Four National Park Greening Workshops - Highlights

San Francisco Presidio Charrette

Laura Keresty, Executive Director, Presidio Alliance: "The Presidio Alliance began with the Greening of the Presidio charrette.”

"Designing for Community" Workshop, Denali, Alaska

Following the workshop, a "Designing for Community Steering Committee" was formed to work with the community, Denali National Park and other government agencies. They meet regularly and produce an informative newsletter. As a direct result of these activities, the Alaska Department of Transportation informed the Designing for Community Steering Committee that: "it is in the public's best interest to cease work on the design for the current project concept (faster traffic through expanding strip developments) . . . And . . . to support the community in implementing the roadway improvements in a manner that is compatible with the community's vision."

Yellowstone Greening Workshop

From John Sacklin, Chief of Planning, Yellowstone National Park: "If you look at this (the workshop) as a step forward in a process, it was extremely helpful." "The workshop reduced barriers and helped people realize its not just us (the Park) that benefits, others do to". "(The greening workshop) definitely moved composting and the Headwaters Recycling Project forward, and will help encouraging more alternative fuel vehicles than we would have had without the workshop." 

From Howard Haines, Bioenergy Engineering Specialist, Montana DEQ: “People seem to be on the same page; common goals were developed and this empowers people and lets them take the lead.”
 
“With the support of the workshop participants, we have been able to develop new project ideas and get new funding for projects.”
 
“In specific areas, we now have broad support for demonstration shuttles and the Rural Intelligent Transportation System (RITS). The workshop gave people the idea they could do something besides throw things away. People get together now to work on common waste management problems. (As a result of the workshop) the Park has changed the procurement of fuels and alternative fuels are now being encouraged.”

The Sustainable Grand Canyon Workshop

From Brad Traver, Chief, Professional Services Division, NPS: “(As a result of the workshop,) we incorporated many things in the long term plan - for example, the eco-lodge which will be developed from a converted dormitory.”  

“A data base has been created on water and energy. We have saved twice the cost of (the data base) by finding leaks and fixing billing problems. We will be improving metering and have applied for a grant to install low flow toilets. We are trying to increase the cost of water which keeps rates artificially low.”  

The Canyon Forest Village proposal suggested a council be formed using the ‘Greening of the Grand Canyon’ participants as the council. This advisory function will add credibility to the project”.  NREL (the National Renewable Energy Laboratory) might help us with a shared savings program. We now have good access to resources such as NREL and FEMP (the Federal Energy Management Program).”  "If nothing else, (the charrette was an) opportunity to change the mind set of the park. We have a new set of knowledgeable eyes, not just for making physical improvements, but operational ideas, what parks can do with personnel, road signs, etc. - a holistic look at the Park.”