Sustainable Outdoor
Destination Programs
To ensure sustainability is woven into all aspects of the destination, we offer two specialized programs:
Actively Green for Businesses
Mountain IDEAL for Destination Managers
Both Programs Include
Internationally recognized best practices
Training Modules & Toolkits
Accredited Certification Program
Coming Soon To This Site:
Self-Assessment & Report Card
Sustainable Community Development Roadmap Template
CASE STUDY
Vail, Colorado
Project Objective
To credibly and objectively validate Vail’s recognition as a sustainable mountain resort community.
First step was facilitating an on-site action planning session for over two dozen local stakeholders to define sustainability themes for the destination.
The result of the session was an actionable roadmap for the Town of Vail that has been implemented over the last eight years.
The key primary deliverables:
Actively Green Sustainability Business Training Program
Mountain IDEAL Sustainable Destination Recognition Program
Outputs & Impacts
Actively Green Sustainable Business Training and Certification Program
Prepared and delivered training workshops for local businesses introducing concepts of sustainable tourism and eco-certification.
The Actively Green Program collects environmental impact data from all participants including waste, water, energy, and CO2. This data is used to define new trainings and incentive programs.
To date:
•304 businesses and individuals trained
•103 businesses currently using the sustainability monitoring system
•64 businesses certified
Outputs & Impacts
Mountain IDEAL Sustainable Destination Program
Developed sustainable community standard and certification program covering destination planning, development and management..
Vail established a Destination Stewardship Council with 25 members and full participation and collaborative public-private partnership between Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, and US Forest Service District. To date, DSC has identified approximately 10 action projects, 8 have been completed.
Vail become the 1st GSTC-certified Sustainable Destination in the United States in December 2017 (re-certification in 2020). Breckenridge, CO is being certified to the Mountain IDEAL standard in 2020 and Jackson, WY has integrated it into their own destination certification planning.