ZION LODGE IN UTAH’S ZION NATIONAL PARK RECEIVES GREEN SEAL CERTIFICATION

Zion Lodge in Zion National Park has received the Green Seal Lodging Standard certification for Hotels and Lodging Properties. The Green Seal certification means that a third party – Green Seal – has verified that the lodge’s environmental programs have been effectively implemented. Green Seal, an organization dedicated to identifying and promoting sustainability in the marketplace, will perform an annual audit to ensure Zion Lodge remains compliant with the standard.

The certification is the latest of many awards and honors received by Zion Lodge for its innovative and extensive environmental programs and initiatives.

Prior to granting certification, Green Seal examined a variety of aspects of the lodge’s environmental program including purchasing policies, water and energy management and employee practices.

“Zion Lodge has aggressively implemented energy and natural resource efficiency programs for years, and we are proud of our results,” said Trina Smith, general manager of Zion Lodge. “We also believe that before we can claim environmental success we must credibly measure results, and that credibility is best illustrated by third-party certification programs such as Green Seal.”

Smith pointed to numerous environmental successes, including using renewable wind power for 100 percent of the lodge’s electricity, purchasing only EPA Energy Star-approved computers and other equipment, installing two photovoltaic solar arrays and saving on glass waste by serving beer on tap and eliminating bottles.

Other external certifications and environmental audit programs for Zion Lodge include the National Park Service Concessions Environmental Audit Program, Marine Stewardship Council Certification program, EPA WasteWise Partner, Clean Utah! through the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and Green-e certified renewable energy purchases.

Zion Lodge is open year round and offers 81 rooms, 40 cabins, a restaurant, café and gift shop. Reservations can be made at www.zionlodge.com or by calling 1-303-29-PARKS (1-303-297-2757) or toll-free at 1-888-29-PARKS (1-888-297-2757).