We know that many of you have concerns about our impact on the environment. We want you to have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday at Lower Treave, so we have done some stuff to give the planet a break whilst you stay with us. As members of the Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Network (CoaST) we try to make it easy for you to continue all the great green things you are doing at home whilst you are on holiday. Don't worry, you won't have to sign up to any 'policies', wear a hairy shirt or beat yourself up on home-grown muesli. Just go with the 'eco-flow' and if you have any useful suggestions about how we can make your stay more sustainable then please let us know. Here are some of the things you will see happening around the site and might want to help out with.

Reduce - We try and reduce the amount of energy the site consumes, without compromising on the quality of your holiday. Low energy lighting is used throughout the site, and timers and sensors ensure we don't leave lights on when not needed. Using a washing line instead of a tumble dryer is a new spin on an old technology, but the dryers are still there if you need them on the odd wet day!

Reuse - Water butts catch the rain and then it is used to irrigate our pots, tubs and planters. Compost bins are available to our guests - next time you see your potato peelings they will be a healthy mulch on the flower beds.

Recycle - Please re-cycle as much as possible the bins are next to the rubbish skips which go to landfill. Our aim is to get bigger recycling bins and smaller skips, but we can only do this if the demand is there from you. Then we can ask our waste contractors to recycle more and landfill less.

Buy Local, Eat Local - Holidays are a great time to try something different. Why not use this opportunity to try some of the great fish out of Newlyn market, or some meat from one of our local butchers. Sennen Farmers Market runs each week and is the place to buy fresh vegetables. There are also great restaurants and pubs doing menus from locally sourced produce which are well worth a visit.

Getting About - Here's an idea, how about planning one car-free day during your holiday? We can give you all the information and timetables you need to get around on buses, boats and trains, either there and back, or circular trips. Or, we may be able to arrange hire of an exciting electric car from our friends at www.eco-drive.co.uk . This might be particularly useful to motorhome owners who want to use a smaller vehicle to explore the lanes and small coves of Cornwall. What is more, hire, or arrive in an electric car and we will charge it up for free! And, if you arrive on foot, bicycle or by public transport and stay at Lower Treave without a vehicle, we will give you a 5% discount on your total fees!

Holiday Caravans - Our holiday caravans are manufactured by Willerby and built with the environment in mind. Every care has been taken to ensure they minimise environmental impact, from the carefull selection of materials from sustainable resources through to energy efficient lighting, all manufactured in modern efficient factories employing class-leading waste reduction management and recycling programmes. Willerby have a strong 'green conscience' and were devising ways of reducing our environmental impact long before it became a hot topic. In 2008 they announced an impressive waste recycling rate of 81% following the roll-out of a number of new initiatives and years of investment into new technology and equipment. All of their products are designed and manufactured paying careful consideration to the environment, starting with the sensible selection of raw materials. Willerby pioneered the use of energy efficient lighting in the industry and their holiday homes are designed to provide optimal thermal and energy efficient properties throughout their lifetime. They are committed to producing the highest quality products whilst running their business in a responsible, environmentally sound and sustainable manner. We strive to provide 'A rated' appliances in the caravans wherever possible further helping you to reduce your own carbon footprint.

Future Energy Plans - We currently buy in our electricity from 100% renewable sources (mostly wind turbine). As part of our longer term commitment, we are planning solar heating for the shower and toilet block to reduce electricity consumption and our own wind turbine to generate about half the remaining requirement. These things take time (planning, government legislation, technical stuff) and are quite a big investment for a small business, but we expect them to be on-line soon.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust - Lower Treave is a Corporate Member of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, supporting their work involved in conserving the many aspects of the county's wildlife and wild places. You can help us to help them by supporting our visitor gifting scheme. Simply help yourself to a cup of 'FairTrade' coffee in our information area and pop a few coins into the collecting box. We will make sure that your contribution continues to support the great work of the Trust. www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk

David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme - David Bellamy Conservation Awards are made each year to parks which can demonstrate policies showing active concern for the environment. Assisted by local nature groups and holidaymakers themselves, David Bellamy looks at virtually every aspect of park management - from the protection of plant and animal habitats to the efficient use of energy and recycling. Helping visitors to understand conservation is also considered an important qualifying feature. Three levels of excellence can be achieved: Gold, Silver and Bronze. Lower Treave is proud to have a Gold Award. www.ukparks.com/bellamy.asp

CoaST - The Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project has been working for some time with tourism businesses in Cornwall to help make tourism as sustainable as possible, benefiting the environment, the economy and the people of Cornwall. And now they're working to help you - our visitors - to have a fantastic, low impact holiday that keeps Cornwall as beautiful and healthy as it is now! Their work is based on that fact that wherever we go and whatever we do, we have an impact. Make positive choices, and you can help us to care for Cornwall and make that impact a positive one. www.coastvisitors.co.uk