Nearly 3 million people visit Yellowstone National Park each year, and many of them stay, play and eat at the lodges, visitor attractions and restaurants managed by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. With a name that means "beautiful places on Earth," Xanterra takes seriously its responsibility to minimize the impact Yellowstone's visitors have on the world's first national park. "Our entire staff is intently focused on demonstrating sound environmental practices and increasing environmental awareness among all," says Jim McCaleb, Xanterra general manager.

Of course, Xanterra recycles – a lot – collecting cardboard, aluminum, glass and mixed paper throughout the park and taking it to a collection center in nearby Gardiner, Montana. Lodging guests are urged to reuse their towels and sheets, too. But Xanterra does much more. Its touring snowmobiles and rental boats use new four-stroke engines that are cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient than older two-stroke models. Other actions include donating worn guest room bedding to charitable groups, reclaiming used engine oil from the park's vehicle fleet to heat the transportation center, and using 100 percent post-consumer content, bleach-free paper goods.