Hunting For Your Camping Kit

You may feel like freaks of nature, but camping is full of free nature sounds, versus city sounds, and fresh air versus polluted air. One camping and nature area that helps educate campers to an environmentally sound way of camping is managed by Hamilton Conservation Authority, near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Camping in Manitoba seems to be the rage, but camping in Ontario may be even better.

Craig Murray, designer of HCA says, "Our primary lodging is through campsites specifically located and designed to make for a minimal environmental impact. The locations of the sites in reference to water features, drainage, waste management and aesthetic concerns are carefully considered. Every aspect of our parks is measured to ensure a perfect balance between the users' enjoyment and the preservation of the surrounding land, HCA teaches its campers to be aware, careful and respectful."

Despite the very different guest concerns between camping and lodging businesses, there are also similar concerns. Guest comfort and safety are paramount for both businesses. Profit is important too. Environmental stewardship should be part of the business model for both businesses, for reduced expenses, increased profit, and so that future generations can enjoy nature and beautiful surroundings. Hamilton Conservation Authority practices environmental stewardship daily.

Craig continues, "Maintaining over 10,000 acres of property minutes away from a major urban centre is a daunting task but one we do with pleasure. Surrounded by waterfalls cascading off the Niagara Escarpment, the property of the HCA forms a studded crown that arcs from Lake Ontario to near Guelph, Ontario. Our locations include the Fifty Point Marina in Stoney Creek, Confederation Park (with Wild Water Works, a fantastic place to take your family for a day of play), the Conservation Areas of Dundas Valley, Christie Lake and Valens, as well as dozens of smaller nature areas."

Hamilton Conservation Authority operates with stringent controls in place to ensure a great day for their users but still benefiting the environment. For example, the Confederation Park staff undertook a major redesign of some of the water features. That development resulted in a series of natural water filtering ponds that feed a lake within the park. They proudly say the rainwater that runs into the ponds enters the lake cleaner than it was when it fell.

Within the Hamilton Conservation Authority's 10,000 acres there is preservation of nature and history, like the Victorian train station nestled amongst the trees, a remembrance of the old TB&H railway line of the last century, located in Dundas Valley. Some of the areas within their authority are for day-use while others can be used by guests for months at a time. From miles of hiking trails along the old TB&H railway lines and lakes to parks that have almost a private feel to them, the Hamilton Conservation Authority offers something for everyone while still doing something for the environment.

Here's how the campgrounds in the protection of the Hamilton Conservation Authority stack up, using Best Green Hotels' check list of green attributes; they rate 4-green triangles by Best Green Hotel standards

Allergies: N/A
Alternative Energy: No; but currently developing a wind turbine on one of the parklands that will not only to supply their own facility but to give a clean and renewable energy to the community
Bulk Soap and Amenities: Yes; they use natural products that are environmentally friendly
Compostable Disposables: Yes
Composting: Yes; they not only compost we but also teach composting methods
Conference Center: Yes; for both outdoor and indoor meetings
Cotton Towels and Linens: N/A
Donating to Charity: Yes
Durable Service Items: N/A
Educate Guests About "Green": Yes
Educate Staff About "Green": Yes
Energy Conservation: Yes
Environmental Cleaning: Yes
Fitness Club: No
Fresh Air: Yes
Gray Water Recycling: Yes
Guestroom Recycle Bins: N/A
Hotel Recycle Bins: Yes
Internet: N/A
Maintenance for Conservation: Yes
Newspaper Program: Yes
Non-Smoking Rooms: N/A; but all our facilities are smoke free
Organic Food Served: N/A
Participate in Green Programs: Yes
Promote "green" in their PR: Yes
Recyclable Disposables: Yes
Sheet Re-use Program: N/A
Towel Re-use Program: N/A
Transportation: N/A
Water Conservation: Yes
Xeric Gardens:: Yes

Craig concludes, "More and more it is becoming apparent that ecological management is not only beneficial to the planet but also to the bottom line. The outmoded and outdated practices of wastefulness have cost corporations excessive amounts of money while offering little or no return. Environmental concern has shown not only better corporate practices but also an entirely new market to be accessed. For the hospitality industry, it only makes sense for environmental management be practiced. Every facility within the stewardship of HCA boasts its views or natural splendor that surrounds it. This focus on the natural world outside your facility can also be expressed and magnified inside your facility through sound ecological practices. Reducing waste reduces the costs of having the waste disposal. Recycling and reusing also positively affects the bottom line while giving you an additional marketing tool."

It would make quite an impact if more lodging properties, which for this article also includes campgrounds and marinas, took the great care in balancing business and environmental concerns for creating an environmentally sound business. You too can enjoy the improved bottom line from your conservation and green practices, the same way Hamilton Conservation Authority does.