Report on the Park City Chamber’s Third Annual Sustainable Tourism Grant Program

Introduction: Fostering Sustainable Development Through Local Initiatives

The Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau has announced the 14 recipients of its third annual Sustainable Tourism Grant. The program allocates funding to local organizations for projects that directly support the strategic objectives of the Park City & Summit County Sustainable Tourism Plan. These initiatives are designed to advance environmental stewardship, enhance community well-being, and promote responsible tourism, aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Grant Program’s Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Strategic Objectives and Global Context

The Sustainable Tourism Grant program provides up to $30,000 per recipient to foster projects that create a balance between environmental preservation, economic vitality, and community health. This framework is a localized application of the principles outlined in the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The program’s core focus contributes to the following SDGs:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By funding local organizations, the program promotes sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The grants directly support efforts to safeguard cultural and natural heritage, create inclusive public spaces, and enhance community resilience.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Initiatives focused on waste reduction and resource management are central to the program’s selection criteria.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: Projects involving trail preservation and responsible access to natural areas contribute to the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The program exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership between the Chamber, local non-profits, and community foundations to achieve shared sustainability objectives.

2025 Grant Recipients and Project Analysis

Diverse Projects Driving Sustainable Outcomes

The selected projects for the current grant cycle demonstrate a comprehensive approach to sustainable development. Morgan Mingle, Director of Sustainable Tourism at the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau, noted, “This year’s grant recipients continue to push the boundaries of what sustainable tourism can look like in a mountain town… these projects demonstrate how tourism can meaningfully serve broader community and environmental goals.”

Funded Organizations and Their Contribution to SDGs

The recipients were selected through a competitive review process for their alignment with the Sustainable Tourism Plan. The projects can be categorized by their primary SDG impact:

1. Cultural Heritage and Education (SDG 4, SDG 11):
   • Alf Engen Ski Museum
   • Park City Historical Society
   • Park City Historic Mine Hiking Trail
   • Raising Voices Film & Conversation Series
   • East and South Summit Pop-up Film Screenings
   • North Summit newsletter
   • Park City Opera (“The Barber of Seville”)
2. Environmental Stewardship and Responsible Consumption (SDG 12, SDG 15):
   • Recycle Utah (Events recycling program)
   • Summit Community Gardens (EATS)
   • Western Uinta Hut System
   • Winter X Country Ski Access (Osguthorpe Farm)
3. Community Well-being and Inclusive Growth (SDG 3, SDG 8, SDG 11):
   • National Ability Center (voluntourism program)
   • Summit Arts Market
   • CREATE PC Local Artist Collective

Broader Strategic Context and Future Outlook

Integrated Efforts for Systemic Change

The grant program is a component of a wider strategy to embed sustainability into the region’s economic and social fabric. A key example is the Zero Food Waste Restaurant Cohort, a collaborative initiative with the Park City Community Foundation and ReFED. This program directly addresses SDG 12.3, which aims to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels. Such partnerships are critical for achieving systemic change and exemplify the spirit of SDG 17.

Conclusion

The Park City Chamber’s continued investment in sustainable tourism through its grant program demonstrates a robust commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental and community priorities. By funding a diverse portfolio of projects that align with the UN SDGs, the Chamber is actively shaping a more resilient and sustainable future for the Park City and Summit County region.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article focuses on the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau’s “Sustainable Tourism Grant” program, which aims to balance economic growth with environmental and community goals. This directly relates to promoting sustainable tourism as a driver for economic development.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The initiatives are centered around Park City and Summit County. The grants support projects that enhance community well-being, protect cultural and natural heritage (historic sites, trails), and manage waste, all of which are key components of making a community more sustainable.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article explicitly mentions projects aimed at “food waste reduction” through the “Zero Food Waste Restaurant Cohort” and waste management through “Recycle Utah (Events recycling program).” These initiatives directly address sustainable consumption and production patterns.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  Several funded projects, such as “trail preservation,” the “Western Uinta Hut System,” and the “Park City Historic Mine Hiking Trail,” are focused on the sustainable use and preservation of terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in a mountain environment.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.9: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The article describes the “Park City & Summit County Sustainable Tourism Plan” and its associated grant program, which funds projects promoting local culture (e.g., “Alf Engen Ski Museum,” “Park City Historical Society,” “Summit Arts Market”) and products through tourism.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” The grants awarded to the “Park City Historical Society,” “Alf Engen Ski Museum,” and for the “Park City Historic Mine Hiking Trail” are direct investments in safeguarding local cultural and natural heritage.
   • Target 11.6: “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management.” The support for “Recycle Utah (Events recycling program)” and the “Zero Food Waste Restaurant Cohort” are concrete actions to reduce the environmental impact of the city through better waste management.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.3: “By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels…” The launch of the “Zero Food Waste Restaurant Cohort” in collaboration with ReFED is a direct initiative to reduce food waste at the business (retail) level.
   • Target 12.5: “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The funding for “Recycle Utah (Events recycling program)” is a clear effort to reduce waste generation through organized recycling.
   • Target 12.b: “Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism…” The “Sustainable Tourism Grant” program itself, guided by the “Sustainable Tourism Plan,” acts as a tool to direct funding and monitor projects that contribute to sustainable tourism.

4. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: “By 2030, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular… mountains…” The funding for “trail preservation,” the “Western Uinta Hut System,” and the “Park City Historic Mine Hiking Trail” supports the sustainable use and conservation of the local mountain ecosystem.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of sustainable tourism projects funded: The article states that 14 organizations received grants, which serves as a direct indicator of action taken to implement the Sustainable Tourism Plan.
• Amount of financial resources allocated: The article mentions that each recipient was eligible for up to $30,000, indicating the financial commitment towards these sustainability projects.
• Implementation of waste reduction and recycling programs: The existence of the “Zero Food Waste Restaurant Cohort” and the “Recycle Utah (Events recycling program)” are qualitative indicators of progress. An implied quantitative indicator would be the amount of food waste reduced or materials recycled by these programs.
• Development of cultural and natural heritage sites: The creation or enhancement of projects like the “Park City Historic Mine Hiking Trail” and exhibits at local historic sites are tangible indicators of efforts to safeguard heritage.
• Implementation of visitor management tools: The mention of “trailhead cameras for real-time weather and parking visibility” from previous grants is an indicator of tools being implemented to manage tourism’s impact on natural areas.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators’ to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: townlift.com