SANTA FE—New Mexico Tourism Department’s Ecotourism Program, in partnership with EcoNewMexico, announces the launching of the first-ever “fast track” pilot projects, targeting the Gila Wilderness and surrounding areas; and the wilderness areas and native lands surrounding Taos. “The pilot-project designation means these two areas will become the focus of our ecotourism initiative,” said Jennifer Hobson, deputy director of the Tourism Department and director of the program. “All our efforts will be dedicated to transforming these two destinations into truly unique and innovative ecotourism destinations. That is not to say that the other communities and areas are any less important, but...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Thanks to organizations such as Clean the World and the Global Soap Project, recycling partially used soap and shampoo has become much easier for lodging establishments. In a little more than a year, Orlando-based Clean the World, which was started by Shawn Seipler and Paul Till, has more than 200 properties in 25 states participating, almost 90,000 guestrooms represented, and 18 employees working. The Atlanta-based Global Soap Project, also launched last year, has 50 properties participating—all in the southeastern United States. The Global Soap Project was founded by Derreck Kayongo, a humanitarian relief expert whose Uganda-based family fled...

KEY WEST, FLA.—The Florida Keys & Key West tourism council has added more elements to its website to communicate accurate information about the relationship of the Transocean/BP oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico to the Florida Keys. On the home page is a link to a special spill section and a prominent connection to webcams, so potential visitors can see the area live. The current home page video features Key West Mayor Craig Cates correcting misperceptions that the Florida Keys & Key West have already been impacted by the oil spill. “Our economy has been effected by this...

OLD SAYBROOK, CONN.—Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, located in Old Saybrook, Conn., one of New England’s most widely recognized resorts for its environmental and sustainable practices, has launched a Green Meetings program to help meeting planners meet the growing demand for environmentally sound meetings and events. Across its resort-wide operational and sustainable practices, including its 120-slip marina, Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is the first full-service hotel in Connecticut to receive the Energy Star rating awarded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for superior energy performance and is also one of the first hotels in the state to be...

BROOMFIELD, COLO.—For the fourth consecutive year, RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality are offering a voluntourism “Give & Getaway” package. This rewarding travel option offers discounted lodging rates to guests who ‘give back’ and volunteer at the company’s eight RockResorts, lodging properties in Keystone and Breckenridge, a collection of accommodations in the Grand Tetons, as well as two of the newest RockResorts in Miami and Breckenridge. More than 15 volunteer projects will be offered this year as part of the Give & Getaway package, all of which are focused on natural resource conservation and preservation near the company’s resorts. “Give &...

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—Adventure Green Alaska (AGA), the state’s first tourism certification program highlighting sustainable business practices, is entering its third year and accepting applications once again for certification. According to Sarah Leonard, AGA board director, nine businesses were certified in 2009 and eight earlier this year. All tourism-related businesses are eligible. The deadline for the next round of applications is June 30, 2010. AGA, which is run by the nonprofit Adventure Green Alaska, Inc., is a voluntary program run by a volunteer board that includes representation from lodging, academia, government and other sectors. Leonard says AGA was several years in the...

HASTINGS, MINN.—The Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Association has launched a green lodging self-certification program for its members. The program, called Green Journey, was introduced at the organization’s recent conference in Minneapolis. Green Journey is the result of a two-year planning process and was put together by a committee of innkeepers representing B&Bs from around the state. According to Peter Torkelson, owner of The Scandinavian Inn in Lanesboro, Minn., innkeepers will have an opportunity to earn from one to five green leaves for their environmental accomplishments. The leaves will appear in each property’s profile on the association’s website. “The more...

PHOENIX—The Doubletree Hotel, Austin, Texas became the 1,200th lodging property to complete iStayGreen.org’s online self-audit, earning a 2 Green Eco-Leaf Rating. The eco-rating allows the public to know the specific environmental initiatives in place at a property, which enables the environmentally conscious traveler to make informed lodging decisions. Properties complete the comprehensive online self-audit and earn a Green Eco-Leaf Rating ranging from 1 to 5 Eco-Leafs with 5 Green Eco-Leafs being the highest level attainable. Ratings are based on environmental initiatives in-place at the property. Only 20 properties have earned the coveted 5 Green Eco-Leaf Rating thus far; 12 in...

FOOT HILL RANCH, CALIF.—Retail and hospitality bedding and bath source Venus Group is giving its customers a concise but close-up window into its environmentally conscious production practices with the debut of its new “Farm-2-Finish” online video. In three and a half minutes, Venus presents its manufacturing process—which it boasts is earth-friendly from when the fiber source is farmed to when the final product is completed. The company’s new marketing message is “Farm to Finish: Quality through sustainability.” “The whole reason we wanted to create this video is because it goes hand in hand with our corporate branding,” said Devanshi Patel,...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide introduces WyndhamGreen Kids, a program designed to teach children ages three to fourteen about the environment, their communities, and the world. Children from all around the world will be able to learn how to take care of the planet using six core strategies: energy conservation, water conservation, recycling/reusing, education, community involvement, and innovation. Wyndham Worldwide celebrated Earth Day by educating kids about sustainability locally at its headquarters in Parsippany, N.J., as well as nationally through the WyndhamGreen Kids website where children can find workbook activities and hands-on activities arranged by their local environmental organizations. “We are proud to...