08 LC 95
0838
Senate
Resolution 1223
By:
Senator Pearson of the 51st
A
RESOLUTION
Commemorating
the tenth anniversary of the Len Foote Hike Inn; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
this year marks the tenth anniversary of the Len Foote Hike Inn, and its
continuous operation by the not-for-profit Appalachian Education and Recreation
Services, Inc., affiliated with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, for the
benefit of the citizens of Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
the 20-room Len Foote Hike Inn, owned by the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, State Parks Division, located within Amicalola Falls State Park in
Dawson County, opened in October, 1998, as the first state park ecolodge in
Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
the Len Foote Hike Inn received the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) Gold certification for an existing building in the State of
Georgia from the United States Green Building Council; and
WHEREAS,
the Len Foote Hike Inn practices conservation and energy efficient techniques
that include low energy appliances and lighting, as well as the use of 24
photovoltaic solar panels to provide up to 10 percent of the Inn's electricity
and to preheat hot water for its guests; and
WHEREAS,
the Len Foote Hike Inn uses vermiculture to convert office paper, fabric, and
food services scraps into compost for landscaping using native plants
exclusively; and
WHEREAS,
the Len Foote Hike Inn with composting toilets saves approximately 200,000
gallons of water per year as part of its commitment to environmental
sustainability; and
WHEREAS,
the Len Foote Hike Inn, located up a five-mile interpretive trail from the top
of Amicalola Falls, provides both exercise and recreation for all its guests who
arrive on foot; and
WHEREAS, the Len Foote Hike Inn provides evening programs on conservation and recycling, hiking techniques, native flora and fauna, as well as on Southern Appalachian history and culture; and
WHEREAS, the Len Foote Hike Inn provides evening programs on conservation and recycling, hiking techniques, native flora and fauna, as well as on Southern Appalachian history and culture; and
WHEREAS,
the AERS Board of Directors additionally provides annual college scholarships
and uses income over expenses for improvements at Georgia State Parks or along
the Appalachian Trail; and
WHEREAS,
Leonard B. Foote, 1918-1989, noted Georgia naturalist, author and photographer,
as well as a Georgia Department of Natural Resources Board member, was honored
by having this outstanding back country Inn of Georgia and America named for
him; and
WHEREAS,
the Len Foote Hike Inn's mission statement is, "Protecting Georgia's Natural
Resources Through Education and Recreation."
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in
recognizing and honoring the work of the Appalachian Education and Recreation
Services and the Len Foote Hike Inn for ten years of successful operation and
commend them for their dedication to teaching its visitors about the environment
and protecting Georgia's wilderness.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Appalachian Education
and Recreation Services and the Len Foote Hike Inn.