Sustainability

Sustainability

Operating Responsibly for the Long Term

Sustainability. The capability to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. For purposes of this part, ”ecological sustainability” refers to the capability of ecosystems to maintain ecological integrity; ”economic sustainability” refers to the capability of society to produce and consume or otherwise benefit from goods and services including contributions to jobs and market and nonmarket benefits; and ”social sustainability” refers to the capability of society to support the network of relationships, traditions, culture, and activities that connect people to the land and to one another, and support vibrant communities. BEST certification requires demonstrating environmental sustainability across our entire business operation – not just on trips, but in our shop, office practices, purchasing decisions, and long-term planning.

Our Sustainable Practices:

• Minimize, Reuse, Repair
  We repair equipment rather than replacing it whenever possible. Our expert repair services extend the life of boats, paddles, and gear – keeping functional equipment out of landfills while saving customers money. When equipment finally reaches end-of-life, we have an array of recycling options that are regional and actually create new and useful products.
• Quality Over Quantity
  We stock quality gear from manufacturers committed to environmental responsibility and durable construction. Cheap equipment creates waste; quality gear lasts decades. We’d rather sell you one great boat that lasts 20 years than five cheap ones that fail.
• Local and Responsible Sourcing
  Where possible, we support local businesses and manufacturers with strong environmental track records. Our purchasing decisions focus on made in the U.S.A. whenever possible and we have been working with many of our manufacturers for years.
• Energy and Resource Conservation
  Our operations minimize energy use, reduce water consumption, eliminate single-use plastics where possible, and prioritize resource efficiency. Small choices accumulate into significant impact reduction over decades. We have two electric car charging stations on site for guests and we purchase 100% green power.
• Fleet Management
  Our rental fleet features current models maintained in excellent condition – maximizing usable life while ensuring safety and performance. When we retire rental equipment, it often finds second life through sales to customers seeking quality used gear.
• Guest Education
  Every interaction becomes an opportunity to model sustainable practices and explain why they matter. Overnight trips use zero single use containers and we divert 85% of waste from the landfill through composting and recycling. We encourage our guests to think about minimizing waste and practicing LNT as we traverse wild places.

Conservation

Advocating for Wild Rivers and Intact Ecosystems

Beyond minimizing our own impact, we actively support conservation organizations, advocate for river and wilderness protection, and educate guests about threats facing the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Our Conservation Commitments:

Leave No Trace Principles
All trips follow Leave No Trace ethics. Our guides model proper waste disposal, campsite selection, wildlife viewing distances, and minimal-impact travel. Guests leave with understanding not just how to paddle, but how to enjoy wild places responsibly.

River Advocacy
We support organizations fighting for river protection, wild and scenic designations, instream flow protections, and policies that prioritize ecosystem health. The Snake River and Greater Yellowstone’s waters face constant threats from development, extraction, and misuse. Advocacy matters.

Wildlife Protection
We maintain respectful distances from wildlife, educate about human-wildlife coexistence, support habitat protection, and contribute to organizations working to preserve viable populations of native species including grizzly bears, wolves, and native fish.

Partner Organizations
We support and encourage others to support:

• Leave No Trace – Minimum-impact outdoor ethics – https://lnt.org/
• Wyoming Game & Fish – Wildlife conservation and management – https://wgfd.wyo.gov/
• Snake River Fund, Protect Our Waters JH, American Whitewater, American Rivers, Idaho Rivers United

Guest Involvement
We encourage guests to become conservation advocates themselves – joining organizations, supporting river protections, practicing Leave No Trace, and understanding that visiting wild places carries responsibility to protect them.

Repairs at Rendezvous River Sports

Extending Equipment Life Through Expert Service

Our commitment to sustainability includes comprehensive repair services that keep gear functioning for years beyond what most people expect. Rather than encouraging disposal and replacement, we fix what’s broken and extend equipment life.

What We Repair:

Boat Repairs
Kayaks, canoes, rafts, and SUPs – from minor scratches to major trauma, our expert technicians repair hulls using professional-grade materials and techniques. Many boats we repair serve another decade of use rather than ending up in landfills.

Paddle and Accessory Repairs
Broken paddles, torn spray skirts, damaged PFDs – if it’s fixable, we’ll fix it. Quality equipment deserves quality repairs.

Custom Modifications
Beyond repairs, we can customize equipment – adding outfitting, modifying rigging, installing accessories – to better suit your specific needs and extend usability.

Why Repair Matters:

• Environmental: Keeps functional gear out of waste streams
• Economic: Costs fraction of replacement while maintaining performance
• Practical: Quality repairs often outlast original construction
• Sustainable: Aligns with our BEST certification and values

Bring us your damaged gear – we’ll give honest assessments of repairability and cost-effectiveness. Often what seems irreparable can be fixed, and what seems expensive to repair costs far less than replacement.