By Nancy Dorrans
The first Earth Day was held on April 22nd, 1970. I remember that cloudy cool day. I was almost ten years old. My Girl Scout troop planted trees at my elementary school. My step-grandfather, Fred, helped me dig the hole! Over fifty years later, Earth Day is celebrated globally by over 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
This year the official theme of Earth Day is “Invest in Our Planet.” What will you do to celebrate?
I feel quite blessed that as an independent business owner, travel advisor and small group coordinator, I can combine my love of nature with my group adventures and tours. My favorite adventures are those that include mountains and trails, paths, tracks, and wending ways less discovered by tourists. I consider myself an ambassador for the Earth, a daughter of Mother Nature.
Jane Goodall is one of my heroes!
She was born with “a sense of awe and wonder.” She loves our planet and its animals, especially chimpanzees. Jane has dedicated her life to studying and protecting our environment…
“I think I was born loving animals… Out in the rainforest you learn how everything is interconnected and each little species, even though it may seem insignificant, has a role to play in this tapestry of life. What better day than Earth Day to really make a determined effort to live lives in better harmony with nature. Every single individual matters, every single individual makes some impact on the planet every single day and we have a choice as to what kind of difference we are going to make.”
-Jane Goodall
Jane is one of several of the world’s leading tourism and conservation visionaries that share their experiences and visions in the film “The Last Tourist,” produced by Bruce Poon, founder of G Adventures.
Filmed in over sixteen countries, “The Last Tourist” reveals “the real conditions and consequences the travel industry has worldwide through the forgotten voices of those working in its shadow. Over-tourism has magnified its impact on the environment, wildlife, and vulnerable communities around the globe.”
Adventure Marketplace embraces the words of Jane and others.
We are heading off the beaten path. Our next global “out of the ordinary” adventures will focus on sustainability and strive to educate our travelers on how to invest in our planet and become good, sustainable travelers. “Sustainable tourism done correctly must look at how innovation in tourism can have a positive, lasting impact on our world by following the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Travel can be a force for good!
As an example, The Catalunya Tourism office (Catalonia, Spain) is developing adventures that pull travelers off the popular and overcrowded Camino de Santiago and showcase Catalonia, a less visited region of Spain that is “extensive, green, mountainous, snow-covered, and sun-drenched. Where you can do what most pleases you: leisure or adventure, observation or physical activity…”
Catalonia: Off the beaten path
In September of 2019 I was invited by the Catalunya tourism office to explore this region of Catalonia. We hiked part of El Cinquè Llac (The Fifth Lake), a circular walking route in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
We took it slow and hiked on uncrowded trails between quiet villages. Staying in small boutique inns, we enjoyed amazing meals and relaxed picnics enroute. We drank wine with the locals and enjoyed the most amazing views. We also took a unique journey on the historical train “Tren dels Llacs”!
I decided I wanted to go back with a small group and share this unique destination! And so, I organized a Catalonian “Women, Walking & Wine” adventure for September of 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic put a stop to that adventure, but we have restarted now!
I’m working on re-organizing that tour and others that help, not hurt the planet!
Stay tuned for adventures that are good for us and our planet at www.adventure-marketplace.com.
There are so many ways to invest in our planet and become responsible, sustainable travelers! Let’s celebrate Earth Day and be like Jane and “…make a determined effort to live lives in better harmony with nature!”
Earth Day Events
After over 50 years, Earth Day is still cool! I’ve dug up some great local ways to celebrate Earth Day in the greater Portland area “Can You Dig It?”
Friday, April 21, 2023
Maine Audubon at Gilsland Farm, Falmouth, 6 – 9 p.m., Maine Outdoor Film Festival presents a selection of short independent films featuring the outdoors and the environment and viewed in the outdoors. Dress accordingly. (21+)
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Sierra Club Maine will be getting people outside and giving back to the planet by hosting trash clean ups. Then they join Maine Youth for Climate Justice for their Climate Strike on Earth Day. Keep an eye out for updates by following them on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). #SCMaineEarthDay
The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine celebrates Earth Day Saturday from 9 – 4 p.m. by offering programs and activities dedicated to the scientific exploration of Maine’s ecosystems, migratory species, and the mutual relationships we all have with all life.
South Portland Land Trust. Join SPLT for their Annual Earth Day Clean Up, happening on Saturday (rain date: Sunday). This year there will be two check-in sites: Mill Creek Park (across from Hannaford) and South Branch Trail (across from JC Penney). Check in begins at 9 a.m.
Ecofest, Saturday, 9 – 1 p.m. A celebration of sustainability in recycling and waste management at Wescustogo Hall & Community Center, 120 Memorial Highway, North Yarmouth (a solar-powered facility!).
Nancy Dorrans… Girl Scout since 1967… Travel Advisor since 1981… Founder of Adventure Marketplace… Navigating travelers on authentic, nurturing, global and local adventures since 2014.
