Turning Ideas Into Action

At Grand Teton Lodge Company we work every day to turn good ideas into actions that protect, and preserve the valuable natural resources of Grand Teton National Park, with a focus on achieving sustainability in our operations.

Renewable Energy

As part of our strategy to utilize clean and renewable energy sources at each of our locations, we:

• In 2003 we took the lead among Wyoming businesses to introduce wind-generated power to the state. We currently purchase enough wind-generated energy to power the Jenny Lake Lodge and guests cabins. Our commitment to clean and renewable wind power, generated at wind farms in Laramie Wyoming, equals approximately 250,000 kWh (4%) of our total use, and eliminates the annual release of 262 tons of carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas. We are committed to increase our use of wind power a minimum of 2% annually
• Offer an ethanol blend fuel (E10) in our service stations that combines the benefits of reduced emissions and renewable alternative fuels made from products grown in the United States . Continue to partner with other organizations in the region to help us identify increased uses for cleaner burning fuels throughout our operations.
• Partner with Grand Teton National Park to expand the use of bio-diesel within the park. Beginning in 2003, Grand Teton Lodge Company began fueling diesel busses and trucks at the Grand Teton National Park 's bio-diesel station at Colter Bay . We have had great success using a B20 (20% bio diesel blend) in our 1956 vintage busses. Resulting in a measurable increase in use of renewable bio-diesel fuel, and related air emissions reductions within Grand Teton National Park . In 2005, we will expand the use of bio diesel into several facility boiler and generator fuel tanks.
• Use of electric golf carts to support operations.

Resource Efficiency, Recycling and Waste Reduction

To prevent pollution, reduce waste, and conserve resources, energy and water within our operations we:

• Promote "Green Jenny", focusing on our four diamond property Jenny Lake Lodge to demonstrate the benefits of renewable energy, greener cleaners and organic, locally and regionally produced natural and free-range food products.

Recycling and Waste Reduction:

• Pioneered recycling efforts in Grand Teton National Park in 1992 that now collects and recycles 150 tons of paper, plastics, wood, glass and metals from maintenance and visitor operations every year. Including horse manure, we divert and recycle over 300 tons a year, about one third of our total waste.
• Initiated electronics and computer recycling in Teton County
• Promote strategic reduction of packaging and waste by utilizing refillable and bulk products and phasing out single-serving containers in our food and beverage operations
• Recycle all boxes via our Retail Department. In 2004 a total of 12,000 boxes were received and either reused or recycled in our operations.
• In fleet maintenance, we utilize synthetic motor oil to minimize waste; more environmental friendly propylene glycol antifreeze; bulk sprayers for lubricants.
• During paving projects, remove damaged asphalt, load into an asphalt recycler, heat, and re-apply as "new" asphalt in the same location. This process saves 30-40% of time and materials per job and eliminates the need for new asphalt, a mix of petroleum based oil products and gravel.

Green Purchasing

• Adopted a formal "green" purchasing policy that favors recycled content in all printed materials and other products whenever possible. We were the first participant in the National Park Service's "Green Purchasing Program" to identify and decrease hazardous products within our operations.
• Continue to phase in the use of healthier cleaning products that are safer for our employees, guests, and the environment.

“One's stomach is one's internal environment,” Samuel Butler, author.

• In our food and beverage operations: we continue to increase the use of organic, free-range products such as produce, meat, game, poultry, and dairy that are healthier for our guests and the environment, and if possible, contribute directly to the local and regional economy.
• Offer a selection of organically grown wines and locally brewed beers.
• With guidance from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, continue to offer seafood and fish choices that support sustainable fishing practices
• Continue to phase in use of recycled or biodegradable content paper goods such as takeout containers, napkins, towels, toilet tissue, and plates

Retail Operations - Greening our Goods

•  Acknowledging that shopping is an integral part of any vacation for most visitors, we realize the opportunity to minimize our impacts; promote historical or interpretative significance of gift items; and, maximize the integration of renewable, recycled, local or regionally produced items in our retail and apparel operations.

•  Offer greener, healthier cleaning products and organic, natural, and free-range produce, meat, dairy, and snack items in our grocery operations

• Increase the presence of natural, renewable, and organic apparel made from recycled cotton and hemp using soy and clay dyes.
• Increase the presence of gift items with natural or regional materials, including earth-friendly dyes and colorings. Items such as baskets made from recycled lariat ropes, pure vegetable oil candles and natural personal care products, and recycled content and tree-free cards and stationary can be found throughout our retail shops.

Energy and Water Conservation and Fuel Reduction

• Utilize in-room educational programs to encourage our lodging guests to recycle, re-use their towels and linens, minimize water use, and shut off lights when leaving their rooms.
• Offer a regular shuttle service for guests and employees to reduce automobile traffic and the resulting fossil fuel emissions within the park.
• Upgrade facilities with energy efficient windows, compact fluorescent , low energy lighting systems, EPA Energy Star certified appliances and computers, radiant heat systems, and electronic controls to reduce electricity use.
• Upgrade toilets, showers and faucets to low-flow models that conserve water.
• Continue to reduce irrigation needs by reducing planted areas and by Xeriscaping.
• Phase-in implementation of a fleet management plan that strategically reduces the size and impact of our fleet vehicles focusing on integration of hybrid and other fuel efficient vehicles.
• In our marina operations, use cleaner and quieter 4-stroke engines in all motorized boats.

Community Partnerships

• Donate all non-returnable food at end of each season to Orville's, a local charity missions.
• Support a variety of local and regional non-profit and trade organizations through financial contributions, board involvement, and in-kind donations.

Protection of Ecosystem and Wildlife Habitat

"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life."

          — John Muir

To support a sustainable and healthy ecosystem within Grand Teton National Park , we:

• Keep wildlife wild by affixing metal stripping on buildings to hinder bird nesting in and on man-made structures.
• Provide wildlife-proof dumpsters and recycling containers throughout our operations.
• Work in strict coordination with the National Park Service on the protection and management of wetlands, riparian areas, forests and vegetation, and when necessary, assisting with the relocation of nuisance wildlife.
• Utilize soft, mesh anti-grazing muzzles on horses to prevent side trailing and grazing impacts during trail rides.
• Work to resotre native species for landscaping, and in cooperation with Teton County Weed and Pest control the spread of invasive species and noxious weeds.
• Reclaim and repair trails to prevent erosion.
• Build and upgrade facilities to complement the natural surroundings through thoughtful design, material selection, and construction.
• Developed a pilot Green Marina Program that focuses on guest activities to reduce pollution and protect waterways and natural habitat in our Colter Bay Marina.

Environmental Education

Grand Teton Lodge Company host 2.4 million guests annually. We take the approach that every visitor is an opportunity to promote environmental education and increase awareness of our natural surroundings. To promote education and outreach, we:

• Incorporate our environmental policy and priority areas into all employee orientations, training and newsletters.
• Offer interpretive bus tours, horse rides, float trips and lake cruises that inform our visitors about the park ecosystem and opportunities on how all of us can help protect it.
• Utilize retail operations to deliver interpretive and key product information to enhance the visitors' park experience.
• Integrate educational environmental messaging throughout all aspects of operations.
• Created an annual sustainability report forcusing on our environmental efforts and other systems incorporating sustainable principles in our practices.
• Partner with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to deliver nature based education to employees and visitors through training, outreach and interpretation. We ask our guests to please help us by sharing in this responsibility:
• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Recycle and Dispose of Waste Properly
• Respect Wildlife
• Leave It as You Find It
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

"It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever."

          — Jimmy Carter

Buying Locally to Support
Environmentally Friendly Businesses

A key element of sustainability is supporting local environmental businesses. The Grand Teton Lodge Company purchases goods and services from the following local/regional businesses.

Cosmic Apple Gardens
Cosmic Apple Gardens is a certified organic, community supported agriculture (CSA) farm located nearby in Victor , Idaho that offers shares of produce each summer to area residents and businesses. For the 2004 season, we supported the garden by buying seven shares and are serving their fresh, organically grown produce to our guests.

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Preserve Protect Inspire

An authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service