2008 Press Releases
The HOtel des Seigneurs, Saint-Hyacinthe to plant over 1,800 trees
Saint Hyacinthe, May 27, 2008 - The Hotel des Seigneurs will be planting 1,800 trees to offset the Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GGE) produced by meeting and events at it's property in 2007.
The Hotel des Seigneurs Saint-Hyacinthe, an environmental pioneer within the Quebec hotel industry, is making good on their commitment outlined in one of their eco meeting packages, the Save our Planet package. This package commits to offseting the emissions produced by all the Save our Planet meetings by planting enough trees required to absorb the C02 generated by the meetings. The property will be planting over 1,800 trees on May 29th, 2008. The hotel is working with the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as well as Zone de Vie on this project. The trees will be planted at the Giarmic Farm in St-Hugues, owned by Mr. Serge Giard and Mrs. Céline Miclette, certified organic cereal growers.
Since the creation of its Eco Meeting Packages in 2006, a number of organizations have demonstrated their commitment to the environment by choosing one of the three packages for their conferences and events. La Fédération Interdisciplinaire d'horticulture ornementale du Québec is one example "The organizations' present commitment will allow - over the next 100 years - compensation for over 254 tons of GGE produced by such events." says Mr. Pierre-Gilles Gauvin, Director of Sales & Marketing for Hotel des Seigneurs.
Apart from neutralizing the GGE, the 1,800 trees will serve as a wind breaker along the cultivated land and an isolating barrier against pesticides used on neighbouring lands. The presence of the trees will also help to increase the annual production of cultivation, protect the land against erosion caused by winds and will also serve as a protective strip against the river bank. "Thanks to the commitment of our clientele, we can make this project come true. By opting for our Eco Packages, we all contributed to reaching a common goal; ensuring a better environment for the present and future generations." adds Ms. Jade Guilbert, Environmental manager at Hôtel des Seigneurs Saint-Hyacinthe and leader of the project.
SilverBirch is one of Canada's leading hotel management companies and currently manages over 30 hotels and resorts in Canada with more than 7,700 rooms. The company manages independent hotels and hotels operating under major franchise brands including Crowne Plaza, Radisson, Residence Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Quality, Gouverneur, Best Western and Ramada properties. SilverBirch is fully owned by British Columbia Investment Management Corporation ("bcIMC"), a Canadian leader in investment funds management that is based in Victoria, British Columbia (www.bcimc.com).
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo available upon request.
For more information, please contact:
Nathalie Jeghers
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing / Quebec & Atlantic Canada
SilverBirch
Telephone: (514) 231-3075
njeghers@silverbirchhotels.com
Bill Churma
General Manager
Hôtel des Seigneurs Saint-Hyacinthe
Telephone : 450-734-4638, direct : 450-778-4830
bchurma@silverbirchhotels.com