It’s the middle of April, and you know what that means: Earth Day is just around the corner!
Earth Day is all about embracing sustainability, protecting our environment, and making a positive impact on the world around us. And we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to introduce you to a few of our incredible experience providers who embody the green life.
While Earth Day only comes once a year, these companies promote sustainability every day. From using renewable energy sources to removing garbage from waterways, they’re the prime examples of how simple business practices can help create a cleaner future.
Get ready to feel inspired as we dive into their unique insights. Spoiler: they're chock-full of Earth saving tips and tricks!
Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Parks – Multiple Locations
Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park provides thrilling treetop adventures across the US, featuring ziplining and obstacle courses suspended high above the ground. They’re also passionate about the environment and prioritize eco-friendly practices.
Q: Can you tell us about your company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility?
A: Here at Go Ape, we are deeply committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. We recognize the importance of preserving the natural beauty and resources that make our park such a special place for outdoor enthusiasts.
Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the materials we use in our constructions to our waste management practices. We prioritize eco-friendly solutions, such as using renewable energy sources, minimizing water usage, and implementing recycling programs. Additionally, we actively engage with our local community to promote environmental education and conservation efforts.
Q: What advice would you give to other businesses looking to become more environmentally conscious and sustainable?
A: Start by conducting a thorough assessment of your current operations and identifying areas of improvement. This might include reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste generation, or sourcing more sustainable materials. Then, set clear and achievable sustainability goals, and develop a plan to implement them.
Remember that small changes can make a big difference, so don't be afraid to start small and gradually scale up your efforts over time. Finally, be sure to engage with your employees, customers, and other stakeholders to build support and foster a culture of environmental responsibility.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your future plans or goals regarding sustainability and environmental stewardship?
A: We are committed to continually improving our environmental performance and reducing our ecological footprint. This includes exploring new technologies and innovations as well as partnering with like-minded organizations and stakeholders. We also aim to expand our efforts beyond our own operations and contribute to broader conservation initiatives that benefit the communities and ecosystems in which we operate. Ultimately, our goal is to be a leader in sustainable outdoor recreation and set a positive example for others to follow.
Q: In your opinion, why is experience gifting a valuable alternative to traditional material gifts, especially when considering its potential to align with eco-friendly principles?
A: Unlike physical goods, experiences typically don't require the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing processes, or transportation. Instead, experience gifts focus on creating memories and fostering meaningful connections.
By choosing experience gifts, individuals can reduce their carbon footprint while still giving thoughtful and memorable presents. Additionally, many experience gift options support local businesses and encourage sustainable tourism practices, further contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
Aquarium of the Pacific – Long Beach, CA
The Aquarium of the Pacific’s mission is to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems. They were the first aquarium in the nation to register their greenhouse gases and have won numerous awards for their sustainable practices.
Q: Can you tell us about your company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility?
A: The Aquarium of the Pacific has a history of sustainability and environmental stewardship. We have embraced several initiatives and operating practices to reduce our environmental impact, from reducing consumption of energy and water to eliminating single-use plastic waste and sourcing sustainable construction materials.
Q: What advice would you give to other businesses looking to become more environmentally conscious and sustainable?
A: There’s three vital steps that every business should take to become more sustainable. First, conduct audits of key factors such as carbon footprint, water usage, and waste. Second, create a strategic plan with measurable goals. Finally, find champions on your leadership team who can communicate and inspire change within the organization.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your future plans or goals regarding sustainability and environmental stewardship?
A: The Aquarium is working on a sustainability plan that will set a vision for the next twenty years. This plan will orient our goals and actions for sustainability with measurable targets for energy, water, materials sourcing, and engagement with staff, guests, and the community.
Q: In your opinion, why is experience gifting a valuable alternative to traditional material gifts, especially when considering its potential to align with eco-friendly principles?
Experience gifting is a wonderful alternative to traditional material gifts because it uses less resources and generates less waste. It can also lead to wonderful memories and discoveries.
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Incredible Adventures – San Francisco, CA
Incredible Adventures is a small family-owned and operated business, founded on a love for Yosemite National Park and sustainability. They’re considered the ‘Greenest Tour Company in San Francisco’ and were the first commercial tour company in San Francisco to use Biodiesel fuel in their vehicles.
Q: Can you tell us about your company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility?
A: Incredible Adventures has been promoting sustainable tourism for over 10 years and in 2012, we were named an official San Francisco Green Business. We follow responsible business practices by keeping group sizes small, reducing our impact on the destinations we visit, and using Biodiesel fuel to power our fleet of tour vehicles.
Despite the higher cost of Biodiesel, we are committed to using cleaner burning, locally produced, non-toxic fuel. This petroleum-free biofuel allows us to minimize our impact on California’s wildlands and national parks. Our dedication led us to establish Dogpatch Biofuels, our own Biodiesel fueling station, that we can share with like-minded individuals.
Q: What advice would you give to other businesses looking to become more environmentally conscious and sustainable?
A: Start small, get the whole team together, and look for opportunities on how to become more environmentally conscious and sustainable. A good first step, especially in our digital age, is to try to run a paperless office. In our 14 years of business, we have purchased only 7 reams of paper! When we cannot avoid using paper, we are still conscious. Our marketing material (posters, flyers, and brochures) are made with post-consumer recycled paper and soy-based inks.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your future plans or goals regarding sustainability and environmental stewardship?
We are always looking at how we can become more environmentally conscious and sustainable. We’re working towards getting certified internationally with Travelife. This will help us better understand the environmental impacts our products have, how we monitor and manage our impacts, and how we can support our suppliers and their road to sustainability.
We’re also working with Ridwell to grow our local recycling program. For us, recycling means more than the traditional items such as plastic and cardboard. We’re now able to recycle light bulbs, bread tags, bottle caps, etc.
Q: In your opinion, why is experience gifting a valuable alternative to traditional material gifts, especially when considering its potential to align with eco-friendly principles?
Choosing experience gifts allows consumers to support businesses that prioritize sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Experiences create lasting memories and can strengthen relationships more effectively than material possessions, especially when you’re traveling with your loved ones. Memories also don't contribute to environmental degradation in the same way that manufacturing and disposing of physical items can.
All our experiences, such as our most popular tour, the Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco, are designed to have a minimal environmental impact as well as a positive impact on the local communities we visit.
Crystal River Watersports – Crystal River, FL
Crystal River Watersports offers unforgettable aquatic adventures in the heart of Florida's Nature Coast. From exhilarating manatee encounters to eco boat tours, their guided excursions offer a unique opportunity to connect with nature.
Q: Can you tell us about your company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility?
A: Crystal River Watersports’ mission is to ‘Observe and Preserve Nature Above, In, and Under Water’. We are a member of the Guardian Guide program sponsored by the Save the Manatee Club.
Where we can, we are using paper cups and wood stirrers for cocoa, coffee, and tea. We have nets on our vessels to remove floating trash on the tours. Additionally, we participate in a Coastal Cleanup and can collect up to 2 or 3 pontoon boats full of debris in about 90 minutes.
Q: What advice would you give to other businesses looking to become more environmentally conscious and sustainable?
A: Start small – think improvements vs perfection. We are on the water, so we offer reef safe sunscreen. Even better, we sell shirts that dry fast and offer SPF 50 protection.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your future plans or goals regarding sustainability and environmental stewardship?
A: Continuing to educate guests on the local environment and the efforts being made to restore and protect it. We plan to add hands-on / citizen science aspects to our dive trips. We are also going to incorporate lionfish eradication (Western Atlantic/Caribbean) and coral reef restoration efforts.
Q: In your opinion, why is experience gifting a valuable alternative to traditional material gifts, especially when considering its potential to align with eco-friendly principles?
A: Memories last a lifetime, whereas the “feel good” from material items fades and is replaced by the next thing. Experiences are even more beneficial if people are able to help the environment or learn as they go.
Outdoor Odysseys – Friday Harbor, WA
Outdoor Odysseys offers guided sea kayaking tours amidst the breathtaking beauty of Washington's San Juan Islands. From quick trips to unforgettable, multi-day excursions, there's an adventure for everyone!
Q: Can you tell us about your company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility?
A: Outdoor Odysseys Sea Kayaking has been operating for over 35 years, and we have always limited ourselves to human-powered trips. Additionally, we practice Leave No Trace principles on all of our camping trips.
Q: What advice would you give to other businesses looking to become more environmentally conscious and sustainable?
A: Really think about what truly matters for your business to deliver the experience you’re known for, then take the opportunity to lead by example. Just as an example, guests on our trips see us separating trash, recycling, and compost on a camping trip and it opens their eyes to how easy that would be to do at home.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your future plans or goals regarding sustainability and environmental stewardship?
A: One goal is to electrify our shuttle fleet. Shuttles are the only direct emissions that Outdoor Odysseys creates. We're also planning on going solar this year!
Q: In your opinion, why is experience gifting a valuable alternative to traditional material gifts, especially when considering its potential to align with eco-friendly principles?
A: Experiences are a chance to change things up, to live differently, and to bring your focus closer to the moment. Shared experiences bond people in a way that items cannot. Whether you put together a trip with loved ones or sign up for a solo trip, experiences can open your eyes in unforgettable ways.
More Eco-Friendly Experiences
Discover even more of our favorite sustainable experience gifts, perfect for Earth Day and every day!
1. Elkhorn Slough Electric Catamaran Tour: Spot adorable sea otters, harbor seals, pelicans, and more aboard an eco-friendly catamaran.
2. Bee Garden Tour: Discover the importance of pollinators and observe a working honeybee hive.
3. Private North Shore Whale Watching Tour: Learn about ocean conservation while watching migratory humpback whales in Hawaii.
4. Farming Experience at the McGrath Family Farm: Support responsible growing and learn about crop diversity, rotation, and sustainable farming tips and tricks.
5. Goat Yoga Session at Charlie’s Acres: Strike a yoga pose with the rescued animal residents of Charlie's Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary.
6. Sustainable Sonoma Wine and Distillery Tour: Explore the region’s best sustainable wineries, all from an eco-friendly, electric bus.
7. Backcountry Foraging and Cooking Adventure: Enjoy a lesson in backcountry cooking in Alaska and transform your findings into a delicious meal.
8. Bioluminescent Kayak Adventure: Experience the magic of bioluminescence with a minimal impact, eco-friendly business.
Summary
It’s no secret that protecting our planet is more important today than ever before. After reading about these unique experiences, we hope you feel inspired to celebrate Earth Day and promote eco-friendly tourism. Whether you choose to support sustainable businesses, give the gift of experiences, or adopt green practices in your everyday life, we have the power to shape a brighter tomorrow together.
