Xanterra embraces �natural capitalism,� a business model that promotes economic prosperity while preserving the natural capital that all life depends upon. According to the central concept of natural capitalism, companies that dramatically increase the productivity of natural resources and move to a solutions-based business model that delivers value as a continuous flow of services rather than sale of goods will achieve a far greater level of success. The concept has been put forth in a book called �Natural Capitalism� by Amory Lovins, Hunter Lovins and Paul Hawken. The book explains how businesses can profit from environmental responsibility.

�If we have to sacrifice what we know to be the right environmental decisions in the name of increased profitability, then we have failed our mission as a company,� said Chris Lane, director of environmental programs for Xanterra. �In our world, success can only be achieved if we balance economic viability and ecological responsibility.�

Xanterra operates lodges, restaurants and other concessions in the country�s first national park �
Yellowstone � as well as the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce and others. 

�Nearly everyone who visits our earth�s beautiful places � like our national parks � recognizes on some level that it is their responsibility to preserve them for future generations,� said Lane.  �When visitors are encouraged through exposure to Xanterra�s environmental programs to take a preservationist�s view of the parks they own, those visitors tend to return to their parks � and stay in the lodges � again and again.�

One example of a business decision driven by environmental concerns was the conversion in 2001 of Xanterra�s fleet of rental snowmobiles in Yellowstone from two-stroke engines to cleaner-burning four-stroke engines. The company beat the recent National Park Service mandate that all snowmobiles in the park have four-stroke engines by two seasons.

Many of the company�s programs are designed to spread the word about environmental stewardship.  Xanterra�s innovative food-related environmental program is a good example. Last year, the company banned four different kinds of seafood � Chilean Sea Bass, Atlantic Swordfish and all Shark and Bluefin Tuna � from its menus due to overfishing and concerns about their impact on the environment. Instead, the company recommends seafood that is secured through sustainable fishing practices. The company also has introduced organic coffee that has a variety of environmental benefits and �Conservation Beef� that is derived from cows raised chemical free on natural grasses.

�Printed materials in our restaurants describe the benefits and reasons for these programs, and our employees are specially trained to answer the inevitable guest questions about the policies,� said Lane. �We receive numerous comments from guests thanking us for the programs, and some guests suggest they will return to our facilities in part because of our initiatives.�

Xanterra�s policies have garnered the attention of the federal government, the National Park Service and industry organizations. In the last two years, the company has received formal awards for its environmental efforts from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency and Travel Industry Association. 

Xanterra�s mission statement, prominently displayed at employee gathering points in each location, emphasizes the company�s goal to be a leader in environmental stewardship. Included among the company�s �core values� is the following statement: �We believe that increasing the sustainability of natural systems is not just good business. It is the right thing to do.�

Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the country�s largest operator of lodges, restaurants and other concessions at national and state parks and resorts. Committed to the preservation and protection of the environment in each location, Xanterra has implemented a variety of proactive environmental stewardship programs and was the recipient of Environmental Achievement Awards from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2002 and from the Department of Interior in 2001 and 2002.  Xanterra also received the Travel Industry Association�s Odyssey Award for its environmental initiatives in 2001.

Xanterra operates concessions in the following locations: Yellowstone National Park, the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Death Valley National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Everglades National Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial; and at resorts in Napa, Calif.;  Saratoga Springs, N.Y.  and seven Ohio State Parks.