Our Sustainability Spotlight series is aimed at broadening the conversation surrounding sustainable tourism for visitors and businesses by sharing the stories of our Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses. To learn more about Adventure Green Alaska certification please visit our about page.

NOVA Alaska Guides was founded in 1975 by Vice President, Jack Spaulding’s father Chuck as Alaska’s first whitewater rafting company. What began as a small, family-run river outfitter has grown into a multi-adventure guiding operation now celebrating 50 years of sharing Alaska’s wildest places with guests from around the world. 

They pioneered commercial rafting on iconic rivers like the Matanuska River and the Class V Six Mile Creek, and later expanded into glacier trekking and ice climbing being the first guided company on the Matanuska Glacier, as well as heli-supported glacier adventures on the Knik Glacier. Still family-owned and operated by both of Chuck’s sons, NOVA’s mission remains the same as it was on day one, to deliver safe, authentic, and environmentally responsible adventures that connect people to Alaska’s raw and untamed beauty. 

Sustainability has been part of NOVA’s identity since day one. When Chuck Spaulding founded the company in 1975, his philosophy was simple. It wa to respect the rivers, the land, and the people who call Alaska home. Long before “sustainability” became a buzzword, NOVA operated with the mindset that access to wild places comes with the responsibility to protect them. 

For 50 years, they’ve focused on minimizing their footprint while maintaining authentic access to Alaska’s natural environments. Their Glacier View base has been completely off the grid for around 25 years, powered by solar energy and sustained by practices that reflect their commitment to self-reliance and conservation. This independence from the grid isn’t just a logistical choice, it’s a reflection of their belief in living and operating responsibly within the landscapes that define them.

They suggest that once you have your sustainable operation system in place, you can then focus on what’s realistic and long-term. NOVA Alaska Guides affirm that it is a journey and that changes cannot always happen over night. That is why small, consistent steps matter the most. When your entire business becomes sustainable, it becomes second nature, and not a checkbox.

Beyond the technical side of NOVA Alaska Guides’ sustainable practices, they take pride in the culture of respect that’s been passed down through generations of guides. This is a mindset that values Alaska’s rivers, glaciers, and communities as more than backdrops for adventure. That philosophy has shaped how they train, operate, and share these wild places with others. 

To learn more about NOVA Alaska Guides, visit their Green Business profile and their website.

Orca Island Cabins is located in Humpy Cove, nine miles south of Seward, Alaska. Guests take a private one-hour cruise to Oca Island Cabins and catch amazing view of the area and abundant wild and marine life on the way. Orca Island Cabins has a long history in Southcentral Alaska. The business was founded by Susan and Dennis Swiderski over 25 years ago, who were pioneers of the glamping movement before it caught mainstream traction. They found a way to bring adventure and comfort not to mention making the remote wilderness accessible for the everyday traveler. In 2023, ownership was transferred to their son, Jonah, and his wife Yen who are continuing to respectfully steward the land that Orca Island Cabins rests on.

They offer nightly rentals in a remote setting surrounded by nature and wildlife.  Staff remain minimally impactful on the surroundings, priding themselves in being aware and observant of any footprint they leave on the local environment. Orca Island Cabins also aims to educate guests on the natural landscape through recreational activities such as kayaking, hiking, beachcombing, and tide-pool exploring. They also offer a wealth of knowledge of the unique and diverse history of Seward, Resurrection Bay and the Kenai Fjords National Park, the Alaska Native history of the area including that of the Alutiiq or southern coastal people of Alaska, the role of Seward and Resurrection Bay in World War II, the great earthquake of 1964, and much more.

The eco-friendly yurt cabins offer guests a wonderful way to experience Alaska’s scenic beauty in total comfort. They rely mostly on solar power and each features a private bathroom with a modern compost toilet, plus running water and a fully-functional kitchen. The yurts were designed for privacy and relaxation and provide everything guests need for a memorable, stress-free experience. It is glamping (glamorous camping) at its finest!

To businesses who are contemplating sustainable practices, Yen recommends to never stop trying to think of ways to improve and to continually educate yourself. She points out a unique struggle of sustainable businesses in Alaska. The infrastructure surrounding recycling is not as developed as in the Lower 48, which requires businesses to put additional resources and effort into staying green. The unique reality of operating a sustainable tourism business in Alaska, especially in a remote location, shows the grit that the owners have in working to be the best stewards of the land by continually pushing to make improvements to their property and to their community as well.

Protecting the environment is the pillar of the Adventure Green Program that Orca Island Cabins emulates the most. They are currently working with the Department of Environmental Conservation to engineer a water treatment facility on their property that is fully off the grid and powered by solar energy. The project itself will cost the owners over $150,000, but they are committed to in order to improve and continue to reduce impacts on their surroundings.

Orca Island Cabins is a powerful example of responsible tourism that benefits the natural environment and local community while elevating the guest experience.

To learn more about Orca Island Cabins, visit their Green Business profile and their website.

Our Sustainability Spotlight series is aimed at broadening the conversation surrounding sustainable tourism for visitors and businesses by sharing the stories of our Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses. To learn more about Adventure Green Alaska certification please visit our about page.

Explore Kenai is a premier charter service on the world-famous Kenai River in Alaska. They specialize in guided fishing adventures targeting trophy rainbow trout, sockeye and silver salmon, providing anglers of all skill levels with an unforgettable experience. The business is owned and operated by life-long local of the Kenai Peninsula, Dallas Voss and her husband, Dustin Voss. The two Alaska locals culminate to decades of knowledge to put clients on the best fishing spots, while ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip. Whether a seasoned angler or a first-time fisherman, they offer top-quality gear, personalized service, and breathtaking scenery for the ultimate Alaskan fishing experience.

Dallas and Dustin started Explore Kenai to connect travelers with authentic Alaskan experiences through fishing, lodging, and personalized travel planning. Based on the Kenai Peninsula, their mission is to share the beauty of Alaska responsibly, helping visitors experience the wild beauty of the region while supporting local communities and ecosystems. Over the years, they’ve expanded from offering fishing charters to curating full-service adventure itineraries that highlight local businesses. 

For businesses considering more sustainable practices, Explore Kenai recommends looking at daily operations and identify one area where your footprint can be reduced, whether it’s minimizing single-use plastics, sourcing local products, or educating guests about local wildlife and ecosystems. 

Explore Kenai is most proud of their commitment to supporting local economies and protecting the rivers that sustain them. Their guides promote ethical angling and river stewardship and their lodging operations partner with local suppliers. By keeping operations community-centered and environmentally responsible, they ensure that tourism benefits both visitors and locals while preserving the landscapes that make the Kenai Peninsula so special.

To learn more about Explore Kenai, visit their Green Business profile and their website.

Our Sustainability Spotlight series is aimed at broadening the conversation surrounding sustainable tourism for visitors and businesses by sharing the stories of our Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses. To learn more about Adventure Green Alaska certification, please visit our about page.

The Murphy Dome Yurt is located roughly 25 miles outside of Fairbanks in the Murphy Dome area. They offer stays in cozy, authentic yurts year-round. Their sustainable practices have been inspired by the natural landscape in which their business operates. The owners continually assess the use of local resources to limit their impact on the land. Murphy Dome Yurt enjoys providing services off-grid as it shows the value of a low-impact lifestyle to their guests.

There is an abundance of ways that visitors are able to engage with their natural surroundings. With the Tanana Valley State Forest as Murphy Dome Yurt’s backdrop, guests receive a truly immersive Alaskan experience that includes forest walks, fat biking, skiing, and mushing with sled dogs. The staff affectionately call the forest trails nearby ‘enchanted.’ Natural wonders such as old-growth trees, moss, hills, and the aurora borealis are all common sights visitors take in during their stay with Murphy Dome Yurt.

The business operates completely off-grid, and they are open year-round. In the summer, they attract visitors with their fresh honey from beehives located on-site. Guests enjoy views of the Northern Lights and opportunities for mushing with sled dogs in the winter. The cuisine that is offered to guests year-round is organic and locally grown. These intentional touches from the staff at Murphy Dome Yurt set a standard of how sustainable tourism can be achieved for small businesses operating in rural locations.

To learn more about Murphy Dome Yurt, visit their Green Business profile.