Nebraska destinations do their part to become “earth friendly”

LINCOLN, NEB. (July 28, 2008)—“Green” has become more than a buzzword in the travel industry: it’s become a way of life and a newly adopted business standard across the board. 

A number of attractions, parks, hotels and other vacation destinations across Nebraska are doing their part to “go green.” Whether it’s putting in place a recycling program, conserving electricity, or helping travelers reduce their carbon footprints, Nebraska’s travel industry is embracing the innovative.

Here’s a rundown of some of the state’s greenest travel destinations:

• At Scotts Bluff National Monument, trails are the main way to get around, eliminating the need for a vehicle. Visitors can hike off the beaten path, see stunning views and take in wildlife all while saving money on gas, enjoying the outdoors and lowering pollution levels. Many monument sites around the state employ these same tactics, allowing travelers to break out of the confines of their vehicles and explore nature.
 
• Homestead National Monument, in Beatrice, has a focus on resource conservation in its new Homestead Heritage Center. Landscaping around the center is all native plant species and buffalo grass, which needs minimal water to survive.  All of the trail signs and benches around the center are manufactured from recycled materials, and aluminum and plastic containers can be recycled in bins on site. The Maintenance Division at the center uses natural or bio-based chemicals, and paper towels and toilet paper are recycled, as are copier and printer paper.  The center uses a hybrid vehicle for day-to-day operations and all of the center’s diesel equipment runs on a bio-diesel blend. Homestead’s ranger division is active in the “Kids in Parks” program, which focuses on sustainable issues and the importance of being green.
• Arbor Day Farm and the Lied Lodge and Conference Center in Nebraska City are both eco-friendly. Every dollar spent at the destinations goes toward the Arbor Day Foundation’s tree planting mission. In 2007, the foundation planted 9.9 million trees around the world, in national forests and in its own backyard.
• Lincoln’s International Quilt Study Center and Museum will soon be a LEED Certified green building. An exhibition to open Sept. 5 will feature the finalists in a quilt competition co-sponsored by the center called “Crafting a Better Planet.” The entries in the show all have a green theme and are made from natural materials.
• Big Blue Ranch and Lodge, in Burchard, is a working cattle ranch with a focus on sustainability. The ranch fenced out a 20-acre lake to improve wildlife habitat in the area.
• Omaha’s River City Roundup is going green. This year, the dirt from the rodeo arena and the shavings and fertilizer from the livestock show will be recycled. Recycling bins will be placed along the River City Roundup parade route, and Alegent Health and First Star Fiber will hold a “go green” exhibit at the event. The parade will also use cold air balloons instead of helium balloons. Helium, a natural resource, is becoming scarce and more expensive, and cold air balloons look and function just like hot air balloons but conserve resources.
• Rail Fest 2008, in North Platte, will be a “zero-waste” event. Union Pacific Railroad is making efforts to be more environmentally friendly and the event is following suit: Rail Fest will distribute only materials that are recyclable or compostable. There will be no trash cans at the event; instead, zero-waste stations will be available for recycling and composting collection will be on-site. Last year, 12,000 people visited Rail Fest, so the change stands to cut down on a large amount of garbage.
• Nebraska Renewable Energy, a vendor at the Nebraska State Fair, aims to help the Fair be greener by collecting all the used grease from Fair concession stands and turning it into bio-diesel fuel that is used in Nebraska. The 139th Annual Nebraska State Fair is Aug. 22-Sept.1 in Lincoln.
• Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, in rural Denton, protects more than 800 acres of Nebraska’s native tallgrass prairie, the most threatened ecosystem in North America. Spring Creek’s education center is sustainably designed and straw and hay bale constructed; a technique that originated in Nebraska in the early 1990s. The inside of the building has a laundry list of sustainable practices currently in use.
• The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Green Project, along with funding donors American Automobile Association and Cornhusker Motor Club Foundation, are building new cabins in Ponca State Park using recycled materials.

For more information on any of the above events, attractions and vacation destinations, visit www.VisitNebraska.org, your one stop Nebraska tourism shop.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Sarah Baker at 800-228-4307, 402-471-3797, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it