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Alaska’s Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge - In Kachemak Bay State Park

by ecodavez on March 1, 2010

in Alaska

We would like to introduce ourselves to you. We are Kevin and Lucinda, and Bowman and Jessica Sidelinger, the owners and hosts of Alaska’s Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge, a full-service destination lodge in Halibut Cove, Alaska. Halibut Cove is located 8 miles across Kachemak Bay from the end of the Homer Spit. The Cove is also the home of the Saltry Restaurant, Diana Tillion’s Cove Gallery and the Halibut Cove Experience Gallery.

We have lived adjacent to the Kachemak Bay State Park for over 32 years.
For the last 16 years we have made our living oyster farming. Our oyster farm is one of the leading producers in the state of Alaska, and in 2007, Kevin was one of three finalists for the Global Food Award.

Designed to be in harmony with the surrounding environment, as an eco lodge Alaska’s Ridgewood utilizes local businesses and all of our guides and employees are Alaskans. We maintain a vegetable garden, and support our local Natural Foods Stores and Farmers Market. We also support our local environmental organizations.

We are situated in a semi remote location, adjacent to the Kachemak Bay State Park but we do not sacrifice luxury or comfort. We have preserved as much native vegetation surrounding our property as possible enhancing and conserving the local ecology. We have reincorporated trees and shrubs that will encourage birds and other wildlife to nest and rest here.

Our facility was designed and planned carefully. All of our appliances are modern and were selected for their energy efficiency. For example our washing machine is a front loader which uses a fraction of the water that a top loader does. And as a note, new sales in California mandate this style of washer. Our toilets are all low water flush, and conserve additional water.

We do not use bleach or other harmful chemicals and all of our soaps and detergents are free of animal fats.

The biggest challenge facing a wilderness eco lodge is how to deal with all of the water borne waste, before it is discharged into the environment, in an ecologically friendly way. Your health and safety is important to us, and with this in mind, our system was designed by career professionals, experts in their field of interest and was approved by The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Developed in 1982 in Australia our system is a compact, aerated waste water treatment system. These systems are in use in Alaska, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and elsewhere. This system biologically treats all waste water from the Lodge on site in a six chamber fully contained system. A clean, clear filtered and odorless effluent is discharged into the drain field, and is easily assimilated into the earth. No porta potties which amount to human waste being stored in your room, no environ toilets which are noisy and consume a lot of electricity or home made septic systems.

Our philosophy also extends to our oyster farm. With the cooperation of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and other local oyster farmers, together we sponsor an annual program designed to certify and guarantee the quality of the water. This is accomplished by taking water samples and tissue samples of wild mollusks five times annually. Our oysters are also tested weekly from May 1st through October, and monthly from November 1st through April. These farms are considered in the environmental community as “the canary in the coal mine”. In summary these oyster farms are a valuable addition to the local eco system.

The timber-framed lodge was designed and built by Kevin and has a 10 guest capacity. We are open year around. Included in the reservation cost is use of lodge facilities, rooms with private baths, high-speed wireless internet, house keeping and complimentary laundry services. All meals are served by your hosts.

Alaska’s Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge is what Alaskan fantasy is all about. We are an ideal destination for experiencing Alaska in luxurious comfort as well as having countless adventurous activities readily available. Guests will share in a positive and energetic Alaskan lifestyle with four truly “seasoned” Alaskans.

Lucinda and Jessica would be happy to help arrange any activities guests are interested in, which include brown bear photography, trophy salmon and halibut charters, fly-fishing for rainbow trout, hiking, bird-watching, and many more.

If you are interested in reservations at our Lodge, please contact us for further information.

We invite you to check out our website at www.ridgewoodlodge.com

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us.

Kevin & Lucinda, and Bowman & Jessica Sidelinger

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Cape Cod Weekend Jaunt - Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center

by ecodavez on May 10, 2009

in Activities, Cape Cod

My wife, son and I got a special treat last weekend. I had to meet an old acquaintance for a possible business opportunity and he has a place in Cape Cod and was going down for the weekend. So we set up dinner plans for Friday night and looked for a place to stay in Hyannis. We choose the Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center as it offered a nice indoor pool and close proximity to where our dinner would be. http://www.capecodresortandconference.com/ We checked in at noon, and were greeted by a friendly staff and were given a nice room in the interior section with a putting green right outside our room. My son and I went and bought a putter and putted while we enjoyed the spring sun.

That afternoon we met my friend at Trader Ed’s, A Cape Cod Waterfront Restaurant and Night Club, and had an awesome frozen mudslide, first of the year! http://www.tradereds.com What a great bar this was. The bartenders were friendly and fun. The drinks were cold and good. The atmosphere and the setting were spectacular. I look forward to spending more time there and getting to know the people and the other frozen drinks.

The next day I took him golfing on the nice 18 hole par three golf course. It was perfect for him for his first time out, difficult but not impossible. He did great, beat me as I gave him 2 stokes a hole (and a lot of mulligan’s). I don’t know if he had more fun golfing or driving the cart!

I highly recommend the Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center as a place to go if you have kids and are looking for a nice getaway.

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Cruisin’ Green

by ecodebbieg on April 17, 2009

in Uncategorized




Cruisin’

Originally uploaded by M+M

Over the next few months I’ll be working with my daughter to plan her wedding. The grand plan includes a seven day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. Surprisingly, but with gratitude, she has invited the entire family to join her on this amazing adventure. As a travel agent, I know the carbon footprint left by a cruise ship, but I also love to cruise. I began to wonder, is there a cruise line that would support my belief about reducing our negative impact on the earth?

I was delighted to discover Costa Cruises (which partners with Carnival Cruise Line) and their “Green Fleet”. Costa was the first cruise company to be awarded the voluntary “Green Star” notation for its entire fleet by RINA, an Italian shipping certification agency (Costa is an Italian based fleet). The rating was based on corporate compliance with the highest international standards for social accountability, environmental protection, workplace health, safety and quality. Since a cruise is, without question, in this wedding’s future, I decided this cruise line would allow us to honor my daughter’s plan while staying true to a desire to travel as responsibly as possible.

The “Green Star” designation certifies that Costa ships do not damage the environment and that they contribute to keeping the air and the sea clean. It also means that they comply with the highest standards in environmental protection for prevention against pollution of the air and the sea, going beyond regulations required by the international MARPOL standards in use. These standards assign ships a series of technical and managerial requisites that contribute to the safeguarding of the environment. The special “Green Star design” however, is only given to ships that, from the very first planning stage, are designed to guarantee maximum respect for the environment.

The “Green Star,” RINA also awarded the company “B.E.S.T. 4” status, a system of voluntary certification attesting to the best international standards in terms of social accountability . Furthermore, as a means to best manage various environmental issues, in 2002 Costa Cruises established the Environmental Compliance Division to oversee environmental protection and compliance with related international legislation, appointing an official on board each ship specifically to help in this task. Costa Cruises’ environmental protection program is outlined in its Environmental Compliance Plan (ECP), a manual that integrates perfectly with the safety management and pollution prevention system.

In addition, since July 2005, Costa has supported the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for the protection of three of the most endangered marine Ecoregions in the world including areas of the Mediterranean Sea, the Greater Antilles and Northeastern Brazil. Targeted operations to assist these regions are carried out by WWF Italy via the generous donations of Costa guests and the company. Costa also provides its guests with informative and educational onboard material to highlight WWF’s efforts, including information for children who participate in Squok Club activities.

As an added bonus, we were able to book cabins at just $399 for the entire seven days!

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Avoid Major Tourist Spots for a Greener, Easier Road Trip

by ecodebbieg on April 14, 2009

in Uncategorized




Summer

Originally uploaded by Katarina 2353

Being the anti-tourist this year could help you travel green.

By Elizabeth Seward
New York, NY, USA | Fri Apr 10 16:30:00 EDT 2009

As the warmer months are breaking on us, the road trip will surface, as it does every year, to monopolize sunny weekends. Of course I’d kindly suggest you bicycle, kayak, or walk your way around fun spots this spring and summer, but I’m no fool. I understand that no matter how green you are, you might still want to use your car for a road trip this year—regardless of whether or not your car is green. And that’s totally fine. Caring about the environment doesn’t put me in the business of never ever using cars and your green lifestyle doesn’t need to be so excruciatingly extreme, either. But here’s a green tip for this spring and summer which will, I’d wager a bet on it, yield more interesting and possibly more green experiences for you and your family and friends: try to avoid ultra touristy spots.

Sure, there’s a reason why places like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls are popular: they’re beautiful. And there’s a reason why places like Times Square and Disney World are popular: they’re fun. But you can find beautiful and fun places while exploring this year that aren’t tainted by anti-green mass-merchandising giants. Bringing your kids into a gift shop at one of these major tourist spots could easily doom you to a long wait at the cash register, waiting to buy something plastic (think: Mickey Mouse ears, puffy taxi cab toy, Grand Canyon snow globe…). Trekking off to somewhere touristy and congested can yield some other not-so-green circumstances: wasting gas in traffic, buying bottled water because all water fountains are conveniently extinct or hidden, disturbing wildlife (even if you don’t mean to)—you get the point.

Why not hunt down some anti-tourist spots this year if you’re going to road trip? Find a remote beach to clean up. Dine at a more-or-less unknown restaurant—the kind that uses fresh organic and local food. Grab some drinks at an under-the-radar brewery in order to avoid drinking transported beer for a night.

I’m not saying you can’t be green at a touristy spot—and by no means am I saying that all non-touristy spots are green. What I am saying is…consider your options. Thinking outside the regular tourist box may not only help you travel without so much anxiety, but it may also help you travel a bit more green if approached correctly. Want some ideas on not-so-touristy spots to visit? Check out my site, The Anti Tourist, http://www.theantitourist.com

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Travel Group Names Top 10 Eco-friendly Destinations

by ecodavez on April 13, 2009

in Green Hotels, ecotourism



DSC_5259_edited-1-1, originally uploaded by jkardysphotos.

Travel Group Names Top 10 Eco-friendly Destinations
April 13, 2009

TripAdvisor® announced on April 6 its top 10 eco-friendly accommodations, according to its editors and travelers. From rustic cabins in the forest to contemporary digs in the city, these green properties allow travelers to be environmentally conscious, while enjoying incredibly unique and beautiful places to stay.

1. Eco-Adventure: Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, Hopkins, Belize - Travelers’ Choice Winner 2009 - Average Nightly Rate: $245

Set on 21 acres of coastal forest, this eco-resort’s green practices ensure that nothing goes to waste, from composting all vegetable and fruit scraps to using old linens as cleaning rags.

2. Terra Firma: Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, Teton Village, Wyo. - Average Nightly Rate: $371

Organic linens, low-flow toilets, and solar-powered faucets can be found in guest rooms, and even relaxation is green here, with organic spa products, and 100 percent natural mattresses made from recycled and organic materials.

3. Organic Accommodations: La Cusinga Eco Lodge, Uvita, Costa Rica - Travelers’ Choice Winner 2009 - Average Nightly Rate: $166

Set in the rainforest, the eco-lodge’s electricity is generated by solar and hydropower, and the water is heated by the Costa Rican sun. Buildings are constructed from re-forested wood and local materials, and rely on natural air currents to cool them.

4. Tree House: Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua - Travelers’ Choice Winner 2009 - Average Nightly Rate: $257

It’s all about trees at Morgan’s Rock, which has planted 1.5 million trees for farming to help reduce forest destruction, and added nearly 100,000 permanent new trees to the property to provide a home for wildlife.

5. Preservation Place: The Ambrose Hotel, Santa Monica, Calif. - Average Nightly Rate: $242

The first hotel in the U.S. to receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver Certification, the Ambrose Hotel has green practices including composting, cleaning guest rooms with eco-friendly products, and recycling.

6. Nature Nook: Hix Island House, Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico - Average Nightly Rate: $200

Solar panels contribute to heat the water on the property, and the shower water also helps water the fruit trees, and other plants on the site. Nestled on a natural refuge among native plants and animal species, the hotel is committed to tranquility, and does not allow disruptive items like phones or televisions.

7. Wildlife by the Water: Alaska’s Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge, Homer, Alaska - Average Nightly Rate: $300

Only accessible by boat, floatplane, or helicopter, this eco-lodge built from local and reused materials gets water from a mountain stream. Its programs include recycling and energy-efficient lighting, and the lodge offsets carbon emissions by planting a tree for each guest.

8. Conservation with Coffee: Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation and Inn, Santa Barbara, Costa Rica - Average Nightly Rate: $370

The Inn’s 30-acre coffee plantation is certified sustainable and offers guests the chance to learn about growing and processing organic coffee.

9. Sustainability Under the Stars: Concordia Eco-Tents, Virgin Islands National Park, St. John - Average Nightly Rate: $130

Eco-tents employ solar power to heat water and run appliances and recycle extensively. Elevated walkways help preserve the property, and odorless composting toilets save water.

10. Paint the Town Green: Hotel Monaco Seattle - a Kimpton Hotel, Seattle, Wash. - Average Nightly Rate: $344

The Hotel Monaco donates unused toiletry bottles to local charities and uses recycled paper across the property. Guests’ rooms are equipped with recycling bins, low-flow toilets, faucets and showers, and organic coffee and snacks.

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How To Travel Responsibly

by ecodebbieg on April 12, 2009

in Carbon Offsetting, ecotourism




soaked

Originally uploaded by dlaurini

By: Lalit Rastogi | Posted: Apr 29th, 2007

Responsible travel is a broad term but in essence, traveling responsibly means treating people in other countries with the same respect you would expect from others in your own community or country. The responsible traveler is interested in preserving cultures, communities, local way of life, wildlife, habitats and the environment as a whole in every region he or she travels to.

So how can someone interested in responsible travel help to minimize their travel footprint and help sustain local communities and environments? There are a number of steps an individual can take in this ever changing world where mass tourism has had such a destructive effect on the environment. One of the biggest concerns at present is carbon dioxide emissions and green house gases in general. By reducing the number of flights or taking alternative transport wherever possible, carbon emissions from planes can be reduced which will benefit your own community as well as others as there are no country boundaries where pollution is concerned.

Even before arriving at your destination, it is always advisable to research the area to gain a greater understanding of the local culture and customs through the internet, books, email or by phoning. Try to find hotels, businesses and schemes which are eco friendly. Also, by learning a few words of the local language or by using a phrase book, it will be easier to immerse yourself in the local culture and have a deeper experience than traveling with hordes of people from your own country.

Once you arrive at your destination, keep an open mind and try to experience the local culture without making comparisons with life back at home. Use local resources with care such as water and electricity which are in short supply in many regions of the world. Simple steps like switching off the tap while brushing your teeth or taking a shower instead of a bath can help save water. Switching off lights, mobile phone chargers, televisions and a whole host of modern electronic equipment can save electricity.

Respect the local culture and always obey the local laws even if you disagree with some of them. Follow dress codes to avoid offense and avoid the temptation to drink and drive just because you are on holiday. Never accept packages from strangers or recent acquaintances especially if you about to travel through an airport. Obeying local laws and customs on drinking and taking drugs is especially important as many travelers are tempted to drink heavily while on holiday causing havoc in the local community.

Many people want to support the local community by purchasing local produce and products and while this is beneficial in most cases, it’s essential to avoid purchasing animal skins or products produced from the slaughter of endangered species such as tigers, leopards, jaguars, elephants, rhinos, hippos, reptiles, birds and many other animals. The same applies to protected plant species. Many countries now have severe penalties for anyone importing illegal plants or animals. Whenever possible, buy locally grown produce and crafts from local family businesses or fair trade companies.

To minimize pollution and to have a better experience of the local community, walk or ride a bicycle whenever possible. Support the local infrastructure by using local buses and taxis. Use trains or boats instead of planes for longer journeys to minimize carbon emissions.

Finally, volunteering is a great way to give something back to the environment and help local communities through various educational and non-profit schemes. The benefits are not all one way as many volunteers gain new skills, achieve a better understanding of themselves, gain added confidence through social interaction and gain a greater sense of self-worth through helping others.

By traveling responsibly, you are more likely to have a richer more immersive experience with the knowledge that you have minimized your impact on the environment and in some cases, helped to improve some areas. With more communities and environments being threatened with pollution and extinction, to travel responsibly is not only essential but it may help to form part of the solution in preserving environments and wildlife for future generations.

About the Author:
Lalit Rastogi is editor of First Gap Year and owner of LR Photography. He has a background in photography, IT and travel. He completed his first gap year in 2003 and 2004 by travelling the world and visiting Asia, Australasia, South Pacific and North America. He has since traveled to Asia in 2005 and will photograph Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Thailand in early 2007.

Printed From: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/how-to-travel-responsibly-139735.html
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Connecticut Eco-Friendly B&Bs Inns

by ecodebbieg on April 6, 2009

in Bed and Breakfast, ecotourism


IMG_4717.jpg

Originally uploaded by conallob

Wallingford Victorian Bed and Breakfast

Wallingford, CT

Environmental Awareness
Reduce-Reuse-Recycle
Energy Efficiency
Responsible Transportation
Supporting Local Communities

Recreation and Places of Interest

Connecticut has numerous recreational facilities. Swimming, boating, and other water sports are popular along the coastal beaches and at lakes. Facilities for hiking, camping, and other activities are provided in a statewide system of public parks and forests, and skiing and other winter sports are popular. The Connecticut Forest and Park Association, a private organization, maintains miles of hiking trails.

National Sites

American Impressionist painter J. Alden Weir summered at what is now Weir Farm National Historic Site. The 24-hectare (60-acre) park includes Weir’s home, studio, barns and outbuildings, a visitor center, and a second studio built by sculptor Mahonri Young. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail traverses the northwest corner of the state.

State Parks and Forests

There are 91 state parks in Connecticut as well as dozens of parks and historical sites maintained by municipalities. While not all of the state’s parks are developed, there are recreational facilities in every region. Hammonasset Beach State Park is the largest of the parks that border the shore of Long Island Sound. On a clear day, a person can see four states from Heublein Tower at Talcott Mountain State Park in the heart of the Farmington River Valley. Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park preserves the site where in 1781 British troops massacred American troops. A stair pathway adjacent the Kent Falls makes this state park a popular picnic site. Dinosaur tracks about 185 million years old are housed under a giant geodesic dome at the Dinosaur State Park, in Rocky Hill. Pine Knob Loop Trail at Housatonic Meadows State Park joins the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Most of the 30 state forests do not permit camping but almost all are open for fishing, hiking, and other daytime activities.

Museums

The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, in Hartford, is considered one of the finest art museums in the United States. Other art museums in Connecticut are the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, in New London; the Slater Museum, at the Norwich Free Academy in Norwich; the Yale University Art Gallery, in New Haven; and the New Britain Museum of American Art, in New Britain. The Hill-Stead Museum, in Farmington, has a major art collection, and there are special historical art collections in Hartford, Waterbury, and many other cities. Among the other outstanding museums in Connecticut are Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History and the Yale Center for British Art. The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, opened in 1998 in Mashantucket, includes innovative interpretive displays and re-creations that depict the cultural heritage of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

Other Places to Visit

Connecticut has many places of historical interest. At Webb House, at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum in Wethersfield, George Washington met with the French General Jean Baptiste de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau during the American Revolution to plan the strategy that led to the Yorktown campaign. At Lebanon is the Revolutionary War Office, where Governor Jonathan Trumbull conferred with Washington, Benjamin Franklin, the Marquis de Lafayette, and other leaders. The Fundamental Orders and one of the two original copies of the 1662 charter are on display at the Connecticut State Library in Hartford. Mystic Seaport, a re-created village, features a restored seaport street of the early 19th century and the last of the old-time whaling ships. Other places of historic interest in Connecticut include Keeler Tavern, in Ridgefield, where a British cannonball fired during the revolution is embedded in the wall; the Old State House in Hartford, where Connecticut’s early legislature met; the Tapping-Reeve House and Law School, in Litchfield, where America’s first law school was founded in 1773; and Old New-Gate Prison, a prison dating from the revolution, in East Granby.

Source: MSN Encarta: Online Encyclopedia

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What is Carbon Offsetting?

by ecodebbieg on April 3, 2009

in Carbon Offsetting




Will Work 4 Carbon Offsets

Originally uploaded by readygolfer

By: James Nash | Posted: Aug 19th, 2008

The term carbon offsetting refers to the way that that carbon produced, typically by a journey using a carbon-producing mode of transport (plane, car, train), is compensated for by the individual who took that journey.

It is not exclusively used in connection with transport. It is also possible to calculate the carbon output of your house, or office, or even an individuals or a family’s daily or annual carbon output, and seek to replace that atmospheric pollutant with something that will help to filter it from the environment. This is normally done by growing and planting trees, which absorb the carbon in the atmosphere and replace it with oxygen.

How Does it Work? Well, typically, an Individual or family will contact a carbon offsetting company, who will explain the range of services they offer. These will usually be tree-planting schemes somewhere around the world, but some offer other options. A relatively new term called carbon sinks refers to huge planting schemes that forest vast areas of land, but this scale forestation are normally done for National or Governmental carbon offsetting.

The individual or family representative (or company representative) will then buy carbon credits directly from the company, usually but not exclusively, online. Most companies will be able to work out how much carbon was produced, say from a return flight from London to Paris, and the charge to the customer will reflect the work it takes in tree-planting to roughly replace the carbon produced during that trip.

How do you find a Carbon Offset Company. Carbon Offset companies are now proliferating in the UK and in the western world. Most of them are web-based companies, and they and the services they offer are easy to find by doing an Internet search for carbon offsetting or carbon offset companies or schemes.

It is a good idea to look into the range of companies and schemes they offer before committing to one and buying personalized services. Think about any preferred issues first. For instance, there may be a tree-planting scheme in your area that you would prefer to support, rather than a scheme millions of miles away.

Some companies offer a certificate of purchase and of planting in return for a customer’s money, but some don’t. It is always best to shop around, and discuss with friends and family who already use these schemes. Some environmental or community groups have preferred partner status with some offset companies, and it is worth checking these out first.

Another option of course is to bypass the carbon offset companies and do it for yourself. It is possible to buy a piece of land, not so cheap in most parts of the UK anymore, but still possible; and organize regular tree planting on the land yourself. There are websites dedicated to this process, and helping someone calculate just how many trees to plant per amount of carbon produced. Factors worth considering are the regular care and watering of the trees, and getting access to the land on a regular basis.

Also the selection of and correct planting of local, indigenous trees is important. Check with a local nursery or specialized tree supplier what is available, and plant with the seasons. If you have a large enough garden, consider planting more trees and shrubs. A family who flies often and long-distance would have to plant more than the average suburban garden with trees to compensate for a lifetime of carbon production, but a combination of planting at home, locally where possible (in consultation with wildlife conservation managers), and occasionally paying for offsetting from a specialized company would probably compensate for the carbon.

But remember that nothing compensates for carbon output as reducing it.
About the Author:

James Nash is a climate scientist with Greatest Planet (www.greatestplanet.org). Greatest Planet is a non-profit environmental organization specializing in carbon offset investments. James Nash is solely responsible for the contents of this article.

Printed From: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/what-is-carbon-offsetting-527809.html

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Consider a Volunteer Vacation

by ecodebbieg on April 2, 2009

in ecotourism

A volunteer vacation provides a travel experience and also allows an opportunity to make a difference on our planet. Make sure to do your homework before booking to assure that you and the vacation are the right fit, both from a physical perspective and that the vacation actually is geared toward providing a manner in which communities can become self-sustainable, or they are making a difference to preserve the planet.

Go Global

Whether you’re single, married, have a family, are a senior or part of a group; there’s a volunteer vacation to that’s perfect for you. www.globalvolunteers.org has been providing volunteer vacation opportunities for over 25 years. With opportunities in 21 countries on six continents, there’s plenty to choose from. For two or three weeks with costs up to $3,000 this isn’t a budget vacation, but it is one that can change lives. The fees cover food, lodging and a variety of costs toward the program you’re serving. A domestic option is available for around a $1,000 a week.

“From the beginning, Global Volunteers challenged traditional development models by honoring local problem solving, and engaging “average” people in local service delivery. As an apolitical, nonsectarian organization, Global Volunteers demonstrated how true “people-to-people” initiatives in ‘micro- economic and human development’ can succeed”

Go Local

If you’d like to give locally, spend less and have a positive impact on your health, consider making a difference on our nations hiking trails by volunteering with the American Hiking Society. http://www.americanhiking.org/volunteerVacation.aspx lists volunteer vacation opportunities throughout the country. The American Hiking Society is committed to minimizing impacts on the land and preserving our nation’s natural areas through their partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for outdoor ethics, which promotes responsible outdoor skills. They ask that you follow these seven simple steps out on the trail:

• Plan ahead and prepare
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces
• Dispose of waste properly
• Leave what you find
• Minimize campfire impacts
• Respect wildlife
• Be considerate of other visitors

“Experience trails in a new way on a Volunteer Vacation
Join American Hiking Society for a week of building and maintaining trails in exciting and diverse locations across the country. Bring only your camping gear and a willingness to get dirty. We provide the rest. Our nation’s trails need your help. Go on a Volunteer Vacation today!”

With 70 projects in 30 states, there are many opportunities. American Hiking Society members take their first trip for $245, non-members $275 (includes one year membership). Meals are included as well as a tee shirt. Volunteers are responsible for all travel costs to and from the sites. Volunteers provide their own tent, sleeping bag, pad, and all personal gear, including eating utensils. For back country projects, you must provide your own backpacking gear. Tools as well as group cooking equipment are provided by the host agency or organization. Your host or crew leader will emphasize any special gear or equipment needs.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s post!

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Little Steps to Green Travel

by ecodebbieg on April 1, 2009

in ecotourism




View from our room

Originally uploaded by Justin Belcher

Many of us are discovering ways to “go green” in our daily lives. But what about travel? How do we maintain a green lifestyle when we travel? There are many ways in which we can enjoy travel and make eco wise choices at the same time. The goal isn’t to be extreme but rather to preserve and protect wherever it is we’re visiting. It is important to respect local cultures and stay responsible in our travels as well as to contribute to local communities.

Why make green choices in our travels? Nearly 1 billion tourists are traveling the world yearly which has an enormous impact to our planet. Of course we have a choice about how we travel and can make choices that can lend themselves to preserving our planet, or choices that can lead to destruction. Hopefully all travelers will, in as many ways as possible, contribute to the preservation and restoration of our planet. It isn’t difficult or expensive and often small changes impart enormous benefit.

Booking Your Hotel
There are a wide range of prices and options for eco friendly hotels. Check out www.greenhotelsbookings.com which provides the following criteria for the properties listed on their site.

“There are many green hotel certification standards with varying levels of compliance. These include both state and private agencies. For each hotel we have on our site, we list the highest certification level we have identified for that property.

We highly recommend that facilities pursue certification from one of the agencies listed. However, for those that don’t yet meet those criteria or for properties in areas where there is no formal certification process, GreenHotelBookings.com has established its own three tier program to categorize properties that are using eco-friendly products and procedures in their operation. The tiers provide a measure that property owners can use to identify their current level and examine the requirements for other levels they may want to achieve.”

Green Hotel Level I:

§ Use of eco-friendly cleaning products, including General Purpose, Bathroom, Glass and Carpet Cleaning.
§ Must use at least one ENERGY STAR appliance
Note: Properties can also identify individual rooms as Level I compliant

Green Hotel Level II:
§ Meet Level I Requirements
§ Use of eco-friendly paper products - Consumable Paper Products shall be made from recycled fibers, with the following minimum postconsumer content:
- Bathroom Tissue: 20%
- Facial Tissue: 10%,
- Napkins and Paper Towels: 40%
§ Linen and Towel Reuse Program – Property shall implement and execute a well designed Linen and Towel Re-use program for all Guest Rooms

Green Hotel Level III:
§ Meet Level I Requirements
§ Meet Level 2 Requirements
§ Recycling Program – Property shall establish and maintain recycling programs for the common areas, administrative areas, and Guest rooms. The Guest Room Receptacle must be clearly identified for Glass, Paper, Aluminum, & Plastic.
§ Lighting – All Guest Room Lighting shall be Energy Efficient. No incandescent lighting is acceptable in Floor, Desk, Table or Nightstand lamps. Bathroom lighting shall be either Linear Fluorescent, Compact Fluorescent or a combination of each type
§ High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures – Property shall use the following: 2.2 GPM Faucets with 1.5 GPM or less aerators, the shower heads shall be 2.5 GPM or less , and the toilet shall be 1.6 GPF or less.

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