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TREE HUGGERS TAKE NOTE:

VIRGINIA'S WINTERGREEN RESORT IS

FOR LOVERS OF THE OUTDOORS

When it comes to ecotourism and development, big resorts aren't always for lovers of the environment. However, southeast tree huggers love Virginia's Wintergreen Resort (and Doug Coleman). This four-season mountain resort takes the environment (and Doug Coleman) very seriously.

Doug Coleman, Wintergreen Resort's biologist/naturalist for the past 18 years, has helped to bring resort development and conservation closer together. Along with the environmentally-sensitive developers of Wintergreen, Coleman was responsible for the American Hotel & Motel's Environmental Achievement Award and many other accolades bestowed on the resort because of their successful environmental programs.

Coleman came to Wintergreen Resort in the early development stages and had a big impact on the resort's dedication to conservation. "The environment has played a role in every stage of development at Wintergreen," Coleman proudly states. Coleman's remarkable relocation programs have saved more than 150,000 plants slated for the dumpster during development.

A native of Virginia's stunning Shenandoah Valley Coleman is in charge of organizing and carrying out almost every outdoor program Wintergreen offers. Education and conservation are the themes behind every activity. He runs at least five field trips a week, children's nature camps, wildflower symposiums, and a myriad of other special educational events which attract more than 10,000 visitors annually.

Of Wintergreen's 11,000 acres, 6,740 have been set aside as permanent undisturbed forest. Coleman is particularly proud of places like the ten-acre nature preserve that was originally slated for development as 12 $40,000 homesites. He also designed a 25-mile trail system around the mountain-top community, which is designed to pass through nature's wildflower gardens and geological formations.

Coleman has served as a consultant to the Blue Ridge Parkway and co-authored "Important Plant Habitats of the Blue Ridge Parkway." Wintergreen is situated just a mile below the parkway, one of Virginia's (and the nation's) greatest drives.

One of Wintergreen's most popular programs is the annual Spring Wildflower Symposium, making for a perfect ecotourism getaway this spring. The weekend includes guided hikes, lectures, and workshops led by prominent specialists. There are also photography displays, propogated wildflower sales, and spring birding opportunities.

Along with the wildly successful Spring Wildflower Symposium, Wintergreen features many summer and fall programs for tree huggers. The summer offerings include nature camps and outdoor adventure camps for kids, as well as a host of outings for adults. In September, Wintergreen and the Virginia Museum of Natural History sponsor "Virginia's Natural History" for nature enthusiasts of all levels.

During the natural history program, Coleman and many of the state's finest field scientists share their most recent findings and favorite field trips near Wintergreen. There are dozens of programs and Wintergreen is the perfect setting.

Wintergreen Resort is located in an area that geologists refer to as "Old Appalachia." This eastern deciduous forest is undergirded by geological formations that are among the oldest in North America.

New plant discoveries of national significance have been made at Wintergreen and the towering oak-hickory canopy shelters one of the most splendid arrays of wildflowers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But it's the perfect spot for tree huggers any time of year (including great skiing and continuing environmental programs during the winter).

Thanks to people like Doug Coleman, Wintergreen has become established as one of the state's premier four-season destinations. With golf, tennis, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, skiing, dozens of other outdoor activities, and luxurious lodging and dining, Wintergreen makes Mother Nature green with envy.

Wintergreen Resort is a complete resort with full amenities. Guests can choose from a wide variety of luxurious condominiums and homes, with many package plans offering substantial savings on accommodations, recreation, and meals. For further information about Wintergreen's environmental programs and packages, contact Wintergreen Resort at P.O. Box 706, Wintergreen, VA 22958, (804) 325-2200.