Sea to Sky Retreat 的设计理念旨在维护自然资源的平衡。此宗旨在“海天闭关中心可持续发展生活”计划书中有陈述，该计划每年在地球日得以更新

In caring for the grounds and the surrounding forest of the retreat centre, the SSRC volunteer team is guided by the SSRC Forest Management Plan

在保护海天闭关中心场地及周围森林时，志愿者团队遵循中心森林管理计划条例。

To enhance the environmental appreciation of those visiting the centre, an interpretative trail has been developed to mark some of the trees, plants, and wildlife habitats within the forest and lakeside ecosystems. Brief descriptions are provided in an interpretative trail guide. 

Residents of SSRC benefit from a grand variety of wild edible plants – both native and invasive.  Although some call burdock invasive, it is also a freely available organic vegetable that the SSRC residents can control by eating.  The starring ingredient of a favourite Spring dish at SSRC is Burdock Flower Stalks.  Also, our native Lady Ferns provide us with fiddleheads.  A bit later in the season we can enjoy Nettle frittata. The summer brings a wonderful array of Red Huckleberries, Black Raspberries, Blueberries, Oregon Grapes, and Salal. Then, of course, the autumn is prime time for Chanterelles, Matsutakes, and other gourmet mushrooms.

A collection of photos of some of the co-habitants in retreat centre surroundings can be seen below.

为提高游客及来访者对闭关中心环境的认识，我们开发了一条解说路线，沿途标记森林及湖畔生态系统中的部分树木、植被和野生动物栖息地信息。游客路线指南中也包含了这些简要说明。下面是闭关中心周围生态的系列照片。

Sustainable Living Over the Years

• Life at SSRC in 2010 was described by NW Dharma News in an article entitled «Off the Grid at Sea to Sky Retreat Centre.» 
• Twelve years later (2022) Dr. Dagmar Schwerk published her reflections about sustainable living at SSRC in the UBC Asian Studies Sustainability newsletter in an article entitled: «More Inter-being Less Instant Gratification»

持久的可持续生活

• 2010年NW Dharma News 发表了一篇描述海天闭关中心生活环境的文章，题为“海天闭关中心世外桃源生活“。
• 十二年后（2022 年），Dagmar Schwerk 博士在 UBC 大学“亚洲研究可持续发展” 简报上发表了她对海天闭关中心可持续生活的思考，文章题为“更多相互依存，更少即时满足”