Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department
News Release
Oct. 07, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lindsay
Vidrine
Phone: 405-230-8414
Email:
Lindsay@TravelOK.com
Tulsa property proves commitment to
sustainability
Encouraging Conservation in Oklahoma
(ECO) announces its newest partnership in
sustainability with Tulsa’s Inn at Woodward
Park, the first bed and breakfast to qualify
for a gold ECO certification.
The
inn, a renovated 1920s property located in
the Swan Lake district of Tulsa, achieved a
gold rating through documenting their
current sustainable practices and committing
to several improvements throughout the year.
Their goals include eliminating unnecessary
waste and reducing energy consumption by
removing plastic water bottles from their
operations and monitoring thermostat
temperatures.
The inn also
contributes to Clean the World, a nonprofit
that collects “gently-used” soaps from
hotels and sanitizes them for use in
impoverished areas.
“The Inn at
Woodward Park is breaking ground for all
other bed and breakfast properties
interested in sustainability,” Oklahoma
Tourism & Recreation Department Executive
Director Hardy Watkins said. “We hope more
small business owners will see the value in
becoming a part of this movement.”
The Inn at Woodward Park opened its doors in
2006 under the ownership of Janet Mobbs. The
decision to join ECO came after Mobbs
witnessed the amount of waste produced by
the hospitality industry. Mobbs said she
hopes to give back to her community by
shopping locally for food and by mentoring
other bed and breakfast owners who want to
start down the path of sustainability.
“I am personally committed to the issues
of conservation and sustainability as I want
to leave a better world for future
generations,” Mobbs said. “I feel the small
business owner benefits from the green
movement because consumers that appreciate
and patronize environmentally responsible
establishments are very loyal and love to
spread the news.”
Since 2009, the
Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department and
Department of Environmental Quality’s ECO
Certification program has promoted,
developed and encouraged sustainable tourism
throughout the state. ECO certification
requires applicants to meet set criteria and
be reviewed by a national certification
board. A certification level of silver, gold
or platinum can be awarded, based on the
level of sustainable practices the applicant
chooses to implement.
The Oklahoma
Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) is
working to advance the exceptional quality
of life in Oklahoma by preserving,
maintaining, and promoting our natural
assets and cultural richness. The department
is the steward of the state park system and
also promotes Oklahoma as a travel
destination through many award-winning
programs. To learn more about Oklahoma
Tourism visit
www.TravelOK.com or follow us at
www.Facebook.com/TravelOK or
www.Twitter.com/OklahomaTourism.
