FIVE SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES TO DO IN SLO CAL
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Firestone-Walker has been a leader in clean craft brewing since it opened back in 1996. For the 500,000+ barrels of beer it brews annually, Firestone-Walker uses renewable energy via a 10-acre solar array that moves with the sun. They order nearly all of their grains in bulk to eliminate packaging waste and repurpose or recover 10,000 tons of spent grains each year, primarily by feeding local livestock. And while it's true that brewing beer requires a lot of water, FirestoneWalker does so as sustainably and responsibly as possible. The company invests in local reservoir sourcing, recycles water through a custom water
reuse system, and treats water onsite to return to the local aquifer conserving more than 40 million gallons each year.
Visitors to the Firestone-Walker campus in Paso Robles can taste a wide array of the company's pioneering brews in the Taproom, along with a satisfying menu of elevated pub grub. Book a tour to see the inner workings of the operation, including plenty of behind-the-scenes areas that highlight Firestone-Walker's commitment to sustainability.
that meet the highest standards of sustainability. That makes JUSTIN the only winery in the United States to receive both stars and a bucket-list experience for anyone interested in dining well and dining responsibly
Chef Rachel Haggstrom and her team source an overwhelming 95 percent of ingredients for the restaurant from their own property and from local purveyors. They pull from a 26-acre estate garden that includes 150 fruit trees, edible flower
2. Eat Sustainably Enjoy fine dining at its greenest at The Restaurant at JUSTIN Winery
While MICHELIN awarded The Restaurant at JUSTIN Winery a coveted star in 2022, it also awarded a MICHELIN Green Star, which honors restaurants
fields, vegetables, herbs, and an apiary Doing so keeps the challenge fresh for Haggstrom, who crafts her multi-course menu based almost solely on what's available Each dish can be paired with JUSTIN's legendary Bordeaux-style wines, made from grapes grown exclusively in SLO CAL.
3. Watch Sustainably See a carbonneutral film at the Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo
The three-screen Palm Theatre in downtown San Luis Obispo has been a beacon of arthouse and alternative cinema in SLO CAL since the 1970s, in addition to film festivals and special events In 2004, owners Jim and Patty Dee harnessed the sun's energy by installing 98 solar panels on the theater's roof, making it the first cinema in the United States to operate entirely on solar power
4. Taste Sustainably SLO CAL Sustainable Wine Trail
Of the 250 wineries that make up SLO CAL wine country, 50 are certified sustainable Whether the winery has a Regenerative Organic certification, Biodynamic certification, is certified organic, or LEED-certified, these 50 businesses prioritize their commitment to sustainability.
Good spots to hit include Tablas Creek Vineyard & Winery in Paso Robles, a pioneer in the regenerative farming movement who employ goats to graze down their cover crops, chickens to fertilize, and biodynamic solutions for keeping the vineyard healthy
In the projection room, the Palm has converted fully to digital media to minimize wasting energy and other resources The Dees have also added white roofing to reduce energy consumption, which passively stabilizes its temperature and keeps the theater cool and comfortable, even on hot days
In the SLO Coast Wine region, Chamisal Winery in San Luis Obispo has made huge strides to reduce its carbon footprint and play to the strengths of its natural resources. In 2020, the winery planted a rapid-growth Miyawaki forest to sequester carbon emissions; Chamisal also maintains a healthy population of predatory birds to manage unwanted pests and has wholly ended its use of herbicides in favor of using cover crops and biodynamic measures.
And at Laetitia Vineyard & Winery in Arroyo Grande, a strong ecosystem includes water reclamation, compost reuse, and providing owl boxes for natural predators of pests The company also ensures that all employees receive comprehensive benefits packages (which are, sadly, not the norm for many agricultural workers) to steward their human resources as well as their natural ones.
out Life Elements in Atascadero, a bath and body shop whose products are wrapped in mushroom-based packaging.
At Maven Leather in Cayucos, founder Emma Thieme fashions handbags, wallets, belts, guitar straps and journals from scraps called “rescued hides,” which would otherwise go unused.
5. Shop eco-conscious SLO CAL Crafted businesses
If you really want to support greenminded leaders in SLO CAL, shop small. Every dollar you spend in the community of SLO CAL Crafted businesses goes right back into the local economy. Chances are, those artisans care about protecting natural resources, too! Check
WildHouse Paper based in San Luis Obispo sources paper that meets a variety of high sustainability standards, and plants a tree for every order made
And, at Morro Bay Oyster Company, fighting climate change is a necessity for the future of the business; the company combats both haste and waste by harvesting only after 12 months and by hand sorting every oyster before it reaches the customer.