Daily Best Practices

Here is a comprehensive list of the things that we do on a daily basis at Siwash Lake Ranch to help preserve the planet.

• Addressed in our operations manual
• A key component of the SLR Mission statement
• Taught during staff training
• Taught via guest education & activities
• Promoted via marketing and the media
• Practiced and adhered to daily throughout the operation
• Evident in the great care we take to preserve the history and integrity of the ranch site and the regional culture
• Supported by recruiting and training a cross generation, multi-cultural staff that is drawn from a wide variety of sources, both local and international, including young people starting out and retired professionals—empowering them to become a team of multi-talented, multi-tasking ambassadors for environmentally responsible living close to nature

• Everyone stays on the trails.
• All garbage is packed out.
• Used toilet paper is packed out and human waste is buried.
• Wildlife is to be enjoyed, but respected and not disturbed, and breeding areas are to be avoided
• We abide by the Ministry of Environment Wildlife Guidelines for Commercial Backcountry Recreation.
• Fishing is catch and release with the option of keeping just one for the table.
• No smoking on the trails and in limited areas at the ranch.
• We take care not to spread noxious weeds and invasive plants by vehicle, by boat, by foot and by horse and we monitor for this.
• All activities are nature-based and we take care to mitigate any potential impacts
  

• The majority of our printed marketing materials are constructed from at least 30% recycled paper, and by 2010, the goal is to be 100% in this regard.
• Whenever possible, communication is electronic versus print.
• Scrap paper is used for drafts and for fire starter or sent for recycling.
• All computers, printers and monitors are turned off on a power bar when not in use.

• Biodegradable, fragrance free cleaners and detergents, no phosphates or harsh chemicals.
• Toilet tissue made from recycled paper.
• Recycling of containers for guest toiletries.
• Guest toiletries are purchased in bulk.
• Guest toiletries are made from natural ingredients & are biodegradable.
• Notice in bathrooms for guests regarding SLR environmental policies & procedures.
• Notice in guestroom info books regarding SLR environmental initiatives.
• Laundry always washed in cold water (except kitchen linens).
• All lodge laundry is hung to line dry when weather is good.
• Used magazines are donated to local library.
• Used newspapers are used for fire starter or sent for recycling.
• Used hand soaps are donated to third world countries.
• Curtains and doors are kept closed in unoccupied rooms to conserve energy.
• Housekeeping staff are trained to switch off any lights that guests may have left on (but the guests are encouraged and reminded to cooperate with this too).
• No aerosols whenever possible – choose pump spray alternatives.
• The goal is to produce no more than one or two bags of garbage per month.

• Most appliances are Energy-star rated and/or managed properly for peak efficiency and low energy consumption.
• Vegetable & fruit peelings, plus guest & staff plate scrapings are fed to SLR pigs and chickens.
• Coffee grounds, tea bags etc. are composted (compost is used on garden).
• Meat scraps are given to working ranch dogs.
• Strict portion control is practiced and meals are plated so there is very little left-over food.
• Any left-over food is incorporated into staff meals.
• Left over and trail food is packaged using eco-friendly containers/wrappings.
• Use of tin foil and plastic food wrap kept minimal and only when necessary.
• Ranch grown organic produce and meat is used as much as possible (vegetables & herbs from our garden; free-range eggs; beef; and pork).
• For other supplies and food we provision locally and organically as much as possible, purchase in bulk, and we use suppliers whom make sustainable practices a priority.
• Beverage containers, tin cans, glass, cardboard, and plastics are recycled.
• Household batteries are collected and taken to an allocated site (SMAC).
• No aerosols whenever possible – choose pump spray alternatives.
• The dining room is set with linen napkins and place mats. Guests are assigned one napkin for 3 meals per day (with a color coded napkin ring).
• The 2-acre ranch garden is organic and the ranch owners, their children and all staff members partake in its care.

• A large solar photo voltaic array sends energy to a power bank of 24 deep cycle industrial batteries, which provides 70% of a day’s electricity for the lodge.
• Once per day on average during the busy season, a diesel generator runs for 6 hours to top up the batteries (in most off-grid remote communities, diesel generators run 24/7, around the clock).
• No air conditioning units in rooms – all windows open for fresh air and lodge is designed for natural circulation of air. Log buildings are naturally well-insulated – cool in summer, warm in winter.
• Heating is provided by CSA approved/emission controlled wood stoves that burn beetle-killed timber.
• Our own portable sawmill is used to create lumber from the beetle-killed pine and this lumber is used for ranch construction projects.
• All light bulbs are energy efficient & ultra-low wattage.
• Our own private water system treats well water using an innovative high-tech filtration system and absolutely no chlorine.
• All of our faucets & toilets have flow-restriction mechanisms.
• Our sewage system is a lagoon that functions like a compost and breaks down waste by natural bacteria and evaporation.
• Hazardous waste is kept to a minimum, and is sent for recycling whenever possible (i.e. used vehicle batteries and oil).
• No harsh chemicals, solvents, pesticides or herbicides are used. We use water–based paints and stains 80% of the time.
• Hot water is provided by propane fuelled “on demand” geyser systems (as opposed to traditional hot water heaters).
• The Ranch ATV is used only when required for ranch work and when walking or riding a bike or a horse is not a viable option.
• When gathering firewood, care is taken to cause minimal impact on the surrounding terrain.
• No engine idling policy for all vehicles.
• Diesel truck is plugged in for half an hour prior to starting on cold days, which reduces carbon emissions associated with cold starts.
• Trips off the ranch are planned for efficient use of time and fuel and made only when necessary – errands are saved up and grouped under one “town” day per week or preferably once every ten to fourteen days.

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