Ecotourism Resort in Maryland Selects Tulikivi Fireplaces
McHenry, MD (PRWEB) September 25, 2013 -- Tulikivi announced that it has been selected as a sustainable heat source for Blue Moon Rising (BMR), Garrett County, Maryland’s own green ecotourism community. This 14-acre site overlooks Deep Creek Lake, Maryland’s largest inland body of water. BMR currently consists of eight rental cabins, called “waldens,” a learning center and a community building, all serving the community and as a vacation retreat.
In 2008, BMR founder Lisa M. Jan had a vision to integrate vacation rental properties with sustainable educational services. Jan was interested in a new way of thinking about development that fostered an understanding for the natural environment—a built environment that preserves the existing natural elements, she explained.
Jan’s mission is to “create a community that harnesses the incredible power of Mother Nature while leaving as little impact on the landscape as possible.” Her vision is “to demonstrate that humans can live lightly on the earth, without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics.”
According to Jan, most ecotourism destinations are either luxurious spas or really roughing it. “What BMR offers really makes it unique, such as the environmental education center, with features the larger of the two Tulikivi units selected and is the central area where programs in nature, art and design, wellness and sustainable practices are offered to BMR’s guests as well as local residents and schools. The second Tulikivi is located in the community center, a gathering space for visitors, families and catered events. Our community continues to grow and we have more “waldens” planned for the future, she said.
One of the main decisions for the resort was to choose a sustainable and ecofriendly heating option for the resort’s main gathering areas. “Two Tulikivi soapstone fireplaces from Finland add greatly to the unique character,” said Jan. “We investigated masonry heat early on. Tulikivi kept coming up and really stood out. Because we are so sustainability conscious, what the fireplaces would save us in energy and heat had to make up for the energy expenditure of shipping the soapstone from Finland. Tulikivi met the need on all accounts,” she explained.
“We worked with Lisa Jan developing site-specific Tulikivi designs that would complement the spaces she wished to heat, and communicated with the Blue Moon Rising design and construction team to ensure the Tulikivi fireplaces would fit the overall heating requirements and provide cozy warmth,” says Douglas Hargrave, president of Tulikivi distributor Mid-Atlantic Masonry Heat. “With the help of Tulikivi in Finland, we were able to provide precise figures as to what the carbon footprint would be to place the fireplaces in the spaces. We then worked through our local dealer Rustic BY Design to provide the chimneys and install the fireplaces.”
Jan explained that she loves Tulikivi’s impact—or lack of it—on the ecosystem. One cornerstone of BMR is that nothing goes to waste. She stated that each and every tree that is taken down is carefully evaluated so that it can be reused elsewhere on the project. Whether as trim, a support post, or as wood to fuel the highly efficient Tulikivi stoves, these trees will be given a new life in the fabric of BMR. “Our Tulikivi fireplaces fit our mission and are incredibly beautiful and functional,” said Jan. “We love our Tulikivis!”
For more information on Blue Moon Rising, visit http://www.bluemoonrising.org. For more information on Mid-Atlantic Masonry Heat, visit http://www.virginiaradiant.com.
The Tulikivi Group comprises the Tulikivi Corporation, which is a listed family enterprise, and its subsidiaries. The Tulikivi Group is the world’s largest manufacturer of heat-retaining fireplaces. Tulikivi has three product groups: Fireplaces, Saunas and Interior & Design. Tulikivi and its customers value wellbeing, interior design and the benefits of bioenergy. Tulikivi’s net sales are roughly EUR 60 million, of which exports account for about half. Tulikivi employs over 400 people. For more information about Tulikivi, please visit http://www.tulikivi.com or follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Tulikivi. For the nearest distributor, call 800-843-3473.
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Michelle Drager, The Drager Group, Inc., +1 (484) 269-2900, [email protected]
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