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.

Program Information

How does the process work?

Adventure Green Alaska offers three levels of certification:

Bronze level: Meets basic standards of sustainability.
Silver level: Meets basic standards and shows a commitment to a higher level of sustainability.
Gold level: A business reaching this level is a leader in the tourism industry. This business may implement new technology, develop innovative sustainability practices, or help partner businesses implement sustainable practices.

This three-level approach allows a wider range of businesses to apply to AGA, enter at an appropriate level, and provides an incentive for businesses to continually improve the way in which they operate.

Basic Criteria

Businesses seeking AGA certification must meet the program's minimum standards of quality, safety, and sustainability.

The business complies with U.S. environmental, consumer protection, and labor laws while operating within the State of Alaska or its territorial waters.
The business has a two-year operating history in Alaska.
The business is a member of a tourism or community trade association (the Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism Association, convention & visitors bureau, Sustainable Travel International, etc.).

5 Step Application Process

Complete the general information section of the application.
Check that your business complies with AGA's three basic criteria.
Provide the names and contact information for two references who can verify the quality, stability, and sustainability of your business.
Include application fee. Certification is valid for two years from the date of issuance. Certified businesses may resubmit an application during the two-year period and seek a higher level of certification at no cost. The certification fee pays for the administration and marketing costs of certification. It is based on the business's number of full time equivalent (FTE) employees. (A permanent employee working full time is 1 FTE. Employees working half time or for only half the year should be counted as .5 FTEs.) Please contact AGA for more information.

Complete the sustainability application. The questions are arranged in four subject categories and an applicant can earn up to 100 points in each category. The application also contains an extra credit section at the end of each category. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the extra credit section to describe additional sustainable business strategies being used that aren't captured by the application's standard questions. Extra credit points count toward an applicant's final certification level. The certification level (Gold, Silver, or Bronze) depends on the total number of points earned. Applicants who earn 360 or more points are eligible for Gold level certification; applicants who earn 320 or more points are eligible for Silver level certification; and applicants who earn 280 or more points are eligible for Bronze level certification.

The AGA program administrator assists businesses with the application process, reviews completed applications, and makes recommendations to the AGA board of directors at regularly scheduled meetings. The board of directors approves the businesses that receive certification. Businesses may submit a written request for reconsideration to the AGA board of directors within 10 days of a final decision.

Monitoring, Compliance, and Renewal

AGA will monitor program compliance through random spot checks and customer comments. A condition of certification is your agreement to allow site visits at the discretion of the AGA program administrator or board of directors. Additionally, AGA will solicit customer comments throughout the certification period. Although the certification will be awarded for two years, AGA asks that businesses provide notice of any significant changes or deviations from the initial application. Application materials may be posted on the AGA website. If deficiencies are reported, AGA will offer follow-up assistance to correct them. Consistent failure to make any changes will result in the removal of the business from the program. All AGA promotional materials must be returned and the business will refrain from using any AGA information and materials.

AGA is committed to continual improvements and will periodically review and revise the sustainability standards and program. A business seeking renewal will be evaluated against the most current sustainability standards.