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Sustainable Summer Travel Tips
June marks the beginning of summer, and for many families that means vacations, road trips, and lots of traveling. While this is great for family time and relaxation, sometimes it is not so great for our environment. Traveling can create lots of unnecessary waste and generate greenhouse gas emissions. This summer, try to remember these sustainable travel tips to help reduce your travel footprint!
A great way to reduce the amount of waste produced while on the road is by replacing single-use items with reusable versions. Pack your own snacks to eliminate fast food wrappers, and bring reusable water bottles, travel mugs, travel utensils, and reusable straws to eliminate the need for single use-disposable items. Another way to reduce waste on trips is by going digital. Every year in the U.S., receipt use consumes more than 3 million trees and 9 billion gallons of water. Opt out of paper receipts, itineraries, and tickets and choose e-mail and text message confirmations instead. For more tips on how to reduce your waste, visit Zero Waste TN.
While traveling, choose local public transportation options over rental cars and taxis. Taking public transit is less expensive, safer, and better for the environment. Explore destinations via bike, scooter, or foot! Visit TDOT's website to explore local transit options for areas across the state.
Support lodging locations with eco-conscious initiatives. Ask about green certifications and policies such as optional linen programs, refillable toiletries, and energy and water conservation. No matter where you are in the state of Tennessee, you’re never more than an hour away from a TN State Park. This is good news for those looking for a fun summer getaway without the impact of a lengthy road trip. In fact, Saturday, June 4th is National Trails Day, and many parks will be hosting special ranger-led hikes in celebration of the 30th Annual National Trails Day and the 85th Anniversary of Tennessee State Parks! Once you’ve found the right park for you, you can continue to reduce your travel footprint while visiting by using the appropriate recycling and waste receptacles at campgrounds, cabins, and lodges, pick up any litter you see during hikes or bike rides, and always pick up after your pets.
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This year for Earth Day, TDEC attended local events to provide education and outreach to Tennesseans about our programs. The Office of Sustainable Practices, Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, Office of Energy Programs, and Materials Management Used Oil Program provided educational resources and sustainable swag to over 1,400 participants at four different events in April. Additionally, TN State Parks participated in promoting Earth Day by scheduling special events such as guided hikes, interpretive activities, and teaching guests how they can protect and preserve the planet while visiting a state park.
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Grant Opportunity
TDEC is excited to announce that the Stream and Wetland Restoration Grant will be open to applications starting Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Submissions are due Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 4pm CT (5pm ET). The purpose of the Stream and Wetland Restoration Grant Program is to fund improvement opportunities that best ensure benefits to natural resources with a nexus to those injured and compensated for through enforcement.
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In April, our office hosted a 4-part webinar series for the hospitality industry to promote sustainable business practices. Each of these webinars were recorded and can be viewed on our YouTube channel at the link below.
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Every year TN State Parks complete a review process in the Go Green With Us Program where parks are rated on their sustainability initiatives. This review process takes place in spring and evaluates parks based on their previous year’s accomplishments; the results are announced on Earth Day in celebration of these Earth friendly efforts. Parks can reach Bronze through Platinum recognition levels based on sustainable actions such as energy and water conservation, waste reduction efforts, and Go Green interpretation programs offered. This year, a record breaking 28 parks reached Platinum and a total of 37 parks increased a recognition level from the 2020-2021 program year. We are so proud of our state park system leading the way in sustainability and protecting and preserving our environment. This year’s program successes can be viewed above.
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Have greens on their way to being wilted? Save them by using them in this frittata recipe from Simply Recipes.
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Application Due: September 11,2022
Conferences/Workshops/Training Opportunities
Tuesday, July 12 | 9am-12pm
Wednesday, July 20 | 9am-12pm
Stay tuned as we receive updates about upcoming conferences.
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