But
the sad and inescapable fact is that all our flying, driving and trampling
about has also contributed to the destruction of the environment, harming
wildlife, historical sites and the livelihoods of indigenous societies around
the globe.
As
the largest global service industry, tourism can—and should—play a significant
role in conservation and environmental sustainability. That was the message
that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon delivered on World Tourism Day in
2012. “One of the world’s largest economic sectors, tourism is especially well‐placed
to promote environmental sustainability,
'green' growth and our struggle against climate change through its relationship
with energy," he said.
Robert
Baden-Powell, founder of the world Scouting movement, was an early proponent of
not only treading lightly when you travel, but also doing some good while
you're there. In his last message before his death in 1941, Baden-Powell neatly
summed up his philosophy: “Leave this world a little better than you found it.”
It's a sentiment that anchored the "Leave No Trace" outdoor/camping ethos that took root in
the 1960s, and it can easily serve as a motto for ecotourists and ethical
travelers alike.
Thinking
about a travel destination in North America that shares your green philosophy?
Here are 10 of the best to consider.
1. Earthship Rentals (Taos, New Mexico).
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| Earthship Rentals (image: supercontext/Flickr CC) |
Taos,
a desert town in the New Mexico high desert situated at the edge of the Sangre
de Cristo Mountains and known for its historic Native American adobe buildings
and its artist colony, has long been a destination for eco-minded free
spirits. It's also the location of a small collection of unique eco-friendly
buildings called Earthships.
Constructed
from natural and recycled materials, including tires packed with dirt,
Earthships are passive solar houses, meaning their entire structures—including
windows, walls and floors—are designed to collect solar energy. The first
Earthship was designed in the 1970s by the architect and environmental activist
Michael Reynolds, who calls his unique practice Earthship Biotecture.
Ecotourists
can enjoy the sites of Taos while staying at Earthship Rentals, which offer a unique taste of sustainable,
off-grid living, including growing your own food and using water provided by
cisterns that collect rain and snow. Plus, they are dog-friendly, so bring Fido
along. You can also enjoy the amenities of modern life, such as Wifi and TV.
But why boob-tube it when you're surrounded by a gorgeous landscape that has
attracted and inspired artists for over a century? Earthships can transport you
while not moving at all—the perfect opportunity to unplug and recharge.
2. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort (British Columbia).
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| View from one of the tents at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Columbia (image: Clayoquote Wilderness Resort) |
Winston
Churchill once said, "There are no limits to the majestic future which
lies before the mighty expanse of Canada." Unfortunately, the world's
second largest nation hasn't been protecting that mighty expanse all that well.
According to its 2015 annual report, the nonprofit Canadian
Parks and Wilderness Society found that the nation is lagging on its commitment
to protect at least 17 percent of its land and fresh water by 2020—and is
behind the global average.
“Based
on our assessment of progress since Canada endorsed the UN Convention on
Biological Diversity 10-year plan in 2010, it would take us 50 years from today, not five, to meet
our commitment to protect at least 17 percent of our land and fresh water,”
said Alison Woodley, nation director of CPAWS’ parks program.
One
of the places that has been protected is an eco-resort tucked away in the
remote wilderness of Clayoquot Sound in British Columbia, Canada. Clayoquot
Wilderness Resort offers the best of both worlds, from river kayaking,
horseback riding, hiking through old-growth forest and surfing on a secluded
beach, to five-star dining, spa treatments, and as its website notes,
"great white tents with their fluffy duvets and antiques."
The
all-inclusive, summer-only luxury resort isn’t just about pampering guests and
offering great adventures in a pristine landscape—it's also playing an
important role in the region’s sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The resort has invested in the protection of the area's wild salmon, working
with the nonprofit Wild Fish Conservancy, based in neighboring Washington
state, to protect the fish stocks against the threats of overfishing and
climate change.
Clayoquot
has also partnered with the Ahousaht First Nation to restore indigenous land,
share the Ahousaht’s cultural legacy with visitors and build relationships that
foster economic development within the local community.
The
late Canadian artist and writer Emily Carr, who found creative inspiration in
the indigenous people who lived along the Pacific Northwest coast, said,
"It is wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw."
Clayoquot offers that raw grandeur—just with fluffy duvets.
3. Sian Ka'an (Tulum, Mexico).
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| Boca Paila eco-hotel, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (image: HappyTellus/Flickr CC) |
Located
on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Sian Ka’an is home to
thousands of species of flora and fauna. The reserve is so pristine and
biodiverse that, in 1986, it was designated Biosphere Reserve. And the
following year, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which works with
nations to secure the world's cultural and natural heritage. Sian Ka'an is the
largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean.
There’s
no shortage of eco-friendly activities here, from exploring Mayan ruins to
diving in the deep cenotes (crystalline pools of
freshwater connected by an intricate network of underground rivers), or simply
enjoying the gorgeous white sand beaches and swimming in the Caribbean. You’d
never guess that just two and a half hours north is Cancun, a hyper-touristic
spot that has been overrun by college students on spring break.
Sian
Ka'an is committed to protecting its fragile ecosystem—and its esteemed World
Heritage Site status. As it says on its website,
"Sian Ka'an is one of the most spectacular and ecologically diverse places
on earth—and we want to keep it that way."
4. Nurture Through Nature (Denmark, Maine).
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| Yurt lodging at Nurture Through Nature (image: Jen Deraspe, Nurture Through Nature) |
Located
deep in the rugged heart of western Maine’s Lakes and Mountains region, Nurture
Through Nature is the state's first green-certified, Earth-friendly retreat
center, and has been providing individuals, couples and groups an
environmentally conscious getaway since 1999.
Visitors
can explore the retreat's 33 forested acres nestled along the lower slopes of
Pleasant Mountain along a maze of private hiking trails that lead to a
spring-fed mountain brook and sweeping views of Mount Washington and the White
Mountains. This is an ideal place to reconnect with nature.
Nurture
Through Nature’s stated mission is to "offer a healing, Earth-friendly
retreat space for reflection, contemplation and connection with your true self
and the living Earth.” That connection is encouraged by yoga classes, guided
meditation, a private sauna, massage therapy, healing arts classes and holistic
life coaching—all within a green-certified off-the-grid getaway that uses solar
power, compost, renewable heat sources and non-toxic cleaning products.
With
1.3 million residents, Maine is the least densely populated state east of the
Mississippi River. And as far as states go, it's not that popular of a tourist
destination, ranking 44th in a 2014 survey conducted by HotelsCombined, a
hotel booking site. Still, for a state with a GDP at around $54 billion, tourism fuels a tenth of the
economy, providing more than 94,000 jobs—about 14 percent of the
state’s total employment. "Given that Maine’s economy pivots on 22 million
tourists who spend as much as $6 billion a year, the state’s challenge is to
balance one of its main sources of income with the preservation of its
ecosystem," writes Kay Tang in USA Today. "Ecotourism could be
Maine’s win-win solution to this dilemma."
5. The Stanford Inn by the Sea (Mendocino, California).
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| The Stanford Inn by the Sea (image: Brad Greenlee/Flickr CC) |
For
many years, Mendocino County, located on California's north coast, has lured
visitors to its lush redwood forests, breathtaking coastline and vineyards
famous for producing some of the nation's best wine. That it has also become a
top destination for travelers interested in environmentalism and sustainability
is no surprise: In the 1970s, the county was a hippie magnet, attracting free
spirits seeking independence, experimentation, communal living and a direct
connection with nature.
Today,
in the face of industrial logging, large-scale agriculture and urbanization—and
a surging population that is expected to double by 2050—it's a challenge for the county to maintain its
sustainable roots. One oasis from the area’s rapid growth is the Stanford Inn
by the Sea, a pet-friendly eco-resort situated on Mendocino's coast that opened
its doors to eco-conscious travelers more than three decades ago.
Guests
can take advantage of a wide range of therapeutic, eco-friendly activities,
from canoeing and biking to enjoying the cuisine of TheRavens, the Inn’s vegan restaurant featuring local and organic food,
including produce from the Stanford Inn’s own California-certified organic farm
and wine from certified organic vineyards.
The
Inn also hosts wellness retreats, bringing in nutritionists, vegan chefs and
health coaches to teach guests about healthy living. “Moving here in 1980, we
were changed by the creative and healing energies of the land,” say founders
Joan and Jeff Stanford, on their website. "The Inn manifests our
commitment to live mindfully so that all might live well."
6. Omega Institute (Rhinebeck, New York).
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| Sanctuary (meditation hall) at Omega Institute (image: Ken Wieland/Wikipedia) |
Since
1977, the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies has been on a mission to
"provide hope and healing for individuals and society through innovative
educational experiences that awaken the best in the human spirit."
Famous
for its yoga and meditation retreats—as well as workshops covering everything
from creativity and mindfulness to sexuality and life coach certification—Omega
Institute is dedicated to healthy, green living and sustainable lifestyles.
Spread
across nearly 200 acres in the quiet town of Rhinebeck in upstate New York,
Omega has a dining hall, café, bookstore, meditation hall and the Ram Dass
Library, named after the famed spiritual teacher and author of the seminal 1971
book Be Here Now, who Omega notes has served as one of their
“trusted guides.” The campus also includes the Omega Center for Sustainable
Living, a solar-powered education center and water reclamation facility.
On
its website, Omega calls itself “the nation's foremost educational retreat
center.” Considering its history, as well as its growing list of of A-list
speakers—which includes Al Gore, Maya Angelou, Jane Goodall and Thich Nhat
Hanh, among many others—it’s a claim they have little problem backing up.
7. Hotel Terra Jackson Hole (Teton Village, Wyoming).
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| National Elk Refuge, Jackson, Wyoming (image: Marci/Flickr CC) |
Nestled
between the Teton Mountain Range and the Gros Ventre Range in Wyoming, Jackson
Hole is a low-lying valley that was settled in the late 1800s by Native
Americans, fur trappers and homesteaders. Later, dude ranches sparked tourism
to the region. Today, ecotourism is taking hold. Eco-Tour Adventures offers wildlife tours
in Grand Teton committed to the Leave No Trace ethic. The Grand Teton Lodge
Company, an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service, buys wind
credits to offset its energy use and diverts half of its waste—including food
waste, aluminum cans and even horse manure—into reuse and recycling.
One
hotel that gets high marks on its eco-scorecard is Hotel Terra Jackson Hole in
Teton Village, located at the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
And
while the first LEED-certified hotel in Wyoming gets the big things
right—like offsetting energy use by purchasing solar, hydro and wind power, and
using native landscaping that needs no irrigation—Terra also considers the
small things: its hot tubs use a natural substitute for chlorine, while every
bathroom features countertops and soap dishes made of reclaimed glass, and 100
percent organic linens.
Plus,
what could feel better after a day hitting slopes and elk-watching than a detox
organic blueberry body wrap in the hotel’s Chill Spa? It’s no wonder that last
year, Gayot named Terra one of America's Top 10 Green Hotels.
8. Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge (Kachemak Bay State Park,
Alaska).
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| Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge (image: Rhonda2327/Flickr CC) |
Located
on a remote beach in Alaska's Kachemak Bay State Park, about 10 miles by boat
from Homer (the "Bear Viewing Capital of the World"), Sadie Cove
Wilderness Lodge gives visitors a unique way to experience the wilderness
lifestyle that only the Last Frontier state can offer.
Open
year-round, Sadie Cove was transformed from a private home hand-built from
driftwood into an eco-lodge in 1981, completely powered by hydro and wind
power. With only five private guest cabins, and accessible only by boat,
helicopter or float plane, Sadie Cove gives new meaning to "getaway."
As the owners Keith and Randi Iverson note on their website, “At Sadie Cove
Wilderness Lodge you can surround yourself in wilderness, not tourists.”
Hiking
trails of Kachemak Bay State Park, kayaking, beach combing, clam-digging and
fishing for salmon are some of the year-round activities for lodge guests.
Bring your binoculars, because wildlife viewing here is a special treat, with
whales, orcas, seals, sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, mountain goats, moose
and bears all making their home in the park's lush environs.
9. Majestic Yosemite Hotel (Yosemite National Park,
California).
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| Majestic Yosemite Hotel (image: Bryce Edwards/Flickr CC) |
A
National Historical Landmark known as much for its stunning granite facade as
its beautiful interiors, Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly Ahwahnee Hotel) is
considered one of North America’s most distinctive luxury lodges. The site of
the 123-room hotel was chosen for its stunning views of Glacier Point, Half
Dome and Yosemite Falls.
Completed
in 1927 and designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the hotel is
considered a masterpiece of "National Park Service rustic" (a.k.a
"parkitecture"), a style of architecture developed in the first half
of the 20th century through the National Park Service's efforts to create
buildings that would exist in harmony with the natural environment.
Majestic
Yosemite Hotel definitely takes advantage of its natural environment: One of
the reasons the site was picked was to maximize sun exposure, which provides
natural, fossil-free heating.
A
member of the Green Hotels Association, Majestic Yosemite also participates in
the GreenPath program, an environmental stewardship program ensuring that
business decisions incorporate environmental considerations.
10. Jumbo Rocks Campground (Joshua Tree National Park,
California).
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| Skull Rock at Jumbo Rocks Campground (image: Thomas J. Sebourn/Shutterstock) |
This
list has some pretty pricey eco-lodges that wouldn't look out of place on your
bucket list. But it wouldn't be complete without a recommendation for roughing
it in the great outdoors. And since we've covered Alaska—and you've either been
to the Grand Canyon or it's already on your bucket list—Jumbo Rocks Campground
in Southern California's mind-blowingly gorgeous Joshua Tree National Park in
the Mojave Desert gets the nod (not least because this pristine and primal
landscape is less than a three-hour drive from Los Angeles).
Located
near the aptly named Skull Rock by the park's western border, Jumbo Rocks
features 124 campsites that include picnic tables, fire rings and pit toilets.
Biking, rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding are just some of the eco-friendly
activities that will wear you out and get you ready for cowboy songs by the
campfire, under the stars. Plus, there's a remarkable abundance of wildlife to
watch (and avoid) in this dry place: bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, coyotes and
black-tailed jackrabbits come out at night, while daytime widlife watchers can
enjoy spotting birds, lizards and squirrels.
Reservations
are not accepted, meaning it's first come, first served. And since it's pretty
close to L.A., you'll want to come early, and preferably on a weekday to put up
sticks before the weekenders arrive. Make a note that there's no potable water,
so bring more than you think you'll need, especially if you're bringing your
pet. And if you need camping essentials like a tent, sleeping bags, backpacks
and hiking shoes, check out Inhabit's "Top Eco-Friendly Camping Gear for ConscientiousOutdoor Enthusiasts."
No
matter what your next travel destination is, getting there can be a big burden
on the environment in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Consider more local
and regional destinations that are accessible by bus or train. If you have to
drive, use a fuel-efficient car, like a hybrid or an EV, or find a carpool. And
if you simply must fly, choose coach (yes, it's smaller, but less
carbon-intensive than first or business class), select an efficient airline
(check Atmosfair’s airline ranking)
and consider reducing your air travel carbon footprint by purchasing
carbon offsets, which are offered by most domestic airlines and many
international carriers.
Bon
voyage!
Source: alternet by Reynard Loki
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