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2006 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards

Since 2002, the National Park Service (NPS) has awarded Environmental Achievement (EA) Awards to recognize staff and partners in the area of environmental preservation, protection and stewardship.

Winners

Dr. John Portnoy, Ecologist

Park Location: Cape Cod National Seashore

Dr. John Portnoy, Ecologist at Cape Cod National Seashore (CACO), has been a vocal and determined advocate for restoration of the Herring River. Since jurisdiction over the Herring River Salt Marsh is shared by CACO and the town of Wellfleet, MA, there have been many obstacles to overcome in terms of stakeholder perception of the proposed restoration project. Indeed, the first feasibility studies for the restoration project were begun over 20 years ago, and since then, there has been significant local and regional resistance to restoration.

To make the case for the restoration project, Dr. Portnoy conducted meticulous and varied research in an attempt to answer all stakeholder questions about the past, present, and future of the salt marsh system. In laying a foundation of scientific support, Dr. Portnoy has educated the public and changed attitudes through meetings with countless town boards and committees, and through meetings with state and other Federal agencies.

In 2005, Dr. Portnoy developed and presented a careful stepwise restoration plan which led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wellfleet and CACO. This MOU establishes CACO’s and Wellfleet’s intent to restore the Herring River. The MOU set in motion the detailed planning that will lead to the restoration of 1000 acres of impaired wetland. In addition, Dr. Portnoy was the driving force behind securing approximately $1.5 million in grants for funding the restoration project, in partnership with non-governmental organizations and state, local, and other Federal agencies.

Dr. Portnoy’s determination to make the Herring River Salt Marsh restoration project a reality makes him a deserving recipient of the 2006 NPS Environmental Achievement Award in the category of environmental stewardship.


Gateway National Recreation Area Team

Park Location: Gateway National Recreation Area – Jamaica Bay Unit

Gateway National Recreation Area – Jamaica Bay Unit (GATE-JBU) teamed with the Denver Service Center, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and a local architectural firm to design and construct a new visitor contact station based on sustainable design/green building principles.

Planning and design for the new facility began in 2002. The Team decided to construct the new contact station as an addition to, and an adaptive re-use of, an old concrete maintenance garage located in the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The project was designed to minimize environmental impacts, improve habitat quality, and maximize the quality of the visitor experience through sustainable principles.

Highlights of this innovative project include:
  • Minimal footprint;
  • Extensive use of recycled materials and sustainable building materials such as cork, bamboo and wheatboard;
  • Ground source heat pumps / water heat exchange system with primary and discharge wells;
  • Thermal storage wall for winter heat;
  • Building integrated solar photovoltaic system to heat domestic water;
  • Use of natural lighting via light shelves, skylights, and light pipes;
  • Passive solar heating features and architectural overhangs to provide summertime shade;
  • Installation of waterless urinals resulting in a reduction of $1,800 in water/sewer costs;
  • Water-saving fixtures translating into 25% reduction in maintenance costs and 50% in water savings;
  • Green energy sources to power the facility (wind);
  • Natural ventilation turbine extractors; and
  • Energy savings of $6,898 / annually.
The GATE –JBU Team’s process for designing and constructing the new visitor contact station should serve as model for other NPS units.

Xanterra Zion Lodge, Concessioner

Park Location: Zion National Park

Xanterra Parks and Resorts has developed a long-term plan for environmental stewardship at all of its operations, including Zion Lodge at Zion National Park. The plan, entitled, 2015 Environmental Vision, lays out the environmental goals the company will strive to achieve by the year 2015. These goals include:
  • Decrease fossil fuel usage by 30%.
  • Increase usage of renewable energy to 7% of total electrical consumption.
  • Achieve CAFÉ (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) of 35 mpg.
  • Decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 30%.
  • Divert 50% of solid waste from the landfill.
  • Decrease water usage by 25%.
  • Increase sustainable food purchases to 50%.
  • Generate zero hazardous waste.
Xanterra Zion Lodge has undertaken many initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to the 2015 Vision plan, including:
  • Reducing fuel consumption by switching from diesel to cleaner fuel (propane) in the Lodge’s boiler;
  • Implementing the use of renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar energy;
  • Decreasing energy consumption through conservation measures;
  • Improving fleet fuel economy by purchasing hybrid vehicles and fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles, switching to propane in their carts, and eliminating use of gasoline-fueled trucks in routine maintenance operations.
  • Increasing solid waste diversion through recycling, composting and green purchasing;
  • Decreasing water usage through use of native plant species in landscaping, low-flow fixtures, linen re-use, and educating guests about water conservation;
  • Offering sustainable cuisine at its restaurant, including sustainable harvested salmon, certified organic beef, and organic produce, coffee, and pasta;
  • Reducing hazardous waste generation through elimination of aerosol cans and solventbased paints, and recycling electronic wastes.
In 2005, Xanterra Zion Lodge has made significant progress towards the 2015 goals, including:
  • 6% decrease of fossil fuel usage
  • 43% increase in renewable energy
  • 13% improvement of average fuel economy
  • 35% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions
  • 36% diversion of solid waste from the landfill
  • 50% reduction of water use
  • 7% increase in sustainable cuisine
As a result of these initiatives, Xanterra Zion Lodge provides significant environmental benefits to the Park, its visitors, and the surrounding communities.

Honorable Mention

Doyon/ARAMARK, Concessioner

Park Location: Denali National Park and Preserve

Dyon/ARAMARK, concessioner at Denali National Park and Preserve, has implemented “PlanetEVERgreen,” its ISO 144001 certified environmental management system (EMS). Doyon/ARAMARK’s EMS is noteworthy because of the many unique solutions used to achieve its stated goals. During 2005, Dyon/ARAMARK:
  • Installed particulate air filters/oxidation catalysts on its buses reducing particulate and carbon monoxide emissions by 70%;
  • Ran a low tire pressure program for its bus fleet (approved by the bus tire manufacturer) to reduce road maintenance and vehicular dust, and lessen impacts to wildlife;
  • Donated nearly 200 gallons of used kitchen grease to be blended and used as bio-diesel.
  • Used a SmartWasher parts cleaner - a natural bioremediation system that is non-toxic, non-hazardous, non-flammable, and non-caustic;
  • Provided bicycles to employees to use in lieu of automobiles for short trips around the Park;
  • Sold recycled cotton apparel at its stores;
  • Purchased and used 100% chlorine-free recycled office paper.
In addition, Park visitors participated in recycling on Doyon/ARAMARK tour buses, and each employee has a recycling bin in their housing units; this contributed to over 250,000 pounds of solid waste being diverted to recycling.

Yellowstone National Park Team


Yellowstone National Park partnered with concessions employees, the Montana and Wyoming Departments of Environmental Quality, and Region 8 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency to create and implement the Park’s environmental management system (EMS). One of the goals of the EMS team is a 90 percent solid waste diversion rate by 2008.

In 2005, the team conducted surveys within the park, asking more than 200 Park and concession employees to provide input on the most crucial environmental issues facing the Park. The results of the survey identified solid waste management as the most important environmental issue facing the Park. This result was driven by the concern that mismanagement of solid waste would lead to grizzly bear habituation and the desire for ensuring the success of the Park’s newly constructed compost facility.

To address this issue, the team designed and implemented a program to manage the Park’s solid waste and promote point source separation of recyclable materials and hazardous waste. Since this program was implemented, there have been a number of processes developed to reduce or divert solid waste from the landfill. Noteworthy achievements of this program include, but are not limited to:
  • Sixty-three recycling bins are now located in the Park. Between 2003 and 2005, there has been an estimated 70 percent increase in the amount of recyclable materials collected;
  • Through a partnership with Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone and Grand Teton concessioners, the Yellowstone Park Foundation, and several private entities, there is now a program for collecting and recycling propane cylinders in the greater Yellowstone area;
  • A focused education campaign was implemented with the surrounding communities to promote a regional glass recycling program. In 2005, a glass recycler processed more than 1,000 tons of collected glass from within the region and the Park;
  • Beginning in 2005, all used tires were diverted from the landfill to be recycled. In 2005 more than 4,000 tires were recycled.
Recycling combined with composting, and other pre-sorting processes have resulted in the Park diverting 65 percent of its solid waste from the landfill waste stream in 2005.

In addition, the team continued use of alternative fuels (i.e., biodiesel) and soy-based lubricants; purchased over 500 gallons of environmentally friendly cleaning products; and ran a successful employee ride-share program.

Yosemite National Park Team


In 2003, Yosemite National Park determined that the hybrid electric-diesel propulsion system best achieved the parks desire to provide highly reliable, cost-effective, and attractive shuttle service, with reduced energy consumption, emissions, and noise. A transportation consulting firm prepared detailed specifications for the hybrid buses in cooperation with Yosemite National Park and the park concessioner. Based on the specifications, the General Services Administration (GSA) developed a procurement package and in 2004, awarded a contract to manufacture eighteen new hybrid electricdiesel buses.

Eighteen hybrid buses were delivered to the Park in 2005. These buses are powered by a hybrid technology consisting of a small diesel engine and electric (battery-powered) drive transmission. Through battery power, it is possible to reduce the size of the diesel engine resulting in reduced emissions and noise, and increased fuel efficiency.

The Park’s innovative yet highly reliable diesel hybrid electric buses have demonstrated a fuel economy increase of approximately 20 percent relative to a conventional diesel bus fleet. Based upon current operational data, the diesel hybrid electric buses will reduce fuel consumption by over 14,000 gallons (and save over $30,000) annually without sacrificing passenger service to park visitors.

Part of a series of articles titled NPS Environmental Achievement Awards.

Cape Cod National Seashore, Gateway National Recreation Area, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park

Last updated: August 22, 2019