LODGE ECO-FEATURES:

• Conscientious decision making. We take a blended value, or double-bottom line approach to each and every decision. Examples include: sourcing from local producers and artisans, purchasing in bulk to minimize wasteful packaging, utilizing reusable and recyclable materials, and purchasing organic and fair trade products.
• Green building techniques. The Lodge’s eco-renovation made use of pre-existing structures, recycled building materials, and local contractors. The end result is a Lodge whose “footprint” is considerably less than that of a new lodge building.
• Farm-to-table culinary program. The Lodge’s kitchen produces gourmet meals prepared from local, natural, free-range, and organic products.
• Guest education. The “Guest Speaker Series” is a weekly event when local scientists, naturalists, artists and outfitters are invited to discuss their work in the Madison Valley, their concerns about issues facing Montana, and their hopes for the future.
• Traveler’s Philanthropy program. Guests contribute their financial support to local causes. “Books for the Library” is our most popular philanthropy program, where guests help raise money for the new Ennis Library by purchasing books from The Lodge’s shelf of recommended reading (titles nominated by Sun Ranch staff).
• Conservation member and collaborator. The Lodge is a member of 19 local conservation organizations, including: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Madison Valley Ranch Lands Group, and The Trust for Public Land.

SUN RANCH ECO-FEATURES:

• Water exchange program. Sun Ranch donated a 10-year lease to Trout Unlimited to free the tributary creeks and streams that were once used for irrigation. Today, these drainages flow unimpeded into the Madison River, reopening historic trout spawning grounds and injecting the river with fresh, cold water vital to the Madison’s health.
• Barbed wire fence replacement. The ranch has worked in conjunction with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to take down over 40 miles of wildlife-unfriendly barbed wire fencing. In its place, the ranch put up a minimal amount of fencing by creating larger, less divided grazing pastures. Making use of un-barbed, hi-tensile, removable fence the 5,000 elk that winter on Sun Ranch are now able to migrate freely according to natural rhythms.
• On-going range enhancement improves the land and watersheds, creating better cattle and wildlife forage along with better water for the Madison Valley.
• Ongoing scientific research to establish economically and environmentally valid sustainable ranching techniques for the good of the ranching community as a whole.