Safeguarding our future - our environmental ethos is at the heart of everything
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We are a small business, operating in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Ribbonwood we wholeheartedly support UNESCO's goals to safeguard our living heritage for future generations. We have been involved with a range of sustainability initiatives including planting five hundred trees on the property, carbon reduction initiatives, and (environmental) volunteer community projects. Communicating our ethos to guests and inviting them to participate in our environmental initiatives is what drives us. |
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Sustainable by DesignWhen we designed Ribbonwood, we used timber framing to conserve energy, with insulation in walls and ceiling and double glazed windows to maximise passive solar heating. This runs from the architecture and fitting into our surroundings, through to building materials and working with a local builder. |
Local VolunteeringWe enjoy working with Glacier Valley Eco Tours who run a community trapping project at Lake MathesonThis was set up to combat predators, protect our birds and invertebrates and recently released Rowi kiwi, working towards Predator Free 2050 goal of sustainability in NZ.
We make ourselves available for community clean ups, Gorsebusters and were involved in the Fox Rubbish clean up. |
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EnergyOur electricity supplier uses hydro electric power stations, the nearest being only 15 km away. An energy efficient heat pump is in the cottage. Heating in the house is from a modern solid fuel stove utilising firewood from trees grown on the property. Under the cottage there is a high level of insulation with a vapour barrier over the ground. In the house, fibreglass insulation is between the wooden joists, combined with another layer over the top to eliminate thermal bridging, or heat escaping. Energy-saving light bulbs and energy-efficient appliances are utilised. |
Carbon ReductionCarbon Reduction: We measured our carbon footprint through the Toitu Emissions Calculator to measure our carbon footprint over the last 2 years and offset this with a donation to Trees That Count.
Ribbonwood Retreat selected Trees that Count because they help make an impact on climate change and improve our environment. Our donation focused on planting long term native forests on degraded farmland in North Canterbury. We valued our carbon at $50 a ton and purchased credits by donating the equivalent amount. |
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Reduce and RecycleWe separate waste as much as possible by sorting paper, glass, aluminium and tin cans to be recycled at our local waste station. Green material is also separated and composted for use in our garden. We make our own soap and provide guest shampoo and conditioner in convenient pump bottles that reduce the waste of small plastic bottles and packaging. Auditing our suppliers making sure they fit our goals, the products we favour are handcrafted in New Zealand using locally sourced and organic products wherever possible. |
Carbon Reduction - BiocharAt Ribbonwood we use hazelnut prunings to make biochar dig it into our land. Biochar is an eco-friendly kind of charcoal that you dig into the soil to improve its health.
We can do with all the nourishment for the soil we can get so it seems like we're onto a good thing! We measured our carbon footprint through the Toitu Emissions Calculator to measure our carbon footprint over the last 2 years and offset this with a donation to Trees That Count. |
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Conservation in ActionRibbonwood Retreat are sponsors for Avis, the kea you see in this photo. Citizen science is very powerful and we feel we have had a small stake in the success of the kea programme. We invite you to read our blog about this experience Here is a link to Avis's profile Ribbonwood Retreat have purchased credits with Trees that Count to offset their carbon. Ribbonwood Retreat staff are avid back country hikers, donating to the Backcountry Trust. |
Hazelnut orchardAs a child Jonathan's family had mixed nuts as a christmas treat. Jonathan's favorite was hazels, as he found the larger nuts were difficult to crack!
Upon purchasing our land at Franz Josef 20 tears ago, he was pleased to learn that hazelnuts suited the poor silty soils here. Over the years we have planted nearly 100 trees of five different varieties to enhance pollination. |
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Kitchen gardenWe have a large garden and tunnel house, producing vegetables and berries for us and our guests. In our large walk-in berry house we grow strawberries, raspberries and blue berries, especially for our guests breakfasts. Raised and covered garden beds provide a variety of seasonal produce including spinach and silver beet. All green waste is composted with leaves and grass clippings and layered onto the beds to enhance soil fertility and drainage. |
It is a joy to live here with the fabulous views of the glaciers and mountains with the rainforest on the lower slopes. We love watching the trees and shrubs we planted mature and provide food and habitat for so many birds.
Last spring we were rewarded with fledgling bellbirds and fantails, whose parent birds nested in our trees. We hope that you will visit to enjoy the environment we have created, to share our gorgeous views and hear the birdsong.
Last spring we were rewarded with fledgling bellbirds and fantails, whose parent birds nested in our trees. We hope that you will visit to enjoy the environment we have created, to share our gorgeous views and hear the birdsong.
The ancient Ribbonwood that inspired our name and plantings
