Eco-Friendly Hotel in New Jersey’s Highlands
“Green” Hotels are environmentally-friendly properties whose owners and managers are eager to institute programs that save water, save energy and reduce solid waste to help protect the environment and create a healthier atmosphere to live and breathe.
All over New Jersey many Hotel and Resort establishments are becoming more and more aware of the growing concerns of our environment. Many are reducing consumption, becoming more energy efficient and some even switching to renewable energy. Crystal Springs Resort, the Northeast’s premier resort located in northwestern NJ, is committed to actively pursing eco-tourism that increases usage and recognition of the protected New Jersey Highlands, the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge and the Appalachian Trail for the benefit of all. The Resort has become the first resort development company to address global warming and offset its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through MyClimate™, an innovative program that neutralizes the impact of GHG emissions. MyClimate™ has helped Crystal Springs address the issue of global warming by ensuring that its operations are climate friendly.
The Resort also has a strong commitment to develop its holdings in an ecologically sensitive manner, with a record for environmental excellence including:
• All of the Resort’s golf courses are designated as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS), the educational division of Audubon International
• A partnership with the NJ Conserve Wildlife Foundation to use a $22,000 Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) grant to manage the Oak Street Fen for Bog Turtles – goats and cows are used to eat undesirable plants
• Investment of a $65,000 Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) Grant to improve wildlife habitat on Ballyowen, Black Bear
• Cooperation with the NJ Non-Game Program to monitor, manage and improve the habitat for the federally endangered bog turtle habitat within Crystal Springs Golf Club and surrounding residential area
• The services of Go Native’s Dennis Miranda, a naturalist with 20+ years experience in the Highlands, and founder of the Crystal Springs Nature Club
• A “Beneficial Reuse” program at the Resort’s Great Gorge Country Club to water the golf course with treated septic water.
• Recycling rain water for use in landscape irrigation within Crystal Springs residential community
Opened in August 2007, the luxurious Grand Cascades Lodge was constructed by the first Carbon Neutral builder and has taken many additional steps to continue to raise the bar in environmental responsibility, including the Biosphere Pool Complex which acts as a large greenhouse and houses tropical plants, and is heated and cooled by an innovative retractable roof – and is extremely energy efficient.
Other Eco-Friendly Hotels in the Highlands Region
Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge
The Olde Mill Inn offers "Greener Accommodations for a Healthier Night Sleep".
