For the first time since the National Ski Areas Association inked its original Environmental Charter five years ago, the organization has revised the document to reflect the changing state of the industry and the environment. The Charter, which is part of the Sustainable Slopes program, is a comprehensive list of environmental principles created to provide ski resorts a framework for sustainable operations. The NSAA Environmental Charter is a completely voluntary program for resorts to follow, but it has been endorsed by over 175 resorts throughout North America.
Commenting on the Charter, Michael Berry, NSAA president said, “As a society, we find ourselves needing more than ever to escape every day pressures by heading for the outdoors. With that increasing demand come impacts and a number of emerging environmental concerns that must be addressed proactively. The ski industry adopted this Environmental Charter in 2000 as a framework for sustainability in our operations. We are revising it today to renew our commitment to responsible stewardship and foster improved environmental performance industry-wide.”
The key changes from the revision include ensuring that NSAAs Principles are current and reflect the latest technology and best management practices to foster continuing improvement in environmental performance. It also acknowledges and incorporates emerging resources available from NSAA Partnering Organizations as well as specific new options for getting there from endorsing resorts.
To complement the update, ski area staff will have the opportunity to participate in environmental training by Sustainable Slopes expert Judy Dorsey of the Brendle Group at the 2006 NSAA Eastern and Western Winter Conferences in Killington, Vt., and Squaw Valley, Calif. Participants will focus on taking ski area environmental programs to the next level, as well as creating methods of environmental reporting for individual resorts.
