Alaska Wildland Adventures

Sustainability Practices

Care and concern for the environment is of the utmost importance to us at AWA. We've developed an award-winning method for evaluating and minimizing our environmental impact in all levels of business: the 'Greenworks Program.' Trip itineraries emphasize visiting remote backcountry environments and tend to focus on specific regional areas, educating guests about the natural world and reducing the energy expenditures of long-distance travel. Basic steps such as recycling and reusable materials are important, as well as more complex tactics such as the hydroelectric power generator at Kenai Backcountry Lodge.

In 2008, the company calculated the carbon footprint of all operations by looking at annual electricity, natural gas, propane, diesel and gasoline usage; AWA then entered a carbon offset credit program, offsetting 100% of their fossil fuel dependent activities with Denali Green Tags. Additionally, Alaska Wildland Adventures donates 10% of its annual pre-tax earnings to Alaska-based conservation organizations. Any vacation experience with AWA will primarily focus on the respectful exploration of some of Alaska's most spectacular wild places. Small groups of guests travel with experienced naturalist guides, learning the natural and cultural history of Alaska in an engaging manner.

Guests are also educated in "Leave No Trace" practices, as well as energy consumption awareness while staying at wilderness lodges. Employees are encouraged to suggest new opportunities for green methods. The company is also involved in Alaska conservation efforts, supporting many local environmental groups with membership and donations. AWA firmly believes that environmental sustainability is a necessity to good business, and aims to communicate that message in a positive and accessible way. AWA specializes in backcountry Alaska experiences without compromising or overemphasizing comfort. Environmental sustainability is a core tenet of our company values; however, guest satisfaction is of primary importance. We pride ourselves on blending both of those goals into one experience; for example, the Yukon Cabin Tents at our acclaimed Kenai Backcountry Lodge are simultaneously comfortable, more ecologically friendly than traditional log cabins, and are appreciated by guests for providing a heightened sense of Alaskan authenticity.

In addition, our adherence to small group travel ensures a favorable guide-to-guest ratio and our guides themselves are an amazing company asset. AWA fully appreciates its incredible, knowledgeable, enthusiastic staff, and in 2007 was recognized by the Wall Street Journal and Winning Workplaces as one of the Top 15 Small Workplaces in the United States. AWA understands that our greatest corporate asset is the wild character and natural beauty of Alaska. We believe it is sound business management to invest in the repair, maintenance and improvement of our environment, just as we invest in the improvements of our properties and equipment.

To that end, AWA gives 10% of our pre-tax earnings to local environmental organizations. We also donate trips and in-kind services each year at annual fundraisers. Finally, each year AWA pays tens of thousands of dollars to federal and state agencies in various user fees. In addition to our company donations, we ask that guests contribute $2 per person for each day they travel with us; guests may choose whether they wish to pay this amount. Over the past two years, our guests contributed over $20,000 to help keep Alaska wild, which is sincerely appreciated.

Uniquely, responsibly and exclusively AWA has been Alaskan owned and operated since 1977. When not staying at our own remote wilderness lodges, guests overnight in small Alaskan towns and have the chance to visit and support these communities. We aim to do business with locally-owned small businesses whenever possible and carefully select our contracted services with consideration to quality products and like-minded ecological values. The new Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge was built in collaboration with Port Graham Native Corporation, resulting in a mutually beneficial arrangement and responsible development of Native-owned lands. AWA also supports the local community through contributions to conservation efforts and local nonprofits, revenues for state agencies, and guest donations through the "Two Dollars a Day" program. Alaska Wildland Adventures has been recognized as the "Business Most Committed to Success of Tourism on the Kenai Peninsula" by the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council.

AWA President Kirk Hoessle serves as Advisor to the Board of the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association (AWRTA), an organization for which he served as a founding board member as well as president for two terms. AWRTA is the voice for eco-tourism in Alaska and has been very influential in guiding statewide tourism policy. AWRTA membership is contingent on adherence to its eco-certification program, a set of principles, which Alaska Wildland Adventures embraces and embodies; requirements include environmental sustainability, education programs, local community support and conservation donations. As a year-round Alaskan small business, AWA is deeply committed to the success of the state of Alaska and the preservation of its wilderness areas. The company seeks to exemplify this ethos through its business practices, membership in local tourism associations and support of local conservation organizations.