TIMELINE TO CERTIFICATION: JACKSON HOLE/TETON COUNTY RECEIVE EARTHCHECK SILVER SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION CERTIFICATION By Tim O’Donoghue, Riverwind Foundation 2012: Jackson Hole is a Sustainable Destination Standards Early Adopter
2017: National Geographic World Legacy Award Destination Finalist
In 2012, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council selected Jackson Hole as one of the first Early Adopters of Sustainable Destination Standards. The GSTC’s concluding remarks were that
2018: World Travel & Tourism Council Destination Management Finalist for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
“Teton County more than any other place in the world has the potential to become a leader as a sustainable destination”and that we have the natural capital, human capacity, and financial resources to realize this potential. 2014: Jackson Hole & Yellowstone Sustainable Destination Program is created to coordinate the achievement of sustainable destination certification within five years. The Early Adopters program included an assessment of Jackson Hole / Teton County, Wyoming’s sustainability according to 120 criteria. One of the primary findings was that, despite all the organizations and activities working to make Jackson Hole and our community more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable, there was no organization or program working to coordinate and unify these efforts toward community goals and international standards for sustainability. The Jackson Hole & Yellowstone Sustainable Destination Program was created by the Riverwind Foundation in 2014 in response to the GSTC’s findings. One of the primary objectives of the Program was to achieve third-party sustainable destination certification within five years. The purpose of seeking certification was to guide and drive sustainability innovation and improvement with Jackson Hole’s business, government, and nonprofit stakeholders and overall community. Along the way, the Riverwind Foundation and Jackson Hole have received numerous awards and recognition.
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2016, 2017, & 2018: Green Destinations recognition as one of the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations of the world January 2019: The Riverwind Foundation engages EarthCheck for sustainable destination certification. The Riverwind Foundation engaged EarthCheck on January 2019 to continue the initial evaluation begun in 2012 and pursue sustainable destination certification. EarthCheck is one of two destination certification programs that have been accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the world’s longest running, most experienced, rigorous program. The process of certification consisted of two stages: Sustainable Destination Certification Benchmarking and Audit The Benchmarking stage involved collecting and submitting data on approximately 60 indicators in 12 key performance areas: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Energy efficiency, conservation and management Greenhouse gas emissions Air quality protection, noise control & light pollution Management of freshwater resources Waste water management, drainage and streams Ecosystem conservation and management
