The GreenUP team was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Robert Winslow, founder of 4th Line Theatre. We offer our sincere condolences to the Winslow family and the community at large as we mourn this significant loss. May Robert’s commitment to the arts and the environment continue to inspire and live on through his enduring legacy.
Sustainability, which involves balancing a business’s environmental, social, and financial viability, is no longer a side show for the tourism sector. Increasingly, “greening” events, spaces, and experiences are becoming the main attraction.
On Wednesday, October 7 at 1 p.m., GreenUP’s Green Economy Peterborough will host Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8), 4th Line Theatre, and Elmhirst’s Resort in a one-hour online discussion on sustainable tourism in the Kawartha region.
The event, titled “Growing Your Business with Green Tourism Strategies,” will offer participants new insights into what green, sustainable operations look like in practice — from theatre farms to lakeside resorts to region-wide planning. Speakers from each organization will share their lessons learned, changes implemented, and new initiatives on the horizon.
“Earlier this year, our region earned the Silver Destination Certification through GreenStep’s internationally recognized Sustainable Tourism Destination Standard,” says Hillary Flood, Research and Special Projects manager for RTO8. “This was an incredible milestone in our region’s sustainability journey.”
RTO8 helps local businesses and municipalities set and meet environmental goals, aiming to embed sustainability as a long-term business strategy to protect the region’s natural beauty. Flood points to on-demand bus service pilots, municipal EV charger installations, and active transportation improvements as examples of projects underway.
“What we’ve discovered along the way is that responsible tourism works best when it’s matched by hands-on leadership across our communities,” Flood says.
Just outside of Millbrook, 4th Line Theatre has spent more than three decades staging original Canadian plays on the barnyard grounds of the Winslow Farm. Founded by the late Robert Winslow in 1992, the theatre describes its work as “environmentally staged,” with performances taking place outdoors among the fields and barns, with the landscape often part of the storytelling.
That connection to the land isn’t just aesthetic — driven by Winslow’s vision, the company has built its identity around preserving the rural setting that makes its productions distinctive, drawing more than 14,000 visitors each summer.
“At 4th Line Theatre, environmental sustainability is woven into how we work — from reusing sets and props and renting costumes to making thoughtful choices across our business practices,” says Lindy Finlan, general manager of 4th Line Theatre. “We are deeply committed to respecting and preserving the natural beauty and unique environment of Winslow Farm, the home of our outdoor theatre.”
Over on Rice Lake, Elmhirst’s Resort has integrated sustainability into its day-to-day operations for years. The family-owned resort, now in its fourth generation and run by Greg Elmhirst, has invested in a biomass heating system, solar energy, composting and waste-reduction programs, and uses its own farm to supply its kitchens.
In 2023, Elmhirst’s was recognized as one of the province’s most sustainable resorts, holding Platinum Certification from GreenStep Sustainable Tourism.
“For us, it’s about striking the balance between honouring what’s always worked and knowing when to evolve,” says Greg Elmhirst. “We’ve built on the values that shaped this place — care, community, sustainability — while making space for new ideas to take root.”
Together, the three organizations show what green tourism can look like at different scales: a regional body setting standards, a cultural institution rooted in land stewardship, and a hospitality business proving environmental responsibility and great guest experience aren’t at odds.
To register for Growing Your Business with Green Tourism Strategies on Wednesday, October 7 from 1 to 2 p.m., visit GreenTourism26Webinar.eventbrite.ca.
4th Line Theatre and RTO8 are members of Green Economy Peterborough, a GreenUP program and business network that supports local organizations in reducing their environmental impact. To find out more about Green Economy Peterborough and sign up for its newsletter, visit greeneconomypeterborough.ca.
