VOL 26 ISSUE 18, May 5, 2025
Across Delaware North’s Parks and Resorts operations in the United States, dedicated environmental team members are driving change. From cutting waste to conserving resources, they’re at the forefront of efforts to reduce our environmental footprint while inspiring guests and colleagues.
Read below to hear from several Parks team members about how sustainability comes to life through hands-on projects and innovative practices at our Parks locations.
Evan Cobey, environmental and safety manager at Shenandoah National Park
“We recently launched the 2025 Delaware North Environmental Education Speaker Series at Shenandoah National Park, offering two to three presentations each month in collaboration with local Shenandoah Valley environmental organizations. So far, Delaware North has hosted Sustainability Matters, Page Alliance for Community Action and Virginia Master Gardeners, with many more amazing groups scheduled.
“These presentations are an excellent opportunity to educate park visitors and seasonal employees on environmental topics and issues while providing an enjoyable activity for attendees that brings value to our operations in the park. The connections we form by networking with these groups are already generating new project ideas that will shed light on future environmental programs that help to ensure Delaware North lessens the impact of our operations on the surrounding natural areas.”
Chloe Wasteneys, environmental and safety manager at Yellowstone National Park
“Delaware North’s team at Yellowstone National Park has made significant progress in our mission to reduce single-use plastic, including through recent accomplishments such as:
• Eliminating all single-use plastic beverage containers and plastic straws from all stores within the park. This year, we are providing 100% biodegradable and compostable straws made in Montana.
• Purchased only PLA [polylactic acid, a biodegradable and sustainable polymer derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugar cane] or molded fiber disposable products.
• Removed all single-use propane tanks sold in stores and replaced them with Little Kamper refillable propane tanks.
“In 2024, Yellowstone General Stores (YGS) received a National Parks Foundation grant in collaboration with the National Park Service, Xanterra, Yellowstone Forever and the Gardiner, Mont., Chamber of Commerce to reduce single-use plastics in the park. Our first goal with this grant is to install more water filling stations throughout the park to encourage the use of reusable water bottles.
“For the ninth year in a row the YGS warehouse has maintained our zero-waste certification (at least 90% of waste is diverted from landfill).”
Gina Parrish, environmental manager at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
“Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex recently opened a new administration building, and construction is underway for a new retail warehouse. The construction for both buildings has achieved LEED Silver certification, a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was developed by the U.S. Green Buildings Council and provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings.
“Both projects have involved relocating team member workspaces and collecting unwanted/obsolete supplies. To date, 13 vehicle loads of supplies, weighing approximately 2,000 pounds in total, have been dropped off at the Supply Zone for Teachers, managed by the Brevard Schools Foundation. Unused supplies were redistributed to schools with the most pressing needs instead of sending these items to landfills. In addition, about 150 pounds of non-office supplies were donated to a local thrift store.
“In addition, funding was just approved for an Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Cultural Resource Assessment Survey (CRAS) at the Apollo/Saturn V Center and Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area. Under the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), contractors of federal agencies [such as Delaware North, which operates the visitor complex for NASA] are required to assess the environmental impacts of proposed actions before making decisions.
“The CRAS is required to identify archaeological sites and historic resources at the location. The process, which can take up to a year to complete, gives all stakeholders, including the public, the opportunity to weigh in on any future expansion or upgrades that may impact the environment.”
Caitlin Drennan, ecotourism manager at Niagara Falls State Park
“This season, we are focusing on engagement. I established a sustainability committee to connect Delaware North and New York State Parks team members for more collaboration on sustainability projects. Soon, we will be hosting two second-grade classes at the park to plant trees and experience the Cave of the Winds attraction. The students will also receive seedlings so they can start their own gardens.
“Another project we will start this season is a waste audit in retail. We will also continue a few of our programs from the past season, such as the compost program, wellness program, water bottle reuse program, the Reddy Bikeshare program and food donation program with Community Missions. We are also once again sponsoring the 28th Annual Jack O’Lantern Fall Classic 5K in Niagara Falls, N.Y. I’m very excited for this season to start and to get all our team members involved in GreenPath initiatives.”