The Greening of Grand Canyon

"Green is Grand!"

Grand Canyon National Park is committed to reducing its impact on the environment by implementing sustainable practices and projects that help decrease greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water, increase recycling, and use alternative energy and fuels.

Grand Canyon already has many sustainable practices in place, including an aggressive recycling program in both public and residential areas within the park, a water reclamation facility that converts wastewater into a useable form of water for irrigation and toilets, a composting program for mule waste from park and concessionaire operations, and a shuttle bus fleet that runs on clean-burning natural gas. In addition, all recently constructed buildings in the park meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, including a large Maintenance complex. Anticipated new LEED buildings will include the Science Center and residential housing units, with the goal of designing these buildings to achieve the highest possible LEED rating.

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In May 2009 APS (Arizona Public Services), the largest utility company in Arizona, worked with the park to install 84 photovoltaic cells at Grand Canyon Visitor Center. The 18 kilowatt system supplies 30% of the power used in the building. The energy saved is more than a normal household would consume in a day and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 tons per year. A theatre will be added to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center next year, and additional photovoltaic cells have been included in the design.

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Solar Panels

Insider's Look Webisode 000: May, 2009

Dedication of Visitor Center Photovoltaic System, May 18, 2009
Arizona Public Service (APS), which provides 900,000 customers with electricity, has donated and built solar panels for the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. On May 18, 2009 the park and members of APS held a dedication ceremony. Here are some of the highlights, starting with Park Superintendent Steve Martin. More...

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Grand Canyon National Park utilizes an Environmental Management System to manage its environmental impacts. An Environmental Management System is a set of procedures and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency. It is a continual cycle of planning, implementing, reviewing and improving processes and actions to meet business and environmental goals.

This system is implemented by the Green Team, a group of employees who are passionate about the environment.

Grand Canyon National Park Environmental Commitment Statement

Grand Canyon National Park is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable management. This policy supports our commitment to the mission of the National Park Service which “preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.” Park staff demonstrates this commitment by:

• seeking continuous improvement to meet environmental management objectives and enhance our environmental performance;
• conducting operations and activities in an environmentally sound manner, effectively and efficiently complying with the letter, spirit, and intent of all applicable environmental laws and policies;
• preventing pollution by implementing hazardous materials and Green Purchasing programs;
• communicating and educating staff, partners, and visitors about our environmental policies and practices; and
• addressing climate change by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.

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Grand Canyon is becoming a Climate Friendly Park

Grand Canyon National Park recognizes climate change as a critical issue that will affect the park's natural and cultural resources now and into the future. In order to address issues associated with climate change, the park sponsored a two-day workshop on October 14 and 15, 2009. Sessions included discussion of the effects of climate change in the Southwest, presentation of the results of a 2008 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, highlighting of sustainable projects already underway in the park including those being carried out by park concessionaires, and development of recommendations for a climate change action plan.

With the October workshop, Grand Canyon National Park has taken its first step to becoming a designated "Climate Friendly Park". Finalizing and then implementing the park’s Climate Change Action Plan is the next step. Through the Climate Friendly Parks program, Grand Canyon National Park, and other national parks around the country, are leading the way in an effort to protect our parks' natural and cultural resources and ensure their preservation for future generations.

If you would like to help your national parks while protecting the environment check out Do Your Part For Climate Friendly Parks. Do Your Part unites the efforts of individuals around the country to address global warming by tracking progress towards individual and community goals and showing results.

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"Traveling Green" is a great way to help Grand Canyon and other areas you visit reduce carbon emissions, divert and reduce what goes into the waste stream, and to generally help the environment. Go to the Traveling Green page for helpful tips on planning your next green adventure. 

Thanks for doing what you can to help protect our environment!