
• Dedicate part of our profits to conservation investment.