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Sustainability,
the Community, and “Conscious” Tourism
Sustainable is a state of mind. Being sustainable
does not simply mean driving a Prius or reusing
bags. It is "mindfulness." And as it is
'mindfulness' it has to do with consciousness. Our
industry is currently awash in green: inns and hotels
are engaged in what some call "Environmentally
Conscious Tourism,” which in many instances
signifies establishments that urge guests to hang
towels to dry, provide access to environmental treasures
such as parks, and perhaps purchase organic lettuces
to be used in salads served at the inn’s restaurant.
We
believe the term should mean much more. We look
at every aspect of our endeavor with an eye on reducing
impacts on the environment and providing the healthiest
context possible for guests, diners, staff, and
the surrounding community. We work for social equity
for our staff in order that they can survive in
a very expensive region. Furthermore, we believe
that many visitors come to the Coast not only to
experience the rugged beauty, but also Mendocino,
an archetypal North American small town of which
the Stanford Inn is an integral part.
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The
Stanford Inn -
- Helps
protect Big River from environmental degradation
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Maintains Mendocino Land Trust access to the bluffs
overlooking Mendocino Bay
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Offers one of the few vegan, vegetarian organic
fine dining experiences in North America
- Does
not use herbicides or pesticides
- Converted
all ten acres to sustainable and organic gardening
and landscaping in 1985
- Provides
approximately 25% of the organic produce, herbs,
and fruit used at the Ravens' Restaurant and Mornings
at the Stanford Inn by the Sea - substantially
reducing our carbon "footprint"
- Composts
all food and organic wastes which arerecycled
into our gardens, virtually eliminating the use
of outside fertilizers
- Provides
kayaks, traditional canoes and locally designed
and constructed redwood canoes for low impact
exploration of Big River
- Provides
mountain bikes to explore Mendocino’s trails
and backroads
- Developed
energy conservation programs beginning in 1980
for heating, lighting, laundry
- Provides
a nurturing work experience for students
- Sponsors
community, arts, theatre, and athletic events
and programs
- Provides
educational programs in gardening, cooking, composting
- Provides
canoes and kayaks for local school programs at
no charge
- Provides
a place for local artists to display and sell
their work
- Provides
a place for the community and its non-profit institutions
to meet at no charge
- Uses
all green cleaning supplies
- Uses
diesel powered trucks fueled with locally produced
biodiesel made with reclaimed vegetable oils
- Encourages
employees to respect their cultural traditions
- Provides
English classes for staff
- Created
maps of trails for visitors to help assure they
have a quality experience of the Coast while minimizing
their impact as well as a map of historic activities
on Big River estuary
- Recycles
- For
More information on sustainable lifestyles, events
at the Inn and Specials,
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