Fort Bragg offers green lodging

By Tina Ray/ParaglideApril 23, 2010

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - At Airborne Inn, guests who do not want to change their linen daily can opt to have it changed weekly simply by hanging towels back on the rack instead of placing them on the floor for retrieval by the cleaning crew.

The initiative is just one of many taken by participants in Fort Bragg's Green Lodging Program. Fort Bragg is committed to integrate sustainability into daily operations in order to ensure future installations capabilities.

Other measures include turning off lights and televisions and unplugging personal appliances when not in use, said Virginia Helwig, chief of Army lodging. Residents are also encouraged to set their thermostats at 72 degrees in the winter and 74 degrees in the summer.

In yet another measure, the in-room and continental breakfast products were changed from Styrofoam to paper products, Helwig said. Incandescent light bulbs have been replaced with compact fluorescent light bulbs which use less energy and last longer.

With 685 rooms in six buildings, Fort Bragg's Green Lodging Program supports the Department of Defense's commitment to environmental stewardship in becoming a consumer of green products and services.

Fort Bragg will increase the energy security of installations by pursuing technologies so that the installation can efficiently and effectively execute missions today and into the future.

It also leads the way for other communities and upholds its responsibility of taking care of the environment, said Helwig.

Paul Hora, energy awareness manger for Sandhills Utility Services conducted a training session about energy management with Helwig's staff.

"(I) hope guests to lodging will embrace the changes and make an effort to be more environmentally conscious," Hora said.

Sergeant 1st Class Leonard H. Wilson is one guest who makes an effort do so. A resident of Moon Hall for three years, Wilson makes sure to turn off unused lights and appliances.

Wilson said he keeps his thermostat at about 74 degrees during the summer months.

"I don't run it wide open. I keep it on low," he said.

Hotel staff are willing to make any changes they think would benefit guests, added Wilson. One such change was the placement of more grills in the common area behind Moon Hall.

Though there is no place quite like home, "Coming here is almost like being home," said Wilson.