The Marker Key West Partners with Raw Elements on Reef-Friendly Initiatives
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort, a 96-room waterfront lifestyle resort managed by Highgate and owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust on the Key West Historic Seaport, has installed two public, environmentally reef-friendly Raw Elements mineral sunscreen dispensers. The dispensers were installed in partnership with Reef Relief, a Key West nonprofit dedicated to improving and protecting coral reef systems, as a part of its safe sunscreen campaign to encourage people to use sustainable mineral sunscreen.
“We are very proud to be the first hotel in Florida to introduce this sustainability initiative with Raw Elements, offering locals and guests an organic mineral sunscreen that will benefit their skin, the coral reefs and Key West marine life,” said The Marker’s General Manager Yunior Rodriguez. “This initiative will serve as another testament to our ongoing dedication to providing guests with the utmost care while showing our appreciation and support for ocean and wildlife conservation.”
In celebration of this milestone, The Marker will host an event from 4-6 p.m. on World Reef Day (June 1), a national holiday founded by Raw Elements in 2019. The event will be held at the hotel’s pool lounge and feature live music, a special Papa’s Pilar cocktail, scientific artifacts provided by the Reef Relief team, and a silent auction benefiting Reef Relief. Silent auction items, valued at over $3,500, include products and gift cards from Salt Life, MANG, Papa’s Pilar, and Raw Elements and a two-night stay at The Marker. In addition, Key West artist Jorge de la Torriente of DE LA Gallery will create a limited-edition 24-by-36-inch signed and numbered framed print dedicated to reef conservation valued at $2,500. Both hotel guests and locals are invited to the free event.
The Marker Key West is owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, the largest owner of urban and resort lifestyle hotels in the United States. The resort and Pebblebrook are committed to operating in an environmentally sustainable manner, focusing on the health, safety, and well-being of employees, guests, operators, and suppliers. Pebblebrook has committed to reducing its hotel portfolio’s greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 35% by 2030. And to make progress towards a net zero emissions goal for 2050.
“Raw Elements is honored to be part of this benchmark initiative with The Marker Key West Harbor Resort to bring attention to the state of our coral reefs,” said Raw Elements Chief Operating Officer Chris Wagaman. “By installing these reef-friendly sunscreen dispensers, we hope to educate guests and inspire many more organizations to show their support for reef conservation.”
To raise awareness about this initiative leading up to World Reef Day, The Marker and Raw Elements are launching a promotional sweepstakes, valued at $2,000, in partnership with Salt Life, Papa’s Pilar and MANG to give away gift cards for gear, a hotel stay and an annual supply of Raw Elements. From May 16 - June 1, visit Raw Elements’ website to enter the sweepstakes.
"Highgate and Pebblebrook maintain a responsibility to protect local habitats and preserve biodiversity,” said Highgate Vice President of Sustainability Marianne Balfe. “Along with their coastline erosion protection benefits, coral reefs provide critical habitat for a quarter of all marine species. Raw Elements was a natural partner for Highgate, given their scrutiny of coral reef health, human health and sustainable packaging. They exclude all reef-harmful chemicals, aligning with Haereticus Environmental Lab (HEL) criteria. We are impressed that the majority of their products have consistently received the top #1 scoring on Environmental Working Group’s (EWG’s) list of safe sunscreens.”
For more information about The Marker, visit themarkerkeywest.com and follow on Instagram and Facebook. For more information on Raw Elements, visit rawelementsusa.com and follow on Instagram and Facebook.