Eco 411
Eco Author | 4:29 pm | October 23, 2009 | Attractions, Service and Supplier, Tours, Transportation | Add a comment
We all need to open our eyes to the problems facing the environment and understand that it is our responsibility to do something about it. Being a part of the travel and tourism industry, Extranomical Adventures knows that we face a particular responsibility to our community and our environment and that every seemingly small thing we do can have a lasting impact on our delicate planet. That’s why we at Extranomical have partnered with “Verus Carbon Neutral”, to help fund projects devoted to helping the earth by neutralizing our CO2 emissions. Their projects include preventing deforestation and planting trees, which are some of the simplest and most important things we can do to help the world around us remain a lush and habitable place. Extranomical Adventures is helping to sustain a healthy planet by supporting clean energy development and offsetting our CO2 emissions. Carbon offsets basically enable us to help neutralize the carbon dioxide that the tour vehicle generates by funding programs somewhere else in the world that take CO2 out of the atmosphere. Based on the number of tours we do and how far we drive, we have come up with a way of measuring our impact to the atmosphere and, starting in 2009, our entire fleet is certified as carbon neutral! A portion of everyone’s purchase of an Extranomical tour will go towards these projects devoted to neutralizing our carbon footprint.
Eco Author | 6:41 pm | March 4, 2009 | Attractions, Tours | Add a comment
For businesses who are interested in going “green,” or even going “blue” (air quality), there are plenty of places to focus improvement. One of the most impressive things to me about the Napa Valley Wine Train is how subtlety pervasive our environmental programs are.
Of course our CNG engine and its good qualities: cleaner air, abundant fuel source, highly efficient – is an amazing innovation for an antique train. But, we are also getting recognition for our recycling efforts. Our Executive Chef was one of the leaders in the company to really move to a strong waste recycling program. He knew it was the right thing to do and implemented at the Culinary Arts Center (our prep kitchen in the rail yard) an aggressive program that reduced the Train’s waste stream significantly.
So significantly in fact, that in April of this year (2008) the Napa Valley Wine Train received rewards and recognition from the United States Congress (Rep. Mike Thompson), the California State Assembly and Legislature (Assemblymember Noreen Evans, and Senator Patricia Wiggins), as well the City of Napa’s Recycling and Waste Services (a $1,000 award).
“This incentive-based awards program rewards schools, businesses and apartment complexes for not just doing the right thing, but for doing it extremely well,” said Kevin Miller, Materials diversion Administrator for the City of Napa.
According the City, the prize money was allocated based on field surveys to determine the best recyclers – regardless of size – utilizing the City’s single-stream program. The field surveys measured the amount of non-recyclable trash in the recycling bins, and the amount of recyclables in the trash. With the results combined, the lowest scores determined the winners in each category.
Eco Author | 4:11 pm | March 2, 2009 | Attractions, Tours, Transportation | Add a comment
Take a tour on a green duck. That’s right – the Bay Area’s largest fleet of amphibious land/sea vehicles has gone green. By using biodiesel, Ride the Ducks of San Francisco, is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Experience San Francisco sightseeing from a duck’s eye view on the Best San Francisco duck tour. Splashing-down in China Basin and navigating their way into McCovey Cove, outside of AT&T Ball Park, the 90 minute duck tours show the nature of the San Francisco Bay from a point of view not seen in your average tour of the city. The land portion of the tour rides through some of historic San Francisco’s most famous districts including: Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, Chinatown, The Financial District, SOMA, and the Embarcadero. Quack along with the captain and he en-tour-tains you with stories of past and present. Tickets may be purchased online at www.sanfranciscoducks.com or by calling out box office at 415-596-9929.
Eco Author | 11:33 am | February 20, 2009 | Attractions, Tours | Add a comment
FOOT! comedy walking tours has been non-carbon-polluting the planet with historical, hysterical, and down-right fun walking tours since 2000. Our earth-friendly, low-tech walks are chock-full of recycled jokes, and our history-buff tour guides are raised on free-range ranches—otherwise we wouldn’t give them the FOOT! seal of approval.
All of them (with one exception) are hormone-free, too, so you can trust your tour will be completely organic.
Long before being friendly to the planet was trendy, we at FOOT! were reusing and recycling office supplies, often from other businesses within the same building. (Think globally, “borrow” locally.) Thanks to us, our neighbors are much more aware of how much copy paper they have on hand—you’re welcome!
Our tours are completely foot-powered and require no special training outside of walking (and looking both ways before crossing streets). In fact, the combination of infrequent hills and deep laughter make for a powerful cardiovascular work-out: the only “burning” on our tours is of some carbs.
FOOT! comedy walking tours range in distance from about 10 blocks up to 30 blocks, and they are equal parts walking, talking, and gawking.
The walking is not rigorous, but there may be sections of up- or down- hill climbs, depending on the tour. By comparison, the talking can become very rigorous at times, but our guides are trained professionals, so don’t worry.
Get on foot with FOOT! comedy walking tours.
Eco Author | 10:46 am | February 18, 2009 | Attractions | Add a comment
The Lively Foundation is a not for profit organization devoted to artistic and educational projects in dance, music, and related arts. Our internationally acclaimed Artistic Director, Leslie Friedman, has throughout her career choreographed dances and created whole concerts with themes of nature and environmental awareness.
In 1994 & 95, Leslie presented EARTH DANCES, concerts of dances with an awareness of the natural world and threats to it. This included the work IN THE BESKIDY MOUNTAINS, originally choreographed for the Silesian Dance Theater, Poland, and HEARTLAND, music by Jon Deak and accompanied by award winning nature photographs by Jonathan Clark.
The Nature Conservancy Magazine, the national magazine of The Nature Conservancy organization, published a feature article about Leslie’s annual concert of dance, songs and theater: BAT TALES. In this concert, presented for 14 consecutive years in SF, everything is based on legends and stories about bats. It is always very pro-bat and has awakened public consciousness about bats in particular and endangered species in general. Leslie’s dance, SILENCED WINGS, accompanied by a Tina Turner song, frequently brings the audience to tears.
Lively stays green in our daily actions, too. Our volunteers had published The Lively News newsletter, since 1986. Several years ago, we switched entirely to communicating online. We have virtual meetings with our board and do not maintain a separate office, thus cutting down on use of energy as well as paper supplies and gasoline. When we must send out mailings, we use paper which is high in recycled, post consumer content.
Lively works to keep the world green and lively!
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