Sustainability

The impact of Jackson Hole is reflected in the 3 million visitors from all over the world who travel to marvel at our incomparable scenery, wildlife, and quality of air and water. Our town is in close proximity to two world-class national parks and is surrounded by relatively pristine national forests. 

This region is a champion of biodiversity and contributes to the largest intact natural ecosystem in the lower 48 states and the southern end of a corridor of wildlands stretching to the Yukon. Yellowstone National Park serves as the wellspring for eight major rivers. 

The opportunities to learn about how nature intended things are innumerable and, hopefully, inspire each one who visits the special corner of the Rockies to adopt a sense of stewardship for the region as generously offers recreation and constant inspiration.

Our economy, community, and environment are woven together into a value that can serve to guide our businesses, organizations, and agencies in our development, operations, promotions, and challenges. The long-term health of our business community is sustained by these three legs, which engender a triple bottom line of a healthy economy, community, and environment.

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce joins a growing group of businesses, including Flat Creek Ranch, Jackson Lake Lodge, and Elk Refuge Inn to achieve a third-party sustainability certification by the Riverwind Foundation, the originator of the BEST program.   

Achieving the Business Emerald Sustainability Tier (BEST) recognizes that a business meets the standards for the world's most rigorous and comprehensive environmental, community, and economic sustainability criteria. Learn more about the program here.

The mission of the Riverwind Foundation is to strengthen the policies and practices for environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic vitality in Teton County by providing information resources and reporting, training and technical assistance, and networking opportunities for local stakeholders.

Learn more about the Keeping Jackson Hole Wild initiative as well as the  Zero Waste Resolution created in the fall of 2014. The Zero Waste Plan, a result of the Zero Waste Resolution, will be designed to achieve the initial goal of 60% diversion of waste from landfill by the year 2030. The adoption of the resolution makes Teton County the first community with a Zero Waste Resolution in Wyoming, Montana or Idaho, and one of only six in the Rocky Mountain region. Only 31 communities in the United States have passed Zero Waste Resolutions.


Need more information? Explore our Explorer Magazine Travel Planner, which you can also explore electronically HERE. If you're already here, feel free to stop by one of our Visitor Centers where an experienced agent will be able to guide you in the right direction.