In this day and age, when we are constantly bombarded with discouraging information about the state of the environment, individuals and businesses alike need to assess the damage they are doing to the Earth. Spa-goers who might be asking themselves what kind of “ecological footprint” Ste. Anne’s leaves behind can rest assured: the Spa has adopted many green practices over the years, reflecting owner Jim Corcoran’s firm belief that “humans should strive to give back what they take from the environment, and in doing so should improve the quality of the world we live in.”

Pure Water Source
Fortuitously, the spa is built on a natural aquifer, a spring 150 feet below ground. It supplies the inn with water for all of its uses, including laundry, and is used to fill the swimming pools, wave pool, and hot tubs.

Water Consumption, Natural Reed Bed System
All of the water used at Ste. Anne’s is recycled through the natural reedbed septic system, which was introduced in 2002. Reedbeds often develop naturally in estuaries and other water-filled areas. The water trickles through the reedbeds and is quickly cleaned or filtered by the extensive root system; the many microorganisms that make the reedbeds their habitat use the sewage as growth nutrients. The reedbed system fits in nicely to the rural setting of Ste. Anne’s, and attracts numerous birds.

Gardens and Lawns
The breathtaking gardens and green lawns at Ste. Anne’s are herbicide-free, in keeping with the spa’s commitment to natural, organic products. Just as Chef Christopher Ennew uses organic and local ingredients when possible—often using vegetables and herbs from the gardens at Ste. Anne’s—so the setting is untouched by chemicals.

Aveda Product Line
And, for this same reason, the highly popular, all-natural Aveda products are a perfect fit for the spa. Aveda, founded in 1978 by Austrian environmentalist and business leader Horst Rechelbacher, uses organic, plant-based ingredients in their top-of-the-line products.

Laundry
In recent years, Ste. Anne’s has established a cold-water laundry facility, with eco-friendly products; has replaced many of its lightbulbs with energy-efficient ones; and has become a champion of recycling.

Although Ste. Anne’s, because of its size and popularity, does expend a lot of water and energy, as all spas and resorts do, it does so in an extremely responsible way; every effort is made to avoid being a drain on the environment. “Our relationship with the environment is and must continue to be a symbiotic relationship,” says Jim. Guests at Ste. Anne’s draw sustenance from nature and the earth; in return, we must all adopt earth-friendly practices based on healing and renewal, rather than on violation and overuse.