Green Efforts Impact Ecological Balance at Lake Austin Spa Resort

Media Contact: Darlene Fiske, 512-331-7755/[email protected]

Green Efforts Impact Ecological Balance at Lake Austin Spa Resort 

Organic Gardening, Low Toxicity Products and Recycling Practices Emphasize Resort’s Commitment to Nature

AUSTIN, TX – Located on the shores of one of America’s most scenic waterways has its privileges. It also comes with great responsibility, and one that Lake Austin Spa Resort’s ownership has put a great emphasis on, with expansive organic gardens, sourcing local products when possible, using low toxicity materials, composting and recycling in unique ways – the resort is committed to ensuring that what happens on the grounds has minimal impact to the natural resources surrounding it.

For the past thirty years, the property has been proudly gardening organically and has added a 6,000 square foot vegetable garden currently featuring 30 varieties of tomato plants, 6 cucumber varieties and more than 20 different peppers. Asparagus, sweet potatoes, corn and sugar snap peas are some of the items that will grace the guests’ plates when Executive Chef Stephane Beaucamp utilizes the garden’s bounty – which is eco-friendly from an organic perspective, but also cuts down on food transportation costs since the food is literally within walking distance from the resort kitchens – one more way that the Chef demonstrates Conscientious Cuisine. The fresh herbs grown in the gardens are also used in several of the spa treatments at the LakeHouse Spa.

Other ways the resort is a steward of the environment include:

• Growing a wide range of vegetables, herbs, fruit and nut trees. The mild climate provides for year round garden production and the kitchen staff uses organically grown, edible flowers as garnish, straight from the on-site gardens. In the winter, lettuce comes primarily from the resort gardens.
• Using the least toxic materials available for pest control in the landscape gardens, edible gardens, guest rooms and resort facilities.
• Composting food scraps, coffee and tea grounds and filters from the kitchen. Those are combined with garden trimmings and pruning materials to make rich compost which feeds the soil to produce more edible food.
• Using locally sourced cedar posts in construction of the new organic garden. Native Texas limestone and local cedar posts were used in the construction of many of the buildings at the resort.
• Recycling glass, plastic, foam packing, cardboard, paper and metal. Cardboard and newspaper are used in landscaping projects to suppress weeds without chemicals.
• Donating used linens and providing old blankets, sheets and throws to local animal shelters.
• Supplying three electric car charging stations to day and overnight guests.

Lake Austin Spa Resort is also a certified wildlife habitat with Texas Parks and Wildlife and the National Wildlife Federation. The resort is also a certified monarch butterfly habitat. The landscaping utilizes well-adapted and native plants to reduce water use and need for fertilizers. Garden plantings provide food, nectar, habitat and water sources for pollinators and birds.

ABOUT LAKE AUSTIN SPA RESORT

Nestled along the shores of scenic Lake Austin in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Lake Austin Spa Resort offers guests the sanctuary of a world-class spa and the warmth of a best friend’s lake house. Lake Austin Spa Resort offers all-inclusive vacation packages, which include accommodations in one of 40 charming lakeside guest rooms, three gourmet meals daily, indoor and outdoor fitness activities and classes, and a selection of spa and body treatments.

The resort has consistently been recognized for its excellence and as a result has received numerous industry awards.  Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Town & Country Magazine and Southern Living have honored Lake Austin Spa Resort as one of the best in the country and in the world.

For additional information and reservations, call 800-847-5637, or visit www.lakeaustin.com.

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