Our Commitment to the EnvironmentLied Lodge & Conference Center is located on the 260-acre estate of J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day. The Arbor Day Foundation's educational message of wise environmental stewardship becomes very apparent as you walk the property and see it in everything we do. Efficient Heating and Cooling.The environmental features begin with the building's heating and cooling systems, which are powered by an energy efficient fuel wood energy plant. There are no sulfide emissions and no CFCs used for air conditioning. The plant is fueled by wood chips that are the byproduct of manufacturing or are grown as a crop on our fuel wood plantation to be harvested for that purpose. After harvesting the energy, trees grow back from their coppiced tops to provide future crops of renewable energy. Steam from the wood fired boilers also heats the swimming pool and powers the laundry. The waste wood byproduct of a nearby sawmill was previously hauled to a landfill. We are now taking that wood and turning it into energy, eliminating it from the waste stream. There is also a Fuel Wood Energy Plant Visitor's Center to give visitors a chance to see this unique operation in action and to interpret the use of alternative fuels. Education.
Around the Lied Lodge & Conference Center are different types of woods in the dining room, lobby, lounge, and each meeting room. Along with that are quotes from conservationists throughout history displayed for visitors to read. The timbers used in the lobby were part of a thinning operation to save forests. Learn more about Arbor Day Farm.Energy Efficiency.We use energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting and energy-efficient windows and doors. Wherever appropriate, the windows open to allow for natural ventilation. Water saving plumbing is featured in the guestrooms along with four recycling containers for our guests to separate their paper, aluminum, plastic and trash. Guests also have the option of reusing bedding and towels to conserve on chemical consumption and resources. We also have onsite recycling processing for cardboard, aluminum, paper and glass. Sustainability.Ozone is used in the pool and spa as a disinfectant to cut down on harsh chemical consumption. Chemicals for the dish room and laundry are automatic portion controlled with individual bulk dispensing stations for concentrated cleaning chemicals. The hydraulic fluid we use is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Lied Lodge & Conference Center's 10-passenger airport shuttle is powered by Soybean Bio-Diesel. We pride ourselves on using recycled items wherever we can, Some examples would be our lampshades that are made from recycled paper, our guestroom carpet that is made from recycled plastic pop bottles, our Styrofoam cups are made from recycled Styrofoam that is degradable and non-polluting. And the podium tops are made from a soybean and recycled paper product called Environ. "Each generation takes the Earth as trustees. We ought to bequeath to posterity as many forests and orchards as we have exhausted and consumed." |