JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Flat Creek Ranch and Jackson Lake Lodge became the next two businesses in Jackson Hole to reach the Business Emerald Sustainability Tier (BEST) level of sustainability performance.
Standards in the BEST program are comparable to the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive environmental, community, and economic sustainability criteria. Flat Creek Ranch and Jackson Lake Lodge join the Elk Refuge Inn as the first businesses to achieve a third-party sustainability certification by the Riverwind Foundation, the originator of the BEST program.
The BEST program was created to provide an opportunity and platform for those Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) Business Leaders that want to elevate their sustainability practices to higher levels of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic vitality.
“Continuous improvement of Grand Teton Lodge Company’s environmental sustainability practices has always been a primary goal and core value for our company,” said Alex Klein, VP and general manager of Grand Teton Lodge Company. “The BEST certification for Jackson Lake Lodge represents an important milestone for us on that path, and we are proud to be among the first companies in Jackson Hole to have achieved this comprehensive standard. We look forward to continuing to work within the BEST program to improve and promote sustainability in this special place that we all work and live.”
Shelby and Trey Scharp, managers of Flat Creek Ranch, stated, “As a business owner striving for sustainable practices throughout all aspects of an operation can be challenging. We offer a unique perspective operating entirely off the grid, so sustainability is particularly important. Having recognition of our continued actions to do the right things is greatly appreciated. The BEST certification demonstrates the hard work of our entire staff as well as our love and respect of the place we live. This program quantifies, at exceedingly high standards, what sustainable practices look like and make the goals tangible for other local companies to follow suit.”
Tim O’Donoghue is the executive director of the Riverwind Foundation as well as the coordinator of the Jackson Hole & Yellowstone Sustainable Destination Program. O’Donoghue commended both lodging facilities are on their achievements.
“Consistent with their long-term philosophy and practice of environmental stewardship, Flat Creek Ranch and Jackson Lake Lodge have demonstrated a strong commitment to the triple bottom line,” O’Donoghue said. “By achieving BEST certification, these businesses have established themselves as leaders in sustainable tourism and send a message to businesses of all sizes that environmental and social responsibility is good businesses.”
The Jackson Hole & Yellowstone Sustainable Destination Program is a collaboration coordinated by the Riverwind Foundation and its program partners, and supported by funding from the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board and the lodging tax, USDA Rural Development, and many individuals, businesses, and organizations who support our community’s environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
