Like many of you readers, I have been bombarded with the word “Green.” I actually enjoy it, and find it fascinating to see how many mainstream corporations have embraced the term since its inception (although I am slightly concerned that, like many trends, this will fade). In terms of the Green movement, some folks in the general public seem not to be interested, and will not change. Others are waiting for more information and may linger on the fence as to how they feel about the issue. And then there are those of us who are so bought in that we cannot wait to see what the next step in the Green movement is!

But back to the point: this article is not a political rant, a critique of corporate greed, or a call to any specific action. Rather, this is meant to be a guide for those who want to be more green on their next outdoor vacation!

1. As an outfitter I cannot count the number of times I see friends who hail from the same location or neighborhood arrive in a caravan of vehicles. There are a variety of valid reasons to drive separately, but on more than one occasion carpooling would have been an eco-friendly option. If you have a big group of folks coming rafting, look into busing. Some of the rafting companies can get you great rates with a bus company. For example, last year, for groups of 44 or less, I had a luxury bus line ready to provide round trip transportation from Southern California for as little as $36 per person. This is a great option. You’re traveling with friends, there are DVD players and a bathroom on the bus, and someone else is doing the driving. This is a nice carbon footprint reducing measure.

2. Stick to propane, as it burns cleaner. While charcoal may make the food taste better (I know, I know), propane is certainly the more environmentally-friendly route, if you have that option. And if environmental cleanliness is not enough of an incentive, you may want to factor your health into the equation. According to recent studies, the chemical that comes off of charcoal may actually have adverse effects on the human body.

3. We all know that sunblock is a must if you are on the river, or in any form of sun exposure, for that matter. There are debates as to whether or not it is actually good for your skin, but scientists have pretty much affirmed that sunscreen has a damaging effect on the ocean’s coral reefs. Well, our rafting doesn’t happen on the ocean, but we still suggest that you look into organic or all-natural sunblocks that do not contain any of the following: PABA, octinoxate, oxybenzone, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and the preservative butylparaben. And even if you don’t care about reefs, consider this: Over six million gallons of sunblock are washed off of human bodies and into the ocean each YEAR.

4. If you love water and all the recreation that it can bring, you may want to invest in your own vest. Apparently we cannot call them “life”-vests any longer because there is no guarantee they can save a life (and someone somewhere sued). So in the industry, we call them Personal Flotation Devices or PFDs for short. But regardless of what you call that thing that buckles around your mid section and provides you with flotation, you have some choices to make. If you want to go as green as possible, you might want to look into Astral, as they use a completely recyclable foam. This is easier on the earth and easier to process. Not to mention that their vests have a good reputation!

5. Do you eat organically? We do. When you do decide to go this route, please be aware that food spoils MUCH faster. After we discovered this, we stepped back for a minute to assess what the heck they put in other food that makes it last so long. Organic food generally has to travel far less to get to the grocery store, thus creating a smaller carbon footprint. The products used to grow the food are better for the earth, and the animals are treated more humanely.

6. How about this: Whitewater rafting is, in and of itself, a green activity. You travel down the river using manpower, rather than an engine run by fuel or electricity.

7. Another easy change that anyone can make is to get rid of plastic water bottles. Glass is actually the best environmentally-friendly alternative. Check out Green Is Sexy, a website owned by actress Rachel McAdams, where you can actually purchase designer glass bottles. If the breakage factor of glass bottles is too much of a concern (fully understandable), metal bottles are also a good option.

Hopefully these seven tips will give you some new ideas on how to be green, whether you are rafting, traveling to another vacation destination, or simply living your day-to-day life. The struggles between corporations to create greener products are far from over, but ultimately, the efforts of individuals and businesses alike will benefit all of us.

Enjoy your rafting experience!

Nature’s-Classroom offers whitewater rafting excursions for individuals and schools alike. The program, located on the shore of the American River, is a great new opportunity for any adventurer AND is environmentally friendly!