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MORAVIA, IOWA -- Honey Creek Resort in Moravia, Iowa was officially dedicated as Iowa's greenest resort at a ceremony Friday morning.

The resort utilizes wind and solar energy, an exhaustive recycling program and more to function as a LEED-certified and eco-friendly resort.

The green initiatives were largely influenced by a former Pella Corporation employee and engineer who had eco-consciousness in mind before nearly anyone else. Chris Desjardins passed away at age 47 in 2009, but the earth-friendly ideas he had in mind live on. His family was at the ceremony Friday to see his dreams come to life, and his legacy and love for nature exemplified in the practices at work at Honey Creek.

"It's kind of neat that whenever the wind blows or the sun shines here that my brother's legacy is going to be here," said Pete Desjardins, Chris's brother. "But... in many ways he was just a common guy and sometimes common folks do uncommon, pretty extraordinary things and that opportunity exists with really anybody that touches something like this."

"[He was] a fantastic individual and had a great vision for what's sustainable and taking care of the environment was all about," said Andy Woodrick, General Manger of Honey Creek. "His gift to the state, and in turn, gift to us is just remarkable."

Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds was on hand to congratulate Pella Corporation, Honey Creek and the Desjardins family for their achievements.

Woodrick said he hopes that the resort can be an example to businesses, resorts, homes and individuals across the country in what is possible in sustainability and green living.