Advancing Environmental Stewardship within the Greater Yellowstone Area through Collaborative Partnerships Yellowstone National Park The environmental flagship for the entire greater Yellowstone area The Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) is the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 states YNP and its partners are a model for remote, tourism- based communities, both nationally and internationally. They have worked together to develop and implement innovative approaches that protect this unique area. Ecosystem facts: Over 675,000 permanent residents 14 million acres 25 counties 6 major cities 10 federal facilities 3 states Economically bound to tourism 10 million visitors per year The public lands were set aside 125 years ago. Boundaries were based on geographic features, not intact ecosystems. GYAs environment and its natural resources must be managed in a more holistic approach, inclusive of a much larger land base. The Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee was established in Provides mutual cooperation and coordination in the management of the core public lands in the GYA. The Sustainable Operations Subcommittee (SOS) was formed in 2005: -identify environmental risks -promote sound practices -integrate sustainable practices into many activities within the region. GYA SOS Partners: Headwaters Cooperative Recycling, Inc, Clean Cities Yellowstone Business Partnership Cooperation for the Northern Rockies Xantera and Delaware North - Concessionaires Ethanol Producers and Consumers WY, ID and MT Dept. of Environmental Quality EPA Region 8 P2 Team National Renewable Energy Lab West Yellowstone Compost Facility Yellowstone Park Association Examples of Successful Sustainable Programs: -Cleaning and Janitorial Products -Air Pollution from Vehicles and Energy Conservation -Solid Waste Composting -Recycling The GYCC provides a framework to transfer successful and sustainable approaches across the ecosystem. Partnering results in: -economic advantage of scale -coordinated environmental approach -sustainable practices.