A Note on Sustainability, a goal at Canyon Run Ranch

When I first visited the beautiful acreage of Canyon Run Ranch in the winter of 2010, I could see the realization of my dream, to build an off-grid home on a south-facing hillside above a waterway. What I didn’t imagine was that this property would become a destination for couples seeking a naturally beautiful space to host their rustic weddings.
 
As it turns out, I’ve found my niche in life. There is great joy in witnessing the love and celebrations of hundreds of couples that wed here. Both Gary and myself could not have imagined what Canyon Run Ranch has become, and we are both delighted. We have met so many wonderfully interesting people and take pride in helping them to experience a day of romance and laughter in a place of natural beauty.
 
The weddings have funded improvements to the property.  Here are a few things that we have done to limit our footprint and improve the environmental health of the land:

• We have converted all of our tillable acreage into fields of wildflowers to attract birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.  This amounts to more than 40 acres of native Ohio wildflowers.
• Will erect a bluebird trail of nesting boxes to protect this native songbird.
• We have maintained acres of grasslands as a filter strip along the Stillwater River, protecting our waterways.
• We cut and treated hundreds of invasive honeysuckle and multi-floral rose to open the woods and the Canyon Run creek, making room for native species.
• We are working towards the elimination of harmful herbicides and are always experimenting with non-toxic solutions.
• We use an all-natural insect repellent in the woods that has proven to be very effective against mosquitos and gnats, with a pleasant scent due to the use of the botanical oils of geranium, lemongrass, cedar, citronella, and garlic.
• We provide reusable décor items to reduce waste and unnecessary hauling.
• Provide a commercial container for recyclables.
• Provide trash receptacles for recyclables in the barn.

 
All our building projects keep to the nature of the barn and the surrounding property by using native materials:

• The floor of the barn is made of cottonwood trees from the property and milled on-site by a neighbor and his portable mill.
• The natural limestone that lines the Canyon Run creek was used to build the stone wall of the Milk Parlor.
• The restroom building is built using salvaged doors, hardware, and corrugated metal.  The wood is from the cottonwood left over from the floor project.
• The farm table in the Milk Parlor is made from one of the majestic ash trees that grew on the property but was killed by the emerald ash borer.
• The benches in the woods are constructed from the ash wood
• The signage is primarily made from the logs of the ash and other trees that have perished on the property

 
We have no desire to be preachy, nor or we requiring that you comply with any “green” rules.  We are simply reaching out to all of our wedding participants and asking them to consider their choices of single-use plastic bottles, cutlery, dinnerware and straws. 
 
Craft Event Bar is on board and has eliminated the use of plastic straws.  They have invested in more glassware and a machine to clean them.  They are offering this service at a price that will make it an easy, and responsible choice.
 
One item that we don’t have a good alternate for is bottled water.  Craft Event Bar has invested in a water filtration system to offer purified Canyon Run spring water, but it isn’t as mobile as a plastic bottle.  I am open to suggestions, if you have them. 
 
If you don’t wish to use china, we understand, but there are greener options to plastic plates.  For our daughter’s weddings, we chose compostable paper and palm leaf plates and inexpensive metal cutlery.  I’ve seen cutlery made of sustainable wood too.
 
So, back to the idea of being off-grid, it is still on the table and we are gradually moving in that direction.  In the meantime, we have a more solvable problem, and that has to do with reducing the environmental footprint that we leave here.  Our guests have been very responsible, have shown great respect to the property, and we recognize that everyone values it.  With a little thought and planning, we can make a tangible difference. 
 
We have gotten great advice and suggestions from couples and guests that have celebrated out here, and are always open to any ideas and suggestions.  We’ve come a long way, but know that we could do more.
 
Thank you for reading and for your consideration.
 
Amy Ward