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| Uncommon Sense Graduates - Sun Ranch |
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UnCommon Sense Program Graduates 2009
SUN RANCH GROUP
Agriculture, Development and Eco-Tourism Enterprise, Bozeman,
Montana
REASONS FOR PARTICIPATION
As a fully sustainable conservation enterprise built around
environmentally credible practices in real estate, agriculture,
construction and recreation, the Sun Ranch Group’s reasons
for
joining the UnCommon Sense program was partly altruistic. Sun Ranch
Group’s founder and Managing Partner, Roger Lang, sits on the
YBP
board. Yet, according to George Sporn, Operations Consultant, they also
“wanted to see what we could learn further and to hopefully
contribute to the program.” Their knowledge gleaned from
running
the first eco-lodge in the United States and sustainably conserving and
developing ranch lands would fit well within the peer-supported format
of UnCommon Sense.
BENEFITS RECEIVED
The UnCommon Sense format of systematically covering all business
operations ensures that no practice is overlooked. Sporn acknowledges
that “We learned quite a bit. The various modules helped us
focus
on those practices (such as purchasing, facility efficiencies, etc.)
more closely and reinforces what we had, quite honestly, already been
doing.” While Sun Ranch Group was measuring electric usage as
a
business, they were not doing it in the formal, more thorough method
UnCommon Sense encourages. The program prompted them to do some
renovations like installing new energy efficient heating units, solar
panels and lighting systems that will pay off in the long run. Due to
the relocation of two lodging portions of the company, a before and
after comparison of energy use is impossible, but the Group will
continue to monitor their usage closely.
For Sporn, the social investment module was one where the Sun Ranch
Group could best share their best practices. Investing in the local
community is the basis from which the Group grew. Lang’s
agricultural programs follow the same process: acquire overgrazed
ranchlands, implement new practices, and turn them into ranching
operations that focus on being good stewards of the land. Another
creative program started by Sun Ranch Group is meant to reintroduce
native grasses and reduce noxious weeds on a long-term, large scale
basis. An annual Weed Fundraiser sponsored by the Group raises money to
purchase more environmentally-friendly chemicals and provide staff to
do weed abatement in Madison County. The event attracts over 1000
people and creates community good will.
For the Group’s staff, largely focused in the lodging and
hospitality portion of the business, a “hire
locally”
policy was already in place. On the food side in the lodge, the Group
has always focused on buying local and regional products in season, and
buying as little as possible from large institutional suppliers.
Still, Sporn says, “Overall, we benefitted from UnCommon
Sense by
going through the process of rethinking everything we do. The exercises
helped us to systematically go through all our practices.”
The
process helped them to see what could be improved and reinforced what
they were already doing right.
BOTTOM LINE RESULTS
- Formalized methods for tracking and measuring usage in
operations
- Installed energy efficient heating units, solar panels and
lighting systems
- Sponsored annual Weed Fundraiser
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