PRESS RELEASE
Kessler Canyon employees hold a public information session on their sustainability and conservation plans.
De Beque, CO, May 25, 2009: The green industry is soured with trendy adjectives and warm-fuzzy marketing terms. As a result, often the ethical real-world approach to conservation and sustainability seems a bit watered down to the public. Refreshingly, this is not the case for Kessler Canyon! A beautiful 23,000 acre retreat and luxury guest lodge located outside of De Beque, approximately a 45 minute drive east from the Grand Junction Airport. At Kessler Canyon the employees are backing up their ‘green’ words with hard work, honest actions and a sincere commitment to community, environment, and business here in Colorado.
The employees of Kessler Canyon opened their doors to the public for an informational meeting on the company’s environmental and community initiatives. After about two months of work with conservation consulting firm, Rock Environmental, LLC, Kessler Canyon was proud to introduce to the community a new set of standards, operational activities, and policies that will create a more sustainable future for the company. The document presented was referred to as an Environmental Management System (EMS) within it describes the processes Kessler Canyon will take to minimize harmful environmental and community impacts and maximize positive conservation and cultural impacts.
The presentation was given by employees about several key aspects; all of which had clear objectives, goals, indicators to measure success, and plans to improve over time.
Employees
1. TRAINING: A comprehensive employee orientation and training schedule and manual was developed to continually improve staff knowledge and ability to communication information about conservation initiatives, operational objectives, native flora and fauna, and local culture and history to guests.
2. RESOURCE USAGE: The usage of water, amount of waste disposal, CO2 emissions, and energy usage by employees will now be monitored by management. Kessler Canyon seeks to create an industry standard/baseline of non-guest occupied areas and residences of employees that live onsite in order to keep track of usage, measure, evaluate and improve over time.
3. FOOD PROCUREMENT: The Head Chef is committed to purchasing products of natural, organic, local, wild harvested, minimally processed meats and produce. Kessler Canyon records and measures the amount of sustainable products in order to reach their desired percentage of the food procurement budget. This information is conveyed to guests either verbally or written in items like the menu.
4. SAFETY & LEAVE NO TRACE: Employees are committed to accurately and consistently provide clients with risks and safety information before all outdoor activities. Kessler Canyon believes in a “leave no trace” policy in regards to maintaining habitat used during activities and properly discarding waste created during such activities. The employees openly encourage guests to participate.
Guests/Clients
5. EDUCATION & AWARENESS: Kessler Canyon has a desire to inform guests about local history, culture, flora, wildlife, and their own personal commitments to conservation. Employees’ communication this through newsletter, the website, verbal interpretation onsite, and soliciting guest satisfaction surveys for ways to improve the presentation of their message.
6. RESOURCE USAGE: The usage of water, amount of waste disposal, CO2 emissions, and energy usage by employees will now be monitored by management. Kessler Canyon seeks to create an industry standard/baseline of all guest consumption in order to keep track of usage, measure, evaluate and improve over time.
Community
7. CHARITABLE DONATION: Kessler Canyon has committed to the Colorado Division of Wildlife to donate and host six, 3-day cow-elk hunts for kids from Colorado. Employees donate their time and knowledge to give Colorado children the opportunity to experience a true wilderness adventure.
Land
8. LAND IMPROVEMENT & MAINTENANCE: Kessler Canyon has created a baseline to evaluate the property and improve upon the percentage of land enhancements since the property was purchased in 2001. A percentage of the annual maintenance budget is designated to continually improve the stream, canyon, and mountain habitats for fish, bird, and other wildlife habitat.
After the employees gave their presentation, Dougald Scott, a resident of California and De Beque area land owner, shared with the audience a series of old photographs from the property that illustrated his family’s heritage and historical connection with the canyon. Scott’s personal narrative reiterated how important it is for Kessler Canyon to share these types of unique stories and history of the area to guests.
Wayne Klahn, Broker Associate of Colorado Heritage Real Estate Company and resident of De Beque, commented that “The presentation was impressive… It was a great concept to include the community.”
Guests enjoy the grandeur of Colorado’s mountains and wildlife in the ultimate mixture of luxury, adventure, and tranquility. The Guesthouse over looks a historical apple orchard, the trout-filled lakes, and the meandering Brush Creek nestled between 8,000 ft high mountains. The Guesthouse offers six private guest rooms, while the Homestead contains nine private guest rooms for accommodations of up to 30 people. With four-star amenities and services the stay is sure to please the guest seeking quiet relaxation or the guest craving exciting activity. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, fly fishing, clay shooting, four wheeling, photographic tours, big game hunting and wing shooting or simply relax and enjoy the Poseidon Spa, gourmet meals, the world-class Kessler art collection and the tranquil surroundings. The perfect destination for your next weekend away!
For more information, contact Kessler Canyon at (866) 548 3267 or visit them online at www.kesslercanyon.com.
About The Kessler Collection - Richard C. Kessler's luxury hotel collection includes the AAA Four-Diamond Beaver Creek Lodge in Beaver Creek, CO; the AAA Four-Diamond Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, FL; the AAA Four-Diamond Celebration Hotel in Celebration, FL; the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville, NC; the AAA Four-Diamond Grand Bohemian Hotel in Orlando, FL; the AAA Four-Diamond El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa in Taos, NM; Kessler Canyon in De Beque, CO; the AAA Four-Diamond Mansion on Forsyth Park; Savannah, GA; Columbia Place luxury condominiums in Savannah, GA; and The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront opening July 2009.
Kessler’s Grand Theme Hotel collection includes the Doubletree Castle Hotel in Orlando, FL and the Sundy House, a Kessler-managed property, in Delray Beach, FL.
For more information, visit www.kesslercollection.com.
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