A delightful and informative Power Point presentation given by our guest speaker, Laurie Adams, held the group spellbound as Laurie passionately detailed her ecological philosophy of E-Terra, an 8,400 sq.ft. Inn built on the quintessential nature of ecology, ethics and economics. E-Terra is located at 201 Little Cove Rd., just south of Tobermory, overlooking Dunk’s Bay and is presently acclaimed Ontario’s most sustainable and finest wood-based structure.

Although E-Terra’s inception far exceeds any aim to win awards,
it has done just that. And Laurie has certainly done her homework to earn the stringent LEED Gold Award and the GREEN BY DESIGN Award in bringing together the best of our earth’s resources of stone, wood, plants and water. As Laurie explained the tight guidelines of these awards, one would wonder how did one person network in so broad a spectrum of materials and still maintain Canadian integrity in pulling all of these resources together? But, showing loyalty to Canadian-made products was part of the integrity of Laurie’s choices and as she recounted some of her journey, this was a major challenge, right down to the light bulbs. Laurie’s main mantra in this shopping experience was: “Shop locally—support your community…support Canada”.

Choices in buying building materials were also dependent upon each company’s ability to prove they had a sound environmental program they adhered to. As well, these companies were researched to ensure they offered respectful employment conditions to their employees and that sound employee benefit packages were in place.

From these well thought out decisions, E-Terra was born, an eco-lodge hosting 6 guest rooms, a spa, library, conference facilities, a pool and organic meals. Guests who come here can be assured that every part of this building is natural from the cherry wood of the handrails to the rock of the Niagara Escarpment that runs right through the building. Even the products in the mattresses and sofas are ecologically friendly and free from toxic producing fumes that threaten an individual’s health and well-being.

The Pure Essence of E-Terra is especially sensed with the indoor structure of the 6-foot high by 12-foot wide expanse of limestone rock, where water flows from the main floor to the ground level pool. Tropical plants line the area around this indoor waterfall and along with the effect of the water; a natural humidifying effect is created. The entire ambiance of E-Terra promotes a holistic wellness that respects body, mind and spirit, aesthetically designed throughout to appeal to the six senses of colour, taste, sight, sound, touch but, especially Spirit.

As Don McIlraith, President of BPEG, said of Laurie Adams, “Laurie is a modern pioneer of a new future”. At the heart of Laurie’s adventure is a passionate desire to offer an eco-lodge system that respects the human body and that acknowledges the benefits of the earth’s intelligence to promote good health and well being. As Laurie stated, the body is a living cell that vibrates according to the energy around it. E-Terra offers that wonderful healing energy.


We ourselves must take the responsibility to be more discernible in the future of our buildings and the materials we choose. The impact on the health of our next generations is crucial to these decisions. This eco-lodge, dreamed and designed by Laurie Adams, certainly offers such sage intelligence.