Xanterra Parks and Resorts.

Environmental Policies & Management

Xanterra’s Environmental Management System Policy

Ecologix is Xanterra’s company-wide, intranet-based Environmental Management System (EMS). Through the framework of Ecologix, which represents a “logical integration of ecology and business,” Xanterra has institutionalized programs that protect the fragile ecosystems that surround the company’s hotels, shops, restaurants, and support facilities.

• a framework for continual improvement and review
  of environmental performance at all Xanterra
  national park operations
• compliance with all applicable environmental
  regulations and policies, and with other
  environmental requirements to which
  Xanterra subscribes
• incorporation of best management practices into
  our operations — using pollution prevention and
  environmental sustainability strategies as core
  objectives.

 

 

Verification of Environmental Management Sytstems (EMS)

Marketing hyperbole and good public relations can create a perception that a company is not degrading the environment, when quite the opposite may be true. So, Xanterra has aggressively pursued external, third-party verification and certification of specific environmental programs to determine if, in fact, the company’s environmental initiatives are truly reducing impacts.

In order to determine whether environmental programs are effective, Xanterra began certifying its Ecologix EMSs through two external organizations:

1) the International Organization of Standardization (ISO); and
2) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track.

1) Meeting the ISO 14001 Certification EMS Standard

All Xanterra national park operations’ EMSs are certified to the ISO 14001 standard, or are in the process of being certified (as is the case with our new operations). In 2005, due to damage from hurricanes Wilma and Katrina, Xanterra temporarily suspended its ISO 14001 certification at the Everglades. Currently, Xanterra is in the process of recertifying its EMS there. Newly acquired Grand Canyon Railway and Rocky Mountain National Park operations are also in the process of EMS development and implementation, and are scheduled for ISO 14001 certification in 2008.

Each Xanterra operation’s EMS supports environmental protection and pollution prevention in a management framework that commits the company to continual environmental improvement. Additionally, the EMS strives to meet National Park Service (NPS) goals and federal Executive Orders. It accurately defines all the environmental aspects – each area
of business operations that interacts with the environment at each specific national park location.

Xanterra is still one of only a small handful of companies in the tourism industry with ISO 14001 certification of its EMSs, further increasing our environmental accountability.
Additionally, our Ecologix EMS integrates the ISO 14001 certifications with a computerized intranet-based tracking and reporting system (Ecometrix), an intranet-based Corrective and Preventative Actions Database (CPAD), numerous internal audits, our 2015 Environmental Vision goals, and a sustainability report to provide a comprehensive picture of environmental performance.

2) EPA National Environmental Performance Track (NEPT )

While ISO 14001 requirements provide the structure and system for effective environmental management, every park operation has its own environmental priorities. Auditing an operation solely on the ISO standard is not enough to adequately ensure environmental protection and performance. Under ISO, it would be possible in theory for a company to set relatively easy, attainable goals without producing meaningful environmental improvements and still receive a satisfactory audit.

That is why Xanterra voluntarily asked the EPA to scrutinize its environmental performance. The EPA has now accepted nine Xanterra national park operations into its National Environmental Performance Track (NEPT) program.

This program requires that Xanterra must implement highquality environmental management systems and set rigorous environmental goals while obtaining measurable results. Environmental goals, results, and EMS strategies are reviewed and audited annually.

Corporate Leader Award

Currently, an elite group of about 450 (primarily Fortune 500) companies pursuing environmental sustainability has been allowed into this program. Of these 450 leading companies, one is selected each year as the “Performance Track Corporate Leader,” designating that company as the leader in demonstrating exceptional corporate-wide commitment to environmental stewardship, continuous improvement, and superior environmental performance.

In 2006, Xanterra was selected by EPA Administrator, Stephen Johnson, for that designation. Xanterra is the fourth company to receive this designation. Previous designees include global medical products company Baxter Healthcare Corp.; manufacturer of health care products, Johnson & Johnson; and global provider of aviation electronic and communication solutions Rockwell Collins.