Sunriver Resort

Sunriver Resort has undergone some environmentally friendly changes over the last few years, and as a result of those efforts, they’ve accepted numerous awards on their environmental practices.  The credit is due in large part to Destination Hotels & Resorts, the management company for Sunriver Resort.  They have initiated a program called Destination Earth, which is meant to “preserve the world in which we live.”   They are “dedicated to practices and programs that pay respect to, and lessen (their) footprint on our changing environment”.  Destination Hotels & Resorts is the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the country and is “committed to creating a new benchmark for our hotels and resorts through a series of environmental initiatives, both on the corporate level, and at each of our individual properties.”

How They Make a Difference:    A “Destination Earth” taskforce ensures all departments and associates of Destination Hotels & Resorts are personally involved and committed to the program.  Each property has an onsite “green team” that pursues environmentally responsible services and products.  They purchase local, organic and environmentally friendly foods and supplies whenever possible.  They create partnerships with other like-minded organizations as they set an example for other companies.  Utilizing environmentally responsible building materials and strategies helps reduce their impact.   Retrofitting existing properties with energy efficient lighting, heating & cooling systems and water-saving devices ensures an on-going commitment to the earth.  This attention to detail has resulted in numerous awards for many of Destination Hotels & Resorts properties. “As stewards of Central Oregon’s abundant natural resources, we are constantly looking for ways to expand our environmental practices and decrease the Resort’s footprint,” said Tom O’Shea, managing director of Sunriver Resort. “These practices date back to the Resort’s inception nearly 40 years ago, when ‘green’ practices were virtually unheard of not just at golf resorts, but across all industries.”

What’s “Green” in Sunriver:  The golf courses at Sunriver Resort have Signature Sanctuary Certification from Audubon International, a non-profit environmental organization headquartered in New York State. This certification recognizes that the golf course has been successfully designed, constructed, and managed with a comprehensive approach to environmental protection. The November 2009 issue of Golf Digest recognized Sunriver Resort with its inaugural “Green Star Award”. Sunriver Resort is one of only four recipients of the award, which recognizes the country’s most outstanding environmental leaders in golf. Caldera Links and Golf Park, Sunriver Resort’s 12-hole private executive golf course, received an environmental planning certification from the Audubon (International) Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. As part of the program, Caldera will be involved in “projects that enhance habitat for wildlife and preserve natural resources,” according to Audubon International. The Sunriver Resort Marina and Sunriver Stables Trail Ride Registration Facility received LEED® Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in January 2010.

As if you needed another reason to take the family to Sunriver Resort, now you can relax knowing they are making every effort to ensure their environmental friendliness. For more information about Sunriver Resort’s environmental practices, please visit their website at www.sunriver-resort.com .