Going Green

[BelmontATO]

If ever there were a place that should be planted firmly in the Green initiative, it is SDC. The park should be plunging headfirst into renewable energy and recycling, and making a big deal out of letting the patrons know about it. Solar panels alone would save the park untold thousands of dollars each year. They are unobtrusive, and could be placed on top of virtually every building in the park without drawing attention to themselves. This is a park that prides itself on being a return to nature. Shouldn't they be doing more to ensure that nature will still be there in the future?

[Copper]

They are not very verbal about it, but they have been “Going Green” long before it was popular. Sue Nole of SDC is big on keeping SDC green since 1992. SDC recycles like no other. There is always room to grow and your suggestions are great! They are very big on cleaning trash out of the woods too; you wouldn’t believe the amounts of trash left behind by tourists.

[sdcforever]

SDC is HUGE about the environment and other outreach programs through their Foundation and Giving From the Heart Outreach Programs.  Here it is straight from their website:

"Environment
Silver Dollar City Attractions and Herschend Family Entertainment champion environmental issues with a proven track record of preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of an area while protecting wildlife habitats and natural resources. The company is dedicated to protecting the environment of Ozark Mountain Country through projects that include recycling, a five-decade-long tree conservation and planting program, conservation efforts, and protection of the natural habitat for birds, fish and wildlife. Additionally, the company supports work to protect the water quality in the White River Basin.

Recycling
Silver Dollar City has generated more than one hundred thousand "charitable-giving" dollars from waste reduction and reuse programs. This money is returned to the community to needy families, area children, area medical needs such as Lifeline medical helicopter landing pads, and equipment donation to hospitals and schools. Recycled materials total over 1900 tons of cardboard and mixed paper, 6 tons of aluminum cans, 60 tons of glass, 2 tons of motor oil, and over 500 tons of metal, stainless steel, copper and iron. Additionally, used cooking oil is recycled into biodiesel by an area farmer.

Gift of Green
Silver Dollar City co-founder Mary Herschend insisted on saving the natural beauty of her properties, and her fierce defense of the forest is legendary in Missouri. Because she didn't want trees destroyed in the building process, Silver Dollar City was built - and continues to be constructed today - around and among trees, resulting in odd-shaped buildings and notched porches. During construction in the 1950s and '60s, Mary Herschend immediately fired anyone caught unnecessarily cutting down a tree. It is a long time company policy to plant two trees for every single tree cut on HFE properties. Continuing that legacy, Herschend Family Entertainment co-owner Jack Herschend created the non-profit tree planting organization Gift of Green and has already planted more than 195,000 trees. His personal goal is to plant one million trees during his lifetime. In recognition of his efforts, Herschend was awarded the Lawrence Enersen Award by the National Arbor Day Foundation in 1999. This national award was given to recognize his "leadership in the cause of tree planting, conservation, and environmental stewardship."

Audubon Properties
In 1999, Audubon International awarded three Silver Dollar City Attractions properties in Branson with "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" certification. Silver Dollar City theme park, the Showboat Branson Belle, and White Water were the first three businesses in the State of Missouri to receive these certifications and only the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth businesses in the United States to receive this high honor. The certification recognizes the company's demonstrated contributions in five area of environmental quality: Environmental Planning, Wildlife Habitat Management, Resource Conservation, Waste Management, and Outreach and Education. HFE registered its properties with the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS) in 1998.

The Silver Dollar City Attractions support additional environmental projects and programs such as the Upper White River Basin Foundation, a 501(c)(3) foundation which has a goal of improving water quality on the upper White River in Missouri and Arkansas."

You can read more about their Foundation and Outreach at their website:
http://bransonsilverdollarcity.com/giving/

[shavethewhales]

Don't be fooled just because the park doesn't go to lengths to make sure you know that they're green. While most "green" entities spend a little on actually being green and a lot on marketing it, the Herschends have been quietly doing more for the environment than most for ages. There's other things they can do, and some of those things will be coming soon I'm sure, but the park is by no means not green enough for my standards. 

[BelmontATO]

These are all good things to hear. I guess what I am saying is, they are in a prime position to really affect change on this issue. I am thrilled that they are doing so much with recycling and forestry. I would like to see them take that one step further, though, by making their efforts well known, and encouraging patrons to make the same efforts when they return home. What about a new "green" festival? It just seems too obvious to me to have not been done yet. It is a perfect fit with the "simpler times" themes that the park stands for.

[Swoosh]

The mention up above about solar panels is a good one, the only problem is that most of the buildings in the park are shaded by very mature tall trees that block a lot of the sunlight that would reach these roofs.  While that is a good thing for us as it keeps the summer heat from blaring down on us, it would not allow enough direct sunlight to hit the panels to make it worthwhile... that and the panels are very expensive.

The one place that they could install the panels the easiest and would receive the most sunlight would be the Red Gold Heritage Hall

[Old Guy]

As an updage on an old topic, SDC's yearly report is out. In the last year (June to June), SDC recycled 2,698 tons of waste. This is the 17th year for their recycling program, and the new push for this year are the green "plastic bottle only" bins popping up around town. The first eight days of the program netted about 1,000 bottles!

[Coaster]

Great job SDC on working to help the environment!

[BelmontATO]

That's great to hear. Thanks, Old Guy!!