Dispatches from the Field & Project Summaries
The Ending Dispatch
September 2, 2009
On the morning of the September 2, 
Green Living Project rushed to take our final shots and interviews, hopped into the car, and sped furiously towards Logan International Airport. Typical to Rob fashion, he hopped on the first bus to the airport from Enterprise with little more than a hurried wave and concentrated smile. Seconds later, he persuaded the driver to pull over so he could snag his power chord from Chad and Jayms’ car. I bumped fists and exchanged hugs with Chad and Jayms as they loaded onto the next bus. I too finally made it to my terminal.
Between utter exhaustion and intermittent texts with Chad about what airport bars we were at, I began to ponder my Maine experience. I reflected on what went right and what could have gone better. Exchanged laughs and moments of supreme awe. The connections GLP made with each project representative and how dedicated he/she was to the organization or company. The fact that each day brought a different perspective and ended with a hard floor or stiff mattress.
During our ventures to various Maine initiatives, I never ceased to be amazed at the harmonizing of sustainability within production, consumption, or disposal. Most projects were not only unique but avant-garde. And who would have thought? Maine? Not me, that’s for sure. But I guess as many folks across the state repeatedly pointed out, Mainers are different. Yankees. Jacks-of-All-Trades. Biscuits-in-the-Oven, or something of the like. People of a certain pride that strikes generations deep. They are folks who internalize sustainability not as a new phase of humanity but as a continuum of common sense and pragmatism that is already inherent in their being.
Green Living Project would like to thank all the persons and organizations/companies in Maine who made our trip memorable and educational. We hope to serve you justice through my writing and the film clips.
Inn by the Sea Summary I
September 2, 2009
As our last stop, 
Inn by the Sea offered a relaxing end to Green Living Project’s frenzied adventures across Maine. With an impressive and long list of green initiatives, Inn by the Sea is a Four Diamond hotel located on a mile of unspoiled beach. The Inn blends luxury and exceptional landscape with the ideals of sustainability.
As one of the first inns in Maine to be a certified Green Lodging by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Inn by the Sea has solar panels, a Spa built to Leeds specification, recycled rubber and cork flooring in the fitness rooms, dual flush toilets, environmental educational opportunities for all ages, and a biofuel heating system. Rauni Kew, Inn by the Sea’s gracious Public Relations and Green Programs Director, says she is continuously finding creative ways to update the facilities to greener and grander standards.
For example, Rauni informed us that before purchasing anything for Inn by the Sea, she considers the following questions: Where it came from? Can it be reused? Can it be bought in bulk? How can it be disposed of afterwards? The staff, which is trained on the Inn’s green initiatives, even hand sift through the recycling before sending it off to the single stream recycler, in order to make sure that the materials are properly separated.
The grounds at Inn by the Sea are as splendid as the indoor accommodations. Derrick Daly, the Head Gardener, gave the camera crew a private tour of the outside facilities. The gardens that divide lawn and line the porches are complete with plants that are native to the area. Inn by the Sea also prides itself on having a registered Butterfly Waystation and growing milkweed, which invites Monarch Butterflies to hang out and feed off of the garden. Moreover, the National Federation has designated the grounds as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. Finally, one of Green Living Project’s favorite details, Inn by the Sea promotes a kid and pet friendly atmosphere by choosing not to use any chemicals on the surrounding lawns and gardens.
Unfortunately, myself and
another team member were unable to enjoy the sustainable initiatives at Inn by the Sea since we occupied a cottage, which has not been updated to the hotel’s standards. However, thanks to Rauni and other staff, we were able to take a late night visit the spa and enjoy the bamboo towels, dual flush toilets, and ten headed shower (which I am still pondering over its water efficiency.)
If a vacation by a pristine beach complete with luxurious lodging and a reputation as one of the World’s Top Ten Green Hotels by Trip Advisor as well as one of the Top Ten Green US Hotels by Forbes Traveler interests you, the Inn by the Sea is a perfect place to unwind in an inspirational atmosphere that harmonizes People, Planet, and Profit into one relaxing experience.
Inn by the Sea
September 1, 2009
Whenever two people find themselves riding 
a tandem bicycle, the said partners must demonstrate extreme precision, coordination, and balance. Although the two cyclists may possess differing strengths and body structures, when unified they excel in a synchronized fashion. Thus together the duo becomes more than a sum of its parts; it becomes an intricate powerhouse of harmony and equilibrium.
Striving to effortlessly pair tourism in tandem with sustainability, Inn by the Sea (www.innbythesea.com), located on the pristine Crescent Beach, considers every detail of their guests’ stay to be an opportunity for environmental education and equilibrium as exemplified through their over-arching message of “Preserve, protect and inspire”.
Preserve. Eight years ago, Inn by the Sea made the green switch with a simple but trendy vegetation alteration- the gardener ripped out the exotic plants and rehabilitated the assorted gardens with indigenous plants. This significant move reduces the amount of chemicals and water, teaches the guests about native Maine flora, and creates a natural habitat for wildlife. In addition, Sea Glass, the inn’s high-end restaurant, uses fresh produce and seafood from regional farmers and fisherpersons, thus sustaining the local food movement.
Protect. Head Gardener 
Derrick Daly, one of GLP’s favorite personnel, gave the camera crew a private tour of the outside facilities, including the registered Butterfly Waystation. Hosting the Monarch butterfly, the waystation provides housing and a nectar garden. In addition, Inn by the Sea encourages the growth and spread of the native milkweed plant, which is the only plant where the monarch butterfly can lay its eggs. What’s more, whenever guests choose not to have their sheets and towels washed and changed during their stay, the money from the energy savings goes directly to a village in Mexico to help preserve the Monarch butterflies.
Inspire. Inn by the Sea has been certified, awarded, and recognized as an outstanding luxury hotel. Such accreditations include the National Geographic Traveler’s “The Stay List,” Tripadvisors’s Top Ten Green Hotels worldwide, and a certified Maine Department of Environmental Protection Green Lodging. The inn has also set many firsts in Maine in terms of the first carbon neutral hotel, the first spa to be built to LEED’s specifications, and the only hotel in Maine to heat with biofuel.
Finally, my favorite inspirational detail- 
the vegetable garden, which is really more informative than anything else. As Derrick mentioned, “You wouldn’t believe how many young kids today don’t even realize that a tomato actually grows on a tomato plant.” And it’s true; most kids see the tomato either in the grocery store in a bin or on their plate without any sense of origin or cultivation. Such exhibits are the simplest yet most magnificent points of revelation that provide congruity between the cultivation and the consumption of food.
Unfortunately during Green Living Project’s stay, however, Amoris and I were unable to enjoy the sustainable initiatives at Inn by the Sea in our cottage, which has not been updated to environmentally friendly standards. Therefore, I cannot personally comment on the given room experience. I did not see any recycling bins nor were our toilets dual flush. However, thanks to Rauni Kew, Public Relations and Green Programs Director, and other staff, we girls were able to take a late night visit the spa and enjoy the bamboo towels, dual flush toilets, and a ten headed shower (which I am still pondering over its water efficiency and energy usage.)
Despite the grandeur and comfort that Inn by the Sea offers to affluent guests from across the world, the ability to step across a whisped chemical-free lawn, through the certified bird sanctuary buzzing with vitality, and onto the hot sands of Crescent Beach State Park is incalculable in worth and immeasurable in organic sanctity. This experience alone, one of human equipoise with nature, is the most soul gratifying of all.