OARS GRAND CANYON DORIES
Tour company OARS has a storied history with Grand Canyon dories or non-motorized boats. Besides being eco-friendly, another one of of the advantages of this mode of transportation is that dories allow visitors to literally feel the currents of the Colorado River. Dories, which travel faster than a raft, can carry four people along with gear and feature passenger benches and hardwood rails and trim. And OARS has been committed to environmentally conscience travel since it was founded in 1969. In more than 40 decades in business, OARS has contributed more than $5 million in donations and fees to organizations dedicated to helping the environment. One of those organizations is the Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, a nonprofit trade association of professional river outfitting companies in Grand Canyon National Park. 1802 W. Kaibab Lane, Ste. 250. For more information, call 928-714-7936 or visit oars.com.
WILDLAND TREKKING
“Conservation and being considered an eco-tourism company is super big to us. It’s in our DNA, if you will,” says Mikaela Ray, director of partnerships and a guide with Wildland Trekking. “Everywhere we operate, we try to kind of contribute back in a responsible a sustainable ways.” One of the ways the company fulfills that mission? If you register for a Wildland Trekking tour, you have the option of donating to a variety of conservation groups including the Arizona Trail Association and the Grand Canyon Trust. Wildland also shares some of its profits with these groups and similar organizations. Tour groups range in size from five to 12 guests. Sedona trips include day hikes to spots like Mitten Ridge and Cathedral Rock. They can stay in inns, complete day hikes or stay at a basecamp. Guests also can venture into the Grand Canyon for backpacking or mule-supported trips. Mikaela tells us that Wildland guides are huge advocates of leave no trace, and try to give guests a better understanding of how they can be stewards of the land. All the guides have different specialties. She or another guide might discuss the geology of the Grand Canyon, hydrology or how is water managed in Grand Canyon and any laws that might affect the Grand Canyon. “If nothing else … at least they walked away from here being a lot more conscientious of the issues that affect our natural landscapes,” says Mikaela. 4025 E. Huntington, Ste. 150. For more information, call 800-715-4453 or visit wildlandtrekking.com.
BLUE MARBLE ADVENTURE GEOTOURISM
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism’s focus is geology. So much so that owner and founder Billy Woods, says his staff markets themselves as “time travelers” that teach guests about the history of the places they’re seeing. “One of our primary objectives is to bring people into all of these wonderful public lands that demand conservation,” says Billy. “What we promote to our guests is that we want them to come and enjoy these places and experience them for themselves so they can leave with this renewed resolve that these places need to be protected and cared for and looked after for generations to come.” The company offers backpacking and hiking tours. Guests can visit Northern Arizona destinations including the stunning red rock formations of Vermillion Cliffs, the Little Colorado River and Paria Canyon. And his company’s sustainability reach extends beyond its tours. He’s also the owner of Red Rock Culinary, and he cooks relatively elaborate dinners for his customers. Most of the food he makes for his guests is truly farm to table. He’ll often whip up dishes made with ingredients you can only find in the area – trout from Oak Creek, mesquite and prickly pear – and serve wine from local wineries. “Creating local relationships is really sort of the fundamental model of sustainability,” says Billy. “Not only does that create great personal relationships, but it also really highlights the region and the people and what makes the region great.” 2250 N. Rio De Flag Dr. For more information, call 602-904-2536 or visit bluemarbleguides.com.
THIS SEASON IN FLAGSTAFF
March 12-14, 20-21: “A Lie of the Mind,” Coconino Center for the Arts; flagshakes.org
March 27-April 19: Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical,” Theatrikos Theatre Company; theatrikos.com
March 6-31: Annual Recycled Art Exhibition; Flagstaff Mall; flagstaff-arts.org
