Celebrate Earth Day with Eco-Friendly Travel Plans
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Where will you be April 22? If you plan to spend the day celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by traveling across the globe or just around the corner, there are ample opportunities to help the environment. Find the perfect one with help from PeterGreenberg.com.
Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, whose goal was to mobilize the globe and bring together environmental activists to promote awareness and education. Over the years, Earth Day has become a global phenomenon, from individual and grassroots efforts to international campaigns. Find great ways you can pitch in on Earth Day and beyond.The Earth Day Network provides a database of activities and events worldwide, including river and trail cleanups, tree planting and festivals.
For example, in Silver Spring, Maryland, locals and visitors can participate in an Earth Day build with Habitat for Humanity. Or celebrate on a "grand" scale in New York, where EarthFair at Grand Central will run from April 23 to 24, featuring eco-friendly businesses and environmental groups, organic food and live music.
And who wouldn't want to celebrate Earth Day by tippling on organic wines? California's Central Coast Vineyard Team is hosting the Earth Day Food and Wine Festival in Luis Obispo County April 16 through April 18. They'll feature sustainably and locally grown food and wine, vineyard tours and cooking demonstrations.
The nonprofit American Hiking Society (AHS) works to protect the 200,000 miles of our nation's trail systems. AHS sponsors at least 60 volunteer vacations a year, ranging from short-term, family-friendly projects to more intensive outdoor experiences. This April 18 to 24, they're host a backpacking adventure through Mojave National Preserve, where participants will help construct a new section to provide parking access and install new trailhead signs. Or, grab the kids and go to Arkansas' Buffalo National River April 11 to 17 on a family-friendly outing to help build a trail in the Ozarks.
Learn more about America's trails at PeterGreenberg.com.
Keep your devotion to the planet going strong as AHS celebrates National Trails Day on June 5, when volunteers can participate in any of 1,600 events around the country.
After cleaning up the trails, it's time to get out and enjoy them. Use the Sierra Club's new user-generated online resource, Sierra Club Trails, to find need-to-know information about popular trails around the country. The Sierra Club is also offering series of backpacking adventures and volunteer vacations this spring and summer. Experiences include group hikes in your local state park, women-only beginner backpacking through Colorado's Rocky Mountains and a multigenerational hike through Tahoe National Forest in California.
In early April, the Sierra Club will also launch a site where people can make a pledge to participate in a specific action for Earth Day. That can be as easy as planting a tree, bringing a reusable bag to the supermarket or planting an organic garden. Participants will be entered to win a trip for two to Hawaii's Volcano National Park.
Read PeterGreenberg.com's eco-travel features and tips.
Even specific hotels and resorts are getting in on the Earth Day action. Located on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, Lake Quinault Lodge and Kalaloch Lodge are offering volunteer opportunities to all guests. On Saturday, April 17, volunteers can help clean up the Kalaloch beaches with the Washington Clean Coast Alliance. And on April 24, guests can work side by side with the Park Service to help restore the Kestner Homestead Trail. Participating guests also receive special pricing on accommodations.
The Grand Velas Resort Riviera Nayarit recently launched a series of green activities in its kids' club in honor of Earth Day. Resort guests ages 4 to 12 can work with a marine biologist to release baby turtles into the sea, work on the property's garden, prepare a meal with organic items and create art projects out of recycled materials.
Kimpton Hotels and Resorts, a leader in brand-wide green initiatives, has ongoing incentives for guests who drive hybrid vehicles. For example, Hotel Allegro in Chicago offers free parking to hybrid drivers, while Hotel Vintage Plaza and Hotel Monaco in Portland slash their nightly parking rates in half.
Find five great green hotels in North America at PeterGreenberg.com.
The travel deal website Travelzoo will celebrate Earth Day by launching a month-long promotion dedicated to LEED-certified hotels. LEED certification is a benchmark system developed by the Green Buildings Council to provide independent verification that a building meets certain standards of conservation and sustainability.
Learn more about LEED-certified hotels at PeterGreenberg.com.
Some current LEED-certified properties in the United States include the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Orchard Garden Hotel in San Francisco and the Palazzo in Las Vegas.
Find great ways to go green for Earth Day
Skip the beach and plan your volunteer vacation
In early April, the Sierra Club will also launch a site where people can make a pledge to participate in a specific action for Earth Day. That can be as easy as planting a tree, bringing a reusable bag to the supermarket or planting an organic garden. Participants will be entered to win a trip for two to Hawaii's Volcano National Park.
Read PeterGreenberg.com's eco-travel features and tips.
Even specific hotels and resorts are getting in on the Earth Day action. Located on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, Lake Quinault Lodge and Kalaloch Lodge are offering volunteer opportunities to all guests. On Saturday, April 17, volunteers can help clean up the Kalaloch beaches with the Washington Clean Coast Alliance. And on April 24, guests can work side by side with the Park Service to help restore the Kestner Homestead Trail. Participating guests also receive special pricing on accommodations.
The Grand Velas Resort Riviera Nayarit recently launched a series of green activities in its kids' club in honor of Earth Day. Resort guests ages 4 to 12 can work with a marine biologist to release baby turtles into the sea, work on the property's garden, prepare a meal with organic items and create art projects out of recycled materials.
Kimpton Hotels and Resorts, a leader in brand-wide green initiatives, has ongoing incentives for guests who drive hybrid vehicles. For example, Hotel Allegro in Chicago offers free parking to hybrid drivers, while Hotel Vintage Plaza and Hotel Monaco in Portland slash their nightly parking rates in half.
Find five great green hotels in North America at PeterGreenberg.com.
The travel deal website Travelzoo will celebrate Earth Day by launching a month-long promotion dedicated to LEED-certified hotels. LEED certification is a benchmark system developed by the Green Buildings Council to provide independent verification that a building meets certain standards of conservation and sustainability.
Learn more about LEED-certified hotels at PeterGreenberg.com.
Some current LEED-certified properties in the United States include the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Orchard Garden Hotel in San Francisco and the Palazzo in Las Vegas.
Find great ways to go green for Earth Day
Skip the beach and plan your volunteer vacation
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