Archive for August, 2010
August 31st, 2010
Planted in the middle of a working vineyard in Newberg, a small town in Willamette Valley, The Allison Inn and Spa is doing some amazing things in terms of reducing the ecological footprint associated with typically high-impact hospitality operations. The resort was designed by GGLO to save 48% on utility costs, as well as reduce potable water use by 78% and overall water use by 37%, compared to a comparable non-green project.
The Allison was completed in September last year and has been certified to the LEED Gold level. The project includes 85 guest rooms, conference space, a spa, and a restaurant that sources a portion of its herbs, fruits, and vegetables on-site.
In addition to a 10,000 square green roof (pictured below), which helps control stormwater runoff and minimize the need for energy, The Allison is powered in part by a 55 kW photovoltaic array. Also, 3,800 square feet of solar hot water is collected on the roof for use in the kitchen, laundry, guest rooms, and spa.
All together, The Allison received everything but two points in the energy category of LEED certification. Other elements that contribute toward energy conservation include double-pane windows, variable refrigerant volume heating and cooling, and energy-efficient lighting and controls.
About nine acres of the total project has a unique eco-turf that requires no fertilizer and little water, while providing a natural habitat. There’s also a purple pipe that will be connected to the city’s reclaimed water line in the future to completely eliminate the use of potable water at The Allison.
The resort features 325 pieces of art from local artists. Furthermore, 24% of materials are regionally sourced and manufactured, 28% of materials contain recycled content, and just over half of wood products are FSC certified.
[+] Stay at The Allison Inn & Spa in Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Credits: Barbara Kraft Photography (#2); GGLO (all others).
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August 31st, 2010
Image courtesy of Sara Snow
In early November three amazing Yoga teachers will gather alongside the Sea of Cortez to host a yoga retreat called Pranic Oasis at the Racho Buena Vista resort in Cabo San Lucas. One of these is Prana Flow instructor, Coral Brown.
Last week I spoke by phone with Coral to learn about her beginnings and what inspires her today.
August 31st, 2010
Image via Ecorazzi
Brazil has received a whole lot of negativity regarding the Belo Monte dam. The $17 billion complex would divert nearly all of the flow of the Xingu River, a massive river known for its biodiversity, to generate hydroelectric power. A new video narrated by Sigourney Weaver illustrates through a 3D tour using Google Earth video the catastrophic social a… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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August 31st, 2010
Image via UCSD
What happens inside a whale’s head when it encounters sound? The mammals have highly developed capabilities of detecting and processing sound waves, something that helps them communicate over long distances, but which also spell their demise in an ocean filled with intense, loud human-generated noise. We’ve seen research that shows scientists looking into how too-loud noise can damage and even kill whales, but now r… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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August 31st, 2010
Photo via FreeCat @ Flickr
Sometimes a name change can be a good thing (just ask Walter Willison, Jennifer Anastassakis, or Caryn Johnson, who you know as Bruce Willis, Jennifer Aniston, and Whoopi Goldberg). But for these fish, a new name meant new popularity — and an increased danger of being overfished.
Would slimeheads, mudbugs, hogs, and whore’s eggs stayed peacefully abundant under the water if they hadn’t had their identities stolen? Click on to see other weirdly-nam… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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August 31st, 2010
Photo via qmnonic
Nothing like a flood of minks loose in a country’s already fragile ecosystem to put environmentalists in a tough spot. Two fur farms in northern Greece were raided, the results of which saw 50,000 minks running for the hills. Fortunately for everyone (except the minks) the problem could solve itself in a short time. … Read the full story on TreeHugger
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August 31st, 2010
Here are today’s picks for what’s wow in the world of green
Lomborg Sings a New Tune About Climate Change
Banks Wary of Environmental Risks
August 31st, 2010
No one likes laundry day. But after watching this video with Zem from the MODERN LIVING Showhouse project, you’ll have a whole new take on how fashionable it can be to suds up those sustainable clothes.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Love what you saw in the closet? Check out e-Drop-Off express on eBay to see the pre-owned good currently up for auction. Or maybe you’re in the market for a new stylish, eco-friendly washer and dryer? In any case, everyone should give the cradle-to-cradle certified laundry detergent a try for a few loads – you’ll be impressed to see how so little can go so far!
August 31st, 2010
Image credit: psyberartist/Flickr
In the northern hemisphere, the winter of 2010 was notable for its unpredictability and extreme conditions. From East Coast blizzards to a devastating cold snap in Florida, cities struggled to to keep pace and entire ecosystems hovered on the brink of collapse.
Now, as winter wears on in the Southern Hemisphere, Bolivia is reeling from uncharacteristically cold weat… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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August 31st, 2010
Image via National Geographic
Insect eggs are neat, but we had no idea they looked this neat. Gizmodo points us to a phenomenal slideshow of insect eggs photographed from and ant-eye view, making the less-than-2-millimeter eggs look other-worldly. Using a scanning electron microscope, National Geographic and Prüftechnik Uri and School of Applied Sciences, FHNW, show us what the beginnings of life look like for bugs. … Read the full story on TreeHugger
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