WATERS EDGE ECO LODGE  

The process of construction is generally not very environmentally friendly however efforts in our actions and use of materials reduced some of the negative impact involved.  To name a few examples, product packaging and empty paint cans were taken for recycling, leftover construction material was retained for future use, local labour and local materials were used as much as possible, reclaimed lumber was incorporated into our design and we stayed in campers on-site as often as possible to reduce travel from Meadow Lake during the construction process.

Every effort has been made to minimize the disturbance to the land.  The ground has been restored to a natural state as the wild grasses, plants & flowers have been allowed to come back in abundance.  During excavation no mature trees were taken down.  Invasive plants not native to the region are being removed as requested by Sask Parks.  We have used the existing landscape as much as possible and natural species native to the area have been preserved and planted to showcase the beauty of all that Mother Nature has to offer.  Walking paths will be mowed through the wild grasses as an alternative to extensive landscaping.

Waters Edge Eco Lodge is proud to have a Geothermal heating and cooling system to harnesses the energy from the land through underground loops.  Solar energy is absorbed by the ground resulting in a constant moderate year-round temperature below the surface of the ground.  This system allows us to reduce our fossil fuel emissions significantly. 

Our on-site organic garden provides guests with healthy food from the land.  We use a gardening technique called the Lasagna approach to gardening which allows us to build rich organic soil.  Our garden is comprised of raised garden beds that have been layered with peat moss, cardboard and newspaper, top soil, dried grass or hay, manure, and mulch.  We maintain compost bins to use in the garden as it provides an ever ready source of organic material to enhance soil fertility allowing us to avoid using chemicals.  Crop rotation, mulching, cover crops, and companion planting are practices that are used to maintain healthy soil.  The following photo illustrates all the layers of material used to build our garden.

Recycling, reducing and reusing are in the fore front of our thoughts during construction, design and operation of Waters Edge Eco Lodge.  Many recycle bins will be located around the lodge available to store recycled materials before they are hauled to recycling depots.  Waters Edge Eco Lodge will be taking measures to reduce wherever we can.  This may come in the form of using cloth napkins to turning off lights to conserving water.  In design and operation the lodge reuses as often as possible.  Some examples of this are making signs from the old tin found on site, using old bottles and jars found during excavation in the décor, composting, and finding uses for left over construction material. The 3 R’s and an awareness of environmental sustainability are encouraged.