Thank you for caring about sustainability. We do too!
Thank you for caring about sustainability. We do too!Company founder, Joe Ordonez, has a B.S. degree in Environmental Education from Western Washington University and over thirty years experience in the field of ecotourism. Joe takes an active role in steering Rainbow Glacier Adventures forward in the following sustainable ways:
Equipment
- Our rafting and kayaking programs are non-motorized. This allows our guests an opportunity to experience the natural sounds of a pristine environment and reduces production of greenhouse gasses.
- We keep our vehicles maintained to the highest level possible to reduce any undue emissions. To reduce consumption, rather than buy brand-new vehicles regularly, we maintain our fleet in top condition and keep our vehicles for many seasons.
- Most of our employee communication takes place online, to reduce the creation of waste paper. Paper waste that we do produce is recycled.
- Water bottles utilized on our tours are recycled. When possible, we use post-consumer and compostable products.
Guides
- By working for Rainbow Glacier Adventures, our guides have decided to join a company that is committed to taking a stand towards conservation, sustainability and environmental education. We respect the views of our guests and create an environment where we can learn from each other. Our guides do not force their values onto their guests; experience has shown that this type of approach does not work. Our guides have done the research that allows them to have in-depth and intelligent conversations with guests who want to know more about environmental issues.
Guest Education
- We educate our guests about the potential environmental dangers of a proposed toxic mine upstream of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Joe Ordonez wrote and published a book entitled Where Eagles Gather: The Story of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. This book highlights the beauty and fragility of the Chilkat ecosystem, and educates readers about the threats proposed by mining. This book is made available to guests on all our tours.
Giving
- RGA believes in donating a portion of our profits to environmental causes. This spreads our influence and connection from the local to the regional, national and even international sphere. On a local level, we help support Lynn Canal Conservation and Haines Friends of Recycling. On a broader level, we are members of Southeast Alaska Conservation Association and the National Audubon Society.
Social and Economic Fairness
- Our first priority is local hire. Only when we have a position that can’t be filled by a local resident do we reach outside of our community.
- We believe in paying a fair wage to our employees and charging a fair price for our services.
- We spread our money throughout the community and utilize local sourcing for most of our goods and services.
- Our hiring practices and our tours are inclusive.
- We do not discriminate on our tours or in our hiring on the basis of race, sex, age or sexual orientation.
- While we do not have wheelchair lifts for our vehicles, we do all we can to make our tours accessible to those with physical challenges.
Come connect with the beauty and fragility of Alaska. We appreciate that you care about and want to protect this incredible place as much as we do.
