We will provide:

• a quiet haven of wilderness, serenity and natural beauty
• attractive options for activity or not
• an environment which is close to nature and reflective of nature
• a safe, interactive experience with the wilderness
• a safe physical environment for guests and staff
• opportunities and means for more knowledge/skill so that guests can increase their enjoyment of the wilderness.
• warm hospitality in a setting both naturally elegant and simple
  

Are we Green?

 Lots of places are going ‘green’ these days.  We are really glad that is happening.  Sustainable, eco-friendly practices have been in place at Blue Heron since its beginning in 1994.  Our ‘common-sense’ practices include:

         Changing room linens only when guests leave or by special             request.  All cotton sheets, pillowcases and towels
    ‘Tired’ linens are donated to the homeless shelter in Duluth

Low or no phosphate soaps and detergent

Liquid soap dispensers (unscented)in guest rooms eliminate leftover soaps

Single ply toilet tissue for quick decomposition

Use of low/no toxicity, fume-free cleaning products

Low flow regulators on toilets and showers

Compostable plastic bags for garbage and waste

     Florescent lights,compact bulbs or LED's through out the             building

Motion detector lights for night safety inside and out;used way less energy. Solar powered lights on paths

Use of a high velocity spin washing machine which reduces drying time & therefore energy use

Use of a short cycle dish sanitizer rather than standard dishwasher reduces hot water and energy use

    Recycling of plastic, glass, paper and cardboard
    Deliver packageing products to businesses where they can be         reused
    Purchase of reusable & recycled products
    Ceiling fans throughout the building to better distribute warm         and cool air.
    Local and renewable wood as our primary heat source
    Judicious use of air conditioning
    Retractable sunshades over south, east and west windows;               keeping the sun out is more effective than cooling a room.
    Use of canoes not motorized boats
    Plants that promote birds, butterflies and bees
    No-lawn landscaping
    Encouraging native species of shrubs and trees
    Shoreline vegetation pruned only to retain limited lakeviews         from the buildings. This retains habitate for wildlife and             native vegetation.
    Family style food service results in very low food waste
    Organic and/or locally grown products whenever possible
    Staff volunteer time in the local community
    Local nonprofits are able to use the meeting space here at no         charge
    Room nights and meals are regularly donated to local and             national non-profits to use in fund raising