Amfac�s Ability to Balance Economic Viability with Environmental Responsibility Earns Awards / Aug 2001

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Amfac�s Ability to Balance Economic Viability with
Environmental Responsibility Earns Awards

DENVER, August 9, 2001 � Within a 24-hour period, Amfac Parks & Resorts was notified that it received two prestigious awards in recognition of its environmental initiatives. The awards were the Department of Interior�s Environmental Achievement Award and the Travel Industry Association�s (TIA) Odyssey Award in the Environment category. Amfac Parks & Resorts is the country�s leading national park concessioner and operator of facilities at parks such as Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.

Amfac was the only concessioner � and one of only 13 winners in three categories �to receive the U.S. Department of Interior�s 2001 Environmental Achievement Award. The Department of Interior presents the Environmental Achievement Awards to recognize the achievements of its bureaus, employees and contractors in a broad range of environmental areas such as pollution prevention, recycling, sustainable design, environmentally preferable purchasing, environmental stewardship, auditing, environmental management systems and educational outreach. Several hundred entities submitted their programs.

Amfac was selected for its efforts to minimize environmental impact while operating concessions at national parks with special recognition paid to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Yellowstone, Zion and Grand Canyon (South Rim) National Parks. Department of Interior judges singled out several park initiatives, including:

Establishing a corporate-wide policy on purchasing seafood only from sustainable fisheries
Reducing emissions at the Grand Canyon�s South Rim by installing clean-burning propane boilers to heat buildings and hydrous alcohol injectors on tour buses
Replacing all rental snowmobiles in Yellowstone with cleaner four-stroke engines
Using environmentally preferable cleaning products
Developing energy-conservation projects
Instituting aggressive recycling, waste reduction and composting programs

Representing all components of the $582 billion travel industry, TIA presents its
Odyssey Awards to recognize �excellence and exceptional achievements in travel and tourism.� The TIA Odyssey Award cited Amfac�s �comprehensive environmental
management program which includes:�

Hiring onsite environmental managers
Producing a company-wide environmental newsletter
Using recycled paper and soy-based inks at an in-house print shop
Developing a company-wide policy in support of sustainable fishing practices
Developing strategic Environmental Management Systems that assist properties in meeting environmental goals

The TIA award noted that �Amfac has successfully balanced economic viability with ecological responsibility, weighing up-front costs against long-term savings and educating employees about the benefits of new technologies and conservation practices.�

�These two highly significant awards are a measurable reflection of the hard work and dedication of Amfac Parks & Resorts� employees, especially those who serve on our �green teams� at each location,� said Andrew N. Todd, president and CEO of Amfac. �Amfac�s employees truly believe that it is a privilege to work in some of this country�s most beautiful places, and it is our responsibility to do everything we can to preserve them. This recognition for our environmental initiatives not only confirms we are making progress, but it also reinforces our commitment to continue � and to strengthen � our ongoing efforts.

�Special recognition should also go to Chris Lane, director of environmental programs,� added Todd. �With his leadership, Amfac has added many new environmental initiatives as well as enhanced long-standing programs and policies. The result is we are on our way toward achieving our goal of being recognized as the most environmentally responsible concessioner in the business.�

The company�s environmental successes have been supported by a corporate approach that includes creating an environmental mission statement, hiring a director of environmental programs, developing a company-wide environmental strategic plan, forming �Green Teams� at the properties, assessing the environmental impact of planned capital expenditures and sharing environmental information among the properties.

In July, the company redeveloped its corporate mission statement by adding a commitment to the environment to its core values that it considers fundamental to its success. Specifically, the mission statement now says �Our business decisions balance economic viability with ecological responsibility. We reduce and recycle waste, conserve energy and water, and educate our guests and employees on environmental stewardship. We believe that increasing the sustainability of natural systems is not just good business. It is the right thing to do.�

�Our goal is to weave that philosophy throughout all levels of this organization and to ensure it is part of everything we do,� said Todd. �Our industry�s success depends upon clean air, natural beauty and a healthy ecosystem.�

Amfac 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, Death Valley National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Everglades National Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial; and at resorts in Napa, Calif.; Nebraska City, Neb., Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and seven Ohio State Parks.

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Contact:

Amfac Parks & Resorts
14001 E. Iliff, Suite 600
Aurora, CO 80014
303.338.6000
[email protected] www.amfac.com

Also See:

North Georgia State Park Lodges Participating in Project Planet Environmental Program / July 1999

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