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Power to Save: Resort Guests Giving Back to the Poconos

SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP — An extra $2 per stay will give guests at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort in Monroe County the Power to Save. The money will be used to h...
shawnee inn

SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP -- An extra $2 per stay will give guests at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort in Monroe County the Power to Save.

The money will be used to help save the environment in the upper Delaware River valley region in the Poconos.

The beauty of the Poconos is what brings many visitors to the Shawnee Inn along the Delaware River.

And now when guests check in, they'll pay $2 more to help protect the river.

"That $2, then all of it goes to the Highlands Conservancy to take care of this beautiful area," explained general manager Robert Howell.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy green lodging partnership is new to the resort near Marshalls Creek, but going green has always been the historic resort's mission.

Guests have taken notice.

"I think it's a great thing. We actually found out while we were staying here that they're very interested in being sustainable here," said New Jersey resident Elena Klarberg.

A machine called "the ORCA" takes all of the resort's food waste and turns it into water.

Shawnee Inn also has its own vegetable gardens, produces its own maple syrup, has a towel reuse program, and that's just for starters.

The Shawnee Inn wants everyone who checks in at the resort to know about this new green lodging partnership, so they're putting all of the information right in their key card holders.

"The more we know, the more our guests know, the more our staff knows about what it takes to take care of this environment is really what it's all about," Howell said.

Some guests from New Jersey said they don't mind paying the new $2 fee for their stay.

"Of course, as a parent you're trying to preserve the environment to be here for our kids and future generations past that."

"If you can afford to come here to stay, another $2 is not going to hurt us, and I don't think it would hurt most people to see the environment sustained," said New Jersey resident Chuck Colacurcio.

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