I, like you, have been inundated with the word “Green.” I’m not tired of it – in fact, I find it interesting how many ‘main-stream’ companies are embracing the concept, although I do worry that many will tire of the barrage. Some folks are tuned out to the green movement and are relatively untouchable. Others are waiting for more data with which to make an informed decision. And then there are those of us who are just so gaga and geeked-out over the Green movement that we can’t wait to do more!

Forgive my digression; this isn’t about politics, corporations, or even a distinct call to action. This article is intended to simply serve as a guide to help those who want to be more green on their next outdoor vacation, to do just that!

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. For those of you who are completely addicted to water sports, you may want to invest in your own life vest. While they cannot be called “life” vests any longer (there is no guarantee that they can save lives, and someone somewhere sued), they are a viable purchase for any river enthusiast. But when you are considering the prospect of buying a Personal Flotation Device (or PFD, for short), it is important to consider the environmental ramifications. Astral uses a completely recyclable foam, which is easier on the earth. And of course, safety is not a concern as their vests have a great reputation!

5. Have you jumped on the organic bandwagon? We have, and quickly after making the change, we discovered that the food spoils faster. After discovering this, we paused for a moment and asked ourselves why non-organic food lasts so long, and what they put in it. Buying organic not only means fewer preservatives, but it often means that the food is grown more locally, thus creating a smaller carbon footprint. The products used to grow the food are better for the soil, and when the food is an animal byproduct, the animals are treated in a much more humane fashion.

6. How’s this: By going on a whitewater rafting trip, you’re automatically greener! Getting down a river requires human power, not electric or fuel-run engines.

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.

Happy rafting!

Nature’s-Classroom, located in the heart of Gold Country on the American River, is a leading provider of environmental education experiences in Northern California. The great outdoors becomes the classroom, as students are taken whitewater rafting and are educated onthe rich ecological and natural history of this iconic region.