Maine provides a waystation for a diversity of living creatures. Not only do we welcome human visitors to our state, but we also host critters that fly, swim and scamper. Today we speak with Rauni Kew and Derrick Daly of the Inn By the Sea about their innovative offerings for Monarch butterflies, foster dogs and New England cottontail rabbits—all on the grounds of a luxury hotel.
Photo by Matt Cosby at the Inn by the Sea
Rauni Kew’s background is in marketing and public relations. Currently working in hospitality, she manages PR & Green Programs for Maine’s luxurious Inn by the Sea. The Inn has achieved LEED ® Silver, Maine DEP Environmental Leader certification, a Legislative Sentiment as an Environmental Leader, and was selected Preferred Hotel Group’s Sustainability Hotel of the Year in 2014.
Ms. Kew served on the Maine Tourism Commission, as Chair of the Greater Portland CVB, and is the Greater Portland Regional Representative for the Maine Office of Tourism Regional Committee. She frequently has published articles on sustainable hospitality in industry journals.
Previously Ms. Kew was Marketing Director for a Chemical Process manufacturer, launching dispersion equipment that reduced sludge in activated wastewater treatment plants, worked in the technology sector for an Internet screen sharing provider, and in production for CBC television news in New York and at the United Nations.
Currently the head gardener at Inn by the Sea, Derrick is an SMCC graduate of their Plant and Soil Technology School. After graduation he worked as an intern at Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum before taking over the grounds at the Inn, more than 15 years ago. Derrick also has private clients, and last year one of his gardens was featured in the Cape Elizabeth garden tour. Community members are invited to join Derrick every Thursday at 10AM for complimentary garden tours at the Inn all through the growing season. Derrick also works with local schools heading up the Community Earth Day Beach cleanup at Crescent Beach in the spring, and just last week he had two school groups of young students studying entomology visit the Inn for a hands-on outdoor experience.
Each year Derrick leads a group tour to a special garden for Cape Community Services. This year the tour went to the 20 acre Bedrock Gardens, in Lee NH.
Derrick has appeared on NECN and in People, Places and Plants Magazine, giving tips on gardening and sharing his passion for planting!
