Green Trak To Monterey – Monterey County CVB and Amtrak Team up to Offset Carbon Footprint This Summer

--Nation’s First Tourism Bureau/Transit Collaboration Directed at Sustainable Tourism--

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Make a statement this summer with a green getaway that supports the environment. Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Amtrak® have teamed up in the first collaboration of its kind – a new Green Trak To Monterey - which offsets the carbon footprint of every visitor arriving to Monterey County via Amtrak June 1 through July 31, 2008. Info: www.montereyinfo.org.

“By reducing greenhouse emissions via responsible travel, the nation’s new breed of green travelers becomes a catalyst for change.”

As summer approaches, the recent airline fall out and soaring gas prices make the ease and luxury of rail travel linking 500 destinations to Monterey County a win-win. Factor in the region’s 99 miles of prime Pacific coastline, affordable family lodging and natural assets from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to Point Lobos State Nature Reserve and a vacation that gives back rejuvenates mind, body and planet.

CASH FOR CARBON OFFSETS

While many eco-conscious travelers are moving into hybrids, public transit and lifestyle changes touted to reduce their footprint on both land and greenhouse, the ultimate payback is a simple carbon offset –or cash purchase toward renewable energy – to balance the scales. Starting June 1, passengers simply turn their rail ticket into the Visitors Center at the Maritime Museum, 5 Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey and a carbon offset in the name of each traveler will be purchased via www.nativeenergy.com. The minimum offset is a one ton fee of $12.00. “This new program perfectly aligns with the destination’s eco-tourism efforts,” says John McMahon, CEO of Monterey County CVB. “By reducing greenhouse emissions via responsible travel, the nation’s new breed of green travelers becomes a catalyst for change.”

Like Bon Jovi’s “Lost Highway World Tour” which recently offset 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the six-month tour via www.nativeenergy, each traveler to Monterey County can elect (via a visitor center volunteer) the preferred renewable energy credit including Wind Builder (100% support to wind projects,) Remooable Energy (100% farm methane projects) or Earth Cooler (50%-50% support to both wind and farm methane). Offsets are calculated by type of travel – drive, fly and rail/bus and the debarkation point via www.nativeenergy.com/travelcalculator.

GREEN IS GOOD

Making up for the C02 emissions by reducing our reliance on fossil fuel plants is certainly a footprint in the right direction and leaves more time for other green pursuits -- from kayaking to landing for a cool seaweed wrap at a local spa. Top picks for summer 2009 include:

• Hiking the Cypress groves at Point Lobos State Nature Reserve
• Kayak Surfing or indulging in a naturalist-led tour to Stillwater Cove
• Chilling with “Sea Monsters 3-D” at the IMAX theatre on Cannery Row
• Getting fishy with a new Behind the Scenes Tour at Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Trekking through the “Salad Bowl of the World” on an agricultural tour
• Biking along Pebble Beach’s renowned 17-Mile Drive
• Rock climbing/hiking the conical Pinnacles National Monument
• Scouting the natural hot springs and hidden waterfalls of Big Sur
• Mountain biking the new line-up of off track trails at Fort Ord
• SCUBA diving the fish-rich waters off San Carlos Beach
• Hammering down your handicap at 25 local golf courses