Traveling Green
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As gas and other energy prices soared in the first half of the year, going green became not just an ideological choice but an economic imperative.
Detroit automakers felt the pain of years spent churning out SUVs for short-term stock market gains at the expense of virtually handing the future automotive market to foreign brands.
Solar and wind energy made historic gains as Congress finally saw political value in speaking up for the environment and alternative energies.
And even the tourism industry found its greener side, as the Travel Green Wisconsin program witnessed dramatic growth, especially in Door County.
When the annual Peninsula Pulse Sustainability Issue came out in April, there were 17 Travel Green Wisconsin certified businesses on the peninsula, and 141 state-wide. As the year nears its end, there are now 203 across the state, including 29 on the Door Peninsula in Door and Kewaunee counties.
Will Christianson, the program’s director, explained in April that the program had sparked an unspoken competition between businesses and regions to gain ‘greener’ status.
“Since you can separate the businesses on the Web site by the number of points they earned,” Christianson explained, “we’re seeing businesses begin to compete. You’ve got Madison looking at Bayfield, Bayfield looking at Door County. People looking over their shoulder at what other places are doing.”
That competition heated up over the course of 2008. Below are the local businesses who went through the certification process and continue to do their part in cutting waste, use, and energy every day.
Door Peninsula Travel Green Certified Businesses
Businesses must earn 30 points to get Travel Green certified. Business point totals are listed to the right of the business name.
White Pines Victorian Lodge 94
Cottage Retreat 88
The Flying Pig 78
Peninsula State Park 73
Bread and Water 72
Blacksmith Inn On the Shore 68
The Rushes 66
Lodgings at Pioneer Lane 65
Black Walnut Guest House 61
Potawatomi State Park 62
Country House Resort 61
The Cookery 61
Ashbrooke Suites 59
Ecology Sports 58
Greens ‘N Grains 57
Journey’s End Motel and Cabins 55
Quiet Cottage on the Lake 54
Havenly Inn 53
Little Sweden 52
Brodd’s Little Cottage 52
Birchwood Lodge 51
Rock Island State Park 50
TR Pottery 48
Come On Inn 47
The Bridge 43
Eagle Harbor Inn 40
Bay Shore Outdoor Store 36
Door County Kayak Tours 34
Washington Island Hotel, Restaurant, & Culinary School 34