“Passionate, not preachy” is how Tracey Barry Hunt describes her commitment to protecting the natural environment of the Outer Cape, and that passion flows strongly through the restaurant she owns and manages with her husband Phillip Hunt. At that restaurant, Winslow’s Tavern in Wellfleet, they were already engaged in many environmentally sustainable business practices prior to working with the CDP on their Cape & Islands Green verification. According to Tracey, “Recycling has been a huge component of our business. We’re constantly looking for ways to re-use”. They also engage in some composting and oyster shell recycling. The compost is used in the two garden plots that produce herbs, greens and other produce for the restaurant. And their commitment translates as part of the culture of the restaurant where they challenge their staff to think green and often get great ideas in return.
Cape & Islands Green verification appealed to them not only for the shared mindset, but also to put a formal structure to what they had already been doing. And, it enabled them to market their business for all of its environmentally friendly attributes to a broader audience. Through what they learned in the program this forward thinking couple incorporated new green practices and also focused on energy efficiency, installing energy efficient light bulbs throughout the restaurant and a new energy efficient refrigerator. “And there’s still more to do”, says Tracey, as she lists off a potential solar installation at the restaurant and municipal composting. She goes on to say, “I have a responsibility as a business owner and manager and mom and resident to do as much as I can.” The Lower Cape is fortunate to have this dynamic pair as part of our community, because they’re already doing so much to keep it safe for future generations.