The Lodge at Spruce Peak Achieves Audubon International Platinum Green Lodging Certification

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Audubon International – The environmentally focused non-profit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play – announces that The Lodge at Spruce Peak, the centerpiece of a sustainability-driven, all-seasons resort community in Stowe, Vermont, has achieved Green Lodging/Green Hospitality Platinum-level Certification.

A Hyatt Destination property, the 250-room-and-suite Lodge at Spruce Peak was originally certified at the Gold Green Lodging/Green Hospitality level in January 2009. Spruce Peak was also certified as an Audubon International Sustainable Community in 2010, while its Mountain Course gained Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf certification in 2007.

“In a state long recognized for its commitment to its environment, The Lodge at Spruce Peak has set an even higher bar for the lodging industry throughout New England and indeed the entire nation,” says Christine Kane, CEO of Audubon International. “Now that the Lodge is Green Lodging certified alongside the golf course and community as a whole, Spruce Peak is that rare destination that indeed takes sustainable best practices to heart. We congratulate owner-developer Sam Gaines and his entire team on seeing their vision through and putting it into impressive action.”

Available to any lodging facility from inns and lodges to full-scale resorts such as Spruce Peak, the Green Lodging Program provides third-party verification that certified lodging facilities have met environmental best practice standards and have demonstrated a strong commitment to making improvements. Through a comprehensive method for assessing the extent of the environmental measures undertaken, participating facilities can reduce environment-related costs and gain a marketing advantage. Areas of focus include Communication, Community, Waste & Materials, Water Conservation, Energy, and Chemicals & Air Quality. Properties must recertify every three years.

“As Vermont’s winter recreation season kicks into high gear, The Lodge at Spruce Peak, its staff, and its customers indeed have much to celebrate,” says Greg Poirier, Director of Green Hospitality Certification Programs for Audubon International. “Reaching the Platinum level shows their deep respect for the environment and clearly illustrates their plan to operate in balance with nature.”

Adds David Lockard, Managing Director at the Lodge at Spruce Peak, “Achieving platinum tier recognition from Audubon International is a remarkable honor and a testament to the passion and dedication of our team at Spruce Peak. This accomplishment underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability and preserving the natural beauty that makes Stowe so unique. We are proud to be part of a global movement toward protecting our planet and will continue to prioritize responsible stewardship in all that we do.”

To learn more about how your local lodging property or resort can gain recognition for your environmental efforts, to learn how to expand your initiatives through Audubon International’s numerous environmental certifications, or to explore sponsorship options, visit www.auduboninternational.org or call toll free: 1-844-767-9051

About Audubon International

An environmentally focused non-profit organization, Audubon International offers members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play. Its certifications are designed to increase environmental awareness, encourage sustainable environmental efforts, and educate both its members and their communities.