Plays Well with Others
Collaborative Sustainability in the Yampa Valley
By Heather
Savalox, Senior Environmental Health Specialist
From the time we are able to wrestle toys out of one another's hands, we are taught the importance of sharing. The benefits of sharing are widespread and can collectively work to unite a community while also providing a mechanism for collaborative outreach. Perhaps, by sharing ideas and collaborating efforts, we can truly move forward and determine the best and most achievable community goals as we journey toward successful sustainability.
The Northern Mountains Energy and Climate Initiative is a perfect example of both regional and local participation in collaborative sustainability. Launched by the Colorado Climate Network and administered by the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization, this initiative urges local governments to reduce greenhouse gas production and adapt to climate change by aiding program development and providing an interactive forum to share ideas and funding opportunities. Based on this initiative, four Colorado counties (Routt, Grand, Summit, and Eagle) and their municipalities (Steamboat Springs, Vail, Avon, Dillon, Winter Park, Frisco and Eagle) met and developed a greenhouse gas reduction plan. This plan's objectives mirror those of the Governor's Energy Office which are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions twenty percent by 2020. In order to fund their plan, the group has applied for an EPA Climate Showcase Communities Grant. The plan includes a review of current conditions to provide a baseline of information and the establishment of a single reporting mechanism to measure and monitor achievements over time. Additionally, each participating entity will be provided with an opportunity to showcase itself by developing its own greenhouse gas emission reduction project. The cumulative effects of these projects and their regional impacts will be reviewed and presented to the public, which will eventually lead to the development of an educational component. Regular forums on greenhouse gas emissions will serve to reaffirm the plan's original intent and solidify its future.
The Yampa Valley has also achieved notable successes with localized efforts in collaborative sustainability among governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and private entities. For example, Routt County Government is able to fund and support various recycling and waste management initiatives as a result of tipping fees collected by Twin Enviro Services, owner and operator of the Milner landfill. Approximately $60,000 to $100,000 is generated annually from the $0.40 per cubic yard fee that Routt County collects from landfill users. Yampa Valley Recycles (YVR) is one non-profit organization that puts some of these funds into use. YVR promotes recycling by working collaboratively to expand and support recycling programs in the Yampa Valley. Their main goals focus on community outreach and education. By hosting monthly meetings and promoting educational programs such as the “Recycling Wranglers,” which targets elementary and middle school students, YVR is able to increase recycling awareness on a multi-generational level. They continually develop, organize, and maintain such projects as their Green Shopping Bag initiative to reduce the number of plastic shopping bags in our community. YVR has impressively sold over 10,700 bags of the 12,500 reusable bags purchased for this project. Additionally, by participating in the Colorado Association of Ski Towns Reusable Bag Challenge, which ran from March through September of 2009, Steamboat Springs used 169,285 reusable bags and prevented the use of 423,213 plastic bags placing them sixth in the contest. Routt County also provides residents with three Green Machines, mobile recycling units that operate on a rotating schedule making recycling available seven days a week across the valley.
The Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC) is another local non-profit which benefits from the landfill tipping funds. Like YVR, they provide community outreach; however, as their name suggests, they have a broader range of focus. YVSC engages the public not only via monthly forums but also by hosting annual summits on sustainability reinforcing the collaborative benefits individual, groups, business and government participation can have on a community. YVSC has recently created an online forum, “The Sustainability Connection for the Yampa Valley,” to encourage organizations to collaborate by networking and partnering on projects in sustainability. This new website, www.yvscconnection.org/organizations, can serve as a clearinghouse of information for the community as goals, successes, and even missed attempts in sustainability are exchanged. Such a system could also broaden collaboration by allowing the interface of those who might not have been part of the decision-making process and increase attendance when finances, logistics, and transportation might otherwise compromise participation.
YVSC has also recently launched a Zero Waste Initiative targeting public events in the Yampa Valley. These measures are designed to reduce pollution and environmental impacts and support sustainability opportunities for future generations. At a Zero Waste event, vendors will be contacted in advance to ensure cooperation with specific requirements of the event. Only recyclable and compostable items will be allowed into these events. Vendors will be urged to maintain a sense of uniformity among their products in an attempt to make the process easily comprehensible to event attendees. For example, if the choice is made to use recyclable cups, all vendors will agree to purchase the same item for the sake of consistency. Disposal bins will be provided for recycling, composting, and waste collection through Twin Enviro Services. There will be a need for increased signage and staffing at Zero Waste events to lessen the risk of contamination. Volunteers, known as the Zero Heroes will provide the public education as the aim is not only to reduce waste but modify behavior. After the event, bins will be collected and organic materials will be composted by Twin Enviro Services.
Steamboat Ski Resort & Corporation is distinguishing itself as a leader in collaborative sustainability by administering its own Zero Waste Initiative and embarking on the implementation of zero waste practices in their restaurants. Their first step toward zero waste was an evaluation of in-use products, menu items, and processes. Revisions were made at every level, incorporating reusable, recyclable, and compostable items and reducing waste whenever possible. As part of a pilot project with Twin Enviro Services, all Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation restaurants have been outfitted with composting bins and will follow zero waste protocol by providing recycling and composting in order to minimize waste. Zero waste stations will be operated in their cafeterias and staffed to prevent contamination and provide the public with information on their steps toward achieving zero waste. All compost and recycling will be relocated to their facility storage areas on a daily basis for proper management. Collections will be made twice weekly by Twin Enviro Services and transferred to their commercial property at the Milner Landfill where the static aeration method of high heat and air will generate a high quality compost product ultimately available for purchase in the community.
Another example of collaboration in the Yampa Valley exists in an informal group known as the Geothermal Task Force. This group seeks greenhouse gas emission reductions by promoting the use of both geothermal technology and geo-exchange. Geothermal technology collects heat from the earth's natural hot springs to heat a building while geo-exchange systems operate without a heated water source. One member of this group, Colorado Mountain College (CMC), has exercised its own collaborative ability by requesting federal funds to further their measures in sustainability. CMC has applied for a $5 million U.S. Department of Energy Grant to help finance a geo-exchange technology system to heat and cool a new 40,000 square foot onsite building to promote and foster CMC's focus on sustainability. This would give CMC the opportunity to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions while acting as a catalyst for the community by providing more education and local expertise in this field. In this capacity, CMC hopes to join forces with the Colorado School of Mines and serve as a central location for promotion of the capabilities of geothermal technology.
The Community Agriculture Alliance (CAA) also recognizes the important role collaboration plays in promoting successful sustainability. By targeting agriculture, resort, community and business interests in the Yampa Valley, the CAA strives to ensure that the agricultural community can continue to adapt to changes in the local and regional economy and maintain its vitality for generations to come. Executive Director Marsha Daughenbaugh states: “We realize that the picture is much bigger than any one industry and we must all pull together to retain our sense of community and economic viability.” The CAA has created diverse partnerships fostering land stewardship, promoting value-added products, and reinforcing community relationships all demonstrating the benefits of collaboration. One of their most successful achievements in collaboration is a direct result of the CAA's dedication to water quality, quantity and conservation issues. Water forums continue to engage the public and broaden the base of involvement as stakeholders realize the significance of their inclusion in the decision making process. As a result, participants experience an increased level of commitment and a greater sense of project ownership which ultimately benefits not only the intended goal but strengthens the organization itself.
So what does all of this mean to us? That depends upon where we're going. The information provided here is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. These examples are only a snapshot of our progress. The main objective is to increase overall awareness of recent accomplishments in sustainability in the Yampa Valley and for us all to realize the power that lies within collaboration by seeing what's proven, what's not, and what's next. The last part is up to you and how much you are willing to share. So, get on board. Be part of the solution and discover what a difference you can make!
Below is a list of websites for the organizations detailed in this article:
Colorado Climate Network - www.coclimatenetwork.org
Colorado Mountain College - www.coloradomtn.edu
Community Agriculture Alliance - www.communityagalliance.org
Rocky Mountain Climate Organization - www.rockymountainclimate.org
Routt County Government - www.co.routt.co.us
Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation - www.steamboat.com
TwinEnviro Services - http://twinenviro.com/milner.html
Yampa Valley Recycles - www.yampavalleyrecycles.org
Yampa Valley Sustainability Council - www.yvsc.org
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