Green Resort Living in New Jersey
For some people “resort living” and “environmental responsibility” may seem like odd bedfellows. After all, thinking about a resort conjures up images of luxury and pampering. On the other hand, thinking about acting in an environmentally responsible way generally generates thoughts of things we have to do without.
Things have changed a lot since the early days of green building. When energy-efficient devices and building materials were first introduced, some of them weren’t all that great. They may have saved some energy, but they didn’t perform very well. And homeowners had to pay a premium price to “go green.” As concern for the environment has grown, demand for quality “green” products and environmentally friendly materials has grown as well. And as quality has increased, prices have dropped. As a result, “green resort living” is no longer an oxymoron. It’s a reality.
There’s more to “being green” however, than simply installing a few energy-efficient devices in the homes we build. That’s why Crystal Springs Builders has teamed up with US-based Sustainable Travel International (STI) to 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. We’ve identified greenhouse gas emissions stemming from basic electricity consumption, and we seek to remedy their impact on global warming.
We’ve taken additional environmental initiatives as well, including:
- Having our Ballyowen Golf Club designated as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS)
- Creating a partnership with the National Biodiversity Parks Land Trust to preserve a 1300+ acre green belt surrounding the development
- Investing a $70,000 federal grant to improve wildlife habitat on three of our golf courses: Ballyowen, Black Bear and Crystal Springs
- Forming an alliance with the New Jersey Non-Game Program to help restore the federally endangered bog turtle habitat within Crystal Springs
- Enlisted 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
- Starting recycling of rain water for use in landscape irrigation within Crystal Springs residential community
Resort living in New Jersey and caring for the environment don’t have to be at odds with one another. If caring for the environment and a quality lifestyle are both important to you, you’ll want to take a closer look at Crystal Springs Resort—and check out some of our additional green initiatives.
