American writer and philospher Henry David Thoreau once said, "I have traveled a great deal in Concord." Interestingly enough, he was actually from Concord, so what on earth was he talking about?

Well it seems Thoreau had discovered the satisfaction of traveling locally and saw an area he was familiar with as still being ripe with potential for a good time. Travel writer Tim Patterson recounts his own experience taking inspiration from Thoreau when he spontaneously hiked the hills behind his home, an area he had never really discovered. Though Patterson is a seasoned traveler, his simple journey provided him with an experience he compares to the likes of visiting world-famous sites such as the Egyptian Pyramids.

Four times I came to dams, and had to scramble around them through thick bamboo grass. When I finally emerged into a village, covered in mud and cobwebs, it was past midnight.

The next day at work I couldn’t stop grinning. I had gone on a TRIP. Beyond that, I now knew what was Out There, over the hills, and by understanding what was Out There, I had a better appreciation for home and work - the comfortable routines to which I was able to return.

My carbon footprint for the journey? Zero.

Thoreau was known to go on similar treks through Concord, randomly exploring places and talking to people that piqued his interest and curiosity.

As Patterson points out, just because a person visits places across the world, does not automatically make them a true traveler. Rather a real traveler can find adventure and excitement even in the places closest to them.

Money is tight these days and our earthly impact isn't exactly shrinking rapidly, however no one wants to feel sentenced to a house or an office during these times, especially as the weather warms up and the sun stays out longer. So go ahead: do as Thoreau did and see what experiences you can have in your own backyard and just beyond.

» Brave New Traveler

Before you start booking accommodations, making reservations and otherwise making deposits for an upcoming trip, there are some questions you may want to consider asking the vendors you are thinking of using. No these aren't the usual "Do you offer non-smoking rooms" or "What type of economy vehicles do you have available for rent" type of questions, but rather ones you should ask if your goal is to lighten your carbon footprint during your travels. You'll especially want to get more information if a service provider claims to be "green," but is vague on the details to ensure it's not just a load of hogwash greenwash.

Hotels
What kind of recycling program do you offer? Do you provide in-room recycling?

What specific water- and energy-saving methods does the facility use?

What methods of public transportation are available nearby? Is the hotel within walking distance to major attractions or tourist spots?

What type of cleaning products are used to clean the building?

Do you compost leftovers from your kitchen (or kitchens)?

Car rental companies
Do you have any hybrid vehicles available for rent? Any vehicles that run on biofuels? What are the maintainance and refueling procedures necessary for these vehicles?

Where are the nearest refueling stations?

How far will the vehicle travel on average before needing to be refilled/charged?

Which are your most fuel-efficient vehicles (that will fit the required number of people in your group)?

What is the cost comparison of renting an eco-friendly vehicle versus renting a conventional one?

Do any of your proceeds go toward environmental projects?

Restaurants
Do you serve foods that are grown or produced locally? Which menu items contain local food?

Do you serve any organic food options? Which menu items contain organic food?

Which of your wines and beers are produced locally?

Do you compost unused food when possible?

Tour companies
Do you offer walking, hiking or biking tours?

Are all tours conducted by a guide who is familiar with the area?

Which tours showcase some of the area's wildlife (ie. whale watching, bird watching)? What do you do to ensure the protection of this wildlife during your tour?

What, if any, green boating tours such as canoeing or kayaking are available in the area?

» Green Hotels Association

One of the first things you may do as you begin to plan your next big trip is look into the cost of flights. Unless you'll be traveling by car, air travel is the most common way to reach your destination. However if the carbon footprint of your vacation, not to mention the cost, causes you some anxiety, there are certainly other ways to travel. And not only will they save you some money and carbon emissions, there are other benefits as well.

The facts
Air travel is responsible for somewhere in the neighborhood of four to nine per cent of the human activity that causes climate change. Combine this with the fact that emissions related to air travel have increased 83 per cent since 1990 and it may cause you to think twice about taking advantage of a good seat sale with an airline.

The alternatives
Taking a train when possible is far easier on the earth. While aviation accounts for 12 per cent of the carbon emissions for world transport, rail (along with inland water) travel account for only half of that amount.

Train travel isn't exactly a new concept: the first step toward its development dates back to 1550, when Wagonways (railed roads) were used in Germany. Carts and wagons pulled by horses were able to move more efficiently on these than they could on dirt roads. Evenutally iron replaced wood as the material these rails and the wheels of carts were made of, and in the early 1800s, Richard Trevithick developed the first steam locomotive which replaced horse-drawn transportation.

The benefits
The carbon emissions per passenger is typicall lower when traveling via rail as opposed to air. Eurostar, a passenger train service that runs between the UK and Europe, commissioned an independent third-party study that found traveling by train from London to Paris reduced emissions per passenger by a whopping 90 per cent.

Generally when you fly, you'll spot glimpses of scenery such as bodies of water or the tops of mountains, and while these can look pretty cool from a high distance, you only see them from a bird's eye-view (so to speak).

Many train routes are designed to provide picturesque views, from sprawling fields and hills to beautiful mountains you can see up-close. A train is also less likely to be delayed by inclement weather such as snow, a common pitfall of traveling by plane.

While a train trip may take longer since there are multiple stops involved, you'll avoid other hassles involved with flying such as lengthy layovers and the often invasive security screening required at your local airport. And instead of trying to get comfortable on a red-eye or otherwise long flight, when you're inevitably seated next to a screaming child a generously-sized passenger, when traveling by a train such as Amtrak, you can arrange for sleeping accommodations that may feature similar amenities to a hotel, including fresh linen and towel service. Families can even arrange for a family-sized bedroom, which comfortably sleeps two adults and two children.

Vacation alternatives
Rather than just using a train as your method of transportation to your vacation spot, make it the key component of your travel plans. From VIA Rail which will take you on a rail vacation through the Canadian Rockies, to tours of Europe traveling with (appropriately named) Rail Europe, there are hundreds of options of trips you can take all by rail that will be a unique change from the typical resort you might fly to.

Resources
Visit the Take A Train Ride blog, written by train travel expert Jim Loomis, who also wrote the book "All Aboard! The Complete North American Train Travel Guide." Jim covers all topics train-related and is willing to answer question you may have about this alternative method of transportation.

» David Suzuki Foundation

I sat in the truck as it drove to the Rockhampton airport and reflected on the two weeks I had spent living with the wallabies. I certainly have a number of truly unique memories from the experience including, but not limited to, getting bitten by a hungry baby wallaby, an encounter with one of the world’s deadliest snakes, the chance to spend time up close with a koala and spent Australia Day with the wombats at a fundraiser. I believe that other people should take the opportunity to participate in volunteer vacations if they have the chance. I would however like to offer some tips based on my experiences in Australia. 


Volunteer Vacation Tips!

1. While it is a good idea to use the volunteer connection organizations to find out about projects, make sure you ask where your money is going and decide if you are getting value from your involvement with them. In my experience, GoEco didn’t really do too much for the $350 I gave them.  From the perspective of the conservation organization, they didn’t receive a lot of information about myself or the other incoming volunteers, despite the application forms that we were required to fill out. However, this may not be true of all organizations and was merely my experience with GoEco.

2. Connect with the project directly and ask as many questions as you can about the daily schedule of activities, work requirements, clothing, weather and other things, so that you can come as prepared as possible for the experience you are about to embark. The better prepared you are, the better the experience will be.

3. After talking to the conservation organization, have an honest conversation with yourself. Will you be able to pick up wallaby feces in +40C weather? Are you comfortable working in conditions that are often dirty and have bugs? Are you able to wake up every day at 4:30am for a month? It is much better to reflect on your abilities before you make a commitment to volunteer.

4. Be realistic about the time you are going to contribute. It costs the organization tremendous amounts of money to have their volunteers leave early. You can always stay longer if you enjoy it and there is space available but it really leaves the project staff in a bind if they were counting on having a certain number of hands to get the job done and you leave them on unexpectedly.

5. Go into the experience with honest intentions. The people who run these projects, particularly those at Project Kial, know what they are doing and what works for their organization. They are the experts in their field of work and are willing to teach you what they know if you are willing to listen and learn.

6. Communication is essential at the project site. With the Kial Project, things are pretty remote so you are in close quarters with a lot of different personalities. Things aren’t always easy and like most human endeavors don’t always run as smoothly as we would like them to. However, those experiences can be really great stories of learning if you approach the situations with a relaxed attitude. If you are having trouble in any way make sure you talk to the project staff to address it. Communication is the key to making sure everyone has a great experience!

7. Come prepared to work! You have not signed up for an all-inclusive vacation by the beach. The project coordinators are looking forward to your arrival so they have time to work on other projects. You are there to volunteer and actually help them out instead of create more work.

While I won’t miss the bugs, the heat and the wallaby poop, I think often of my new friends, both human and animal. Many of these volunteer projects would not be able to survive if it were not for the international volunteers that donate their time and effort. Project Kial is no exception. The government of Australia has cut all funding to endangered species projects in favour of those that support action on climate change. If you are interested in learning more about Project Kial and their effort to save endangered Australian species, please visit their website at http://www.aace.org.au/projectkial.htm. On their website they also have a list of desired donations and every little bit helps get this endangered species back on its feet.

» Project Kial

Volunteer vacations are a growing trend in the travel industry as people look to give a little something back in exchange for a unique experience. Like most others who are attracted to this type of vacation, I was looking for a great opportunity that would result in some wonderful memories I could share with those at home. As described in my last article, I boarded a series of planes and hopped in a truck that would take me to Project Kial, located outside of the remote village of Marlborough, one hour north of Rockhampton, Queensland.

Project Kial is a conservation action project run by the Australian Animals Care and Education organization, that aims to return the endangered bridled nail-tail wallaby (aka the ‘Bridles’) back to a protected wild habitat. An extremely dedicated family oversees this project, but they also work to help as many other animals in distress as they can. They have a tremendous success rate with a variety of lizards, snakes, wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, sugar gliders and wombats. As a part of their program they also work to educate Australians and visitors about the importance of conservation efforts and the challenges faced by many of their unique native species. The family has been spearheading the wallaby project since 2003 but has been working with other native species for many more years.

The work of volunteers at Project Kial is highly valued and extremely important. When volunteers arrive they give the family a well-deserved break from animal care which allows them time to work on other projects that help move the goals of the organization forward. They always seem to have many projects on the go which volunteers are able to help with if they so choose. During my time at the sanctuary a new wombat enclosure was being constructed and more breeding pens for the ‘Bridles’ were being finished for the growing populations. One of their goals for the future also includes partnering with researchers to be able to learn more about the various native species around the sanctuary, particularly the wombats that they encounter in their work.

While our schedule was laid out pretty much the same each day, each day brought something new and exciting. As I mentioned before we started work around 5:00am to avoid having to work under the harsh Australian sun, which starts to become almost unbearable around 8:30am. In those first few morning hours, several tasks had to take place. My job was to start by cleaning out a number of wallaby pens, ranging from the quite small pens with females and their joeys (baby wallabies) to large pens with up to thirteen animals living there. When I say cleaning out I mean the following glamorous tasks: 1) remove all remaining food from the night before and rinse feeder; 2) scrub water dish and replace with clean water; and 3) the most important task – scoopin’ the poop. I can tell you from experience that wallabies do take care of business – a lot. Once my fellow volunteers and I had spent some quality time in the enclosures with the “Bridles”, it was time to take care of the rest of the animals that were scattered in enclosures around the property. I was given the task of cleaning the sugar and squirrel glider cages and making sure the skinks and shingleback lizards were properly taken care of.

The rest of the day was spent expending as little energy as possible. Typically I would head for the shade of the trailer and the comfort of my bed for a couple of hours after work. I would then have lunch and spend the afternoon visiting with the other volunteers and the family. Our work would start again around 5:30pm when the mobs of kangaroos, wallabies, gliders, birds, wombats and koala would be looking for their daily meal. Feed-out as it’s called, was a great opportunity to get pictures of the animals and watch the sunset over the nearby hills. In the evenings we would eat a great meal cooked by the family and enjoy each other’s company by telling jokes and sharing stories. The great thing about this experience is that there are people from all over the world there so you get to learn a lot about other countries and customs.

My time at Project Kial was a great learning experience in so many ways. I truly enjoyed myself and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. If you’re looking for a little adventure and a chance to make a difference on your next holiday I would recommend trying out a volunteer vacation. That being said, this type of work is not for everyone. In the final installment of my Australia volunteer adventure I outline my recommendations for anyone who wants to take on this kind of challenge. Keep visiting the Ecollo website to find out more!

» Project Kial

It’s 4:30am when I hear the kookaburra’s calling to each other from the distant eucalyptus trees. While I’m not that enthused about getting up at this hour, I know that if I stay in bed, it will only get harder. I can hear movement in the next room and know that it is definitely time to get the day started. Heading to the cookhouse for breakfast, I nod sleepily to the other drowsy faces, who don’t look any more energetic than I feel. The coolness of the morning is welcome after the +40C days we have been having since I arrived. After grabbing a hat and slathering on some sunscreen I head with my broom and bucket to start my first job of the morning. Another day has begun.

In the fall of 2009 I decided I wanted to do something a little different for my winter vacation. Looking for holiday ideas online, I found several organizations that set up volunteer vacations for interested parties. Historically, these vacations have been associated with graduating high school students who have decided to take a ‘gap year’ to travel and spend some time giving back in a variety of projects. Volunteer vacations are a growing travel trend and there are many connection organizations online that, for a fee, link volunteers with not-for-profit organizations that are looking for willing and able bodies for their various projects.

The activities and locations are as varied as the people who now apply for these types of vacations. A quick search on the web shows opportunities throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, South and Central America and Australia. Depending on your interests you can work with community social projects, animals or in the environment doing a number of conservation efforts. The options are endless. The great thing about many of these opportunities is that a person can volunteer alone, with a friend or with a group of people, it just depends on the capacity of the project and the type of work they are doing.

Australia has always held a special fascination for me because of its unique wildlife, beautiful beaches and laid back culture, and I’m not going to lie; the idea of hot weather in the middle of the typically frigid Canadian winter also had a certain attraction. Having planned to visit the country in 2010 anyways, I went looking for an opportunity to do something unique while I was there. One of the volunteer connection organizations, GoEco, was offering the chance to assist with an endangered species project in rural Queensland and I jumped at the chance to work with distinct native animals. To start the process I completed an online application form, which had me describe my qualifications and myself as an individual, as well as what my expectations were for my volunteer experience. After a couple of days I received confirmation that my application had been accepted and the weeks I had chosen were available to accept another volunteer. The minimum requirement for volunteering at the endangered species project was two weeks but this varies between projects and what you are personally able to give. Along with my confirmation to volunteer, I was sent an information package.  It contained an outline of the project that I would be volunteering for and orientation documents that discussed the possible culture shock that could be experienced by visiting and working in another country. I was also contacted by one of GoEco’s staff members to answer any additional questions that I may have had. Then on January 12th, 2010 I boarded the first of a series of planes bound for Rockhampton, Australia. I was ready for the adventure, a bit nervous about the unknown but excited to tackle the new experiences that awaited me in the remote Australian outback.

For more about my volunteer vacation experience and recommendations if you are considering your own adventure, stay tuned for Volunteer Vacation Adventure part two.

» Go Eco