In the hospitality industry, sustainability usually means low-flow showerheads and asign asking you to reuse your towels. Maybe some locally sourced food on the menu and refillable shampoo bottles in the bathroom. And that's pretty much it. At Ruttger's, we take it a step further. Many little steps further, actually.
For more than 126 years, people have been coming to Bay Lake to unwind, recharge, and experience a true Lake Country vacation. That’s why we’re committed to caring for the region we call home by protecting its unique environment and reducing our ecological footprint. So that future generations can enjoy the Minnesota they love just as much as we do.
Read on to see how our animal staff are helping us run Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort more sustainably. One leaf, one blossom, and one goose at a time.
Protecting Our Heritage
Learn about the sustainability efforts at Ruttger’s
Our Goats
The Swiss army knife of sustainable lawn care
If you’ve played golf at Ruttger’s or walked by the courses, you’ve likely already seen them: our herd of five Pygora goats. Sherman, Waylon, Buddy, Alfred, and Ollie help our groundskeepers keep the greens tidy and invasive species at bay. But they are more than just natural, low-emission lawn mowers. Our goats also reduce fire risk by eating dry vegetation, improve soil quality with their hooves and droppings, and produce valuable fiber. Their biggest environmental impact, however, is helping us significantly reduce herbicide use. Fewer toxins on the golf course mean safer rounds for you and a lighter environmental burden for Lake Country.
Our Bees
The busy helpers who keep our resort in bloom
Something’s in the air at Ruttger’s: the humming and buzzing of our honey bees. We’ve been keeping bees here at Bay Lake for seven years now, and over time our apiary has grown to 10 hives. Bees play an important role in our sustainability efforts as pollinators that support healthy plant growth and propagation. But of course these industrious insects do more than just that. Each year, our beekeepers harvest honey and wax. So, swing by The Garage and take some honey, candles, bee’s wraps, and other sustainably produced products from the Ruttger’s bees home as a souvenir.
Our Dogs
It’s a wild goosechase out there
If you’ve seen dogs chasing geese on the golf courses or along the beach, don’t worry. That’s their job. Our two dogs are trained to drive wild geese off the resort grounds without harming them. Goose droppings are not only unsightly but can also pose health risks. Cleaning up after several flocks of geese is a Sisyphean task. Common methods to keep the birds away include noise cannons, electric fences, or chemical deterrents. But those don’t align with our sustainability approach or with a relaxed vacation on Bay Lake. That’s why we “hired” our furry friends to keep Ruttger’s goose-free. Added benefit: They love to cuddle, so come say hi.