Sustainable Nature Tourism Policies and Practices at Trout Point Lodge of Nova
Scotia
As a nature lodge located in a pristine
protected wilderness area adjacent to a major river system, Trout Point Lodge,
Limited carries out various policies and practices that:
Encourage appropriate and sustainable use of the local environment
Create positive impacts and inputs in the local economy
Encourage self-sustaining systems using local and renewable resources
Diminish the use of non-renewable resources
Trout Point Lodge has received a
5 Green Key rating from the Hotel Association of Canada

"A hotel that exemplifies the highest
standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout all areas of
operations. The hotel employs cutting edge technologies, policies, and programs
that set the international standard for sustainable hotel
operations."
The Lodge's practices and policies
include:
Construction, Grounds, &
Buildings
Utilizing ceiling fans, 3 foot roof overhangs, and
cross-ventilation for cooling and not using air conditioning or HVAC
systems
Utilizing natural light in guest and
public areas whenever possible
Use of energy-efficient lighting in all
possible public and guest room locations and in employee work and storage areas
-- now surpassing 90% of all lighting in the Great Lodge
Routine
maintenance of heating and refrigeration systems
No use of aerosal sprays
Installing a professionally designed
and large-capacity waste treatment facility
Grey water/waste feeding of
vegetable, herb, and flower gardens
100% Use of solar-powered and/or
rechargeable landscape lighting
The use of natural materials
in constriction, including materials with high thermal mass and 100% natural
color wool carpeting
Wood-fired outdoor cedar hot tub instead of electric
heated tub
Defined swimming area and floating docks in the Tusket River,
in lieu of treated swimming pools
Monitoring energy use in order to create more efficient
practices
Housekeeping &
Guest Services
Using bulk dispenses for BVLGARI amenities, and not using
single-use containers, thus reducing waste
Use of non-chemical, natural cleaners in guest rooms,
public areas, and whenever feasible in all areas of Lodge
buildings
Separation and recycling of plastics, paper, glass, cans, and
organic wastes, including placing recycling bins in guest rooms &
cottages
Encouraging guests
to use towels over more than one day, thus cutting down on detergent, water, and
electricity use
Laundering sheets only on every third day, or upon
check-out, unless requested sooner
Making minimal use of paper products
for marketing efforts and within the Lodge and use of 100% recycled paper for
toilet paper and paper towels
Providing guests with information about the local
environment and the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, in particular (scroll down)
Encouraging low-impact and LEAVE NO TRACE enjoyment of the Lodge property, local wilderness area, river, and lakes amongst guests
Cold-water washing
Kitchen &
Cuisine
Emphasizing the use of sustainable seafood resources, in
consultation with organizations such as www.seachoice.org, such as harpooned
swordfish, longlined haddock, farmed oysters and mussels, trolled yellowfin and
big eye tuna, and American lobster
Use of greens, vegetables, flowers,
and herbs from the Trout Point gardens and on-site production of
cheeses
Innovating practices of sustainable gastronomy and education
through the Institute of Sustainable Gastronomy and Université
Sainte-Anne
Composting of organic wastes for use in the Lodge's
vegetable, flower, and herb gardens
Meal service managed in
prix-fixe manner eliminating food, energy, and water waste through careful
planning
Purchasing food ingredients in bulk whenever possible,
minimizing packaging waste
Using locally-grown organic fruits and
vegetables as first priority, and non-locally grown organic products whenever
feasible including local farmers such as River View Farm in Caanan and
tomato-grower Matt in Kemptville
Environment, Ecology, & Society
Hiring locally in the Kemptville, Nova
Scotia community and using local guides
Spearheading the development of the
Billy's Hill Trails in the Tobeatic Wilderness Area and commiting to long-term
maintenance of the trails, in cooperation with the Nova Scotia Department of
Environment and Labour and the Billy's Hill Trail Society
Selling back
100 acres of wilderness land to the Province, to join the Tobeatic Wilderness
Area
Maintaining on-site vegetable, flower, and herb gardens that use no chemical pesticides or herbicides
Building and creating roads, trails, and paths that minimize impact on the local environment and forest
Encouraging car-pooling among employees and for supply-purchasing trips & encouraging biycle use on the property
Regular maintenance of hotel vehicles
Cooperation with the Nova Scotia Departments of Environment & Labour and Natural Resources and compliance with all regulations
Supporting other local businesses through preferential purchasing
Encouraging employee continuing education and on-the-job training, including travel opportunities and online education courses
Charitable donations, including to the Sierra Clubs in Canada and the United States, Ecology Action Center, Longue Vue Gardens, and the Kidney Foundation
Encouraging and contributing to the
development and maintenance of the local community infrastructure
Support tropical reforestation at the Cerro
Coyote private preserve, Costa
Rica
In addition to the HAC ECOmmodation rating of 5 Green Keys,
Trout Point Lodge has received a Gold rating from Travelife and the top rating
of 6 green triangles from Best Green Hotels.
103,780 hectares; Landscape representation - Shelburne River Plain; Roseway River Glacial Plain; Tusket River Drumlins; South Mountain Rolling Plain; Fisher Lake drumlins

Spanning parts of 5 counties, the Tobeatic Wilderness Area is the largest remaining wild area in the Maritimes. The region is characterized by unique barren and semi-barren landscapes with outstanding undisturbed glacial landforms including esker fields, moraines, kettles and outwash plains. It protects remote and undisturbed wildlife habitat, protects expansive wetlands, pockets of old-growth pine and hemlock forest, and the headwaters of 9 major river systems flowing to both the Atlantic and Fundy coasts. Taken together with the neighbouring Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site the Tobeatic Wilderness Area forms the central core of an expansive protected landscape within interior southwestern Nova Scotia.
The Tobeatic Wilderness Area makes a significant contribution to the protection of biodiversity in Nova Scotia. It is also a refuge for wildlife, and has been managed to achieve these purposes since a portion was designated a Game Sanctuary in 1927, and later a Wildlife Management Area in 1968. Today the Tobeatic Wilderness Area continues to provide protection for native biodiversity, with undisturbed wildlife habitat for many species, including a small but provincially significant remnant native Nova Scotia moose population, healthy and abundant black bear, and a re-introduced population of American marten. Within the Tobeatic lie the spectacular forests of old-growth pine and hemlock found at Sporting Lake Nature Reserve and Silvery Lake (IBP site), and outstanding examples of fire barrens at the Shelburne Barrens (IBP site).

The Tobeatic is interconnected by lakes, streams and rivers,
offering outstanding wilderness canoeing, camping and hiking. It is a storied
region of the province known best for its moose herd, trout streams, and rugged
canoe routes through rocky lakes and wild rivers. These routes, first traveled
by Mi'kmaq, supported a world-class "sportman's" guiding tradition through the
late 19th and early 20th century. The traditions of hunting, fishing, trapping
and guiding are alive today, with the travel ways of the Tobeatic frequented by
local recreational enthusiasts, youth organizations, and professional outfitters
alike.
For additional information, maps, and resources on the Tobeatic,
please visit the Environment & Labour Web
Site