Designed for Impact
First Light Resorts was built with an engrained social mission at its core
Using Business as A Force for Good
First Light Resorts is a social enterprise, committed to social and environmental leadership in addition to our goals as a hospitality business. At each of our properties, we seek to offer the richest, most memorable hospitality experience in Yosemite, while making a positive long-term impact on our community and surrounding natural treasures. It is these non-business goals that most set us apart.
Youth Program
Behind the scenes at each or our lodges, we operate and fully self-fund an innovative employment program serving high-potential young adults.
The youth in our program learn a specific trade while living in a supportive community and enjoy outdoor experiences that challenge, motivate and inspire them. During their non-work hours, they receive assistance from our full-time program staff in planning their next career and educational steps and developing the tools they need to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
Our Youth Program is foundational to what we do at all our properties, and we are proud to have operated the program at our lodges for over 20 years.
Environmental Practices
We are honored to be stewards of these three lodges and the Yosemite area, and we have established a variety of environmental initiatives in support of this stewardship:
- Local Sourcing – purchasing from local farms and artisans, hiring local staff, landscaping with native plants
- Energy Conservation – using solar power, recycling greywater, using low flow fixtures and high efficiency lighting
- Waste Reduction – implementing a grass roots recycling program in partnership with the Greater Valley Conservation Corps and US Foods, plus using eco-friendly packaging and cleaning products
- Environmental Education – educating guests, staff and the community about environmental issues/conservation
We have made significant investments in support of our environmental goals, including developing the county’s first commercial greywater system, which allows us to reuse millions of gallons of shower and laundry water each year.
Certified B Corporation
As a result of our balanced priorities, the Rush Creek was certified as a founding B Corporation in 2007. B Corps use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. They are designed for long term sustainability, putting the health of local communities, environment and staff on the same level as the health of the bottom line.
B Corps are certified to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. B Corp certification is to sustainable business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or USDA Organic certification is to milk. Today, there is a growing community of thousands of Certified B Corps throughout the world, including familiar names such as Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Method and Revolution Foods.