Garrett Creek is going 'green'

Published Thursday, October 25, 2007

By Denny Deady

Garrett Creek Ranch Conference Center near Paradise has announced it is launching an environmental sustainability initiative that will address the need to preserve the earth for future generations as well as implement solutions for dealing with limited natural resources.

"Our goal is to effectively adapt to limited water and energy availability while becoming a model for conference center guests who can replicate green initiatives when they return to their families and their organizations," said Jaynie Schultz, owner of Garrett Creek Ranch.

To help with the initiative, Garrett Creek Ranch has partnered with Texas Christian University, through its Institute for Environmental Studies, and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT).

"We are on a collision course with reality," said Tony Burgess, professor of Professional Practice at TCU and a nationally-known naturalist. "For example, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is growing beyond a sustainable water supply. I am involved with the ranch to help it become an active role model for North Texas and the nation."

Pat Harrison, Assistant Director and Head of Education at BRIT, hopes that her involvement will help make daily practices at the ranch more sustainable.

"This initiative is a way that Garrett Creek Ranch can show other companies how we can better conserve our natural resources," said Harrison.

Garrett Creek Ranch has already implemented small changes that include using environmentally-friendly CFL bulbs, relandscaping to use native drought-resistant plant material and composting the many pounds of waste generated from the kitchen.

"We hope that this initiative will help the ranch and others get closer to the land," said Schultz. "All of us need to do this for ourselves and our children."

Founded in Paradise 20 years ago by Leslie Schultz, Garrett Creek Ranch is among the country's leading conference centers for small meetings of up to 100 guests. Now owned by Leslie's daughter, Jaynie, the ranch serves corporations and non-profit organizations that want a relaxed, flexible environment built to address issues involving team building, leadership development, strategic planning and training.