The program recognizes top environmental performers that voluntarily go beyond compliance with environmental regulations and publicly commit to specific environmental improvements over a three-year period.  Members of the EPA Performance Track Program receive a range of incentives such as public recognition and low inspection priority. Members are also eligible for several kinds of administrative flexibility and streamlined administrative requirements that reduce costs and enable members to achieve better environmental results. 

Xanterra operates lodges and other concessions in national and state parks and resorts throughout the country. 

Xanterra's environmental mission is driven by its Ecologix Environmental Management System (EMS). The Ecologix EMS is a new way of doing business that integrates Xanterra's commitments to both ecology and business.  The plan, in partnership with the National Park Service, has resulted in an overall reduction of electricity and water usage, elimination of heating oil, reduction of solid waste and increased recycling. The company also became the first national park concessioner to publish and post a detailed Sustainability Report, which discloses every aspect of the company's environmental footprint as well as reductions in resource consumption. 

"We measure our environmental success on results and not empty promises," said Chris Lane, Senior Director of Environmental Affairs for Xanterra Parks & Resorts. "The commitments we have made to our environmental programs go far beyond compliance with Department of Interior regulatory and contractual requirements, and because of our philosophy, we have implemented numerous truly innovative and successful programs in Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon."

Both Bryce Canyon Lodge and Zion Lodge achieved ISO 14001 Certification, an international Environmental Management System (EMS) standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).  The goal of ISO 14001 is to support environmental protection and pollution prevention in a management framework that commits the organization to continual environmental improvement. While widely used in Europe and Japan, the certification is relatively new in the U.S.

At Zion National Park, Xanterra has been particularly aggressive - and successful - in achieving results. For example, the Zion Lodge reported a 40 percent reduction in water consumption, 59 percent reduction in solid waste and 25 percent reduction in electricity usage over a three-year period. Last year, 90 percent of incandescent light bulbs at Zion Lodge were retrofitted to energy-saving compact fluorescents. Approximately 10 percent of electricity used by the lodge is procured from renewable and inexhaustible wind power through Utah Power's Blue Sky Program.

Xanterra's Sustainability Report - with results of the company's ongoing environmental programs - is available online at www.xanterra.com.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts operates lodges, restaurants and other concessions at national parks and state parks and resorts. Xanterra is the country's largest national park concessioner. The company 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 the Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif.; Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and eight Ohio State Parks.