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Green and Gold
Seeing the world and saving it need not be mutually exclusive
By Stephen Camelio
Southern Ocean Lodge's Remarkable Suite / Photo courtesy of Southern Ocean Lodge
SOUTHERN OCEAN LODGE
SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S KANGAROO ISLAND is “the Galapagos of Australia,” according to James Baillie, who along with his wife, Haylie, owns the new Southern Ocean Lodge there. Given this description—and the fact that one-third of the island’s 2,000 square miles are designated a conservation or national park to protect the array of wildlife and native bushland—you might figure there wouldn't be much room for a luxury eco-resort. You'd be wrong. By working closely with the Australian government and environmentally conscious architect Max Pritchard, the Baillies were able to situate the highly sophisticated Southern Ocean Lodge on this insular land mass known as a home to sea lions, fur seals, little penguins, koalas, wallabies, and, of course, kangaroos. Though James and Haylie obtained 250 acres overlooking the crashing surf in Hanson Bay, they developed only 1 percent, leaving the remaining spread in a Heritage Agreement to protect against future development. In partnership with the state of South Australia, the Baillies also created the Southern Ocean Lodge Environment Fund to support local environmental projects. As for the actual lodge, Pritchard created a breathtaking serpentine building from recycled materials and local limestone that becomes one with its natural surroundings. To minimize the impact to adjacent land, the lodge was designed with a ventilation system and exterior glazing that take advantage of the island’s weather patterns as well as a water filtration system. A stay at Southern Ocean includes daily breakfast, lunch, four-course dinner, and selected beverages, plus guided adventures and experiences. From $900 per person, per night (two-night minimum); southernoceanlodge.com.au
COUNTRY FEELING SURFBOARDS
Bushman and Bernhardt /
Photo by Christen Vidanovic
BECAUSE SURFERS AS A WHOLE are known for their earth-friendly ethos, it’s surprising that manufacturing a surfboard has historically been heavy on chemicals and harmful fumes. Enter North Shore shapers Jeff Bushman and Kyle Bernhardt of Country Feeling Surfboards, who are bringing green surfboards to Hawaii’s crystal blue waters. “It’s about a surfer’s relationship with the ocean,” says Bushman of the company’s eco practices. “The ocean gives us so much enjoyment, and we’re just trying to give a little back.” To do so, Country Feeling replaces synthetic blanks with soy- and sugar-based foams for its boards’ cores, and a third of the fiberglass used in the deck inlays is replaced by durable hemp. Also, Bushman and Bernhardt let the sun catalyze the outer coatings of their creations, allowing 70 percent fewer volatile organic compounds from escaping into the atmosphere. Through trial and error, the Country Feeling team, which counts singer-activist Jack Johnson as a convert, has developed a line of eco-boards that features seven surf styles and two stand-up designs. As a way to further affect the local environment positively, the company offers tours of the surrounding waters and donates a portion of the fees to the North Shore Community Land Trust. Keep track of Country Feeling’s green initiatives and ongoing search for greener building techniques on its blog (gardener.bigfolioblog.com). “It’s a learning process,” Bushman says of making eco-boards. “We’re taking baby steps, but they are steps in the right direction.” countryfeelingsurfboards.com
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