Humanely • 19th June 2022

North America's Monarch Butterflies Are Showing Signs of Recovery

Unsustainable pesticide use, climate change and the loss of pollinator plants have led to fluctuating monarch populations in recent years, but in 2022, there’s already been growing evidence that North American monarchs are showing significant signs of recovery. The iconic insect, it seems, may be on the path securing a more hopeful future.

Humanely • 16th June 2022

Meet the World’s Largest Plant: A 100 Mile-Long Seagrass From Australia

The team sampled seagrass shoots from across 10 separate locations across the bay, generating a “fingerprint” using 18,000 genetic markers. The idea was to pinpoint which plants should be collected for ecological restoration. To their surprise, the entire meadow was made up of clones of a single seagrass plant, a species known as Poseidon’s ribbon weed (Posidonia australis).

TripSavvy • 15th January 2021

How Pandemic-Related Closures Allowed Oahu's Hanauma Bay to Recover

Carved by nature into the coastline of Oahu’s east side and distinguishable by its turquoise waters, Hanauma Bay is a true natural wonder of Hawaii. A result of the island’s most recent volcanic activity about a million years ago, this curved bay boasts easy accessibility, proximity to Waikiki, and some of the state’s best snorkeling. Because of this, Hanauma Bay earns a place on the itinerary of almost every tourist who visits Oahu.

Treehugger • 22nd April 2021

15 Fascinating Facts About the Northern White Rhino

Northern white rhinos are global ambassadors for African wildlife, and sadly, living examples of the tragedies that can befall a species due to human influence. The second-largest of the land mammals, northern white rhinos have been poached to the brink of extinction and pushed from their native ranges throughout northern and central Africa. Now, only two remain on Earth — a female named Najin and her daughter, Fatu.

TripSavvy • 16th July 2021

A Peek Inside Niihau: Hawaii’s “Forbidden Island”

It’s hard to imagine that just 17 miles from the beachside resorts of Kauai island, there exists a small stretch of land that has remained untouched since the days of early Hawaii. For Kauai residents, the image of Niihau island rising from the ocean horizon is an all too familiar one, though most will never set foot on its shores.

Treehugger • 1st April 2021

Costa Rica’s Keys to Success as a Sustainable Tourism Pioneer

In 2019, Costa Rica was named “Champion of the Earth'' by the United Nations for its direct role in protecting nature and fighting climate change. The country, which is home to just over 5 million residents, was already known as a world leader in sustainability for putting environmental concerns at the forefront of its political and economic policies.

TripSavvy • 18th March 2021

Destinations Dependent on Ecotourism Are Facing a Silent Crisis

Whether by generating economic advantages for host communities and organizations dedicated to protecting or managing conservation areas, increasing awareness towards wildlife or natural resources, or providing sustainable income opportunities for locals, ecotourism helps maintain the delicate balance between travelers and nature.

TripSavvy • 9th July 2021

What Travelers Should Know About the Delta Variant

When the European Union agreed to loosen nonessential travel restrictions on June 18, many Americans started dusting off their passports and booking their first international trips since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Now, an emerging variant first discovered in India is raising concern among experts and causing many travelers to rethink their summer plans.

Treehugger • 2nd February 2022

Mercury Pollution and a Legacy of Mining in California's Clear Lake

Located west of California’s Central Valley and about 120 miles north of San Francisco, Clear Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the state. Geologists believe this body of water—which provides popular recreation areas for locals and important habitats for wildlife—could also be the oldest lake in North America.

Treehugger • 16th March 2021

Sustainable Tourism Explained

Tourism industries are considered successfully sustainable when they can meet the needs of travelers while having a low impact on natural resources and generating long-term employment for locals. By creating positive experiences for local people, travelers, and the industry itself, properly managed sustainable tourism can meet the needs of the present without compromising the future.

TripSavvy • 14th October 2021

The Complete Guide to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

Located in the Napa Valley, Bothe State Park provides a relaxing reprieve from the area’s many wine-heavy attractions and luxury accommodations. This 1,990-acre park was established in 1960 and is known for containing the farthest inland coastal redwoods found in a California state park, some of which have been around for over 100 years.

TripSavvy • 16th March 2021

What Is Overtourism—And Why We Should Be Talking About It

When managed correctly and sustainably, tourism can protect wildlife and preserve cultures all over the world. The threat of overtourism doesn’t necessarily mean that these places should be avoided—just that visitors who travel there need to be more mindful of how their actions and attitudes affect their surroundings.

TripSavvy • 17th March 2021

California’s Oyster Farms Offer a Unique Kind of Culinary Ecotourism

Looking for a tasty way to support the environment while traveling? Head to a sustainable oyster farm in Northern California and get shucking. When farmed the right way, oyster reefs help filter water and provide essential habitats for different types of marine life. Plus, they’re completely packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals to help fuel your adventures.

TripSavvy • 18th March 2021

The Ongoing Debate of “Last Chance Tourism”

Most travelers have a bucket list—a wanderlust-fueled wish list of all the destinations and attractions they want to see within their lifetimes. If you suddenly learned that the window for visiting your dream destination was closing and in danger of decline (or even destruction), would you feel a sense of urgency to get there before it's too late?

Treehugger • 28th January 2021

Why Sea Turtles Are Endangered and What We Can Do

Approximately 61% of worldwide turtle species are either threatened or already extinct, and the sea turtle is no exception. The Caribbean Sea alone was home to tens of millions of sea turtles just two centuries ago, but numbers are estimated closer to the tens of thousands these days. Like many other marine vertebrates, sea turtles are threatened by bycatch, illegal poaching, habitat loss, climate change, and pollution.

TripSavvy • 5th August 2020

Experience the Rich History of Chocolate in Hawaii

Crops like sugarcane, coffee, and pineapple have always taken center stage in Hawaii’s agricultural history. While these valuable commodities have brought rapid population growth and big business to the islands in the past, the future looks bright for another particular plant that thrives in the Hawaiian sun: cacao.

Inhabitat • 4th September 2020

Palau is pioneering a new model of sustainable tourism

In partnership with Sustainable Travel International and Slow Food, the Palau Bureau of Tourism has launched a new project aimed at mitigating its tourism-based carbon footprint. The project’s long-term goal is to establish the island country as the world’s first official carbon-neutral tourism destination. With a focus on specific approaches to sustainable tourism, such as promoting local food production and developing a transparent carbon management plan, the project is sure to serve as an inspiration to other countries.

TripSavvy • 3rd August 2020

Five Incredible Road Trips in Hawaii

Before you begin to chuckle at the idea of road tripping on an island, hear us out. A road trip in Hawaii is all about taking your time to experience the beauty around you, whether it's hopping out of the car to explore a rainy waterfall trail, finding a hidden banana bread stand, or feeling the breeze from a scenic lookout over the Pacific Ocean.

TripSavvy • 17th July 2020

San Francisco Guide: Planning Your Trip

The culture of San Francisco is diverse and vibrant, which is all too evident in the city’s art, music, and food scenes. Experience a stunning example of the city’s architectural force at City Hall or the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts. Sightsee on the cable car and stop at Ghirardelli Square for a hot fudge sundae or take a walk along the Embarcadero in search of barking sea lions. This beautifully historic city is practically bursting with unique things to discover, whether you’re visiting for the first time or have lived there for years.

Inhabitat • 2nd August 2020

How to support environmental justice

Concerns linked to hazardous waste sites, failing infrastructure and money-saving policy changes in vulnerable communities continue to plague the environment and the humans who live there. Low-income communities and communities of color are especially at risk; think Flint, Michigan, when a 2014 policy change led to at least 100,000 people losing access to clean water.