WYCD #19 - Vacation with WWF

What You Can Do #19 - Vacation with WWF:

For this year's vacation, consider spending it with WWF. Or, if you already made plans for this year, consider it for next year.

You could:

• Trace the route of the Vikings from Iceland to Norway on a Spring 2010 odessey in the land of the midnight sun.
• Visit the jewels of East Africa: Samburu Reserve, the Great Rift, and the famed Massai Mara.
• Journey into the heart of one of South America's last frontiers.
• Imagine the sight and sound of 100 elephants marching by your Land Rover at close range.  In the wilds of Botswana, that's not unheard of.
• Explore hidden spots of Alaska's famed national parks during small group journeys.  
• and many, many more. 

Ten reasons why you should vacation with WWF:

1. The right partners.  WWF only works with tour operators that share their mission. 
2. Quality time.  On their tours, you spend time in one destination (and you get to know that region better), rather than hop from country to country.
3. Supporting sustainable tourism.  They often go places where communities are empowered to run sustainable tourism ventures and protect wildlife. 
4. Well-trained guides. 
5. Small ships, smaller footprint.  Aside from the wholeheartedly better travel experience tey provide vs. large cruise ships, they have a smaller carbon footprint.
6. Smart marketing.  Their brochures are printed on recycled paper, and the ink is soy-based.
7. Encouraging carbon offsets.  Their travel partner, Natural Habitat Adventures, is the world's first carbon-neutral travel company. 
8. Supporting WWF's work.  A portion of your cost (5-10%) is directly contributed to WWF's general conservation fund, to support their work around the world.
9. Encouraging air travel carbon offsets.  WWF highly encourages all air travelers to either purchase carbon offset credits, participate in local projects that directly benefit theircommunity, or sponsor projects that take place halfway across the world.
10. Becoming inspired.  You will walk away from this vacation with a stronger desire to protect the world's last wild places.

Since 1983, the WWF Travel Program has taken curious travelers on wildlife-viewing expeditions throughout the world.  They plan their tours with conservation and the environment in mind.  They are currently accepting travelers for at least 38 unique trips for 2010 through 2011.  Some trips repeat themselves each month or each year, and all are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.