Zipline to a Responsible Vacation?

Skyline Eco-Adventures offers a high-speed track to a responsible vacation. Company wide, Skyline Eco-Adventures is part of "1% for the Planet", a group of businesses that gives back 1% of all sales to environmental effort. They also offset all their carbon emissions through credit with Carbon Fund.

Skyline Eco-Adventures offers zipline tours in various responsible vacation destinations in in the United States, including Dollywood in the Smoky Mountains (Tennessee), and Ka'anapali, and Haleakala (Hawaii). In Maui, Skyline hosts tree planting events throughout the year, and talks to kids about the importance of preserving the environment. Skyline Eco-Adventures also gives their Maui staff "paid service days", in which employees volunteer in the community. Skyline guides and staff have used these days for beach clean-ups and week-long camping trips assisting in the restoration of the island of Kaho'olawe. No wonder Hawaii Business Magazine called Skyline one of the "Best Places to Work".

Skyline's Maui operations also supports the East Maui Watershed Partnership, which was established to protect one of Maui's major water sources, as well as Maui Cultural Lands. MCL is working to restore several miles of Honokawai Valley by removing invasive plants.  Skyline's Maui also supports the Maui Coastal Land Trust, which works with private landowners to protect environmental and cultural resources. And, last but not least, Skyline's Maui supports the Nature Conservancy.

Skyline Eco-Adventures calls itself "America's original zipline adventure company". In 2002, Skyline Eco-Adventures opened their first zipline tour in an optimal responsible vacation destination: Hawaii. Buck and Danny Boren, father and son, opened the company to offer an adventure that would highlight the importance of preserving the environment.  During their first month, Skyline had six (paying) customers try their high speed ride. However, since their opening day, eight years ago, over a million customer "zips" have gone down the line.  Eco-Adventures Skyline is looking to expand across even more horizons: they offer franchising opportunities.

Photo Credit: Flickr