Being A Green Inn

Worm composter

When guests come to stay at the inn they always ask what does it mean that you are a green inn. Well we are part of a program through Maine EPA that certifies lodging establishment in Maine called Environmental Leader. We get a certain number of points for everything we do. Some of our green practices are the following;
-We have three different kinds of ways to compost leftover food waste, a worm composter, two outside barrel composter and a European electric composter, that we use a lot in the winter when our outside ones aren't composing.
-We recycle most everything as the city of Portland has a great curbside recycling program.
-All left over bake goods get frozen and brought to the Soup Kitchen in town.
-We only use environmentally friendly cleaning and laundry product, in fact we make most of our cleaning products.
-Our lights are LED or CFLs and we have sensor lights in the common area and halls.
-All our painting and remodeling projects are done with earth friendly or recycled products.
- We also try to "Buy Local" as much as possible, coffee, dairy, maple syrup, honey, wheat flour to name a few. We are a member and supporter of Portland's Buy Local movement.
These are just a few of our practices here at the Wild Iris Inn. We also always welcome suggestions from our guests!
Wild Iris Inn "Growing Green Since 2002"

Come for a Bike Ride In Portland!

 Spring is here and we just dusted off the Wild Iris Inn bikes and got them into the shop for their spring tune up! We have two bike for guests to borrow while staying at the inn. Portland is a great bike friendly city.
A new Portland Bike Map was publish this year that shows all the great bike trails in greater Portland that you can borrow while at the inn.
Also Summer Feet Cycling, 866-857-9544, www.bikeportlandmaine.com,  has two bike tours in Portland, a 5 Lighthouse Tour that runs daily at 10am and a Explore Casco Bay, that take you out on the ferry to Chebeaque Island for a ride around and lunch at the inn which is offered Saturdays in July and August!
Or bring your own bike and have your own riding adventure!
 So hop on your bike and do some exploring!


 Wild Iris Inn 273 State Street Portland, ME 04101 800-600-1557 www.wildirisinn.com Diane@wildirisinn.com

Deering Oaks Park Rose Garden

I took the dog's for a walk yesterday in Deering Oaks Park and stop by at the Rose Garden. It was so beautiful! How lucky were are at the inn to have such a awesome garden just a couple minutes walk from our front door! Kudos to the city and volunteers who do such a great job of maintaining it. So when you come to the inn don't forget to take this short walk and visit the incredible rose garden.

Diane Edwards
Wild Iris Inn
273 State Street
Portland, ME 04101
800-600-1557
www.wildirisinn.com
Diane@wildirisinn.com

Scarborough Marsh Audobon Center

Last week my sister and I took her one person canoes to the Audubon Center at Scarborough Marsh. It took us about 20 minutes from the Wild Iris Inn to drive there. Since we brought out own canoes it was free to launch but they rent both canoes and kayaks for $16/hr. There are two ways to paddle depending on the tide we chose to go toward the ocean so the paddle back would be easier. We spent a couple of hours exploring the marshes and checking out the various birds along the way, including two beautiful snowy egrets! They offer various programs and tours, check out their website at http://www.maineaudubon.org/explore/centers/marsh2.shtml . It is definitely worth a day trip if you enjoy paddling!
Diane Edwards
Wild Iris Inn
273 State Street
Portland, ME 04101
800-600-1557
www.wildirisinn.com
Diane@wildirisinn.com

Tuesday I made my annual spring pilgrimage to the Maine Botanical Garden's in Boothbay Harbor. It was a picture perfect spring day and my friend's Keri and Nini joined me. It is only about an hour and fifteen minutes from Portland so it makes a great morning adventure and then go out to lunch in Boothbay. The Azaleas were in bloom and looked gorgeous. We also saw lots of other beautiful spring flowers while meandering through the woodland paths and the gardens. You can check out their website at http://www.mainegardens.org/ as they have many interesting events going on throughout the year. It is definitely worth a visit.

Diane Edwards
Wild Iris Inn
273 State Street
Portland, ME 04101
800-600-1557
www.wildirisinn.com
Diane@wildirisinn.com