Wyoming's most famous mountains – the Teton, Wind River and Bighorn ranges – were forged from rock that's at least 3 billion years old. The state is also home to some of the world's best dinosaur dig sites, where paleontologists work to unearth bones from 170-milion-year-old Jurassic beasts.
Clearly, Wyoming's natural attractions have been around a long, long time. But human demands on the land have dramatically changed the face of Wyoming over the past century, and not always in a positive way. That's why a growing number of the state's travel and recreation businesses are working hard to conserve natural resources and lessen their long-term impact on the environment. It's all about making sure future generations can enjoy Wyoming's wonders, too.
Set against the Wind River Mountains near Lander, Twin Creek Ranch used to be a traditional cattle spread. But in 1987, owner Tony Malmberg attended a holistic management seminar that inspired him to better conserve the ranch's 16,500 acres. Now, as the Twin Creek Web site says, "the Malmberg family lives a life reflecting their passions: caring for the land, growing healthy food, and providing a place where people find renewal and rejuvenation."
Tony and Andrea Malmberg and their family have long been selling their grass-raised beef directly to discriminating buyers both in Wyoming and worldwide. Four years ago, aware that many of their customers wanted to visit the ranch,
Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River
the Malmbergs built a beautiful lodge from selectively harvested, hand-hewn logs and established a dining room featuring free-range beef and poultry, artisanal cheese and other locally produced food. Twin Creek Ranch & Lodge is now a great spot for family getaways, small-group retreats and seminars in which visitors learn more about living gently on the land. "Our dream is for Twin Creek to be seen as a place of ecological integrity," Andrea says.
Nearly 3 million people visit Yellowstone National Park each year, and many of them stay, play and eat at the lodges, visitor attractions and restaurants managed by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. With a name that means "beautiful places on Earth," Xanterra takes seriously its responsibility to minimize the impact Yellowstone's visitors have on the world's first national park. "Our entire staff is intently focused on demonstrating sound environmental practices and increasing environmental awareness among all," says Jim McCaleb, Xanterra general manager.
Of course, Xanterra recycles – a lot – collecting cardboard, aluminum, glass and mixed paper throughout the park and taking it to a collection center in nearby Gardiner, Montana. Lodging guests are urged to reuse their towels and sheets, too. But Xanterra does much more. Its touring snowmobiles and rental boats use new four-stroke engines that are cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient than older two-stroke models. Other actions include donating worn guest room bedding to charitable groups, reclaiming used engine oil
Jackson Hole Rick Carpenter
from the park's vehicle fleet to heat the transportation center, and using 100 percent post-consumer content, bleach-free paper goods.
Smaller Wyoming tourism businesses are taking environmental sustainability seriously, too. The Alpine House Inn & Spa in Jackson recently became the first lodging property in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to offset 100 percent of its electrical usage by buying wind credits. Through a "Green Power" program offered by local utility Lower Valley Energy, Alpine House proprietors Nancy and Hans Johnstone make the investment to support renewable energy sources and reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Alpine House has other green initiatives, too. The inn uses 100 percent all-natural citrus cleaning products, locally made organic bath amenities and fair-trade coffee. All of its common areas, and some guest rooms, use energy-efficient radiant heat, and guests have access to free bicycles to use during their stay. (At just two blocks north of the Jackson town square, the inn is within easy walking or cycling distance to everywhere.)
"We are just trying to do what we can," says Nancy Johnstone. "The tourism business is traditionally very high-impact on the environment. We hope that by having our business do as little harm as possible, we can set an example in the industry. We will continue to provide our guests with excellent quality and service, and invite them to join in our environmental efforts during their stay."
These are Wyoming's golden days. Aspen leaves dance in the sunlight, with dabs of red and orange dappling the roadsides, too. The air is bracing, the skies are a brilliant blue, and you might just hear elk bugling. Late September and early October are perfect times to plan a long weekend exploring Wyoming's fall splendor. read more
When gold fever hit in the late 1840s, cries of “Ho California!” could be heard across the country as eager Forty-Niners and farmers packed up their families and belongings and headed west. read more
