Ecotourism and Sustainability

ec·o·tour·ism 
ēkōˌto͝orizəm  -  any form of visitation that focuses on traveling to natural environments with a mission to learn about and ultimately help protect those environments.

Looking for eco-friendly and responsible travel vacations with memory-making experiences and adventure? Visitors, subject experts and media have recognized Flagstaff as the destination offering the cleanest crisp mountain air within the world’s largest contiguous Ponderosa pine forest and the world’s first international dark sky city.

At 7,000’, there is an expectation for responsible use of the epic beauty surrounding this mountain and college town offering an abundance of social and green tourism opportunities.

Flagstaff Eco-friendly Facts

WATER
The City of Flagstaff has been named one of five national winners in the 6th Annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation by pledging to reduce their water use by 82.3 million gallons of water. Residents made nearly 16-thousand pledges to cut water use by over 82-million gallons as part of the competition. The annual month-long public awareness campaign promoted drought resiliency and water quality. Learn More

AIR
The American Lung Association has named Flagstaff a Cleanest US City for year-round particle pollution.

NIGHT SKY
Awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2001, the City of Flagstaff became the World’s First International Dark Sky City.

TRAILS
56 miles of city maintained urban trails traverse in a city-wide network for 
non-motorized, shared used-use pathways for bicyclists, walkers, hikers and runners.

CITY
City Council sustainability goals include residential and business programs for water conservation, recycling, waste removal, regional transportation and development.

The Flagstaff Sustainability Office has created a ReThink Waste Plan, which outlines our community’s waste prevention and recycling goals.

Be a Community Steward while visiting Flagstaff! 

Request litter clean-up supplies by contacting at steven.thompson@flagstaffaz.gov.

Top 10 Tips for Sustainable Travel

As a traveler, you can be part of the solution. As tourism recovers from the pandemic, we have an unprecedented opportunity to start things fresh and choose a more sustainable path forward. There’s never been a better time to rethink past habits and reshape the way we travel!

1. Get off the beaten path
2. Slow down and stay awhile
3. Use efficient modes of transportation
4. Conserve water and energy
5. Offset your carbon footprint
6. Keep your dollars local
7. Respect local communities
8. Avoid single-use plastics
9. Visit parks and protected areas
10. Choose sustainable accommodations and operators

Learn More