Rocky Mountaineer created the Caretakers program to promote the development and implementation of sustainable operating policies and practices throughout the company.   The objective is to pursue environmental stewardship, corporate social responsibility and economic sustainability by:

• Contributing to the economic and social well being of the regions in which we operate, leading to the development of positive long-term relationships with key community stakeholders.
• Taking significant steps to protect the environment through which we travel and contribute to the protection of Canada’s natural resources.
• Developing programs and policies that support and acknowledge the history of Canada’s heritage in the regions in which they operate.
• Supporting and enhancing employee retention programs that allow them to recruit, hire and retain the best employees in the tourism sector.
• Educating employees, guests and suppliers about the company’s sustainability goals and objectives and encourage participation.  
• Be a role model in the North American tourism sector for sustainability goals and objectives and mentoring other organizations.

In 2007, Rocky Mountaineer received Tourism BC’s Foresight Sustainability Award for its leadership in the development, implementation and advocacy of sustainable tourism policies and programs.

Starting Smart:  Reducing Fuel Consumption, Exhaust Emissions and Noise Pollution
ZTR Smart Start technology has been installed in all of Rocky Mountaineer’s locomotives. This Canadian system automates the shutdown and restart of the locomotive engines, significantly reducing idling time and resulting in less fuel consumption, exhaust emissions, and noise pollution.

Green Fuel: Using Bio-diesel in Coaches
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Gray Line West recently converted all of its coaches to bio-diesel fuel.

Thompson Hotel – A “Green Key” Property
Many Rocky Mountaineer guests spend the night at Armstrong Group’s Thompson Hotel and Conference Centre in Kamloops, which has achieved Three Green Keys from the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating Program.

Economic Sustainability
Rocky Mountaineer trains and Gray Line West motorcoaches pass through many communities in BC and Alberta. We promote regional tourism and encourage regional economic development, using local businesses and suppliers whenever possible.   Rocky Mountaineer guests contribute to local economies through accommodation, dining, shopping and visiting local attractions. The company also employs people in the communities to meet the needs of the guests or to service our trains and motorcoaches.

Community Partnerships

• Protecting and enhancing salmon stocks with the Pacific Salmon Foundation
  Founded in 1987, the Pacific Salmon Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding sustainable and naturally diverse Pacific salmon stocks. Rocky Mountaineer and Whistler Mountaineer trains follow some of the most important salmon habitats in North America. In 2007, they entered into an eight-year financial partnership with the Pacific Salmon Foundation; the equivalent of two salmon lifecycles.

• Fostering the growth of Olympic champions
  Rocky Mountaineer has offered a helping hand to a local athlete by investing $15,000 over a three-year period supporting a program developed by 2010 Legacies Now called Growing Champions. Since the Rocky Mountaineer train operates in Western Canada with one of its routes travelling through the Cariboo Chilcotin region, the company has naturally decided to support an athlete, Christopher Campbell, from 150 Mile House.

Corporate Support
Rocky Mountaineer donates more than $500,000 annually to support local charity fundraisers and community initiatives. Last year, more than 75 organizations benefitted from this commitment, including Engineers Without Borders, a Canadian organization that reduces poverty by helping people in developing countries gain access to appropriate technologies.

For more information on Rocky Mountaineer’s sustainable tourism and development activities, please visit www.rockymountaineer.com/sustainable_development