Keep Utah Cool

- Purchases 424 Trees to Offset Its Projected 2009 Travel -

Salt Lake City (March 31, 2009) –Traveling by car or plane emits a fair amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. To help combat the impact visiting Salt Lake has on the environment, the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau (SLCVB) recently launched its own online carbon offset program on its website, VisitSaltLake.com. The SLCVB’s carbon offset program is in partnership with Tree Utah and done in conjunction with Salt Lake County’s “One Million Trees” program.

To jump-start the program and practice what it preaches to Salt Lake visitors, the SLCVB estimated the staff’s travel in 2009 (1 million miles) and calculated its carbon footprint utilizing its carbon calculator (212 tons of carbon emissions). The SLCVB then purchased 424 trees to double the offset of its own estimated impact on the environment. (The SLCVB Carbon Offset program estimates a $10 purchase of trees to offset one ton of carbon emissions.)

“We feel it’s critical to not only offer such programs for our visitors, but to actively participate and show our stewardship for the environment and our future, particularly in Salt Lake where we’re literally surrounded by nature,” said Scott Beck, President and CEO of the SLCVB. “For just $5, you can purchase a seedling that will help offset half a ton of carbon. Imagine the impact one million trees will have over time, not only to the atmosphere but to our community as a whole.”

In an effort to maximize the benefits Salt Lake receives from this project, every tree purchased as part of the carbon offset program is being planted in Salt Lake County. This quick-and-easy way to make a difference is in conjunction with Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon’s “One Million Trees for One Million People” program, a 10-year campaign with the goal of planting one million trees in Salt Lake County by 2017. The trees are being planted and cared for by TreeUtah, a nonprofit organization dedicated to tree planting and education.

“I’m encouraged that individuals, as well as public and private organizations, are recognizing the importance of protecting the natural environment,” commented Mayor Corroon. “I applaud the efforts of the SLCVB to offset its impact on our planet.”

Carbon offsetting is the process of helping counteract the amount of carbon dioxide emissions created when doing an activity that uses energy and generates emissions, such as driving or flying. Carbon offsetting enables anyone to reduce their carbon footprint by offsetting their own contribution to global warming. To calculate your carbon emission and purchase the necessary trees to offset it, go to www.visitsaltlake.com/carbon_offset/.

The Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination. Over its 25 years, the SLCVB has increased convention revenue from $11 million to $326 million, fulfilling its mission of improving the area economy by attracting and providing support to conventions, leisure travelers and visitors. Salt Lake is a unique fusion of metropolitan city and quaint mountain town; the towering Wasatch Mountains that embrace Salt Lake offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of downtown. Having completed a $58 million expansion in 2006, the Salt Palace Convention Center now boasts 675,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, ideal for groups of all sizes and needs. For more information on all that Salt Lake has to offer, visit www.VisitSaltLake.com.

- www.VisitSaltLake.com -

Overview Wolf Creek Utah has an ongoing commitment to sustainable development. Eco-sensitive in their efforts, flora, fauna, and open space are abundant throughout the property. Wolf Creek Utah is dedicated to wildlife habitat sanctuaries and water and energy conservation. Wolf Creek Utah believes it is critical to preserve Ogden Valley’s precious wildlife and natural resources.

A History of
Conservation In 1980, Wolf Creek Utah began their sustainability efforts, working closely with the State’s Department of Wildlife Preservation. In 1988, a large, contiguous section of open space was sold to the state that is now called “The Ogden Valley Land Trust”. In addition, a conservation easement was recorded against 880 acres of land that is still privately owned by Wolf Creek Utah. These two combined actions ensure that over 6,000 acres of contiguous land will remain open for the quiet enjoyment of our owners and Valley residents and for the preservation of wildlife. Wolf Creek Utah continues to foster these untouched areas. In fact, they have over 75 percent of the 3,000 acre master planned development set aside as open space.

Steve Roberts, Wolf Creek Utah’s managing partner, demonstrated his commitment to preservation of the environment back in the 1970’s. Before the words “green” or “sustainable” were in any developer’s vocabulary, he purchased property at the Hollister Ranch along the Gaviota Coast of California and built what would be considered today a “green” ranch house. He and his surfer buddies handmade over 17,000 adobe bricks using the clay soil on site. The house was constructed from these bricks, as well as from recycled lumber, stone from the nearby creek and clay tiles. It was powered by a wind generator and the water system was supplied by a nearby spring and pumped by a windmill. Solar panels provided radiant heating and hot water.

He lived there for 22 years before moving to Utah in 1997. The Gaviota Coast remains one of the most pristine environmentally protected sections of coastline in the United States. Today, Roberts dedicates his passion for sustainability to Wolf Creek Utah.

Wolf Creek Utah shares the local community’s value of “open space and wildlife preservation.” Called to action, Wolf Creek Utah works with various groups to ensure this value is protected.

Golf Course Wolf Creek Utah’s environmental commitment is exhibited by becoming the first golf course in the State of Utah to be certified by the Audubon Society. Wolf Creek achieves this by reducing and emphatically controlling the use of chemicals in their landscaping. Also, to keep the course beautifully green, they use recycled water from their state-of-the-art Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Audubon’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. Wolf Creek Utah achieves this by reducing and emphatically controlling the use of chemicals in their landscaping.
Water
Conservation Water conservation in this high desert location is of extreme importance. Wolf Creek Utah recently completed their state-of-the art Waste Water Treatment Plant. The Zenon filtration system is a microbiological water purifier. Prior to having such a system, all of the waste water from the valley was sent to a septic tank, which leached into the ground. Now, Wolf Creek Utah is able to turn this water into a reusable source and clean it before it goes back into the environment. This facility is built to process 400,000 gallons of water per day and is expandable if needed in the future. This water will be implemented throughout Wolf Creek Utah for the use of sustainable watering of the golf course, yards and gardens. The best about this “recycled” water is that the quality of water is better than what flows from the creek. Wolf Creek Utah’s water conservancy efforts extend to each and every member at Wolf Creek Utah with their providing irrigation water meters to every home site in its community.

Recycling Recycling doesn’t stop at Wolf Creek’s water treatment facility. A new program has been implemented at the resort to recycle materials used at the resort. All cardboard is recycled and all office desks have recycling receptacles. Also, bio-degradable to-go containers are used in the restaurants and on the golf course.

Other Eco-Sensitive
Measures at
Wolf Creek Wolf Creek Utah’s environmental dedication is prevalent throughout the entire resort and is built into all future planning.

To make the resort pedestrian friendly Wolf Creek Utah added alternative transportation, lessening the impact of vehicles, reducing impervious surfaces such as asphalt, and lowering CO2 emissions by using natural gas and other fuel sources. Buses, shuttles, pathways, and other modes of transportation are being developed by Wolf Creek Utah Resort to minimize vehicle use. The resort’s “master plan” is designed with this pedestrian foresight. They are also committed to providing workforce housing to our employees, which reduces the amount of traffic in the valley.

Eco-friendly measures are also taken in the restaurants in which bio-degradable containers replace the usual containers which saturate our landfills and steroid-free beef and wild-caught fish are served fresh, making for a environmentally friendly and delicious meal.

The toiletries provided to guests are not tested on animals. And, their cleaning staff is moving toward using “green” cleaning products.

The current investment in these friendly resources will protect the future and pristine nature of Wolf Creek Utah Resort and the Ogden Valley.

Wolf Creek Resort has an ongoing commitment to sustainable development. Through efforts in open space, wildlife habitat, water-recycling, and energy conservation, Wolf Creek Utah is dedicated to the preservation of the environment…our number one asset.

Media Contact Amy Monier
Martz Agency
480.344.0140
amonier@martzagency.com