Are you planning a trip to a waterpark this year?

If so make sure to pick a hotel  that is Eco Friendly.  We are headed to Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells this June. Did you know that the Great Wolf Lodge's are the only water parks that are Green Seal Certified! 

In fact the Great Wolf Lodge in  Wisconsin Dells is one of only 2 hotels in the whole State of Wisconsin that have earned the  Green Seal Certification! The Guest House at Windspread

- The Johnson Foundation is the only other location in the State of Wisconsin with Green Seal Certification.  This is a HUGE deal to saving our planet!

Green Seal is a certification created 20 years ago for the lodging industry that addresses close to 30 environmentally responsible areas.

Program Project Green Wolf was designed by Great Wolf to encourage eco-friendly initiatives at their resorts.  Project Green Wolf’s mission is to play a leading role in conserving our planet for future generations by educating and establishing green traditions for both our guests and pack members.  Their strong environment program has given them the opportunity to receive the Green Seal Certification at their resorts. A certificate no other water park has been able to obtain. 

Here are just a few of the actions that Great WOlf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells has taken that all the other water parks in the dells have not. I know this list is long - as you can see by the list it took serious commitment to make these things happen! Total company commitment from the top down. 

I Thank Great Wolf for "Making A Difference"

 Management of Freshwater Resources
1.    Showerheads, faucets and aerators use low-flow, water-conserving fixtures or retrofits.  We also use waterless urinals in our men’s public restrooms.
2.    Exterior landscaping uses local plants and watering is scheduled to retain maximum water. 
3.    Sidewalks are swept instead of washed. 
4.    They have a strong guest linen reuse program that saves water by eliminating unnecessary laundering.   
5.    Their laundry facility is equipped with the very latest technology, allowing us to recycle up to 70 percent of the water it uses.6.    In addition to Green Seal requirements, they have developed our own waterpark standards:     

• Their waterpark filtration systems use 80 to 90 percent less water than traditional filters.   
• They mechanically control the humidity and temperatures in the park so there’s very little water loss from evaporation.   
• They recover most of our water, filter it, treat it, and return it to the waterpark.  Their systems are considered to be the most effective and complete in the world.  
• Because of their advanced filters, the water we use contains the lowest amount of chlorine possible, while staying within the recommended local and state guidelines.  Less chlorine in the pools means less chlorine released into the environment.  

 Reuse and Recycling Efforts
1.    They co-mingled recycling bins in all public areas, guest rooms, and employee areas.
2.    Amenities (soap, shampoo, etc.) are packaged in recyclable materials and unused portions are donated to charity when possible. 
3.    They use only recycled paper at our resorts.  
4.    Resort uses double-sided copying. 
5.    Products are purchased in bulk, such as concentrated cleaning products.

Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Management
1.    In-room, office, and heating/air conditioning equipment is either already energy-efficient, or on schedule to be replaced with energy-efficient equipment. 
2.    Their lighting uses only energy-efficient bulbs.
3.    Systems and appliances are on a preventative maintenance schedule. 
4.    Energy-efficient windows are used as windows are replaced. 
5.    Programmable on/off timers and/or sensors are used for lighting and HVAC in low traffic and low occupancy areas.

Waste Water Management
1.    Chlorinated chemicals are used only where there is no less toxic alternative. 
2.    Automatic dishwashing detergent is biodegradable and does not contain NTA, a harmful water softener, or chlorine bleach. 
3.    Laundry detergents and cleaning products are non-phosphate, nontoxic and biodegradable, and used in concentrated liquid or powder form. 
4.    Organic insecticides, fertilizers and biocides (used for pesticides and antimicrobials) are being researched.

Hazardous Substances
1.    Hazardous substances are being replaced with less hazardous alternatives. 
2.    Chemical storage and mixing areas have appropriate space, plumbing and ventilation. 
3.    Storage containers are clearly marked and property uses spill containment measures. 
4.    Architectural paint does not contain heavy metals or toxic organic substances.

Environmentally and Socially Sensitive Purchasing Policy
1.    Hotel has established an environmental purchasing policy led by a steering committee. 
2.    Printing and writing papers contain a minimum of 30 percent post consumer material content or tree-free fiber content; coated paper contains a minimum of 10 percent post consumer material content or tree-free fiber content. 
3.    Toilet tissue is made from at least 20 percent recycled fibers; facial tissue from at least 10 percent recycled fibers; and napkins and paper towels from at least 40 percent recycled fibers. 
4.    Durable goods are of sufficient quality to allow reuse, refinishing and/or reupholstering. 
5.    Products such as paints and cleaning products meet Green Seal's low VOC guidelines.  (VOCs are volatile organic compounds, and can result in air pollution.) 
6.    Preference is given to suppliers who provide reusable packaging and shipping pallets. 
7.    Preference is given to environmentally responsible service suppliers.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to me to teach the kids that being eco-friendly is our responsibility as humans.  Only by protecting what we have can we ensure that our earth as we know it will be here for future generations.  Our family focuses on living green - taking very little from our earth and giving back much more.  Simple things like keeping our lakeshore property natural at our home, using natural cleaning products, never using lawn fertilizer that will run off into our lake, reuse and recycle - standing strong in our belief that "We Can Make A Difference". They kids know what to buy and what not.  They know the word ORGANIC and GMO FREE. I am proud of my daughter and son-in-law for not always taking the easy route -  the green route is sometimes more work but offers more rewards.

Please join me in Thanking Great Wolf for being a leader in SAVING our EARTH! 

They are making a difference!