Dispatches from the Field & Project Summaries
CRMS
December 17, 2009
About half way between
Salt Lake and Carbondale, our first destination at the Carbondale Rocky Mountain School, we stopped to fill up and noticed that our just purchased used vehicle, was smoking and emitting a horrible smell. Having just inspected the car and repaired some questionable areas we were sure this was a fluke. The car cooled down and we proceeded. Not long after we stopped again. The car was over heating. A mechanic was not able to find anything wrong but mentioned that there was mysteriously oil and coolant 
covering the entire belly of the car. We were told to replace a cap and be on our way.
In the nick of time, sun setting, cold nearing and clock ticking, we met with Linda waving us into the parking lot at CRMS. We couldn’t have arrived on a better evening to join the school. They were holding their annual “Garden Dinner,” serving the entire school, staff and parents with a delicious meal all made from their hard working hands!
The Trailhead
December 17, 2009
As you may have 
suspected, the car needed a little help. The next day as it was being repaired our rental car got us through the aspens, over Independence Pass and straight through to the Trailhead.
Keith, Evelyn, and their precious, furry friend, Prana, were there waiting with welcoming arms. Since taking over ownership of this small, local outdoor retail shop, The Trailhead, five years ago, 
Keith and Evelyn have been heavily involved not only in spreading the word about outdoor activity, including their famous 54 14,000 ft. peaks, but also making sure that the town and wilderness area of Buena Vista continue their traditions of living sustainably.
Having learned of our recent car trouble,
long drive back into town and time restraints, Keith and Evelyn opened up their home to us as well. That evening we stayed up chatting and they recommended that we check out an area of town that had beautiful terrain and a new walkable, sustainable community. Kyle and I were psyched to check out the world-renowned kayaking area and enjoyed an early morning walk along the Arkansas River. As things would happen in a small town, we ran into Dustin and Katie, founders of South Main, the new development we heard being spoken so highly of. Whether you’re looking for a place to settle down or a great vacation spot, check out 
this innovative, sustainable development at www.southmainco.com.
To say the least, Buena Vista is a leader in sustainability, outdoor adventure and lasting friendships!
Sierra Designs
December 17, 2009
Who knew?! Snow 
in October! Colorado had definitely surprised us, but we couldn’t have imagined ski resorts would be opening before Halloween! Kyle was naturally a little desirous to hit the slopes 
Thankfully Sierra Designs lent us a hand. We were greeted by Sue Edmiston’s warm smile and immediately were given the tour; Design, Women’s apparel, even the repair 
shop let us take a peek. After they showed us their creative process, we showed them what GLP is all about. Of course being the outdoor enthusiasts that they are, they had more challenging questions than the teenagers we were used to presenting to, but at the end of the day we were all happy to be working together to promote sustainability
initiatives, and Kyle and I were happy to know that we would stay warm in our down sleeping bags in the cold nights to come!
New Mexico
December 17, 2009
In Santa Fe, NM, if the 
city building regulations are not enough of a reminder of living in an environmentally friendly community, then its’ community members are there to set the example. We stared the week arriving at The Wildlife Center in Espanola, pronounced Es-pan-ola, not to be confused with the Spanish pronunciation Beginning their own education program this year, the Wildlife Center works to promote wildlife conservation.
Just down the road in Santa Fe, we hit the Travel Bug, a local coffee and travel bookstore. Of course it wouldn’t be our style to arrive without difficulty. After our GPS routed us to the old address, we arrived as the clock struck 5pm. Knowing our luck, we had heard that NM time was a bit slower than others, but not this night! Everyone was early and already listening to a backup video in the off-chance we didn’t show. Luckily the audience was just happy we were there and with plenty of participation and interest they remained captivated for our presentation. The funny thing about Santa Fe was that we continued to run into audience members throughout our stay. We bumped into each other while biking and site seeing, proving this is a community that walks the walk and talks the talk.
While we were there, 
our awesome host, and old childhood friend, Piper, treated us to her very own BackroadPizza. With our bellies full we headed toward Las Vegas, New Mexico that is. Or so we thought…
As we got off the highway we drove by the overpass and ran into a toll booth looking barricade with the word “MEXICO” across the top. I have to admit that we were stumped for a second, and then saw the “movie set” sign!
That night we met Ben at Highlands University and were honored to present in their beautiful historic theatre. Ben, along with other students at the university are busy working to spread the word of sustainability through their many campus groups, movie nights, and green week every spring. Highlands was a great venue and surrounded by a small community with a hometown feel.
After camping at the Storrie Lake State Park and warming up in the local, natural, and free hot springs, we were on the road again…
Navajo Preparatory School
December 17, 2009
Getting out of the cold, 
or so we thought, we hit Great Sand Dunes National Park on our way to New Mexico. Passing large solar fields on the road reminded us of the enormous potential of wind and solar energy and are grateful that we are on a tour promoting sustainability.
By the time we got to the Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, NM we were not surprised that not only 
had we brought the snow with us, the amount of which they hadn’t seen in over a decade, but their electricity had gone out as well! Not to worry we thought, we’ll wait. In the meantime we got a great tour of the school from several Navajo students. Kevin Keeley, the science teacher who invited us, had been busy. He helped in starting several green initiatives including “The Energizers,” a student group
focused on sustainability. During our tour we saw their greenhouse, garden, grow boxes and were introduced to their newest building on campus which is LEED certified. Helping these Navajo children make a connection between their Navajo backgrounds and their futures, “Keeley” as he is affectionately referred to, consistently ties sustainability lessons to the surrounding reservations and the present politics involving local coal plants. Hearing the kids talk about their ancestry, their current education
and walking through the schools’ traditional Navajo Hogan, really resonated with us; whether it is around the globe or in our daily lives, sustainability is not a new concept, but rather an idea, capturing the essence of life and to preserve that for generations to come.
Gearing Up
December 17, 2009
As you can imagine 
anyone traveling across country, or at least the western region of the United States covering 7 states, over 5,000 miles and thousands of people, we had a long journey ahead of us!
After having packed up our goods and having put them in storage, letting go of most of our material possessions, and holding back the tears as we bid our awesome, little Boston Terrier, Luna, farewell we picked up our Subaru and started working, hitting three schools in the first week throughout the Salt Lake area. Kyle and I felt confident we were prepared for the journey ahead having already presented to120 audience 
members from ages 11-18, geared up from our trusty Keen, Gregory and Timberland sponsors, and best wishes from family and friends, our challenges were behind us, only the open road and adventure on the horizon!
Reading this you may be all the wiser and can foresee our near future…Dun, dun, dun…
The day before we hit the road our computer crashed… the computer that held all of our newly updated programs for our presentation. After staying up all night trying to troubleshoot, Kyle found a specialty store that would reboot it first thing in the morning. Without a second to spare, we hit the road in the early morning.
One Year Update
December 9, 2009
Questions & Answer:
GLP: How has the rhino population changed since our visit? How is the first newborn calf? Have any more been donated?
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: We have had two successful births during 2009. Nandi gave birth to a bull calf on 24 June 2009 and he has been named Obama. Bella gave birth to a bull calf on 7 October 2009 and he has been named Augustu. Kori is currently pregnant and is due to deliver either in December 2009 or January 2010.
The rhino due to arrive from South Africa has been postponed for a couple of months. The capture should take place in February 2010 and after a six week stint in a boma they will be flown to Uganda. We have decided to receive six rhino at a time as this will be more easily handled by the current staff we have. We do not have funding to employ new staff so we have to work with what we have got. After having Rhino specialists visit the sanctuary during November, it was decided that we would put the Eastern Black rhino project on hold for a while as to have a sustainable breeding herd, we would need at least 20 Black rhino. This is going to have to take a lot more funding and planning.
GLP: Have you found more financial contributors (besides Disney)?
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: We got funding during 2009 from Ausburg Zoo, FUT (Foerderkreis fur Uganda’s Tierwelt), Brevard Zoo and some emergency funding from UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority). This was still not nearly the amount we needed. We have been working on an overdraft facility for most of the year. No funding was received from Disney. At this stage, we have had no definite commitment for funding for 2010.
GLP: What other wildlife populations have changed/been introduced?
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: No new animals received yet. At this stage we are concentrating on getting the rhino population to a good breeding herd size. New animals is still on the Agenda but I cannot say when this is going to happen.
GLP: Has there been an increase in job opportunities for locals at Ziwa?
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Our staff has grown to 72 staff members, this includes the hospitality staff. All staff members are recruited from the local community.
GLP: Have you enacted your plans to draw funding from ecotourism (you mentioned constructing a restaurant, bar, and swimming pool in the video)?
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Restaurant, bar and accommodation are doing well. The income from this goes to the owner of the land who gave us the lease for the property in kind. We are in the final planning stages of a 4 star tented lodge on the sanctuary as well. This will be a time share lodge and shares will be sold to anyone who is interested including corporate companies and tour companies. This lodge will not only cater for tourists but for company weekend getaways, team building weekends, weddings and conferences. The lodge will have luxury tents, Jacuzzi and swimming pool and will be situated on the bank of the dam which is the animals, including rhino drinking and wallowing place. 15% of all the income of the lodge will come to Rhino Fund Uganda.
GLP: Please include any other information you would like audiences (and GLP) to know. Thanks for your time and we appreciate your help in providing these important updates for our website to help us better support Ziwa. Let me know if you have any questions.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Our web page is updated and your link is on as well. Projects that we would like to do in 2010 include a primary school, medical clinic, sports coaching etc. We do however first need to get the funding for this. Our visitor figures have trebled during 2009 which has helped a lot with the income. Rangers received new uniforms and bicycles during 2009. This has made a big difference to their morale. New staff accommodation was built and new pit toilets were built. We are however in desperate need of three boreholes for drinking water for the staff. At this stage the staff is taking water from our dams to drink and cook with.
For the general public – anybody who works for large corporate firms who are looking to get involved with a project as long term as funders – Please speak to your Directors. We are so desperately in need of committed funders. Our budget for 2010 is $310 000 and our income estimated at $ 120 000. There is a HUGE shortfall and it seems all the original funders have moved on to other projects.
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.