
BEST
Certification
The Business Emerald Sustainability Tier (BEST) Certification Program was created to provide an opportunity and platform for Sustainable Business Leaders (SBL) that want to elevate their sustainability practices to higher levels of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic vitality. The standards in the BEST program are comparable to the world's most rigorous and comprehensive environmental, community, and economic sustainability criteria.
Here are the BEST Certified Sustainability Leaders in their communities:
Jackson Hole:
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Bentwood Inn
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Elk Refuge Inn
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Flat Creek Ranch
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Hidden Hollow Apartments
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Jackson Hole Airport
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Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce
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Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris
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Jackson Lake Lodge
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Rendezvous River Sports
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Signal Mountain Lodge
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Teton Raptor Center
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Yellowstone National Park Lodges
More BEST Certified Sustainability Leaders in more communities to be announced!
Process
01
Consultation & Guidance: Upon acceptance in the Program, participating businesses and organizations will be assigned a sustainability consultant who will provide guidance and resources for planning and implementing sustainability initiatives over the next six months.
02
Assessment: Program participants will be assessed after six months for readiness to proceed to the BEST Certification Assessment stage. Readiness includes preparation of all documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with the BEST criteria. An assessor will be assigned to conduct a table-top review of the participant’s documentation and a site visit. Upon completion of the assessment, the participant will receive a score and report of the participant’s performance according to the BEST criteria.
03
Certification & Continual Improvement: Upon initial BEST Sustainability Certification, the participant will join an elite cohort of sustainability leaders who will receive the BEST Program benefits and collaborate with other program participants in exchanging best practices. The Riverwind Foundation will conduct an annual review with the BEST Sustainability Certified participant to discuss the status of the participant’s sustainability initiatives and changes, address challenges and opportunities for improvement, and connect the participant with further supporting resources to empower the business to continue on its sustainability journey.
The BEST standard and survey are updated on an annual basis. The latest survey updates include additional criteria on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Health and Safety; and Conservation and Resource Protection.
Take the BEST Survey:
Benefits
Featured article in Green Matters in Jackson Hole
Press Releases to local media and list serves
Half-page feature in the annual Sustainable Business Guide
BEST Logo for use on your own website and social media
BEST sticker for your place of business
Framed BEST Certificate
Recognition at Riverwind Foundation Events
Listing in the upcoming Explorer Magazine and/or Chamber website
Connecting and sharing best practices with peer BEST Certified entities