FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Connie Marshall Maura Olivos
Director of Marketing & Public Relations Sustainability Coordinator
Alta Ski Area Alta Environmental Center
801.799.2263 801.832.1700
Alta Ski Area 2014 Sustainability Update
Alta, Utah – November 11, 2014: Alta Ski Area announces the release of its 2014 Sustainability Fall Update. Building off the 2011 Sustainability Report, this update from the Alta Environmental Center seeks to inform Alta’s patrons and community of environmental accomplishments and ongoing work toward their overall 2020 greenhouse gas (GHG) 20% reduction goal. The Report shares efforts from the past season, recent summer 2014 projects, and identifies tasks for the coming 2014-2015 winter. Additionally, this update touches on the socio-economic strides Alta Ski Area supports and how they are active members in achieving progress with its local partners.
Two significant initiatives have been instrumental in Alta’s sustainability progress and reporting efforts. First, in 2008 Alta Ski Area (ASA) formally organized the Alta Environmental Center (AEC) to support and encourage sustainability throughout its operations. Progress is made with a full-time Sustainability Coordinator and Ecologist, Maura Olivos, and the ski area’s Green Team comprised of 30 individuals representing each department and skiing patrons. Second, in 2011 the National Ski Area Association (NSAA) developed a reporting and goal oriented mechanism for ski areas in addressing climate change through the Climate Challenge. Alta Ski Area was with the first round of ski areas to join the climate challenge, which requires participants to annually report their GHG emissions to the public and develop GHG reduction goals.
“Our efforts to date, with more recent accomplishments noted in this report, are still only the beginning to what we would like to achieve for ASA and our industry,” notes Onno Wieringa, General Manager and AEC Director. The ski area plans to release an annual update through 2020, when they will revisit their 20% reduction goal. In order to achieve the 2020 goal, Alta’s General Manager and Sustainability Coordinator recognize this goal is also a journey and it is important to continuously share the ski area’s efforts and tribulations to realize progress and support.
Alta welcomes you to visit their website and read the 2014 Fall Sustainability Update to learn more about your community and how you can potentially help. The report can be downloaded from the Alta Environmental Center’s web site at: www.altaence.com/pdf/2014_Sustainability_Report.pdf.
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