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FOR JUNE/JULY 2008
GREEN TRAK TO MONTEREY – MONTEREY COUNTY CVB and AMTRAK TEAM UP TO OFFSET CARBON FOOTPRINT THIS SUMMER
--Nation’s First Tourism Bureau/Transit Collaboration Directed at Sustainable Tourism--
MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIF. — Make a statement this summer with a green getaway that supports the environment. Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Amtrak® have teamed up in the first collaboration of its kind – a new Green Trak To Monterey - which offsets the carbon footprint of every visitor arriving to Monterey County via Amtrak June 1 through July 31, 2008. Info: www.montereyinfo.org.
As summer approaches, the recent airline fall out and soaring gas prices make the ease and luxury of rail travel linking 500 destinations to Monterey County a win-win. Factor in the region’s 99 miles of prime Pacific coastline, affordable family lodging and natural assets from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to Point Lobos State Nature Reserve and a vacation that gives back rejuvenates mind, body and planet.
CASH FOR CARBON OFFSETS
While many eco-conscious travelers are moving into hybrids, public transit and lifestyle changes touted to reduce their footprint on both land and greenhouse, the ultimate payback is a simple carbon offset –or cash purchase toward renewable energy – to balance the scales. Starting June 1, passengers simply turn their rail ticket into the Visitors Center at the Maritime Museum, 5 Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey and a carbon offset in the name of each traveler will be purchased via www.nativeenergy.com. The minimum offset is a one ton fee of $12.00. "This new program perfectly aligns with the destination’s eco-tourism efforts," says John McMahon, CEO of Monterey County CVB. "By reducing greenhouse emissions via responsible travel, the nation’s new breed of green travelers becomes a catalyst for change."
Like Bon Jovi’s "Lost Highway World Tour" that recently offset 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the six-month tour via www.nativeenergy, each traveler to Monterey County can elect (via a visitor center volunteer) the preferred renewable energy credit including Wind Builder (100% support to wind projects,) Remooable Energy (100% farm methane projects) or Earth Cooler (50%-50% support to both wind and farm methane). Offsets are calculated by type of travel – drive, fly and rail/bus and the debarkation point via www.nativeenergy.com/travelcalculator.
GREEN IS GOOD
Making up for the C02 emissions by reducing our reliance on fossil fuel plants is certainly a footprint in the right direction and leaves more time for other green pursuits -- from kayaking to landing for a cool seaweed wrap at a local spa. Top picks for summer 2009 include:
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Hiking the Cypress groves at Point Lobos State Nature Reserve
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Kayak Surfing or indulging in a naturalist-led tour to Stillwater Cove
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Chilling with "Sea Monsters 3-D" at the IMAX theatre on Cannery Row
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Getting fishy with a new Behind the Scenes Tour at Monterey Bay Aquarium
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Trekking through the "Salad Bowl of the World" on an agricultural tour
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Biking along Pebble Beach’s renowned 17-Mile Drive
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Rock climbing/hiking the conical Pinnacles National Monument
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Scouting the natural hot springs and hidden waterfalls of Big Sur
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Mountain biking the new line-up of off track trails at Fort Ord
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SCUBA diving the fish-rich waters off San Carlos Beach
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Hammering down your handicap at 25 local golf courses
AMTRAK
Amtrak provides intercity passengers rail service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares and information, call 800.USA-RAIL or visit www.Amtrak.com. Amtrak serves five locations in the city of Monterey. Passengers can take Coast Starlight® service to Salinas with a direct connection to an Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach for the short trip into Monterey.
NATIVEENERGY
A gold standard in carbon offset programs, NativeEnergy leverages market demand for carbon offsets to bring on line new renewable energy projects across America and internationally. Through its novel approach of bringing upfront payment to renewable projects for the estimated future carbon offsets, NativeEnergy enables clients to help directly finance the construction of specific new wind farms and other re"mooable" energy projects. For more information, visit www.nativeenergy.com.
MONTEREY COUNTY
Monterey County is located 120 miles/192 km south of San Francisco and 345 miles/552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor. The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 40,000 acres of premium vineyards, 25 golf courses and nearly 200 lodging properties. Monterey County includes the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, North County and the Salinas Valley. The Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY), just three miles from historic downtown Monterey and minutes from the area’s major attractions, is served by non-stop flights to and from Denver (DIA), Las Vegas (LAS), Long Beach (LGB), Ontario (ONT), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX and ONT), San Diego (SAN) and San Francisco (SFO). [Back to Press Releases Main]
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