Robert Redford Archives - Dr. Susanne

It is that wonderful time of year again, when filmmakers and movie stars alike attend one of the biggest cinematic events to hit Park City, Utah—the Sundance Film Festival. Spanning from January 20-30^th, the 2011 festival comprises ten straight days of emerging independent films that could potentially see the same success as the Blaire Witch Project or Memento, two movies made famous by the popular festival in the past. The best part about it is the lodging—at Robert Redford’s very own Sundance resort!

Before Redford took ownership of the property in 1969, the resort was called Timphaven. Nestled at the bottom of Mount Timpanogos, Redford envisioned the resort as a place where nature and humanity could co-exist in a balanced, synergistic environment. Despite suggestions from New York investors who urged him to build a lucrative promenade with hotels and condominiums, Redford chose the artistic, environmental route, and to this day the resort remains a hub of natural scenery and creativity.

The entire Sundance resort is eco-friendly, and has had longstanding green policies since its inception. Their cleaning products are non-toxic, the soaps in the rooms are made organically from the resort’s Art Shack, and all glass products are turned into decorative pieces of art. Activities available at Sundance range from guided hiking tours, to spas and winter sports activities like snowboarding and skiing. You can even purchase a season pass on their site to enjoy the festivities all year long. If you are headed to the Sundance Film Festival, this would definitely be the ideal lodging spot—what a wonderful way to start the year!

References:

http://www.sundance.org/festival/

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Robert Redford, the dashing, 1970’s heart throb of Sundance fame has turned more than a few heads in his time. While the actor and director has received numerous awards of achievement for his contribution to the arts, not many people are aware of his gallant philanthropic efforts for environmental advocacy, wildlife and nature conservation.

Before actors like Leo DiCaprio or Daryl Hannah ever stepped foot in the green political spotlight, Redford has been a dedicated liberal and environmentalist for nearly forty years, contributing to one of the largest public interest groups in the country, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). To date, the group has over a million members and activists nationwide. The NRDC’s mission ultimately is to “safeguard the Earth: its people its plants and animals and the natural systems of which all life depends”, which include efforts in controlling energy efficiency, protecting endangered species, preserving marine life, curbing global warming, preventing pollution, and creating a clean energy future.

Over the years Redford has teamed up with NRDC to lobby for environmental legislation, block oil drilling in the Arctic, host a U.S. to Soviet Union global warming summit and most recently, recorded a new NRDC video in support of the “Clean Energy Legislation”. In 2003, The NRDC opened their Santa Monica headquarters and building and dedicated it to Mr. Redford. NRDC received the highest certification available for green building design, a Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. Aptly named the “Robert Redford Building”, it uses sixty percent less energy than a typical office building with no carbon dioxide emissions, with non-toxic furniture and flooring.

The next time you are in Santa Monica, please take a peek at NRDC’s green building on 2^nd Street. Frequently known to pop in now and then, you just might catch a glimpse of Mr. Sundance himself!