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: Silver Level

Businesses at the Silver livel meet basic standards and shows a commitment to a higher level of sustainability.

Alaska Alpine Adventures specializes in multi-day wilderness trips in Alaska National Parks, state parks and wildlife refuges. Although they take visitors to some of the most remote places in this largest state, owner Dan Oberlatz is still able to incorporate green practices throughout his business operations. Whether its packing out all waste on a back-packing or hiking trip or mentoring Alaska Native or other residents in green tourism business opportunities, Dan and his company provide benefits to the environment and communities where he works and lives.

Alaska Rivers Company

Alaska Rivers Company has over 30 years of experience operating as a rafting and fishing guide business on the upper Kenai River in southcentral Alaska. Even before "ecotourism" became a trend, owner Gary Galbraith was helping out the environment by advocating for non motorized boats on parts of the river and has recently supported river bank restoration projects due to erosion on the Kenai River. Today, guides that used to work for Gary are carrying forward a tradition of offering quality experiences to Alaska's visitors by becoming tour operators themselves. Alaska Rivers Company continues to support their community through participation in local events, purchasing locally when they can, and maintaining their own community garden for staff and their guests.

After watching the beaches of their backyard, the Prince William Sound, become littered with debris Alaska Sea Kayakers began a program to clean up the local beaches. The tons of litter the guided and unguided kayaking company picks up from the beaches are bagged up and taken pack to port. Recognizing that sustainable eco-tourism requires operating protocols that exceed the standards developed by regulating authorities, Alaska Sea Kayakers actively participate in volunteer activism, on and off the water.

Seaman's Adventures

Glenn Seaman of Seaman's Adventures offers nature-based tours, which include guided hikes, cultural history tours, tide pooling explorations, sightseeing excursions, and fishing trips for small groups and families from his charter boat based out of Homer. Occasionally assisted by his wife, Bette, Glenn brings 34 years of experience as a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to his program and enjoys combining his education background with his passion for the environment and Alaska Native cultures. Glenn encourages his guests to extend their stay in the Kachemak Bay area to learn about its cultural history and enjoy the peaceful splendor of this unique Alaska region.