ORLANDO, FLA.—In keeping with its dedication to employ environmentally sound practices at the 500-acre property, Grande Lakes Orlando announces a boost to its growing eco-positive actions at its 18-hole golf course, and surrounding natural preserve as well as a significant recycling and waste reduction initiative in collaboration with Harvest Power.
The green practices carried out on the golf course and towards the protection of its natural surroundings have earned the course the designation of “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” as well as a certification from the Golf Environment Organization (GEO). Most recently, it received the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) Sustainability Award, one of the highest honors in the industry for its comprehensive high performance across all aspects of maintaining the course. This includes nature, water, energy, supply chain, pollution control and community. The course borders the Shingle Creek Basin, an Environmental Preserve that will never be subject to further development.
Guests now also have the opportunity to learn more about the resort’s natural surroundings with the addition of six certified Florida Master Naturalists who are experts in the areas of the local wildlife, ecosystem, and environmental stewardship. These naturalists conduct educational eco-tours at Grande Lakes providing guests with a unique glimpse into the pure surroundings of the resort including bird habitats, fishing experiences and nature trails. The protection of the habitat includes creation of a natural corridor for wildlife that make the area home. This means 35 acres of property is designed as a natural environment and totally untouched, a rare find among golf courses in the United States and one that creates a unique experience for golfers.
Significant Water Use Reduction
“We have one of the most sustainable golf courses in the U.S.,” said Nathan Stith, Director of Golf. “Through the efforts of our dedicated team and their attention to the course as well as our solid conservation practices, we reduced water usage by over one million gallons from 2012 to 2013.”
Other green practices on the golf course include a long-term commitment to reducing chemicals on the ground using techniques that cut down chemical application by 90 percent.
Further extending the resort’s sustainability program, Grande Lakes has joined forces with Harvest Power to recycle the food waste generated by the resort, diverting it from landfills. Through this initiative the resort will shrink its carbon footprint and contribute clean renewable energy back into the environment. Future plans include using the byproduct of Harvest Power’s food waste in the soil at the resort’s Whisper Creek Farm, which currently supplies many natural ingredients to the award-winning cuisine at the restaurants on property.
“There is a lot of energy and support at all levels for this Harvest Power initiative,” said Jim Burns, Managing Director, Grande Lakes Orlando. “We are 100 percent committed to sustainability across the resort, from the guest experience in room to the dining to the recreation services on property and we are excited about collaborating with Harvest Power, an organization that is providing a superior state-of-the-art food waste processing solution.”
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