Environmental Action in our Yellowstone National Park
"When people actively and thoughtfully protect and preserve our planet's beautiful places, they have made a moral investment in that destination's continued success... When our guests and our employees start making lifestyle changes because of the initiatives they undertake or observe at our parks and resorts, then we will know that we have been truly successful."
Andy Todd, CEO, Xanterra, Inc.
Our Mission
Our business decisions balance economic viability with ecological responsibility. We reduce and recycle waste, conserve energy and water, and educate our guests and employees on environmental stewardship. We believe that increasing the sustainability of natural systems is not only good business, but also the right thing to do.
Tangibles
Xanterra's extensive environmental initiatives at Yellowstone National Park include:
- Formation of the park-wide YES! (Yellowstone Environmental Stewardship) program. Through this program, departmental committees develop and implement environmental initiatives labeled with the YES! logo.
- Recycling cardboard, aluminum, glass and mixed paper from throughout the park and transporting it to a common collection station in Gardiner, Montana.
- Purchasing cleaner-burning and efficient four-stroke outboard engines for the rental boats on Yellowstone Lake. Older two-stroke engines burning an oil/gas mixture have been phased out.
- Recycling all used automotive batteries, freon, antifreeze and paint solvents in vehicle and building maintenance operations.
- Burning used engine oil from the fleet operation as heating oil in the transportation center. This energy reclamation for motor oil eliminates the need for other disposal methods and reduces the demand for additional heating fuels and sources.
- Reusing cardboard boxes and packing materials for mail orders and deliveries whenever possible.
- Using laundry bins made out of post-consumer plastic products.
- Using bulk dispensers in all fast-food operations instead of individually packaged condiments.
- Reusing worn terry cloth as cleaning towels.
- Donating worn bed fabrics and soap products collected from guest rooms to charitable organizations.
- Using bulk liquid soap dispensers in campground restrooms and shower facilities.
- Purchasing only recycled paper and using soy-based inks. When appropriate, paper materials are laminated so they last longer.
- Installation of tunnel washers in the laundry and use of a water recovery system in order to re-use the water. As Xanterra Parks & Resorts launders 2,558,000 pounds of laundry annually, the water savings is significant.
- Installation of recycling receptacles in guest outlets.
- Replacing towels and linens in guest rooms every three days to reduce water and detergent use unless visitors request more frequent towel replacement.
- Elimination of all styrofoam drinking cups and replaced them with paper cups.
- Purchasing environmentally sensitive paper products. These products use 100% post consumer content and are bleach free. They include all toilet tissue for the more than 2,200 guest rooms, campgrounds and RV parks; towels for dispensers at all properties and restrooms; and napkins in employee dining rooms and cafeterias.
- Encouraging guests to conserve heat and water and to recycle glass and aluminum.
- Leasing of 45 new four-stroke snowmobiles that are 65 percent more fuel efficient, result in reduced hydrocarbon emissions, and are much quieter than two-stroke engines.
Xanterra company-wide initiatives include:
- A policy of purchasing seafood only from sustainable fisheries
- A ban on all polystyrene products
- Extensive use of post-consumer recycled content paper products
- Use of bulk dispensers in foodservice areas
- Use of environmentally sensitive cleaners in all janitorial areas
- A quarterly employee award to recognize individual environmental stewardship
- Establishment of employee "green teams" at each location to provide suggestions for property-specific initiatives
- Distribution of a monthly environmental newsletter
- Development of an environmental mission statement.
Notables
We are honored to have our efforts acknowledged by our partners and peers:
- 2002 Environmental Achievement Award from the Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of Xanterra's environmental management practices in Death Valley and Grand Canyon National Parks.
- 2001 Department of Interior Environmental Achievement Award and the 2001 Travel Industry Association's Odyssey Award in the "Environment" category. Xanterra was the only national park concessioner and one of only 13 winners in the country to receive the DOI award.
Constant Commitment
At Xanterra Parks & Resorts, we believe that there are few more formidable - or more complex tasks ahead of us than that of reaching a balance between business and the natural environment. Ultimately, our planet's - as well as our very own well being depend upon the continued health of natural systems.
That is why we are a company based upon "values" that reflect an environmental ethic and social conscience - for the long term. We are taking the lead in this call and are implementing comprehensive environmental initiatives that protect the natural heritage of some of the most scenic areas of our country - the mountains, rivers, deserts, and their fragile ecosystems.
Our environmental efforts can generally be divided into two categories:
Sustainability - what we do to develop the most environmentally sound resort operations. Actions identified in our comprehensive Environmental Management Plan address:
- Waste management
- Energy and water conservation
- Pollution prevention
- Green design
- Green procurement
- Education
Improving the World Around Us - what we do to support and promote environmental protection, activism, and preservation outside of our operations. As we improve the environmental footprint of our operations, Xanterra Parks & Resorts remains attentive to the world beyond our boundaries. We have taken action through:
- Our local clean-up days
- Our fish policy to protect threatened species
- Our energy reductions to reduce regional air pollution and protect the atmosphere
- Our membership in the "Green" Hotels Association - an organization that encourages, promotes and supports the "greening" of the hotel industry and brings together hotels interested in environmental issues such as water and energy conservation and solid waste reduction.
- Our selling of "conservation beef burgers." Endorsed by the Nature Conservancy, this free-range 8 oz. burger is made from Montana cattle without added hormones or antibiotics. Conservation beef supports ranching families dedicated to preserving the integrity of wildlife habitats for Rocky Mountain elk, grizzly bear, osprey, eagles and wild trout.
- Our membership in the U.S. Green Building Council, an organization that assists us in developing sustainable buildings.
We know that our commitment to the environment is ongoing, will take constant work, and will always need improving. Simply, we know we're not perfect. But we will continue to strive to protect natural resources, taking steps toward protecting the quality of life for our guests, our employees, our children - and the entire planet.
More About Us - A Message From Management
Dear Friend of Yellowstone,
We at Xanterra Parks & Resorts have a long tradition of following environmentally sensitive practices here in the world's first national park. Our recycling efforts have grown over the last decade to the point where we now recycle more than 400 tons annually. We have implemented measures to invite our guests to help conserve water and energy by electing to re-use their towels and bed linens during their stay. We have increased our use of "green" cleaning products in our operations. Our purchasing efforts increasingly focus on products made from recycled or recyclable materials with a minimum of packaging.
Our entire staff is intently focused on demonstrating sound environmental practices and increasing environmental awareness among all. We believe it is our obligation to follow these practices in an effort to preserve this very special place called Yellowstone.
Sincerely,
Jim McCaleb
General Manager
Our Team
Chris Lane, Director of Environmental Affairs
Chris Lane is responsible for creating and implementing company-wide environmental management systems and managing current environmental programs. He is Xanterra's liaison to the National Park Service for its environmental audit program.
In addition to awards noted herein, Chris has garnered the 2000 "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, the 1999 and 2000 Golden Eagle Award - the highest award in the ski industry - and the 2000 "U.S. Congressional Record Award" for Innovative Environmental Programs.
Learn More
You can read more about our company's environmental efforts by visiting the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® Web Site.
Have suggestions, ideas or questions regarding our environmental efforts?
Please e-mail us at environ-ynp@xanterra.com
