Are you keeping warm in this cold weather? I'll admit, I'm a fan of winter. I love to cross country ski and go sledding with my nephews. I'm also looking forward to traveling up north over the holidays to enjoy deep snow and quiet ski trails.
Every region in Minnesota has unique things to see and do. As you travel near and far, consider traveling green. Below are tips and resources to help you plan your next adventure.
Take living green on the road: Become a green tourist
Tourism is a $10.5 billion industry in Minnesota. There is increasing interest in green tourism, sometimes called sustainable tourism, which protects the natural environment while providing economic opportunities for communities. It is one criterion that people consider when choosing how to travel, where to stay, and what do in their leisure time.
Green Routes is an easy-to-use website to help you find one-of-a-kind places to eat, play, shop, sleep, and learn.
In 2009, the Explore Minnesota Tourism website will allow destinations to highlight ways in which they are "going green."
Asking questions
The best way to pick a green destination is to determine the green criteria that will satify your expectations, then ask a couple of questions when you are planning a trip. Requesting green features as part of your purchasing decision encourages businesses to adopt green practices. Here are a few things to look for.
Energy conservation
Natural daylight
Energy-efficient lights and fixtures throughout facilities
Leisure activities are accessible by bus, train, bike, or foot
Water conservation and quality
Linen reuse policy and program
Low-flow toilets
Waste reduction, reuse, recycling and disposal
Recycling containers in guest rooms
Onsite composting program
Use reusable glassware instead of disposables
Use refillable dispensers instead of small bottles
Travel is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. If you can't reduce your travel miles, think about purchasing a carbon offset to reduce the impact of your travel emissions. Many travel businesses make it easy to purchase offsets at the same time you purchase your airline ticket or rental car. The offsets are used to fund carbon-reducing projects, such as wind or solar energy installations.
December is a great time to find a community garden in your neighborhood and sign up for a plot. A garden plot gives you a reason to flip through seed catalogs and dream of warmer days!
Days of our green lives: Community events and resources
Escape the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and enjoy the outdoors with your family at the Audubon Center of the North Woods' Winter Family Escape, December 27-30 (Sandstone).
Learn more about Wildlife and Climate Change at the next Brainerd Area Environmental Learning Network event, January 15, 3-5 p.m, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (Baxter/Brainerd).
Take living green on the road: Become a green tourist
