STOWE, VT.—Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont has received the Sustainable Community Certification from Audubon International, becoming the first ski resort in the United States to earn this environmental achievement. Members of Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program are eligible for certification, which recognizes dedication to the process of becoming a more sustainable community and beginning to act on a sustainability plan. The plan covers 15 focus areas, and members must choose timelines and measurable goals. Once progress is documented, members become certified.
“As the first Private Sector Track member to receive the Audubon International Sustainable Community Certification, Stowe Mountain Resort has demonstrated a strong commitment to the ideals of sustainability—economic vitality, environmental protection, and social responsibility,” says Suzi Zakowski, manager of the Sustainable Communities Program.
“With the surrounding natural landscape of Northern Vermont and a rich heritage, Stowe Mountain Resort has much to celebrate,” Zakowski adds. “The strong environmental commitment is evident to employees, guests and the surrounding community.”
Stowe Mountain Resort’s Accomplishments
Food Sourcing—The resort uses local products whenever possible. To date, 83 percent of vendors provide 100 percent locally produced agricultural and similar products.
Rural heritage—To maintain the “look and feel” of Mt. Mansfield and the Smugglers Notch region, Stowe Mountain Resort has worked with Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation, and Audubon International to utilize only a small percentage of available land in its development efforts.
Economic Development & Tourism—The resort provides outdoor educational experience and training for resort guests, hosts an annual on-site field trip and workshop focused on water quality management for the Stowe Elementary School fifth grade class, and ensures 39 percent of all resort vendors outside of food and beverage are located in New England and Vermont.
Outreach and Education—In 2009, the resort established an Environmental Advisory Committee to assist the resort’s planning director with the identification of potential additional environmental actions. More than 20 articles have been published in the internal newsletter for employees. The Employee Handbook has been revised to include more content describing the resort’s environmental efforts. The resort currently partners with groups to provide access for environmental education forums and public seminars (such as birding events, Stowe Garden Fest, and nature walks).
Thousands of Acres Preserved
Environment and Wildlife—Through partnerships with the Vermont Agency Natural Resources, The University of Vermont, and the Green Mountain Club, the ridgeline of Mount Mansfield is managed and used for research by the university’s professors and students. More than 2,000 acres of natural habitat has been conserved; 10 acres are summit terrain, which is highly specific breeding ground for Bicknell’s Thrush. Peregrine falcons, moose and bear are other major species that are being protected through these conserved acres.
Water Quality—The resort has seen annual improvements in the water quality of its streams and conducts quarterly monitoring of selected stream segments. Current storm water runoff from the development area is collected, stored and reused for both snowmaking and golf course irrigation. The mountain trail system is managed under a management plan directed at improving the hydrologic characteristics of the trail system.
Energy and Resource Use Efficiency—Since 2000, the resort has made energy efficiency improvements that have resulted in annual electrical use savings of 8,033,645 kW per year, or enough power to support 715 homes annually. Purchasing policies have been established that place a priority on the purchase of sustainable products.
Employee Ride Share Program
Transportation—The resort established an employee ride share program in 2009 that enables employees to park in lots located at the base of the mountain if they travel with three or more individuals. The resort is exploring ride share programs for its guests and contributed $40,000 for the operation of the municipal public Mountain Road Trolley system which experienced a 7 percent increase in ridership in 2009.
Waste Reduction—The new Spruce Camp Base Lodge established a food composting program for its kitchen and is currently expanding this program to its public areas. In 2009, the resort’s food composting program resulted in a landfill diversion rate of more than 84 percent for the new Stowe Mountain Lodge.
Audubon members maintain their certification in the Sustainable Communities Program by demonstrating continuous progress towards goals in the plan under 15 focus areas. For more information about sustainable community efforts, visit www.auduboninternational.org or www.sustainablecommunityinitiative.org.
