The stunning natural landscape of the Pacific Northwest of the United States is an ideal spawning ground for ecologically minded enterprises. If verdant forests, crystal-clear waterways and statuesque mountains don’t get you thinking about this beautiful planet of ours, it’s doubtful anything will.

Seattle's skyline includes the iconic Space Needle, whose observation deck promises incomparable views of the city's surrounding green

The region has certainly worked its magic on the eco-conscious folk at Seattle-based EverGreen Escapes, who have made it their mission to craft upscale outdoor adventures and educational nature trips throughout the northwestern U.S. and British Columbia, Canada. Leading the way since 2006, they have become Seattle’s top local and sustainable adventure travel company – and now the Seattle Urban Adventures partner in a network of highly regarded tour operators.

Going Green, Going Local and Going Wild

EverGreen Escapes’ success is due largely to its bold and conscientious approach to travel. “Instead of following the pack, we strive to lead our industry by constantly reevaluating what we are doing and digging into every aspect of our day-to-day operations, sales and marketing initiatives to find potential holes in our green armour,” Jake Haupert, the company’s director, explains.

In a practical sense, this entails guaranteeing sustainability in every element of the business, from subsidising commuter bus cards in lieu of parking for staff to ensuring that tours produce almost no waste by relying on reusable crockery, cutlery, and water and food containers, and driving high-efficiency biodiesel vehicles.

It is not just their concern for the environment that gives EverGreen the edge, but also their commitment to providing trips that are hands-on, exciting and big on local flavour. When it comes to tour guides, though, the company’s novel take on who provides the best local knowledge might surprise you, since it isn’t the natives! Actively recruiting ‘transplants’ – people who do not originally hail from the region – EverGreen has found in them the greatest passion for the place they have chosen as home.

Seattle's Pike Place Market is famed for its street performers and buskers. Expect to see clowns, comedians and magicians wowing the crowds with their card tricks and sleight of hand!

“We just found that transplants are the ones that explore this area the most and can communicate our local and natural history the best,” Haupert says. “They came to learn; we just ask them to share.”

With tour participants’ needs always a priority, EverGreen offers half-, full- and multi-day escapes, as well as exclusive private getaways, corporate retreats and teambuilding experiences. The trips might involve active pursuits such as sea kayaking, snowshoeing, hiking and rock climbing, or more leisurely pastimes like bird watching and wine tasting, and visit both iconic destinations, including Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, the San Juan Islands and Olympic National Park, and off-the-beaten-path local outlets, all complemented by local wine and gourmet fare with regional flair. Some things are guaranteed on all trips, however, and they include the breathtaking scenery of the great outdoors and the emphasis on sharing local knowledge and promoting sustainability.

Perfect Partners

Local travel experiences are also the bread and butter of Urban Adventures, so the partnership with EverGreen Escapes was an ideal match. Both companies were borne out of a wish to avoid the mass-market coach-travel tourism model, in favour of something much more personal, local and experiential. Both also cater to a similar demographic: inquisitive, responsible travellers keen to get the most from their urban and natural surroundings and glean information about the people and places they visit that can’t be found in any guidebook.

The natural beauty of Lake Union offers welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of the city, although the Seattle skyline is never far away! The water is home to an abundant array of flora and fauna including the human kind, whose floating houses line the east and west sides of the lake.

“We take a lot of pride in unlocking the authentic Northwest experience for incoming tourists and crafting itineraries and adventures that reflect the reasons why people love living here so much. We know they are going to see the icons: market, Space Needle etc., so we like to provide the feel, the vibe and the energy of our home,” says Haupert.

From Nature to Nirvana

Popular excursions on offer through Seattle Urban Adventures allow visitors to take full advantage of the city’s bountiful bodies of water on a three-hour Urban Kayak or the full-day Seattle Walk, Bike and Paddle Adventure, which affords stunning views of Lake Union, the Seattle skyline and the towering mountains beyond. Cycling enthusiasts should take a spin on the Jet City Bike tour, which weaves along the waterfront and takes in the beauty of the Olympic peaks to the west and majestic Mount Rainier to the south. Picturesque scenery is not all that Seattle has to offer, however, as 90s grunge fans will explain. Music lovers can take the Seattle Music Tour by Foot, an exciting trip around some of the hidden and iconic places that have contributed to the city’s vibrant rock scene.

A Progressive Paradigm

Having pulled through a global recession that left the travel industry battered and bruised, EverGreen stands ready to build on its successes of the last three years.

The Pacific Northwest is notable for its incredible biodiversity. These vibrant starfish are easy to find in the tide pools lining the coastline. Visitors can also check out more colourful marine critters at the Seattle Aquarium.

One hopes that Haupert’s optimism is contagious: “By pairing sustainability with quality and still demonstrating financial viability, we can be a model for other responsible tour operators. We have grown very quickly and I believe we owe this growth to a unique concept, incredible and personal guides, creative itinerary design and authentic local experiences.”

All things considered, the future for EverGreen Escapes seems not only green, but rosy!

Urban Adventures

Urban Adventures unlocks the secrets in and around some of your favourite cities. Urban Adventures tours range from two-hour to full-day experiences and uncover back streets, hidden gems and fascinating sights. Step into the lives of the locals, find out what makes the city tick and get acquainted with the local food, culture and traditions, all in the company of an expert local guide.
Visit the Urban Adventures website.

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This entry was posted on Friday, June 18th, 2010 at 10:00 pm and is filed under the following categories: