Last updated: August 22, 2019
Article
2007 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
Whitman Mission National Historic Site Management Team
The Whitman Mission National Historic Site (NHS) Management Team uses the Park’s Environmental Management System to initiate, develop and implement many environmentally beneficial and innovative projects. In FY06, the Management Team’s efforts resulted in reduced energy and water consumption, less pollutants released to the environment, and significant energy and water cost savings.
Some examples of innovative projects completed in FY06 include:
- Installed the first solar-powered grid-tied system between a major public utility and an NPS site within the state of Washington. The 60-panel photovoltaic system has the potential to generate 17,975 kilowatt hours of renewable energy each year. Use of the system has reduced the Park’s energy consumption by 30%, resulting in a reduction of carbon emissions by over three metric tons in FY06.
- Conducted a pilot project to study the effects of converting to B20 blended fuel (20 % biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel). The Park blended the B20 onsite and converted all park diesel applications (including some heating systems) to B20. Using B20 has reduced:
- Overall fuel costs by 10%;
- CO2 emissions by 16%;
- NO and SO2 emissions by 20%, and
- Particulate matter, hydrocarbon, and carbon monoxide emissions by 20% to 40%.
- Diverted 91% of the Park’s solid waste from landfills through recycling and composting initiatives.
- Reduced water consumption by 30% through installation of waterless urinals and lowflow toilets, and replacement of an outdated heating/cooling system.
Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Concessioner
Park Location: Crater Lake National ParkXanterra Parks & Resorts, concessioner at Crater Lake National Park, designed and built the Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop (Annie Creek R&G) in the Mazama Village with sustainability as the key driver in design and construction. The Annie Creek R&G is certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ and with thirty-four LEED credits, is currently one of a few Silver-rated buildings in the National Park System.
For building design and construction, Xanterra used sustainable building design guidance from the National Park Service and its own Guidelines for Sustainable Design and Construction. Xanterra also worked closely with architects, designers, the general contractor, and Park staff to ensure a collaborative process. During construction, the geographically diverse team held bimonthly conference calls to discuss LEED-related questions or issues. The result is buildings that showcase the following sustainable concepts and practices:
- Land Disturbance, Soil Erosion, and Storm Water Management - Xanterra relied on several methods to minimize erosion during the construction phase and to control storm water run-off during and after construction.
- Water Efficiency - By using native tree and plant species, Xanterra eliminated the need to install permanent irrigation systems. The Annie Creek R&G conserves water by using low-flow lavatory faucets and ultra-low flow bathroom and kitchen sink faucets.
- Energy Efficiency, Ozone Protection - The new heating, ventilation, and airconditioning system (HVAC) does not use ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons. Energy saving features of the new building include wellinsulated walls and roof, a high efficiency boiler, and energy efficient lighting. Xanterra has committed to purchase 100 percent of its Annie Creek R&G energy needs from renewable sources.
- Product Materials and Waste - Xanterra used suppliers within a 500 mile radius of Annie Creek R&G for 40 percent of materials used in the construction of the building. Over 20 percent of the material in the local products was also extracted from the local area.
- Indoor Air Quality - Paints, glues, and solvents used during construction were waterbased, non-toxic and/or contained no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that could make indoor air unhealthy. The building carpet does not emit unhealthy chemicals into the air and meets the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label program for emitting low amounts of VOCs.
Honorable Mention
California Guest Services, Inc., Concessioner
Park Location: Lassen Volcanic National ParkBetween 2005 and 2006, California Guest Services (CGS), concessioner at Lassen Volcanic National Park, significantly improved its environmental purchasing program by increasing its use and offering of environmental-friendly products in four key areas:
- Food and Beverage Operations - CGS serves only organic, fair-trade certified, and shade grown coffees in all its concession operations. In 2006, over 400 pounds of these coffees were served. In its small retail store, CGS sells products from Pacific Sun Olive Oil - a local, woman-owned, family run, sustainable farming operation that produces high quality olive oil products.
- Serviceware and Supplies - At Drakesbed Guest Ranch, CGS replaced plastic cups in hotel rooms with cups that are compostable and made entirely from renewable Nebraska corn. In addition, CGS switched to 100% biodegradable, recycled, chlorine-free, and compostable cups in its retail stores. Since 2002, CGS has used compostable, corn-based serviceware and cutlery in its food service operations. CGS also uses 100% compostable trash bags, and provides 100% biodegradable and compostable plastic grocery bags to customers at its retails stores.
- Retail Items - CGS sells 100% recycled cotton shirts and shirts made from 100% organic cotton. Also offered for sale in its retail stores are fire logs made from woodchips and sawdust from mills and forest trimming operations. Natural wood lignin binds these materials so there is no need for petroleum or chemical binders. These logs burn longer and emit 25-50% less carbon dioxide than traditional cordwood. CGS-operated retail stores also stock insect repellent, candles, and soap made with essential oils.
- Housekeeping and Janitorial Products - In 2006, CGS used seventy-one gallons of natural, non-toxic cleaners and detergents.
Lassen Volcanic National Park Green Team
Lassen Volcanic National Park’s Recycling Committee (“Green Team”) planned, obtained funding for, and implemented a three-year project to increase public awareness of and participation in the Park’s comprehensive recycling program.
In 2004, the Green Team received a grant in the amount of $158,423 from the California Department of Conservation, Division of Recycling to implement the project. The project was subsequently implemented and continued through FY06. The goals of the project are to:
- Increase the number of collection sites within the park;
- Consolidate trash and recycling drop-off locations in all public areas;
- Design and implement an education and outreach program for Park staff, visitors, and surrounding communities; and
- Collect pre- and post-project data on the amount of material collected to evaluate the project’s effectiveness.
- Purchased 147 bear-proof recycling bins and installed them on concrete pads in campgrounds and day use areas;
- Collected and sorted recyclables;
- Implemented an education and outreach plan;
- Created educational materials - a Park recycling icon, tabletop displays, and posters; and
- Ensured that information on the Park’s recycling program was incorporated into campfire programs, in-park events, and events held in surrounding communities.
National Capital Region Green Marina Team
In 2002, the National Capital Region (NCR) Clean Marina Program (CMP) began as a partnership between the NPS National Capital Region (NCR) and the District of Columbia Department of Environmental Health (DC DEH). The partnership was formed to address numerous environmental infractions and costly fines from federal and State agencies due to noncompliance at marinas located in the NCR.
The CMP laid the foundation for managing the NCR marinas in a sustainable fashion, eventually leading to complete compliance with applicable state and federal regulations. Although the CMP is voluntary, the local boating community came to understand the benefits of compliance (i.e., that it is cheaper to be in compliance than to pay fines for noncompliance).
In order to be considered “clean,” those managing marina operations must not only comply with the regulations but go beyond compliance by implementing recognized Best Management Practices (BMPs). The Clean Marina Guidebook, developed by NCR with assistance from the DC DEH, is the backbone of the program and outlines a methodical process for achieving and going beyond compliance with applicable state and federal environmental regulations. The Guidebook educates marina operators by identifying the numerous regulations a marina operator must adhere to as well as marina BMPs that are recognized by the boating industry. In addition, the Guidebook is used to measure and evaluate the Clean Marina certification status of marinas.
The NPS has benefited from this innovative partnership in many ways, most importantly by obtaining funds from various local sources that allow for continuation of the program. For example, in 2002, the program was awarded the American Planning Association’s Outstanding Federal Planning Award, and in 2006, the Marine Environmental Education Foundation awarded the partnership a $5,000 grant.
Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Concessioner
Park Location: Petrified Forest National ParkTracking waste and recycling data is an important part of Xanterra’s waste management program Data is tracked on a daily, monthly, or annual basis depending on the type of waste or recyclable material. Annual recycling goals are set by employees and tied to their annual performance reviews. Pay raises and bonuses are determined, in part, on whether environmental goals are met. As a result, every employee makes the effort to achieve the established goals.
The results of the application of this waste management program at Petrified Forest National Park are noteworthy, particularly because of the park’s remote location. In 2006, Xanterra achieved a 76% solid waste diversion rate - a 50% increase in the waste diversion rate since 2002 - at two small retail stores, a gas station, and two small cafeterias by:
- Giving food waste generated from the two restaurants to local ranchers for their animals, which resulted in the diversion of over 1,400 pounds of food waste from the landfill;
- Purchasing flour grown and made on a nearby Navajo Reservation. Instead of large paper sacks, the flour is delivered in cloth bags, which are returned to the Reservation to be refilled for the next delivery.
- Using old newspapers are used to wrap fragile items from the retail stores
- Re-using cardboard boxes in good condition.
- Offering the following environmentally-friendly products for sale in its two retail stores:
- Recycled content T-shirts, blankets, and sweat-shirts;
- Soy based candles;
- Locally produced products (Navajo tea, Blue Bird flour, Prickly Pear Barbeque sauce, salsa, hot sauce, fry bread mix, and hominy); and
- Rechargeable batteries (with an opportunity to recycle the batteries being replaced).
- Using environmentally-friendly products throughout the park, including 100% biodegradable paper bowls; to-go containers made from recycled paper; and 100% biodegradable toilet seat covers. Other products include paper napkins, fax paper, copier paper, legal pads, deposit envelopes, stationary and calculator tapes, clipboards, pencils, and paperclips made with recycled content.
Xanterra South Rim, LLC, Concessioner
Park Location: Grand Canyon National ParkXanterra South Rim, LLC, concessioner at Grand Canyon National Park, has identified two necessary components of a successful green purchasing program:
- Input and participation from all departments; and
- Looking beyond recycled content products and tailoring the program to fit to each department’s needs.
The result is that Xanterra South Rim’s green purchasing program now includes over 100 environmentally preferable products used and/or offered for sale in Xanterra South Rim operations, including, but not limited to:
- 100% post consumer recycled content business envelopes;
- 100% recycled, 40% post-consumer content paper towels;
- 70% recycled content project folders;
- Remanufactured computer toner cartridges;
- ENERGY STAR® certified photocopiers with sleep function;
- T-shirts made with 100 percent recycled cotton;
- Recycled Greeting Cards;
- Pens made with 100 percent recycled paper as the barrel and clip, with plastic parts being 90 percent recycled (total 75-85 percent);
- Wild Alaskan salmon (certified by Marine Stewardship Council);
- Locally-brewed beer;
- Wines made using organic grapes and/or integrated pest management (e.g., encouragement of native owl populations for natural pest control);
- Shade-grown, bird friendly coffee;
- Compact fluorescent lighting; and
- Programmable thermostats