GreenPath®: Yosemite Environmental Protection

DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite (DNC) has one of the most extensive waste diversion programs in California and has been recognized by the state`s Integrated Waste Management Board as one of the best programs for 13 consecutive years (1993 – 2005). More than 35% of operations-produced materials are collected to be recycled, diverting from the landfill 43% of operational waste. In 2005, DNC recycled 625 tons and diverted another 553 tons from landfills. DNC's waste diversion program incorporates recycling, reuse, organic waste diversion, educational programs and green purchasing practices. Cost savings through our waste diversion were $82,460 in 2005.  DNC's waste diversion program has made it possible for Yosemite National Park and DNC to become leaders in waste reduction

DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite

• Diverts over 1,200 tons annually or over 43% of its waste
• Recycles 35% of its waste
• Recycles 33 different materials and 625 tons annually
• Produces various educational materials such as tray liners, cups and tent cards that urge visitors to recycle along with giving tours of the recycling program to guests

Use green containers for the following recyclable items: 

• Plastics
• Glass
• Colored glass
• Aluminum

Use brown trash cans for:

• Food
• Other Waste

Current recycling center hours are in the Yosemite Today, the park's newspaper available at the entrance of the park.

When visiting, working or living in Yosemite, humans are borrowing a little portion of natural habitat from bears, squirrels, raccoons, mule deer and a wide range of animals. Everyone who spends time in Yosemite is responsible for minimizing human impact on wildlife by following simple rules such as proper food storage and by not feeding the wildlife.

Bears breaking into vehicles containing improperly stored food contribute to most wildlife incidents in Yosemite. Avoiding this kind of occurrence is the goal of DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite’s (DNC) Wildlife Awareness Program. Educational messages and displays can be found in restaurant areas, stores and guest books throughout the park. DNC` s interpretive programs and employee training also play an important role in keeping guests and associates informed about Yosemite’s human-wildlife issues. DNC is also a member of Yosemite’s Bear Council, helping NPS in its task to minimize human-wildlife interactions.

DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite provides staff to assist and lead volunteer groups in the removal of non-native plants from Yosemite`s meadows. The projects are performed in conjunction with the National Park Service and take place every July though early August. Target plants include Bull and Star Thistle, Dock, Mustard, Himalayan Blackberry and Woolly Mullein. These plants are very invasive and pose a serious threat to Yosemite`s native plants and its ecosystem. Call Yosemite`s Volunteer office (209) 379-1850 if you or your group are interested in volunteering. 

Environmental stewardship has always been a hallmark of Delaware North Companies' (DNC) reputation.  However, back in 1993 when the company won the contract to operate the concession in Yosemite National Park, it became a fundamental operating principle.  GreenPath®, the company's award-winning environmental program, covers every aspect of true environmental stewardship.  In fact, the company's environmental program is so strong that it has served as a platform for receiving ISO 14001 registration in 2003, a first for a U.S. hospitality company.  

ISO 14001 is primarily concerned with environmental management. Fundamentally, this asks what each organization does to minimize harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities. The standards are driven by compliance with environmental laws and management programs designed to mitigate environmental impacts.

Internal auditors perform stringent site inspections to ensure that DNC Park and Resorts at Yosemite is maintaining ISO 14001 standards. A third-party auditor comes to Yosemite once a year to verify compliance with environmental regulations, progress with environmental management programs and associate awareness of the environmental management system (GreenPath®). ISO requires that all components of an active management system need to be reflected throughout the organization for effectiveness.

DNC Parks & Resorts in Yosemite received ISO 14001 certification in 2003 and has maintained certification each year since.

Below is a list of environmental awards that DNC P & Resorts has received for our environmental initiatives:

• 2006 IMEX Green Meetings Award
• 2004 American Hospitality &Lodging Association “Stars of the Industry” Enviro-Management Award
• 2003 Department of Interior Environmental Achievement Award (Waste Prevention)
• 2002 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award
• Odyssey Award
• Vision 2020 Award
• 2002 Department of Interior Environmental Achievement Award (Honorable Mention)
• State of California "Flex Your Power" (Certificate of Recognition)
• 1997 – 2005 WRAP Award (Waste reduction Award Program)
• 2002 The Travel Industry Association's Odyssey Award for the Environmental management system (EMS)
  

DNC P&R at Yosemite's kitchens make use of more than 25 tons of vegetable oil each year. Currently, DNC is working cooperatively with Evergreen Inc. to process our used kitchen grease to Biodiesel fuel.  This fuel can be used throughout the park in our company vehicles, diesel generators and boilers.

Our goal at DNC food services is to drive sustainable processes to better preserve natural resources and meet the needs for the future with a holistic approach.  Most of the food service operations in Yosemite use as many organic and sustainable food products as possible in our daily operations including grains, legumes, flour and sugar. We also use free range beef, antibiotic and hormone free pork, organic turkey and only fish that is approved by the “Monterey Bay Seafood Watch” program.  Taking this approach one step further, we have also partnered with local organic farmers that supply many of the food products that our operations use.

At DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. it is our intent to maintain an Environmentally Friendly policy when placing orders for any product or service.  Whenever appropriate, preference may be given to items and suppliers adopting policies including, but not limited to, reduced packaging, post-consumer recycled content, readily recyclable materials, biodegradable ingredients, etc.  Preference may also be given to suppliers with policies of using and taking back reusable packaging and shipping pallets.

As of March 2006, Yosemite is the only National Park running Electric Hybrid buses on our shuttle loop, and we have the only 100% Electric Hybrid shuttle fleet in the Nation.  Our FREE shuttle system runs 365 days a year and transports over 5 million guests annually.  The buses produce 90% fewer emissions than traditional buses and are significantly quieter than any other commercial vehicles on the road.  In addition, the fuel economy has increased by nearly 40%.  When you come to Yosemite, park your car and ride the shuttle, it’s our “Electromagnetic Thing of Beauty”!!

 

You can find out more about our Hybrid Busses in this article, Green Ride in a Great Park, pulished in FleetOwner magazine. 

DNC P & R at Yosemite is committed to having our Yosemite guests connect to the resource by providing a multitude of educational and interpretive opportunities on a year round basis.  Our aim is to create memories, stimulate a curiosity about the park and lead people towards the goal of park stewardship. 

Our programs compliment the variety of programs that all park partners provide and we target a few niches such as: children and family programs, evening activities, special groups coming to Yosemite for conferences or celebrations that want tailored programs, holiday programming, performing arts and more.  We also host a yearly celebration on Earth Day in the mall of Yosemite Village along with most of the other Park Partners.

When guests have a great experience, make memories or accomplish an adventurous feat, they want to take home a keepsake to remind them of their vacation or purchase items to share their trip with friends and family.  Many of our retail stores convey educational or interpretive messages about park resources either in the merchandise displays, or messages on the products themselves.  Store signage also applauds company efforts to promote sustainability.  Displays detail as many as 50% of our cleaning products are earth-friendly and we have signs conveying the company commitment to providing guests with organic food and retail product.

In addition to providing healthy choices in our product selection, we work with our vendors to provide as little packaging on products as possible, to choose post-consumer recyclable products where possible and to return packing materials and pallets to vendors for reuse.  The next time you are in Yosemite, notice the Organics Isle, Local Vendor's Isle and the quantity of organics available in our produce section.

In 1916, the National Park Service contracted D.J. Desmond Company to build the first High Sierra Camps at Merced Lake, Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake to entice visitors into the backcountry. However, like so many other popular Yosemite locales, after decades of use the once pristine High Sierra Camps had become heavily impacted. 

Since 2001 Merced Lake HSC has benefited from a successful restoration project that started under the direction of Sara Luring, former camp cook and NPS Restoration staff, with the help of volunteers. As the oldest and largest High Sierra Camp, Merced Lake was a good indicator of how the other camps could look in 30 years if issues of management and use were not addressed. 

The success and positive recognition of the Merced Lake project inspired DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite to take preventative action at the remaining High Sierra Camps during the summer of 2005 and 2006. A total of 81 volunteers worked in the HSC Restoration Project bringing the camps to a more natural condition helping to enhance guests’ experiences by improving the camp aesthetics and reducing dust.

The first photo shows a major thru-way in the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp.  The second photo shows the same thru-way after restoration efforts.  Among the many goals of the restoration project is the intention to clearly define pathways so visitors don't create their own.  This helps minimize the 'foot print' of the camp and keeps more area untrammeled and allows natural vegetation to prosper.