Spring City Golf & Lake Resort Receives the 2022 Sustainability Award from Voyage New Travel
2022-12-23
Ranking Announcement
Hosted by the 'Voyage New Travel' magazine,
the 2022 Sustainability Award lasted two months,
taking into account the opinions and evaluations of professional judges from multiple perspectives.
Spring City Golf & Lake Resort,
standing out among numerous candidates,
won the 'Voyage New Travel 2022 Sustainability Award' ranking,
achieving the Annual Sustainability Brand Award.
Professional Jury
For the selection of the Voyage New Travel 2022 Sustainability Award, professionals from sustainable international organizations, tourism experts, senior media personnel, travel writers, and other industry insiders were invited to form a professional jury. In addition, numerous celebrities and KOLs were also involved to advocate for responsible traveling. Starting with the small details around us, they aspire to create a better world and better travel experiences together.
Kunming | Spring City Golf & Lake Resort
Committed to harmonious coexistence with nature
Embedding the concept of environmental protection into every inch of land
Kunming, often referred to as the 'Spring City' for its year-round spring-like climate, is a city of rich history and vibrant culture. It boasts more than 2200 years of urban history and a 3000-year-old civilization around the Dianchi Lake area.
Here in Kunming, 'Spring City' serves a dual role - it's not only a nickname for the city but also a shorthand for the Spring City Golf & Lake Resort.
Since its inauguration in 1998, the resort, whether during its initial construction or its 24 years of operation, has continuously dialogued with nature, embodying the legend of sustainability.
As we step into 2023, the Spring City Golf & Lake Resort in Kunming invites you on a journey of sustainable vacationing.
No.1 Biodiversity
Spring City
Biodiversity serves as a crucial indicator of a high-quality ecological environment, an aspect that is of significant importance in leisure travel.
Currently, the Spring City Golf & Lake Resort is home to a wide variety of plant life, including 155,000 trees, 90,000 shrubs, 80,000 vines, and 1.6 million flowers.
By implementing measures such as the creation of environmentally sensitive zones, the resort has been able to provide an excellent habitat for wildlife, leading to an annual increase in both the number and variety of species present.
Animals
Owl
Reed Warbler
Hoopoe
Magpie Robin
Plants
Brugmansia Pittieri
Chinese Hibiscus
Hibiscus Mutabilis
Persimmon Tree
Spring City highly prioritizes ecological conservation, consistently preserving a favorable ecological environment over the years.
In spring of 2009, Spring City successfully earned certification from the globally recognized Audubon International Bird Cooperation Project, joining the ranks of the Audubon International Nature Reserves.
Later in November, the Phase I villa of the Spring City Golf & Lake Resort, known as Water Rhythm Pine Wave, received the prestigious Green Environmental Gold Quality Medal from the Singapore Building and Construction Authority.
Then, in October 2010, Spring City achieved another milestone by receiving the Certified Audubon International Classic Sanctuary.
No.2 Resource Conservation
Spring City
The judicious use and protection of resources are intrinsically linked to sustainable development.
Spring City Golf & Lake Resort has consistently prioritized the protection of water resources, employing the world's most advanced automatic irrigation systems. In terms of energy management, the resort has reduced consumption of water, electricity, and oil, and has shifted towards using solar energy for illumination.
Spring City has set a precedent within the industry, exemplifying responsible resource utilization in numerous ways.
Water
1
Resort staff conduct regular inspections of the irrigation system. If leaks are identified, they swiftly shut off the relevant valves and undertake repairs as expediently as possible.
2
Modifications are being made to certain artificial lawns, transitioning them to wild grass to curtail water usage. By 2022, this initiative resulted in a reduction of 35,000 square meters of artificial lawn, conserving water as the wild grass does not necessitate watering.
3
In dry seasons, the resort employs imported soil permeability water retention agents. This approach ensures a more uniform distribution and absorption of water, diminishing the overall volume of watering and saving significant quantities of water. From March to May, water savings can reach up to 5%, approximately 20,000 cubic meters.
4
The warehouse has transitioned from using water alone for machine washing to a combined use of water and air, saving around 50% of water, which equates to approximately 1,500 cubic meters annually.
5
Three artificial lakes have been designed to collect both rainwater and water discharged from the golf course. This water is recycled, leading to substantial water savings. Each year, these lakes collect approximately 55,000 cubic meters of rainwater.
Electricity
1
The fountains in the man-made lakes have been transitioned to solar power, resulting in an annual electricity saving of approximately 60,000 kilowatt-hours.
2
The high-power pressure pump previously used for car washes has been replaced with a lower-power air pump, thus diminishing electricity consumption.
3
By analyzing the operational schedule of the irrigation system, we aim to minimize the running times of the water pumps as much as possible.
4
We have increased our attention to weather forecasts to decrease the amount of electricity used for irrigation.
5
Solar energy devices and heat pump energy-saving equipment have been installed in staff dormitories. These are used for showers and washing, significantly reducing electrical energy usage.
6
We have installed clock and sound-controlled switches in all areas to regulate street lighting based on a timer.
7
In line with energy conservation and environmental protection guidelines, we have replaced approximately 1,000 lights with LED alternatives, resulting in an estimated 50% electricity saving.
8
The lighting in our newly renovated lobby, restaurant, and all public areas now features intelligent control systems, guaranteeing efficient operation and energy savings.
Energy
1
We are increasingly replacing fuel cars with electric vehicles, leading to significant fuel savings.
2
We are using plant growth regulators to slow down the growth of lawns in the summer, which reduces the frequency of mowing.
3
By reducing the frequency of lawn mowing in the winter and spring, we can cut down on the lawnmower's fuel consumption. Each time, this can save about 120 liters of fuel for each golf cart.
4
We are using herbicides to eliminate 20 centimeters of roadside weeds, reducing the need for cutting and trimming, and hence, saving fuel.
5
We are modifying the lawns in the middle of main roads to use sprinklers for watering, or replacing them with perennial shrubs. This reduces the need for water trucks and saves more fuel.
No.3 Sustainability History
Spring City
Over the course of 24 years since its inception, Spring City Golf & Lake Resort has established itself not only as a prime destination for leisure and vacation, but has also demonstrated a strong commitment towards environmental protection and sustainable development.
Audubon’s Story
Adhering to environmentally friendly principles, Spring City joined the American environmental organization, the National Audubon Society, in 2009. In 2010, it received the Audubon Classic Sanctuary certification and has been managing the golf course strictly according to Audubon's guidelines.
The National Audubon Society is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to environmental preservation. Its mission includes maintaining Earth's biodiversity, conserving and rehabilitating natural ecosystems, with a special focus on birds and other wildlife. The society aims to improve decision-making regarding the use of land, water, and energy, and works to protect human life from pollution, radiation, and toxic substances.
Founded in 1886, the Audubon Society is the oldest organization of its kind in the world. It was named after the Franco-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter, John James Audubon. The society works to establish lifelong connections between people and nature, nurturing a sense of stewardship within young and diverse communities.
Spring City Golf & Lake Resort is dedicated to organizing activities that promote the Audubon experience. While fostering an appreciation for the harmony between humans and nature, we are also committed to protecting the planet which sustains us.
Sustainability in Progress, 2022
In 2022, Spring City has been actively implementing waste utilization and recycling practices.
During the construction of the organic farm restaurant, Spring City repurposed various materials. These included shipping containers left from the resort's preparation 25 years ago, old wooden planks left from the lakeside team-building camp, and old furniture and paintings replaced during the club's renovation in 2012. All these materials were refreshed and integrated into various parts of the organic farm restaurant.
Spring City's vision is to enhance the environment by practicing sustainable development principles, with the aim to transform the resort into a high-end destination for tourism in Yunnan.
No.4 The Legacy of Sustainability Principles
Spring City
In the process of practicing sustainable development, the responsible Spring City Golf & Lake Resort also emphasizes the propagation of education and awareness to achieve true sustainability.
Spring City disseminates information about sustainable development to students, members of society, and employees, and contributes to enhancing environmental consciousness in the lake area and its surroundings through hands-on educational practices at annual environmental protection activities.
Parent-Child Activities
Spring City has developed many types of parent-child activities, such as plant encyclopedia, ecological farm, natural handmade crafts, and stargazing experiences, all of which combine education with fun.
These are all experiences that cannot be found in everyday life.
Camping Activities
Camping has become one of the most popular vacation methods in recent years. The excellent lawn quality and natural environment of Spring City Golf & Lake Resort make it an ideal spot for camping.
During the camping experience, a series of activities prepared by Spring City subtly promote the concept of sustainable travel to the public.
The name 'Spring City' is inherently associated with growth and vitality. In the future of sustainable resort travel, just like its name, Spring City Golf & Lake Resort will continue to explore and progress.
When every role in the travel industry takes responsibility for travel, small streams will merge into rivers. We will all reap a better world and better travel experiences in return.