August 27 2015

Crowne Plaza Queenstown team plants over 50 native trees in one day

Making a difference to the environment is something the team at Crowne Plaza Queenstown is passionate about – and they’re happy to get their hands dirty to prove it.

The Queenstown lakefront property recently celebrated a special week with its sister hotels around the world as part of IHG Corporate Responsibility Week.

This year the hotel chose to partner with the local Wakatipu Reforestation Trust (WRT) to make a difference by planting over 50 native trees at Peace Park reserve on the Frankton foreshore.

Crowne Plaza Queenstown Administration Executive Michelle Grace organised the event during IHG Corporate Responsibility Week with the support of the property’s Responsible Business Committee.

WRT Volunteer co-ordinator Ange van der Laan says the support from businesses such as Crowne Plaza is “extremely beneficial” and says they look forward to further community planting days.

“It’s extremely beneficial as it provided us with 11 enthusiastic new volunteers for a couple of hours; that’s 22 hours of volunteer time,” says Ms van der Laan.

“The natives they’ve planted on the banks of Lake Wakatipu will, over time, provide habitat for other native species, especially birds. It will also significantly improve the aesthetics of the area making it more attractive overall as well as attracting bird life.

“This is a massive win to the environment and all the staff should be proud of their contribution.”

Crowne Plaza Queenstown General Manager Reinier Eulink says staff were “very happy” to support a community initiative with a significant long-term benefit for the environment.

“We recognize that Queenstown’s outstanding natural beauty is one of the key factors driving our guests to the resort, so we’re more than happy to do our bit for the environment, when every little counts.”

Mr Eulink was one of the staff members getting down and dirty on the day, with a team that also included the property’s Senior Guest Experience Manager, Reservations Manager and frontline staff from all departments.

Ange says the day spent with Crowne Plaza was hugely successful, and she hopes the staff now have a better understanding of why native plants are so important.

Other environmentally-friendly initiatives undertaken by Crowne Plaza Queenstown in the past have included organizing and supporting fundraisers, supporting local colleges, carpool schemes and a local food day.

ENDS

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