SAN FRANCISCO—Last week, General Manager Clif Clark of the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront drove a truckload of pumpkins to the San Francisco Zoo for animals to enjoy as a nutritious Thanksgiving treat. Lions, giraffes, grizzly bears, rhinos, hippos and mandrills are just a few of the species that feasted on the pumpkins.
Most hotels install their holiday decorations the day before or after Thanksgiving. This practice leads many pumpkins, the former stars of festive fall displays, straight to landfill. In 2013, Clark began the tradition of donating the pumpkins to the San Francisco Zoo in an effort to reduce waste and feed the two- and four-legged local community.
Expectant barn owls began flocking to the hotel to nest outside its bayfront windows three years ago. The ledge outside of Room 1141 has proved especially popular with owl families and is named the “Hoot Suite”. Here, owls and owlets have dined al fresco while savoring exquisite views of San Francisco. The hotel’s history of hosting the owls is documented in “When Mountain Lions are Neighbors” by Beth Pratt.
“We treat all our guests as VIPs and welcome all families that fly in for short or extended stays,” quips Clark.
The San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront is part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Habitat program. The hotel has received World Wildlife Assn. and Trip Advisor Green Leader Silver awards and implements green practices throughout its operations.
Go to the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront.
