greentravelguides.tv

Grand Canyon Railway

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:13:42 +0000

Steam trains have been taking visitors from Williams, Arizona, to the rim of the Grand Canyon since 1901. But it’s only been since 2008 that these historic steam engines have been converted to run on chip fat rather than diesel.

The work has been carried out by railroad company Xanterra.

As well as using recycled vegetable oil, the company harvests 90,000 gallons of snowmelt and rainwater each year to produce steam in its veteran engines.

Away from the railway, the company runs hotels, restaurants and tour buses within the National Park – all along strictly green lines.

The buses around the Rim are gas-powered. The restaurant roof is covered in solar panels and in two years, the company has reduced its water use by almost 60 per cent.

The steam trains run excursions on high days and holidays (check the website thetrain.com). This year, the railway plans a special Earth Day steam train ride to the Canyon. Toot toot!

Chocolate Fish, a critically endandered species

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:08:25 +0000

Environmentalist and writer Gill Williams (author of 100 Alien Invaders, Bradt Publishing *) goes in search of the endangered and elusive New Zealand chocolate fish. It's been hunted to near-extinction in the waters around New Zealand to satisfy endless demand from a hungry populace. Now scientists can reveal a second threat to this rare fish: global climate change. The warming of the seas around New Zealand may be causing melt-down of the outer layers of this unique species. Gill eventually finds a pair of these exotic fish amongst the pristine and protected reefs around Grand Cayman.

*Available globally on Amazon.com

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill Jamaica

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:04:15 +0000

Mocking Bird Hill does things a bit differently from other hotels in the Caribbean. This boutique hotel in Jamaica’s Port Antonio is one of the greenest hotels in the region and makes a vital contribution to the local, rural economy.

The hotel sources most of its supplies from local farmers and fishermen – buying sustainably and organically wherever possible. Energy comes from the sun, the pool is low chlorine and recycled bottles are turned into stylish lampshades.

Kilworth House

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:46:38 +0000

Picnic, proms and Pimms. No country does summer outdoor entertainment with more style than England, whether it’s Glyndbourne opera, Glastonbury rock .... or rollicking musical comedy at Kilworth House Hotel in Leicestershire.

Kilworth House is a Grade 11 Victorian country manor, the former residence of the High Sheriff of Leicestershire and the only hotel in Britain to have it’s own open-air theatre. Pack a picnic and watch the sun go down across the lake before taking your seats in the 540 seat theatre. Or stay the night with dinner in the restored Orangery followed by a singalong with Gershwin, Gilbert and Sullivan - or stirring rendition of Land of Hope and Glory.

The Bluefield Bay fish sanctuary, Jamaica

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:30:54 +0000

About

Overfishing doesn’t just upset the balance of nature. It has a catastrophic impact on fishing communities who depend on healthy fish stocks for their livelihood.

That’s why the fishermen of Bluefields Bay in Jamaica decided to take matters into their own hands and sort out a problem that had devastated their economy.

They spent several years persuading the Jamaican government to set Bluefields aside as a marine sanctuary. Thanks to their efforts, fishing is now banned within the bay and the mangrove swamps are being protected so that fish will once again breed in the shallows.

 The sanctuary has been in place three years and already larger fish are being sighted around Bluefields.The project has created jobs where non existed. People living along the coast are employed as wardens and there are plans to introduce boat and dive tours as the ecosystem recovers. The project is supported by the Tourism Foundation, Caribsave and Virgin Holidays. For info about the project, look at The Travel Foundationand for holidays to the area go to Virgin Holidays.

A Smart electric getaway

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:36:20 +0000

Just because you only have 85 miles on a charge doesn't mean you can't take an electric car on holiday. Quite the opposite, zero carbon emission vehicles like this Smart electric car are a clean and green means of exploring the countryside.

Travelling electrically is also very cheap – so much so that B&Bs and hotels seem than happy to throw in a charge with the cost of a room (shame about the bar bills). In this video greentravelguides.tv journalist Gill Williams and cameraman Steve Hills drive an electric car from East Anglia across England to Woodovis holiday park in Devon's Tamar Valley.

Lionfish in the fryer at Bluefields Bay

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:36:59 +0000

The lionfish may be the greatest threat to marine life in the Caribbean but it does have one natural predator – man. The Pacific invader has poisonous spines yet is safe to eat provided it is carefully prepared. This patois film by greentravelguides.tv is being used by Jamaica's Bluefields Bay fishermen's cooperative to explain the issues to their local community.

Lionfish are having a devastating impact on fish stocks in the region and undermining conservation efforts within Bluefields' marine sanctuary. Happily, lionfish is also tasty and this film shows people living around the Caribbean how lionfish can be safely descaled and the spines removed.

greentravelguides.tv was at Bluefields to make an English language film about the creation of the largest marine sanctuary in Jamaica. The film has been commissioned by The Travel Foundationand supported by Virgin Holidaysand will be screened later this year.

This short patois video will help get the message about lionfish across to local communities.

Making every drop count

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:36:40 +0000

Tourism soaks up a great deal of water – and very often in the driest countries on Earth. That's why the tourism-funded Just a Drop charity was formed – to turn on the tap for the one billion people still without ready access to fresh water.

The charity builds wells, pumps and boreholes for communities across 30 countries. It's a vital service – a child dies every 20 seconds because of contaminated water.

For more information, go to Just a Drop

Zealandia – a mainland island in the city

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:49:12 +0000

Wildlife sanctuaries are rarely found in the centre of a big city. Yet Zealandia in the inner city suburb of Karori, Wellington, is home of some of New Zealand’s rarest species – including animals that had been extinct on the mainland for more than a century.

The sanctuary is ringed by a predator-proof fence. That’s allowed park rangers to clear non-native mammals and reintroduce species such as the extremely rare Takahe and the iconic Kiwis.

Camping with a clear conscience in New Zealand

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:16:42 +0000

About

Just because you're on the road doesn’t mean you can’t minimise your impact on the environment.

That's why campervan operator Maui is encouraging holidaymakers to lend a hand with eco projects in New Zealand and Australia run by Conservation Volunteers. The charity organises more than 2,000 conservation projects in Australia and New Zealand every year. You can sign up for a day, a weekend or longer – planting seeds, clearing weeds or helping look after some of the rarest animal species on Earth.

 Maui has also joined forces with the New Zealand Tourism Energy Efficient Programme to design a new, more planet-friendly motorhome. The Platinum van is 15 per cent better at retaining heat than similar-sized traditional models.

The company has also been awarded the Qualmark Enviro-Silver Award for responsible waste management, energy and water conservation. The Maui website has information about how to make your own road trip a bit more gentle on the environment. This includes information about official campgrounds that manage waste and energy and make special efforts to look after their local surroundings.

Harapan Rainforest, Sumatra

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 06:12:37 +0000

About

The lowland rainforests of Sumatra are home to some of the rarest animals in the world – from tigers and gibbons to sunbears and hornbills.

Until just a few decades ago, these rainforests stretched across most of the island but today have been reduced to isolated pockets under constant threat from logging and clearance for oil palm.

That's why the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Bird Life International and Burung Indonesia have begun a project to restore Harapan rainforest. It's the first attempt in Indonesia to replant a rainforest and protect the wildlife while the trees recover.

Warm up your electric Smart car before you drive

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:00:19 +0000

Don't you just hate all that scraping ice off of the windscreen first thing in the morning before you drive? It's not a problem with the Smart Electric Drive car.

The key ring has a special little device on it. Point it at the car through a window of your house, to save you going out in the cold. Press the button and the heater comes on in the car. By the time you've had your breakfast it's de-frosted, warm as the toast you've just had and is ready to drive away.

Even better, if it's really hot in the summer, it cools the interior down with the cars powerful air conditioning. Both heating and cooling gets it's power from the lead plugged into your house, so there's been no discharging of the batteries.

Bird is the Word got to number 3

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:53:55 +0000

Well done to everyone that tried to get it to the top spot, especially those cool people at the RSPB who did it all for the birds and wildlife and stuff.

The team at greentravelguides.tv filmed RSPB staff performing some sharp moves with the help of their gardener Barry and a passing albatross. RSPB director of conservation Dr Mark Avery can be seen doing the 'funky chicken' at his desk. He says: 'We've been telling people 'bird is the word' for years and by supporting the campaign to get Surfin' Bird to the number one spot in the charts this Christmas we hope to reach a whole new audience in web users and music fans.'

'It's all a bit of fun but if it gets people thinking about wildlife at this time of year, and wanting to find out more about it, everyone’s a winner. Most importantly the birds themselves – and they're the real stars in all of this.'

Visit the Offical Surfin' Bird for Christmas Number One facebook page for information on how to download the song facebook.com/birdbirdbirdistheword

Find out more and about how the RSPB are involved by going to rspb.org.uk/rspb-joins-radio-dj-to-support-for-christmas-number-one-campaign

Also take a look at rspb.org.uk and see how you can help look after birds and stuff.

Electric Smart Car plug in and charge

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 15:37:55 +0000

Who needs petrol stations when you have one of these? A full charge will give you up to an 85 mile range for as little as 50 pence, here in the UK. Charging is simple and can be done from a normal domestic mains socket.

It has a top speed of almost 70mph and, as with a standard Smart Car, it exceeds crash test requirements. It's a baby Merc after all.

This car is under trial at the moment, but when the production cars become available soon, that 85 mile range is expected to be increased even further. Watch this space...

Check out smart electric driveand smart.com

elektromotive are installing electric charging points around the UK. Find out more and where to hook up at elektromotive.com

Lion fish in the Cayman Islands

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 09:24:52 +0000

About

The invasion of the Lionfish has been catastrophic for the health of the coral reefs in the Caribbean. They prey on 56 species, singling out juvenile and small fish and threatening several coral species with extinction.

Studies indicate that the arrival of just one lionfish on a reef leads to a 79 per cent drop in the number of young fish within just five weeks. Such is the concern about the threat to biodiversity that conservation authorities in the Cayman Islands enlist specially-trained divers to catch Lionfish.

The Caribbean Marine Institute on Little Cayman has launched a Dive with a Researcher programme whereby visiting divers assist scientists in a Lionfish monitoring project.

Red Squirrels of the Highlands

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:33:00 +0000

About

Seen a red squirrel on a holiday in Scotland? Then put it on the map and help protect one of Britain's most endearing but endangered native mammals.

The Highlands of Scotland is one of the last strongholds of Britain's red squirrels. They're under threat from habitat loss, traffic but most of all from the bigger and invasive North American grey squirrel.

A three year project called Red Squirrels of the Highlands is helping to save these likeable tree-huggers by encouraging people to report their whereabouts.

The project's new website not only maps populations but also runs discussion forums and conservation projects. They'll also be creating red squirrel trails in the region so you have a better chance of spotting Squirrel Nutkin and his relatives in the wild.

Mount Huangshan, China

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:40:46 +0000

About

Nature conservation and biodiversity are now key priorities for China's Mount Huangshan scenic reserve in south Anhui province.

The iconic reserve in eastern China is already protected as a UN World Heritage Site and a familiar image in classical Chinese scroll paintings.

Now efforts are being made to protect the unique natural environment, says director Jiwei Xu.

Mount Huangshan is home to more than half of China's fern families and the endemic Huangshan pine. The tree is unique in that it puts down roots among rocks rather than in soil.

The reserve also contains a third of the country's native byrophyte plants – non vaascular land plants such as mosses.

Concept planes of the future from Airbus

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:18:27 +0000

What will air travel be like in 2050? Charles Champion of Airbus gives a glimpse into the future of flying and also green initiatives that are already becoming a reality

Do you have any innovative and green ideas that could help change the way we fly? Why not enter the Airbus Fly Your Ideas Challenge by going to airbus-fyi.com

Invaders of the UK Overseas Territories

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:11:14 +0000

Invasive species are now the third greatest threat to life on Earth after habitat loss and climate change. They're named and shamed in a new book this month 100 Alien Invaders by greentravelguides.tv founder Gill Williams (published by Bradt Guides).

This film made for the RSPB follows the work being done by conservationists in the UK Overseas Territories to oust invasive species. These islands are spread across the Pacific, Caribbean and South Atlantic and are rich in biodiversity, home to plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. Yet the remarkable development of these species also makes them vulnerable. In the last 500 years, travellers have introduced other, less desirable invaders that threaten the survival of native species. That's why visitors today must take extra care not to spread seeds or import alien animals into these habitats, says TV plant guru Alan Titchmarsh.
In this video, Alan looks at the problem of invasive species and the remarkable conservation work being done in the UK Overseas Territories.

The video was produced for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds by greentravelguides.tv parent company Wildside UK Productions Ltd.

greentravelguides.tv tests electric smart car

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:01:45 +0000

greentravelguides.tv takes to the highways this summer to test drive the new Smart electric car. During the next year, we’ll be taking part in a pilot scheme to put the prototype Smart car through its paces on British roads.

greentravelguides.tv boss Steve Hills says: “We want to find out whether or not this new electric vehicle is practical for travelling around the countryside as well as an everyday runabout.” Steve Hills collected the car this week from Transport Advisor to the Mayor of London, Kulveer Ranger.

Check out smart electric driveand smart.com
Future Foundationhas conducted research into peoples' views and the practicality of electric cars
Elektromotive are installing electric charging points around the UK. Find out more and where to hook up at elektromotive.com

Marriott supports Amazonas project

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 22 May 2010 16:56:44 +0000

Felling the world's tropical rainforests accounts for as much as a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions – more than all the CO2 pumped out by trains, planes and motor vehicles.

So one of the most effective ways we can reduce carbon emissions is to stop the world's rainforests being felled.That's why the Marriott hotel chain has pledged US$2 million dollars to support the Juma Reserve in Amazonas in what is claimed to be a pioneering conservation agreement between government and private enterprise.

Punta Cana funds schools & green initiatives

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 22 May 2010 15:45:45 +0000

About

A few years ago, kids in Dom Rep's Punta Cana region didn't go to secondary school. The nearest was 50 km away and getting to school meant hitching a ride on a passing truck.

Now the children have their own well-equipped polytechnic. Nearby are primary schools and a free medical centre for the community. All were set up by the Puntacana Foundation, a non-profit charity run by the biggest resort developer in the area, Grupo Puntacana.

Protecting the rainforest in Costa Rica

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:22:46 +0000

About this holiday

Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula has the richest biodiversity in the world. It is the home to the mighty Corcovada National Park, a towering lowland rainforest home to 350 species of birds along with plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.

Yet like every other tropical rainforest, it is under constant threat from logging and agriculture.That's why one local travel company Nature Air has pledged its profits to protect the buffer zone forests surrounding the national park.

The Real Tenerife

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:24:52 +0000

About this holiday

If you don't venture outside resorts like Los Christianos or Playa de las Americas the chances are you won't come across the real Tenerife.

Yet you only have to explore a short distance to find yourself on an unspoilt island with a distinct regional culture. For such a small island, Tenerife has an astonishing amount of space set aside as national or regional park. There are well-maintained walking tracks and most parks are served by regular buses. You can download visitor maps from www.webtenerife.com

Take a picnic into the pine forests and hike across the lunar landscape of Mount Teide National Park. Feeling lazy? A cable car takes you to the summit of Teide, highest mountain in Spain.

Lose an afternoon wandering around La Laguna, a colonial settlement now protected as a World Heritage Site.

Cape Range National Park, Western Australia

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:24:16 +0000

About this holiday

Strap on your fins for an underwater safari to see one of the mightiest yet gentlest species on Earth – the Whale Shark. These outsized plankton eaters migrate into the sea around Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef between April and June.

You're also likely to see Manta Rays along with Hawksbill, Green and Loggerhead turtles around the reef. Stay at the Sal Salis tented eco resort, an environmentally sustainable camp among the dunes of the Cape Range National Park.

The park sprawls more than 50,500 hectares and is home to rare Rock Wallabies, Red Kangaroos and at least 630 species of plants, some of them endemic.

Dominica – tourism for the future?

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:51:35 +0000

About this holiday

The people of Dominica are aware they're sitting on a golden goose. Their Caribbean island is one of the few not to have suffered from mass tourism development. They have rainforest, diverse wildlife – and one of the last indigenous Carib Indian communities in the world with a rich and unique culture.

Several tourism operations on the island are working to support community projects, such as schools and a health centre for severely disabled children.

Big efforts are also being made to ensure that tourism is sustainable and will enhance rather than detract from the natural environment.

Hiking and biking the Erie Canal

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:34:53 +0000

North America’s longest continuous cycling and hiking trail is being created as part of the restoration of the Erie Canal.

Built to carry cargo from Albany to Buffalo, New York, the canal is becoming a recreational park for boating and outdoor holidays, says Peter Wiles Jr.

Speaking at a holiday fair, Peter says the Erie was modeled on the canals of England and Wales. Yet when the Erie canal towpath is fully open, it will stretch more than 350 miles – more than double the length of England’s Grand Union.

Electric days out

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:51:58 +0000

We plugged into Smart technology to see whether it's really practical to use one of Mercedes' new generation electric models for a day out or weekend away.

The cars will go on sale toward the end of 2010. They do about 112 kilometres on a single charge and can be plugged into the mains. We took the car for spin around the Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire countryside in Southeast England. We drove along country lanes, motorways (where we hit a top speed of about 104kph) and around busy towns. 

To make our charge go further, we plugged into the mains while we had a spot of lunch and a swim at the Best Western Quy Mill Hotel in rural Cambridgeshire. That gave us more than enough juice to pootle around the countryside for the afternoon and still return home with plenty of energy to spare.

Find out how you can test an electric Smart Car next year in the UK by going to smart electric trial.

Girls go green in Paris

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:34:54 +0000

About this holiday

There are thousands of Vélib bikes in Paris at 300 racks, mostly beside Metro stations. Anyone can hire them. Simply swipe your credit card into the machine, follow the multi-lingual instructions and you’re off on your Paris cycling adventure.

You pay just one euro to sign up for the scheme for a day or five euros for a week. But here’s the clever bit: the first half hour is free – so a 20 minute ride from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre costs nothing.

Choose hotels that are trying to make a difference to the environment, such as Le Meridien Etoile Paris, the only hotel in the city to be awarded the Green Key label for environmental management. And remember to travel to Paris by train!

Archey the frog is alive and hopping

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:21:30 +0000

In October 2008 greentravelguides.tv went live as an internet television channel showing how we can keep travelling without trashing the planet. It's been an interesting 14 months.

The birth of our mascot Archey the Frog co-incided with the onset of the worst recession in eight decades. Money has been tight and people have not been spending as much on travel.

Yet the recession may have been good for sustainable travel. We're seeing more of our own countries; passing on international resorts in favour of B&Bs or camping – in short, making our journeys count.

The world is inching out of recession and that's a good thing. But the experiences of the last year may have made all of us take stock of our priorities and think about the way we travel. The future is bright and the future of travel is green.

Cat Sail into 2010

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:13:12 +0000

About this holiday

Who needs a gas-guzzling motor when you can whip across the water at 20 knots on a hobie cat sailing holiday?

Unlike conventional sailing, you can learn the basics in about three sessions. That means you can be flying out on the trapeze and master a whole new sport on a single holiday.

Sea Kayaking, Barra

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:47:25 +0000

About this holiday

Explore some of the most unpolluted bays and islets in Europe on a canoeing adventure with Clearwater Paddling. Guides lead kayaking adventures in the waters around Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

Within minutes you're crossing turquoise lagoons, on the lookout for seals basking on the rocks, cormorants and herons on fishing trips and perhaps an otter or basking shark.

Daytrips also give you plenty of time as well to laze on empty, sandy beaches.

You can join camping expeditions, stay in Clearwater’s own hostel on Barra (B&B £42pp when two share) or in pubs around the coast like the Heathbank Hotel.

The Zakoura Foundation, Morocco

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:27:36 +0000

About

Small scale tourist businesses in poor rural corners of Morocco are being given money and expertise to develop by a through a micro finance project.

The award winning Zakoura Foundation provides money for all sorts of businesses – from potters, to spice sellers, jewellery makers and traditional guesthouses known locally as riads.

They also support food suppliers and encourage guesthouses and B&Bs to source food from local farmers and merchants. More than 800 small business have been assisted by the not-for-profit scheme, which also offers training and help with marketing.

Now the Foundation is introducing a certification scheme that will grade B&Bs in rural areas. B&Bs will be listed on the Zakoura website to help them attract visitors from abroad.

Heron & Wilson Islands

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:03:11 +0000

About this holiday

Heron and neighbouring Wilson islands fall within the Capricorn National Park along Queensland's mighty Barrier Reef.

They are home to a rich variety of plants and animals. Some species are unique to these coral reef islands, such as the strange Pisonia tree used for nesting by Noddy Terns that later in the season produces a sap to capture stragglers!

Tourism is carefully managed on these national park islands. Seabird nesting grounds in the interior of Wilson are closed year-round.

How you can help

Only walk on the reef with one of the naturalists who’ll show you how to tread carefully around the fragile corals and small animals
Dive responsibly
Spend time in the Heron visitor centre to learn about the flora and fauna
Never use a torch near beached turtles – you are liable to disrupt nesting animals
Never collect plant or animal souvenirs
Keep well clear of seabird nesting areas during breeding seasons

The Wolves of Ontario

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:51:18 +0000

About this holiday

Few people have ever seen a wolf in the wild in Canada’s Ontario province, even though there are several packs within Algonquin Provincial Park. They’re naturally shy animals – they can smell humans six kilometres away and keep well clear.

However, you will be able to watch them at the Haliburton Wolf Research Centre. The wolves at the centre lead a semi-wild existence within a 15 acre natural enclosure. They have minimal contact with people so their pack behaviour is typical of wild wolves – and you’ll see them through one-way glass so they’re unaware they’re being watched. The centre is entirely funded by visitor fees and is within a 70,000 acre sustainably managed hardwood forest.

How you can help

DO visit the Haliburton Wolf Research Centre – money raised helps fund their wildlife conservation work and raise awareness of the need to protect these amazing animals – haliburtonforest.com

DO support for a ban on the hunting of grey/timber wolves. Hunting is outlawed in 48 US States but allowed in Alaska, in Canada, Russia and parts of Eastern Europe – wolf.org

DO Howl in Algonquin – it helps rangers count wolves – algonquinpark.on.ca

Green New Zealand

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:15:35 +0000

About this holiday

A whole country is getting together to go green! Tourism is New Zealand’s biggest export earner, forget the butter mountains.

And the kiwis know that the environment and scenery are what attracts visitors. That’s why they’ve set out to be environmentally sustainable.

Whether it’s the Maori tribespeople of Kaikoura leading whale watching expeditions or hiking operators taking people into the Fjordland National Park, there’s a community-wide commitment to looking after their greatest asset.

How you can help

Support local community projects in New Zealand
Offset your flight. New Zealand is a long way from anywhere!

Biofuel test flight

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 09:56:06 +0000

February 2008

A cocktail of coconut and babassu oil has been mixed to power a GE engine in the first trials of renewable fuel on a 747 plane. The trial was carried out on a Virgin flight from London to Amsterdam. It's the first in a series of tests planned by airlines to check out the viability of alternative fuels. The oils in this trial were harvested from existing, mature plantations and not rainforest, claims Virgin boss Richard Branson.

The airline and its partners say nuts are not going to be the long-term answer. The future of biofuels is more likely to come from algae grown on sewage than the ingredients in a Barcardi Breezer.

Geek speak – for the latest developments on alternative fuels and their impact on the environment, go to the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels with its catchy web address: cgse.epfl.ch

The Outer Hebrides of James MacLetchie

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:16:00 +0000

About this holiday

People have been living in the southern islands of the Outer Hebrides for about 8,000 years. They have created a sustainable farming landscape able to support people and nature.

Yet their lives are changing. Many people on these islands were fishermen but over-fishing has forced them to find new ways to make a living.

Fishermen like James MacLetchie are now working as wildlife guides in the islands of the Uists and neighbouring Barra. These islands are home to the biggest colonies of mute swans in Britain along with redshanks, corncrakes and golden plovers. You’ll spot short eared owls swooping low across the roads and buzzards perching on lamp posts. This is also a great place to come if you’re interested in rare plants. In early summer, North and South Uist and Barra are covered in drifts of wildflowers, fluffy bog cotton and native orchids.

How to help

Use local wildlife guides who champion the wild
Travel by ferry

Vikings

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:40:47 +0000

About this holiday

No need to leave the wife and kids behind when you cross the North Sea to meet your battle-hardened enemies, the Saxons. Both sides in the 10th Century fracas bring the family to join in authentic re-enactments at historic sites across Britain.

The weekend re-enactments not only bring history to life but help to preserve ancient skills, from masonry to ironmongery and weaving. And they correct a few historical inaccuracies – showing how the Vikings were not only the greatest explorers of their time but also had a rich culture far beyond the pillaging and mayhem of the history books (written, of course, by the Normans – but that’s another tale).

How you can help

Keep ancient cultures and crafts alive by joining re-enactment societies (international membership welcome). Vikings’ membership costs UK£20 per year (about about US$37) vikingsonline.org.uk
There’s also a North American branch – vikingsna.org
Support Old Sarum and nearby Stonehenge run by English Heritage by visiting and joining fun days out such as the re-enactments: english-heritage.org.uk

Kayaking in Fiji

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:22:11 +0000

About this holiday

The rainforest on Fiji’s second largest island Vanua Levu needs champions if the trees are to be spared the chop (or the encroachment of the mining industry). And the best weapon in your eco armoury is a paddle! Canoeing trips take you deep into the interior. You’ll dip your oar into several rivers that run through the mountainous island, passing villages and beneath the canopy of dense rainforest.

Start at SavuSavu, the nearest Vanua Levu has to a resort. Several local companies run canoeing trips, from afternoon splashes to longer holidays staying in villages overnight then canoeing downriver by day.

We like frogs… and Vanua Levu is the place to see the rare Fiji Ground Frog and endemic Fiji Tree Frogs. You’ll see them within Waisali Rainforest Reserve, one of the last virgin tropical rainforests in Fiji. It is home to exotic native trees such as the Yaka, Dakua and Kuasi and about 30 species of orchids. It’s also a sanctuary for 21 species of breeding land birds. The entrance to the 120 hectare park isn’t clearly marked but bus drivers will show you the way.

How to help

DO try kayaking and of course explore the reef

DO use local transport wherever possible

DO get to know the locals – some of the friendliest people in the world

Petra

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:31:14 +0000

About this holiday

In ancient times Al Khazneh was the central bank for a trading empire stretching from China in the east to Rome in the west. Today, the Petra treasury is worth more to modern civilisation than all the gold, silver and precious jewels ever stored in its coffers.

It was the first building seen by foreign silk and spice merchants 2,000 years ago when they arrived in Petra to trade with the Nabateans. Nothing could have prepared these early travellers for the sight of Al Khazneh, towering 43 metres high and hewn out of bare, pink rock. The impact is just as powerful today.

The sense of theatre builds as you enter Petra through the kilometre-long Al Siq, a dark and narrow gorge dwarfed by 80 metre high cliffs. You find yourself in an astonishingly well-preserved city with tombs and temples, obelisks and colonnaded streets. Petra is the greatest archaeological site in Jordan, an opened history book tracing 2,600 years from the Nabateans to the Romans, Byzantines and medieval Moslems.

How you can help

DO keep to the main paths to avoid wear and tear on the ancient city. And that way you won’t get lost (Petra sprawls 264 square kilometres).
DO use two feet . Donkey hooves damage the steps so explore the monuments under your own steam.
DON’T buy sand bottles. The bottles are made by breaking apart sandstone within the archaeological park. Likewise, avoid buying rock fragments from hawkers.
DON’T take helicopter daytrips to Petra. Not only do they release masses carbon but vibrations are damaging the sandstone.
DON’T pick plants. The biodiversity of Petra is fragile

DO support the Petra National Trust, a non-profit conservation organisation dedicated to the preservation of the archaeological, cultural and natural heritage of Petra and its region. Latest projects include restoration of the Nabeatean water system and a sustainable income project with the local Amarin tribes people, including water harvesting and irrigation.

The Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji islands resort

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:08:15 +0000

About this holiday

At first glance, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort could be any luxury hotel, anywhere in the tropics. It looks like a setting for the South Pacific, cue palm trees and waves slapping on the shore and the sticky fruit punch at reception. The differences only become apparent as you settle in, from the natural aircon (high ceilings and sea breezes), to solar panels and biodegradable smellies.

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort pioneered sustainability in a holiday resort. It has proven that a five star tropical hotel cannot only avoid damaging the rainforest and coral reef but also repair mistakes of the past. Unlike most of the videos on greentravelguides.tv this programme was filmed by us back in 1999 – and the resort is still going strong and keeping green.

How to help
DO help plant mangroves – or sign up your kids to join the planting squads
DO dive responsibly – avoid touching the coral and disturbing the reef

Antarctica wildlife

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:59:20 +0000

About this holiday

The northern-most tip of the world's wildest continent is incredibly lush by Antarctica standards, able to support an astonishing variety of plants and animals. During the summer, humpback, minke and occasional rare blue whales come to the waters surrounding the Peninsula to gorge on pink krill. Albatross, skuas, gulls and penguins are also seen in great numbers, feasting on rich pickings from the sea.

Ships bound for the Antarctic Peninsula sail out of Ushuaia, the southern-most town in the world in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

How you can help

DO sail with members of IAATO, the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, bound by a strict environmental code and limiting passenger numbers to 400 (although most ships carry fewer).

DON’T travel on big cruise liners such as the Marco Polo – the ship is refused landing at Britain’s Port Lockroy base because it doesn’t comply with IAATO rules. The bigger the landing party, the greater the likelihood people will trample on lichens or stumble through nesting sites.

DO keep five metres from the wildlife at all times.

The elephants of Uda Walawe

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:56:28 +0000

About this holiday

Udu Walawe is elephant country. If you train your binoculars in almost any direction you’ll see herds of elephants on the horizon. They come down to graze beside the tracks, chomping on wads of grass the size of hay bales (an Asian elephant eats 880 pounds of fodder every day to support all that weight and produces about 180 pounds of prime organic fertiliser at the other end). And on a dusk safari, you’ll see them at the waterhole, drinking and playing in the shallows.

How to help

Sponsor a baby elephant at Uda Walawe through Born Free.
Become a volunteer with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society

Pendolino trains

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:10:04 +0000

Trainspotters can be green too, so pack your clipboard for a ride on a Pendolino train that actually puts energy back into the grid. They tilt to go faster around corners and can carry about 440 passengers in nine carriages. The trains were designed by Fiat Ferroviaria – taken over by French giant Alstom in 2000 (check out their sustainability policy on alstom.com if you’ve got THAT much time on your hands).

About 10 train operators in Finland, the UK, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Switzerland use these high speed trains. They’re not the full answer but figures thrown about in geek world show that a London to Edinburgh train ride produces about 24 kg of C02. The same trip by air produces 193kg of that nasty carbon stuff.

Geek Speak

A Pendolino travels up to 270 kph, revs up from zero to 96kph in 60 seconds. The train weighs 471 tonnes, more if the on-board catering is up to scratch.

Sri Lanka's wild places

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:25:08 +0000

About this holiday

Sri Lanka opened the world's first wildlife sanctuary more than 2,000 years ago. Today, about 12 per cent of the island is national park or protected sanctuaries, encompassing wetlands, dry wilderness and virgin rainforest. It's a country of rich biodiversity, with amazing areas like UNESCO's Sinharaja rainforest home to species found nowhere else on Earth.

Yet wildlife in Sri Lanka is under constant threat from human encroachment. Tourism helps protect these wild habitats because it provides an income to people living on the fringes of national parks.

How you can help

DO support the national parks to provide work for local people

DON’T use a torch, wear light clothing or make noise on turtle beaches – you’ll disrupt nesting.

Down Hall Country House Hotel

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:37:41 +0000

About this holiday

Green credentials go much further than wellies and waxed barbours at Down Hall Hotel. While the Romanesque facade was bolted on at a later date, records show this manor on the Hertfordshire/Essex border in England was built as early as 1322.

Early 2008 it entered a new stage of its evolution as the country mansion embarked on a project to become carbon-neutral. Electricity is on a green tariff, all paper is from sustainable sources, and the hotel uses local suppliers for produce. Next on the agenda is rainwater harvesting to flush the loos. Staff have planted an organic garden for fruit and veg – and flowers for the tables. Take a walk through the woodland, cared for as part of a wildlife and habitat management project with the Essex Wildlife Trust.

There are still things to do… toiletries need to come in more sustainable packaging and do we really need those fluffy robes? But we liked the logs in the old fireplace made from recycled newspapers and the hotel sales staff drive a hybrid car.