Tours with preserving the environment in mind

The Houston Chronicle published a Detroit Free Press story on how to choose environmentally responsible tour companies. They also list five tour companies that "aim to provide tours that gently help preserve what tourists go to see in the first place."

It is noted that four of the companies were recommended by Conde Nast Traveler, so luxury is also most likely included. Although Ecotravel News is skeptical that luxury can go along with eco...

Read the full story: Tour companies become more socially responsible, ecofriendly

Border fence go-ahead violates numerous laws

Another reason why the Bush administration is horrible for the environment: waiving off the law of actually reporting on the environmental impact of the U.S. - Mexico border project.

The Associated Press via the Houston Chronicle says that the U.S. government "does not have to explain how the border fence will affect the environment."

Even though under the National Environmental Policy Act it is required by law to submit a comprehensive report.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff was given permission by Congress to waive this and another 30 laws in order to build the fence to "to protect against terrorism and stem the tide of illegal immigration."

Read the full story: U.S. will not explain how border fence will affect environment

Texas' Enchanted Rock

The Houston Chronicle reports on an intriguing rock that is the highlight of its self-named natural area. The Enchanted Rock of the Enchanted Rock Natural Area, once a part of the earth's interior, was pushed to the surface in an explosive display of natural change:

" 'This huge mass of granite, molten material cooled at depth about 1.1 billion to 1.2 billion years ago. It has been exposed and eroded and exposed again. What we are seeing is a small nub of a much larger structure that runs indepth under much of central Texas,' says petroleum geologist Carter Keairns, former head of geology at Texas State University. 'When you are standing on Enchanted Rock, you are basically standing on top of a one-time magma chamber that probably fed volcanoes up above it,' "

The 425 foot-high Enchanted Rock is climbable with a trail that leads to the top. Views from the summit reportably make one feel connected to nature.

Read the full story: Enchanted Rock

Nature Conservancy lodge educates visitors

The Houston Chronicle had a recent article about Bear Mountain Lodge which is one of the seven lodges run by the environmental group Nature Conservancy. Bear Mountain is outside of Silver City, New Mexico. The lodge's staff duly educate the guests about the surrounding preserved land's wildlife, nature and enviromental problems:

"[The guide] had pointed out the impacts of cattle grazing, fire suppression and soil loss. 'It takes 1,000 years for one inch of soil to be restored in the desert Southwest.' He spoke about the fragility of the Western landscape, about the land's capacity and lack thereof, to heal itself. There are hopeful signs — the return of the variable checkerspot butterfly, hitherto not seen in these parts for 30 years; the renewed vibrancy of the clumpy pinyon rice grass underfoot; the exuberant re-emergence of cottonwood forests, marshlands and backwater wetlands at the Conservancy's Gila River Farm Preserve."

Read the full story: Blending comfort and conservation

Texas Bamboo Festival worth an eco-visit

The Houston Chronicle headlined Texas' own 15th annual Bamboo Festival in their Texas Weekender section.

As most environmentalists know, bamboo is becoming the darling of the sustainable building. It is easy and fast to grow and also extremely strong, traits that can now replace hard woods as building materials and therefore replace the cutting down of old-growth forests for lumber.

It's good to see that in an oil industry state an environmentally friendly plant can be celebrated.

Learn more about the Bamboo Festival at their official website.