FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2006
CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association’s (NHLRA) Sustainable Lodging Program has awarded Environmental Champion status to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) White Mountain Hut System. The status is the highest level of membership in the Sustainable Lodging Program and identifies lodging properties in the state that are taking a leadership role in reducing the environmental impact of their operations.
Located along the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the AMC’s backcountry huts rely upon a variety of environmentally sensitive technologies. Hut lighting, two-way radios, and refrigeration are powered by alternative energy sources. All huts employ solar power and several include wind generators.
Water is conserved through the use of Clivus-Multrum composting toilets at six huts. An AMC-designed waterless toilet system is used at another. Food waste is also composted at each AMC facility. Hut crews carry out any remaining waste to base facilities where recyclables are sorted out and delivered to recycling facilities.
Education is a major focus of the AMC’s operations, and throughout the hut system, guests have abundant opportunities to learn about the environment and environmentally responsible practices.
AMC is a Leave No Trace Masters Course provider, and the organization also offers educational workshops, hikes, naturalist programs, and other opportunities to help guests make a deeper connection with the natural world.
Greenleaf, Galehead, Zealand Falls, Mizpah Spring, Carter Notch, Madison Spring, and Lakes of the Clouds huts in the White Mountain National Forest are operated under special –use permits from the U.S. Forest Service. Lonesome Lake Hut, in Franconia Notch State Park, is operated in partnership with the N.H. Division of Parks & Lands. The AMC huts are open to all, AMC members and non-members alike.
In 2005, three of AMC’s roadside lodges and learning centers were honored by the Sustainable Lodging Program in recognition of their environmentally sensitive operations. Receiving “Environmental Champion” status were the AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch; Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and Joe Dodge Lodge in the White Mountain National Forest; and AMC’s Cardigan Lodge, at the base of Mt. Cardigan in Alexandria.
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the United States. With more than 90,000 members in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and wise use of the mountains, rivers and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful, long-term conservation depends upon first-hand enjoyment of the natural environment. More information is available on the AMC’s website, www.outdoors.org.
The New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging Program encourages lodging properties throughout the state to evaluate their operations for more environmentally sensitive ways to continue to provide superior service to their guests. Member properties commit to evaluating and implementing initiatives in the areas of energy efficiency, water conservation, solid and hazardous waste reduction and education. When a property achieves an average of 75 percent or greater implementation of suggested initiatives, they can be considered for Environmental Champion status. The New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging Program maintains a website, www.nhslp.org, which lists all members in the program by region and provides lodging properties with updates on seminars of interest, recent news/research and resources for environmentally sensitive products.
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