Business Spotlight

Dean Rand, Discovery Voyages Discovery Voyages is one of Alaska's oldest and most respected eco-tour operators. Dean Rand, the owner of Discovery Voyages, offers week-long natural history, hiking, photography, kayaking, and outdoor education tours in the fjords and wilderness waters of Prince William Sound.

During the past 15 years, Dean and his staff have become increasingly concerned about the melting of glacial ice, the introduction of never-before-seen pathogens in shellfish, and the loss of critical wildlife habitat--all due to global warming. At the same time, they recognize that wilderness cruises, by their very nature, require the consumption of some fossil fuel and the addition of greenhouses gases into the atmosphere.

Discovery Voyages has sought to take responsibility for its actions by being as energy efficient as possible. In addition, it has partnered with NativeEnergy to offset its carbon use and to enable its customers to contribute to energy independence and clean emissions.

AGA Certified Businesses: Bronze Level

Busniesses in the Bronze level of certification Meet basic standards of sustainability.

Alaska Nature Guides: Based in Talkeetna, Alaska Nature Guides help guests experience the natural wonders of Alaska the best way they know how- on foot with a knowledgable guide. Guests make a close connection to Alaska's natural landscape while moving under their own power and using all five senses. The company supports local community and conservation groups by donating time, money and materials to local projects such as the building of a community playground, sponsoring the Youth Conservation Corps, and volunteer trail days. They teach Leave No Trace to youth groups and to their guests, and keep the area's they visit free of invasive plants and litter. "People come to Alaska because of the "Alaska mystique", says owner Howard Carbone, "We still have what other places have lost. Can we sustain it? Only if we make the effort."

Sandy Burd of Good River Bed and Breakfast takes pride in her Gustavus-based business and enjoys sharing the beauty of this spectacular area with guests from near and far. Making education a key component of her business, Sandy informs guests about respect for wildife, local recycling efforts, and climate change, which has impacted glaciers locally. Sandy supports community efforts such as the local arts council and the Gustavus recycling program. Her guests also benefit from her willingness to coordinate trips with local operators to facilitate a seamless travel experience to beautiful Gustavus and Glacier Bay National Park.