SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (April 2, 2008) – Delaware North Companies has received a Star of the Industry Award in Good Eathkeeping from the California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) for environmental efforts at The Wuksachi Lodge at Sequoia National Park. Delaware North, through its Parks & Resorts subsidiary, operates and manages the 102-room lodge and several restaurants at Sequoia for the National Park Service (NPS). The American Hotel & Lodging Association created the Stars of the Industry awards program more than 40 years ago to recognize and honor outstanding accomplishments in the lodging industry. USA Today is also a sponsor of the Stars of Industry awards. CH&LA, the largest and most influential state lodging association in the world, presented the Good Earthkeeping award to Delaware North at a ceremony Tuesday evening in Sacramento. Delaware North’s operation of Wuksachi Lodge was selected for “developing a culture toward integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations and the bottom line, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations.” “We are, of course, honored to receive this prestigious award, but we will not sit back and accept that we have achieved all we can do for the environment," Wuksachi Lodge General Manager Andy Grinsfelder said. "We will continue to seek additional ways to make improvements to our business processes, practices and product offerings that are in accordance with our environmental program's goals."
 
The Good Earthkeeping Awards recognize lodging properties that have developed a culture toward integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations. The Wuksachi Lodge was originally built as part of an immense environmental cleanup effort directed by NPS to remove most of the buildings within the Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park, including the Giant Forest Lodge, and develop new structures that would have less of a detrimental effect on the natural surroundings.  Delaware North became involved with the project in 1998 by partnering with the NPS to help it accomplish its goals. The company invested $12 million in private equity to complete the restoration. “The Wuksachi Lodge has always been a very special place that we pride ourselves on operating,” Grinsfelder said. “We have further demonstrated our commitment to helping the environment by introducing GreenPath®, Delaware North’s environmental resource management program, in 2001. Since its inception in 2000, GreenPath has helped Delaware North earn recognition for its innovative approach to environmental stewardship at several national and state parks across the country.
 
“GreenPath highlights our continual accountability to the environment and ensures that we will always protect it by setting specific goals relating to environmental concerns,” said John Huey, director of sustainability and environmental affairs for Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts.  Wuksachi Lodge and Sequoia are also among more than 15 Delaware North parks and lodging operations across the United States that have received ISO 14001 certification for their environmental practices from the International Organization for Standardization. In 2001, Delaware North became the first hospitality company to gain this distinction for one of its lodging properties. "Our green team has worked hard for many years, continually striving to minimize our impact on the environment, especially given the spectacular, pristine wilderness here in Sequoia National Park," Grinsfelder said. Among the environmental accomplishments at Wuksachi Lodge in recent years:  
• The lodge reduced its water usage by a staggering 404,270 gallons in 2007 through the installation of low-flow toilets and showers and high-volume dish washing machines.
• More than 100 tons of glass, aluminum, cardboard, paper, plastic and batteries were provided for recycling to the local Tulare County Conservation Corp., which returned the profit to the local community through youth programs and employment training opportunities. 
• Picnic tables and exterior benches at the lodge are made from recycled plastic.
• Recycled paper is used for all office products.
• Cooking oil is recycled and converted into bio-diesel fuel.
• Wuksachi Lodge guests enjoy a healthy array of local, sustainable foods, including organic beers and wines, free-range chicken and soy milk alternatives. The market on the campgrounds also offers an extensive selection of organic products, as well as recycled napkins and all-natural cleaning products. 
• The staff at Wuksachi Lodge drives three electric vehicles and a hybrid Ford Escape.
• Each year, Earth Day is celebrated at the Lodgepole Retail Center as vendors come to showcase environmentally friendly products.
• Delaware North donated more than $35,000 in 2007 to the National Park Service for trail restoration and education programs.  

About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts
 Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company’s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks; Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds; Tenaya Lodge; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach; Plaza del Pasado in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park; The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake; The Balsams Grand Resort; and The Gideon Putnam Resort.  To learn more about Delaware North Companies’ expertise in the hospitality industry, visit http://www.dnchospitalitymgt.com/.        

About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Banknorth Garden, Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues exceeding $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  For more information, visit http://www.delawarenorth.com/.