What I remember most from watching Peter Pan as a kid was one whimsical aspect—Never Never Land. The kids living up in small huts in the trees, the sounds of Macaw’s just outside the flap door and the sounds of ship horns—a reminder of human life—off in the distance.

An escape from real life was really the point of Never Never Land after all. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to say “I don’t want to be a part of civilization today. So I’ll hide up in this tree…”

As a grownup there would be repercussions for doing that too often, but that’s what paid vacations are for. So spend yours in one of these Tree House Resorts around the world.

For The Hippie In You

Within the rustic tongue and groove siding and wall-spanning windows of the cabin runs a giant tree trunk coming up through the floor and running through the roof.

You need to be craving a removal from all things Civilian, as there is no shower or television here and the Tree house runs on a small solar powered system.

Other aspects that sing of Hippie: the Stairway To Heaven, a slightly intimidating 82 foot spiral staircase that winds around the trunk of a Cedar Tree and takes you to the quirky Rainbow Bridge. Take a deep breath, pop a Valium, whatever you need to do before crossing the swinging (yikes!) plank bridge that leads you to the 100-foot high octagonal observatory. From here you can scan the Nisqually valley, some mountain goats and hikers on neighboring peaks

A Tropical Trance

Photo: Costaricatreehouse.com
You know those Charmin commercials with the cute bear doing “his business” in a tree trunk? You could be that bear! The toilet is actually nestled inside a 100-year old tree growing through the bathroom. You’ll find the showerhead just around the other side of the tree.

Appropriate for the property’s sustainable efforts, all houses are made from fallen trees and recyclable materials.

Mingle with the locals who meet daily at 4pm to play Volleyball on the beach or enjoy snorkeling and kayaking in the crystal clear waters. Walk into town to visit the Bribri Indigenous Reserve, the Manzanillo Wild Life Refuge or go zip-lining through the Caribbean rainforest.

Little House On The (French) Prairie

Photo: Claire Stickland

The only aspect that hints of a resort is the picnic basket breakfast delivered to your terrace every morning. Other than that, this Tree House lodge makes little intrusion on nature or the centuries-old Chestnut Tree that it sits in. The grand branches of the tree wrap around every corner of the house and peak in every window. From a distance, you can’t even tell this 2-story house is there. But it is, with a master bedroom upstairs, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom and second bedroom on the lower level.

You may not be entirely alone though. This precious 25-acre garden is often visited by students studying biodiversity, or artists looking to draw from the endless inspiration of the vast countryside.

Forget The Noise Machine—Sleep To The Sounds Of A Real Waterfall

Daintree is situated in the world’s oldest living rainforest. The lodges sit atop stilts and on the edge of the river at the bottom of a waterfall.

Here you’ll have access to all the modern luxuries of an urban resort—wireless internet, a jacuzzi on the micro-screened balcony, and—as the name promises—a spa.

The signature spa treatment: the Walbul-Walbul Butterfly wrap. Cloaked in soothing mud, you’ll listen to the sounds of the waterfall while being massaged with warm oil and desert salt.

There is also an Aboriginal Art Gallery onsite and Gourmet Restaurant, but come with an adventurous palate. The hotel restaurant, Julaymba, serves up true Australian Tropical Cuisine, like Smoked local Crocodile and Kangaroo in a hibiscus reduction.

We can observe–almost in real time–the impact that smart or selfish choices, by governments and individuals, have on rainforests and reefs, cultures and communities. Travel is one of the biggest industries on Earth, and our economic power as travelers is enormous. --Ethical Traveler

Planning or dreaming up a vacation this year? Aim ethically. Combine your consideration of cute, eco-friendly accommodations, local eats and low-impact transportation with big picture attention to a destination's political stability, social standards and environmental ratings.

Ethical Traveler has done the research for you, collecting data from a pool of highly reputed sources like the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), a joint initiative between Yale and Columbia University, the UN Development Program (UNDP), and Amnesty International, to rank high-minded countries making strides in environmental protection, social welfare, and human rights. I excitedly present the 2011 winners (in alphabetical order -- not in order of merit), along with commentary straight from the list itself.

The World's Best Ethical Destinations -- 2011

1. Argentina

Argentina continues to impress with its environmental initiatives, particularly an innovative new law designed to protect its glaciers.

2. Barbados

We also applaud Barbados for organizing the Caribbean Green Economic Conference for 2011, to discuss opportunities and challenges to developing a green economy in the region.

3. Chile

Chile also scored high, particularly in sustainable fishery and forestry

4. Costa Rica

Costa Rica returned to the list, after falling off last year, due to increased efforts by recently elected president Laura Chinchilla to address human trafficking problems. While there remains a great deal of work to be done—particularly to stem the country’s sex tourism industry—we applaud the progress.

5. Dominica

Dominica was the recipient of a Green Globe for sustainable ecotourism.

6. Latvia

UNICEF scores on child mortality rates are one indicator of social welfare. In this category, Lithuania and Latvia scored particularly high.

7. Lithuania

Lithuania is the only country on the Ethical Destinations list to reach Tier 1 of the 2010 State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report.

8. Palau

Another notable environmental success is Palau, which declared its waters a dolphin, shark and whale sanctuary; rescinded support for Japanese “scientific” whaling, and called for an international moratorium on shark finning.

9. Poland

Barbados was the highest ranked Ethical Destination country on the index this year, followed by Poland.

10. Uruguay

Uruguay has been absent for a few years from the Top 10, but deserves its spot this year again because of its outstanding human rights and human development record. It has the highest level of human development in Latin America and it was the first country to allow gay marriage. In addition, the first human rights violators of the dictatorship period were convicted to prison sentences in 2010 after decades of impunity. After settling the pulp mill conflict with Argentina, Uruguay put more stringent monitoring mechanisms for pollution by the pulp mills into place.

As Ethical Traveler reminds us, ecotourism isn't very different from conscious consumerism. Every adventure is an opportunity to vote with your dollars to support the places and people that are doing admirable things for mankind and our home, earth. And inspiring their neighboring nations to do the same.

Click over to the detailed 2011 Ethical Destinations report to read and learn more about the selection process and research findings. It's fascinating!

More on Ethical Travel:
Meet Andrew Harding of Nature & Kind and Conscious Ventures
How Green is the Airline Industry, Really?
Meet Natasha Carvell of Travelocity's Travel for Good Program

Attention college students and grads, the "employed-but-stuck-behind-a-desk" and anyone else looking for rewarding work: It turns out that eco-friendly jobs are growing, kind of like that native grass you planted in your front yard. Well, maybe you haven't gone that far. But there are ways to turn your love of the planet into a paycheck, and get on the "leave no trace" train. Check out these Top Five Green Careers.

Number 1 on the list is Eco-tourism, according to Yahoo! News. The story says Earth-friendly careers are on the rise in the U.S., and eco-tourism is a gig that's great for professionals who already have a knack for marketing. In this case, it's the promotion of nature-based travel. Which may remind you of a few recent Planet Green stories.

Common job titles in this category include travel agent and adventure guide.

Rounding out the list are Organic Farming, Alternative Energy Technicians, Environmental Protection Technicians and Bicycle Techicians. In other words, kind of technical.

While these jobs are open to anyone with skills and a love of dirt, the Alternative Energy Technician job also requires someone who doesn't suffer from acrophobia (a fear of heights).

You'd better also be free from a fear of confined spaces (as in Claustrophobia).

Alt. energy techs can make pretty good money (around $40-54K a year), but you have be in shape to climb onto rooftops to install solar panels, or up to the tops of 300-foot-tall wind turbines. A wind turbine nacelle, or gear box, is a tight squeeze.

Ready to go? Here are a few eco job boards and related sites to peruse:

• Treehugger jobs board (shameless plug)
• Green For All
• About.com

One more: See a post on Sustainablog on "5 Tips for Finding Eco-Friendly Employment."

More on Ecotourism
Eco-Tourism 2.0: Vacation Alongside Your Favorite Wild Animals
5 Amazing Eco-Tourism Destinations
Top 7 Sustainable Travel Destinations

First whooping cranes, now pronghorn antelope? It wasn't long ago that we reported on the senseless slaying of three endangered whooping cranes in Georgia. Now comes news of 10 pronghorn antelope killed by a creep behind the wheel near the Wyoming-Colorado border.

According to HuffPo, Wyoming game officials say the driver of a vehicle intentionally hit and killed the animals, which are known as antelope but are actually more like giraffes. You don't have to be a treehugger to find this gruesome. As of this writing, the driver is still at large.

It's said that Wyoming has more pronghorn than people. Still, the pronghorn population has been greatly reduced since the 1800s. They're the last surviving member of the Antilocapridae family. They're also considered by some to be the fastest land mammal in North America (more than 60 mph).

A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the hit-and-run motorist, who could face charges of taking trophy big game out of season, and destruction of animals. Slaughtered were five bucks, four fawn and a doe.

"The carcasses were scattered along a 190-yard span and were on both edges of the road," the Rawlins Daily Times reports.

Regardless of how you may feel about hunting, you've got to admit that using a vehicle bumper, on purpose, is just plain wrong. Hitting a deer by mistake is one thing. Mowing down 10 antelope for the hell of it is another.

More on Amazing Animals
10 National Parks Boasting Exotic Wildlife
Get Out There: Pronghorn Antelope (Animal Planet)
Dolphins, Magnificent Mammals (Slideshow)

The north shore of Japan was hit by a devastating tsunami last week due to an 8.9 magnitude earthquake 80 miles off the coast. Over 200,000 residents are now in temporary shelters with thousands more still trapped amidst the wreckage. With the death toll reaching over 10,000 and a threat of a nuclear meltdown, the country is in need of support.

Though you may not be close to the damages, there are still ways to help. We’ve compiled a list of the best relief organizations that are making the most of donations to provide relief to victims and their families.

Global Giving

Save the Children

International Medical Corps

Doctors Without Borders

World Vision

More on Relief Efforts
Music for Relief Brings Together Diverse Artists
Ten Ways to Help The Haiti Relief Efforts
Smart Phones and Citizen Scientists Can Help Streamline Disaster Relief

Learn how the Chilean Earthquake actually altered time and shifted the Earth's axis. What effect must Japan's have had?

A new claim by U.S. researchers is timely, amazing, and gruesome. They say a massive tsunami --- like the March 11 wave train that devastated Japan --- may be responsible for burying the fabled "Lost City of Atlantis." It's a wild idea ... just as wild as the destructive force recently seen in action following the 8.9-magnitude earthquake.

The research team, led by Richard Freund, a University of Hartford (Connecticut) professor, believes they have found the lost city at a site north of Cadiz, Spain, buried in the vast marshlands of a place called Doña Ana Park, according to Reuters.

The site was located via satellite photos and has since been explored with deep-ground radar, digital mapping and underwater technology. An interesting note: It's believed that those who survived the tsunami that buried Atlantis fled inland and built new cities there.

The research is part of a new National Geographic special called "Finding Atlantis." Freund’s team also found a series of mysterious memorial cities built in the image of Atlantis in central Spain.

Nat Geo and the researchers didn't release their Atlantis find to tie in with the Japan tsunami. It just worked out that way. A press release is dated March 9, two days before the waves hit.

But the documentary comes at a time when the world is focused on what happened in Japan and the issues it raises, from the human impact on the climate to how we should address future energy needs.

Does the wrath of nature seen recently in Japan make this latest Atlantis claim more believable? Should it make us worry?

Shark and fish in an aquarium in the Bahamas. Credit: Paul Souders/Corbis

More on Atlantis, from the Discovery Channel
Solving History: Atlantis
The Atlantis Mystery
The Ruins of Atlantis

The stories currently coming out of Japan are heart wrenching. We're all watching from the sidelines as the death toll rises and a potential nuclear crisis unfolds. But against all odds, there are some incredible survival stories making the news after this historic earthquake.

The Toronto Star has reported on the story of a 4 month old baby that went missing for four days after her village was destroyed by the giant tsunami wave. A soldier found her unharmed in a fuzzy pink jacket and carried her to safety.

And then there was 42 year old Emiko Chiba who was driving her small Suzuki through the hills of northern Japan when the massive tsunami wave threw her car into the air.

According to the story, the black wall of water shot her into the air and then carried her into the path of destruction. “The water lifted up the car,” said Emiko’s husband, Kazahiro, who was working in a nearby village when the tsunami hit. “She can’t remember how long she was in the air. It’s like a bad dream. A nightmare. Her memory is all black.” After her car finally landed she walked an hour to safety. Amazingly, Emiko is alive.

Watch These Tales of Survival and Stories of Hope

With the list of evacuees posted at local shelters, survivors are desperately looking for family and friends.

This resilient couple who's home was hit by both the quake and the tsunami wave that followed wants to get their home cleaned up so they can hurry up and help others. Ann Curry put it so well. "Find[ing] human strength against even these great odds," According to Curry, the Japanese are working to deal with a crisis water supply but boiling snow they trucked down from nearby mountains and by carving their own chopsticks from bamboo.

Here's an account of the shear magnitude of the quake and the grace of a people

The words of quake survivor and reporter Aaron Lace, "Japan is one of the best prepared countries on Planet Earth. This is an 8.8 or 8.9 magnitude earthquake, which was immense and it went on for what seemed like an eternity.... There has been no loss of law or order, no loss of any kind of civilized decorum of a people. It has been something exemplary and something that Japanese people as a people should be proud of forever."

Like this? Follow my Twitter feed.

More on Japan
The Impact of the Nuclear Crisis on Japan's Food Supply
Japan's Nuclear Crisis Sparks Panic Food Shopping
How the Japan Earthquake Shortened Earth's Day

A 5-star catering company, air-conditioned tent and designer dress offers its own beauty—it’s true—but there is a different kind of beauty to be found in an eco-friendly wedding. Not only will a wedding stripped of energy-sucking ornaments focus the attention more on the love-struck couple, it’s also far less expensive! You can minimize the carbon footprint of your fist steps as husband and wife by incorporating some of these green wedding traditions from around the world.

1. Jewish Wedding
In a Jewish wedding, the couple stands under a marriage canopy, or a Chuppah, to receive blessings and exchange the ring. This portion of the wedding is held outside under the stars at sundown, but it can be even more eco-friendly if you build your own Chuppah out of tallis and branches.

2. Italian Wedding
The amount of time and—more importantly—gas spent on driving from store to store returning unwanted gifts can be astronomical. So much so that many married couples are guilty of creating a monument of their unopened wedding gifts in the garage…that is never touched. Italians avoid this problem by just being honest. What do the bride and groom really need? Cash. And that’s exactly what they get. Instead of bringing gifts, at the ceremony a white bag called la borsa is passed around in which guests can drop their desired amount of cash.

3. Sweden
All the makeup and hairspray in the world wouldn’t detract from the smell of a Swedish bride. That’s because in Sweden, it is customary that the bride carry a bouquet of odorous weeds. That's right, the stuff you were already going to plow away in your garden serves as an ornament. Why? To ward off trolls, of course! At least, that is the Swedish superstition. Lucky for the bride, it’s a favorite pastime of the groomsmen to try and knock the bouquet off.

Microsoft

4. Spain
Certainly the Spanish enjoy receiving massive packages from their online shopping adventures as much as the next person, but when it comes to the wedding apparel, a Spanish bride actually hand-sews an embroidered shirt for her husband to wear at the ceremony.

5. Canada
I knew Canadians were friendly, but I didn’t know they were this friendly. At a traditional Canadian wedding, rather than bringing gifts, the guests form two lines and pay a dollar (or more) for each kiss they receive from the bride or groom. Another substitute for toasters and candle sticks: the guests pay for part of the honeymoon.

Microsoft

6. Alaska
Forget the bachlorette party, let’s sew! In the small town of Nikolaevsk, Alaska, the bride and her friends sew the wedding clothing for all of the groom’s family. Considering their location, a Bloomingdales is probably a little far.

7. Indonesia
Indonesians must be more selective when choosing their wedding guests, or else they have a long walk ahead of them. Literally. In rural parts of Indonesia, rather than sending out wedding invitations, the family members of the bride and groom pay visits to each guest they’d like to invite.

8. China
The Chinese don’t abide by the idea that it’s bad luck to see the bride before the altar. But in giving up the mystery they gain some green points—the bride and groom go in one car to the ceremony.

9. Buddhist Tradition
The greenest wedding you could have is a Buddhist wedding—which means no wedding at all. In Buddhist tradition, a wedding isn’t considered necessary. Couples can simply have a civil ceremony with their closest family around.

One thing you'll notice all of these traditions have in common is this: a personal touch. You may be giving up the most in-demand catering company, or that Armani suit you were hoping for your groom to wear, but you know what? That same wedding could be ordered out of a catalogue by anyone. By incorporating some of these Green traditions from around the world, you add a personal touch to your wedding that no one else can ever recreate.

With gas prices gorging our pocket books it’s no surprise that many of us are canceling our spring break road trips and opting instead to spend “quality” time relaxing at home instead. Thing is, there are several steps you could be taking to actually save gas and money and still get out of town! Save green and be green by test-driving these tips:

1. What? TUNE UP YOUR CAR
Why? Keeping your car properly tuned up to improve gas mileage by about 4 percent. Keeping a mileage record will tell you when your gas mileage is slipping, which is a signal for a tune-up.

2. What? SLOW DOWN!
Why? Speeding, rapid acceleration, and rapid braking all waste gas and cut down your mileage potential by as much as 33 percent at highway speeds, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Stop sudden jack-rabbit starts, opting instead for slow acceleration. Keep in mind that speeding wastes gas and money. Each mile per hour you drive over 60 mph is like paying an extra 10 cents per gallon according to DOE.

Antonio Principe / Dreamstime.com
3. USE CRUISE CONTROL
Why? When driving along long stretches of open road, cruise control can be a very valuable asset, maintaining your speed within the least gas-guzzling gear, plus keeping your chances of accidental speeding (and getting pulled over and ticketed) to a minimum. BUT, where cruise control can take a bite into your gas mileage potential is on hills where it tends to coast up the hill until it realizes that it is losing speed and quickly attempts to make up for it by pushing the throttle, increasing your speed and your gas use.

4. What? EMPTY YOUR TRUNK OF UNNECESSARY DAILY BAGGAGE
Why? Carrying as few as 100 extra pounds can decrease the average car’s fuel economy by 1-2 percent. Unless you golf on a daily basis, your clubs don’t need to travel with you. Always carry a bag packed in your trunk “just in case?” Lighten it up. That load is dragging you down.

5. ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS
Why? No, not to air out a foul scent, but to let the fresh breeze in instead of cranking up that air conditioner. Using the air conditioning can up fuel use by as much as 10 percent. Imagine saving 10 percent of the money you save on gas by just rolling down the window!

Djordje Veljovic / Dreamstime.com
6. DON’T SLAM ON YOUR BREAKS
Why? See a stop sign or red light up ahead? Instead of slamming on your breaks just before the line, slowly ease off the gas ahead of time, coasting to a stop. When the light changes green, forget that pedal to the metal mindset and, again, ease into. You will experience a more enjoyable and relaxing ride, save money, and minimize brake pad wear out- saving money on both gear and gas.

7. What? CHECK AND REPLACE AIR FILTERS REGULARLY
Why? A clean air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. How does that help you on a daily basis? Replacing a clogged or dirty air filter can improve your car’s gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. A clogged air filter leaves your engine gasping for breath, in other words you are probably running with a “rich” mixture that is more gas and less air. Many auto stores carry air filters, and thankfully they are simple to change. Not sure if your filter needs changing? Take it out and hold it up to the light. If you can't see any light coming through, it's too dirty. If you don’t trust yourself to replace it, ask a car expert to help you out. It’s worth it.

8. USE SMART ROAD MAPS THAT SHOW TRAFFIC
Why? The iphone’s map not only shows you the best and fastest route from A to B, but also has the option of showing you hoe trafficked that route is at that moment. By choosing routes with less traffic you not only will arrive to your destination faster, but you will also minimize the excessive stop and go gas use.

9. AVOID THE DRIVE-THRU
Why? Idling is one of the best ways to burn through lots of gas and get absolutely nothing out of it. And where do we spend idle time the most? The Drive-thru. Instead of polluting the planet and wasting gas, park your car, walk inside and order your food (if, that is, you must eat fast food in the first place). Getting up and stretching your legs will also do your body good, and maybe even the interior of your car- catching spills on the food tray instead of your seat.

Adrian Lindley / Dreamstime.com
10. CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE
Why? If your tires are low on air you could be consuming as much as 3 percent more gas. Why? Low tire pressure creates a slight drag on the pavement as your tires ease into the road with each rotation. Keep your tires properly inflated (but not overly inflated- which can be dangerous) and they will roll more easily, smoothly, and economically.

Now get out of town!

They say that animals can sense that a storm is coming. They run for the hills. They fly away. Still, the massive March 11 Japan earthquake and tsunami seems to have done its fair share of damage to wildlife, too. While the human victims in Japan are foremost on our minds these days, animals affected by the earthquake and ensuing tsunami also are an issue. Many animals are dead. Many others need help.

In Hawaii, the tsunami from Japan was blamed on the deaths of thousands of seabirds. The waves flooded a remote Hawaiian atoll called Midway. At least 1,000 Laysan albatross were killed, drowned or buried by 5-foot-high waves. Albatross chicks also were killed, which may hurt breeding populations in 2012.

In all of this, a 60-year-old albatross, fittingly named Wisdom and the oldest known bird in the U.S., got out of harm's way in time and survived, the BBC reports.

Pets also were affected. Our friends at Animal Planet report that there are several ways to help pets in the wake of the tsunami. Those include donating to Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support, to help provide shelter space and coordinate some earthquake/tsunami animal rescues.

Back to sensing, National Geographic News offers accounts of wildlife running for higher ground and pets that refused to go outdoors before a 2005 tsunami that affected Sri Lanka and India.

More on Animals
Top 5 Human Ailments that Animals Suffer too (Video News)
Endangered Whooping Cranes Make Multi-State Journey Before They're Shot and Killed
OK Go 'White Knuckles' Video Features, Helps, Rescue Dogs

If you live in a place long enough, you should possess some local history to pass on to visitors. Bay City, Michigan, for instance, is the birthplace of Madonna and the city that Annie Edson Taylor called home before she became the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel (and survive). Which brings me to April 19, the second-annual International Obscura Day, a cultural event that aims to celebrate curiosity and discovery. Local tours are planned in several countries to spotlight "unusual places hidden all around us." Do you know of one in your backyard? Read on.

International Obscura Day is sponsored by two organizations that can make you feel like exploring: Atlas Obscura and Hendrick's Gin. Atlas Obscura dubs itself as the definitive guide to the world's wondrous and curious places. The guide people are setting up tours and events in cities including Paris, Portland, Chicago and Sydney for 2011.

Last year, about 4,000 people participated in 80 events in 20 countries. Of course, they want to grow that number this year. Sixty-some events are planned in places including London, San Francisco and even Antarctica.

Obscura Day 2010 from Dylan D. Thuras on Vimeo.

There will surely be more awareness of the day this April 19. Atlas Obscura snagged a SXSW Web Award last year, among other honors (not including what you're reading right now).

The Atlas Obscura folks have extended an invitation to Planet Green (and TreeHugger) readers to join in the fun, and participate in this day of expeditions, back-room tours, and hidden treasures in home towns. That's everything from pop stars and waterfalls to pop culture and watering holes.

What's your hometown famous for, or what local trivia can you think of? Consider it a challenge. And check out the Atlas Obscura site, where you can type in your location and find nearby attractions worth seeing, including some you might not have heard of. I've got to ask my sister-in-law about this.

More on Exploring Your World
Explore the Unusual: Can't-Miss Attractions in 3 Major Cities
Travel Green: Explore a City With A Mass Transit Tour
Explore Beekman Farm

Isabella Rossellini, the famous Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and model, has been making great (and often surreal!) films and television shows about all kinds of creatures during the past few years (see the links at the bottom of this post for more details). Her latest one-hour documentary is called "Animals Distract Me" and it's scheduled to air on Planet Green on April 23rd at 10 PM EST. Make sure to tune in! And if you are unsure, the video excerpts below should convince you!

In the first video, Isabella explains how her love for all kinds of animals - including bugs - started at a very young age, in good part thanks to very supportive and open-minded parents:

This next one shows just how surrealistic these films by Isabella can get, as she plays a microscopic organism that lives on human eyes, and imagines what it must be for them when someone puts on mascara...

In this one, she addresses the very important issue of the impact that our food has on the planet and on animals (in it she impersonates a chicken on hormones!):

Remember, Animals Distract Me by Isabella Rossellini airs on Planet Green on April 23rd, 2011, at 10 PM Eastern Time. It is one hour long.

If you want to see all these videos in a single playlist, click here: Animals Distract Me Video Playlist

More on Isabella Rossellini's Films
Seduce Me: 'Green Porno' Star Isabella Rossellini Has a New Show About Animal Attraction
Green Porno 2 with Isabella Rossellini: Underwater Sex!
Green Porno 3 with Isabella Rossellini Now Live
Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno Renewed for a 3rd Season and a Book
Isabella Rossellini to Make New Green Porno Films on the Sex Life of Marine Animals
Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno Short Films Hit the Big Time

Even someone terrified of the ocean (like myself!) can appreciate the therapeutic properties of water. The sound of waves can clear your mind, raindrops on a tin roof induce that perfect sensation of laziness, and there is a reason many therapists buy those little artificial fountains for their offices. While many resorts import materials from around the world to create the most astonishing and serene swimming pools and Jacuzzis, there are some watering holes—and I’m not talking the beer-drenched variety—that no man can recreate. Here are some of the most unique water places to take a dip around the world.

Gentle Jellyfish

Photo: Heintje Joseph Lee

The Lost Waters of Dante’s Inferno

For Lovers of Titanic

Photo: Nick Poling

The Greenest Swimming Pool

Photo: Sycamore Mineral Springs

Smelly But Soothing

See More Amazing Water Photos
The Beautiful and Mysterious World of Seaweed, the Flowers of the Deep (Slideshow)
An Ocean of Inspiration (Slideshow)
Underwater Inspiration of 400 Life-Size Sculptures

Areas in Japan affected by the earthquake and tsunami are a heartbreaking disaster for everyone, but pets and other animals tend to have it worst, either because their caretakers didn't survive or abandoned them (voluntarily or not), rescue efforts do not target them, and there's no way to track who to look for.

There have been some incredible survival stories: a dolphin rescued from a rice paddy one mile inland, for example.

But many have not been so lucky. "It seems that most animals in the hardest hit areas did not survive the tragedies," said Susan Mercer of Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support.

That group is a coalition of three local animal welfare organizations, including HEART-Tokushima, Animal Friends Niigata and Japan Cat Network, the NY Daily News reports.

There are countless animals still in limbo—but on the happy side, animals like this rescue dog have also been playing a part in the rescue efforts.

Image: Thomas Frey/Corbis

The Daily News continues: many survivors who lost everything have been forced to also give up their pets, and foreigners who have been advised to leave the country because of a nuclear threat often cannot take their animals with them.

That leaves most of the animal shelters in Japan filled to the brim.

Animal Rescue Corps estimates that 92,000 companion animals alone may have been affected: that's not including strays, wildlife or livestock.

Image: Koichi Kamoshida/Jana Press/Corbis

More from the Daily News: "The rescue efforts are made all the more difficult as gas is scarce and supplies and resources are increasingly thin the farther west rescuers travel. Unfortunately, the most devastated towns and the areas within the radiation evacuation zone are feared to have the most animals needing rescue."

Visit Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support or their Facebook page to learn how you can help.

More on the earthquake and post-tsunami Japan:
Against All Odds: Incredible Survival Stories From Japan
The Impact of the Nuclear Crisis on Japan's Food Supply
Japan's Nuclear Crisis Sparks Panic Food Shopping
Japan's Wind Turbines Survive 1,000 Year Earthquake Unscathed

Really, who doesn’t like a road trip? You get away far enough to feel like you’re on vacation, but close enough that you can come home quickly if need be. You can leave on spur of the moment, let’s be spontaneous notice. You get to sit in traffic surrounded by honking horns amidst gridlock rush hour, spend an arm and a leg on gas, only to pay up the wazoo for parking at your destination location. Why did we choose to go on a road trip instead of flying somewhere? Oh yeah… airports have their own sack full of stress. Really, the easiest, most convenient, least stressful, dime-saving way to travel these days is the road less traveled- by track. Train tracks that is.

I’ve always romanticized traveling by train. Whenever I arrive (by car) to local road trip destinations, I see the idyllic stations and wish I had decided to go that route. Yes, I know full well that trains tend to be a slightly longer trek than driving myself, but I love the idea of arriving at the station 10 minutes prior to departure, boarding, sitting, and then having the luxury of looking out the windows along the cliff side that drops into the ocean, passing through farmland and watching the pickers clip the most perfect berries that will then be sold at farmer’s markets that weekend, or even the ability to pull out my computer and work. So I decided to stop dreaming and start doing! I was going on a car-free road trip from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo and taking my girlfriend Julia along! What a perfect girlfriend getaway! Come along for our ride….

Amtrak
The Amtrak was as calming as I imagined. We arrived a mere 15 minutes before our train let the station. Parked our car maybe 50 feet from the track, and walked right on the train. No stress. Our car was filled with other spirited travelers who apparently made frequent trips up the coast on the rails. We had coffee from the dining car, plugged in our laptops and casually worked while gazing out the windows at a more rural side of Southern California than we were used to seeing. The train made several stops at those idyllic little train stations.

Destination: San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California, also known as SLO (not just for its initials) is a small city situated between Southern California and the Bay Area known for its agriculture, festivals and eco attitude. You can take a trolley through its historic downtown, bike through the rolling vineyards, hike the surrounding mountains, kayak along the coastline, or take a day trip in a Fun Ride to nearby Hearst Castle. Notice the many modes of transportation listed? That’s because SLO has created a car free initiative by partnering with San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District car-free, care-free transportation to and around town in helping to preserve clean air, promote community and individual responsibility for air quality, and to promote economic and community well-being.

Hotel: Sycamore Mineral Springs
Oh, this is so much more than a hotel. In fact, they call themselves “an integrative retreat centre.”
Beyond the 74 guest rooms and suites each with a private outdoor soaking tub (you can choose between rooms with normal water or mineral water), are the sulfur mineral springs which are pumped into private outdoor redwood tubs doting the hillside, each discreetly tucked into the trees. Since 1897, these sulfur springs have been considered healing waters, used to soothe muscle aches and pains. It was no wonder why my muscles ached after a day of hiking the resort’s trails, of course choosing the steep inclines instead of traversing the gradual gradient both leading to the same ocean-viewing spot, then riding bikes along the flat path leading to Avila Beach and back. Yeah, those muscle (and mind) numbing springs were welcome reprieve.

Afternoon on the Farm: Avila Valley Barn
This is a must-stop market known for its fresh local berry pies, homemade jellies and pickled veggies, house made fudge (yum!) and… random, but great for the kids- goats, emus, sheep, turkeys, and ponies. It’s a blast! It's so close to Sycamore that we rode our hybrid bikes (we rented them for the weekend from Wally's bikes... they deliver- gotta love car free service ;). We brought home a pie that somehow made the trip back on the Amtrak despite many moments of almost folding and digging in!

Hourly Ride: Fun Ride
If you do need a car for a portion of your trip, there are options! I rented an hourly FunRide Hybrid car, the perfect option for car-free road trippers who want to take a trek a little off the beaten path. Register online and you will get a fob key that gives you access to your FunRide car of choice (you pick it online or by phone). Seriously so easy. The cars are parked at several close locations called “pods.” Just walk up to the car, swipe your personal fob, the car unlocks and the keys are found inside. When you’re done with the ride, just leave the car where you found it and walk away. Not taking a trip to SLO, there are about 50 car sharing programs operating across the United States… find one. Their fantastic!

Wine Tasting: Chamisal Vineyards
Chamisal winemaker Fintan du Fresne gave us a private tour of the gorgeous cover-cropped vineyard and expansive winery, plus a barrel tasting of wines (using my favorite tool- the "wine thief") in various pre-bottling phases- many of which were already so complex and food-pairing perfect with bursting notes of red berries and spice, followed by a traditional wine tasting in the tasting room. Chamisal, like several other SLO wineries, is Sip certified. The Sustainability in Practice (SIP)™ Certification program isn’t just about the use of chemicals in the wine-making process, it is about the overall vineyard’s commitment to environmental stewardship, protecting both natural and human resources addressing the whole farm system including the worker, soil fertility, cover crops, wildlife, native plants, irrigation, habitat conservation, energy efficiency, pest management, water conservation, economic stability, and human resources.

Eating: Novo Restaurant (in town) and Custom House (beachside)
In Downtown San Luis Obispo, one of the best restaurants is Novo, a creek-side Brazilian, Mediterranean and Asian melded tapas-heavy Restaurant known for intense spices and big flavor. Try the Singapore Chicken Satay, insanely tasty Salmon Bisque, and Red Curry with Vegetables and Tofu. Ask your server to pair your dishes with locals wine. It’s a real treat!
Prefer to stay a bike ride away from Sycamore? Take the Bob Jones Trail to Custom House on Avila Beach. It’s pretty much the place for locals on a nice night out and visitors who want to dine beachside. Love the Ahi Tuna Tempura Roll and the Custom House Cioppino (which is HUGE).

Exploring: Farmer’s Market
The Thursday night SLO Farmer’s Market is one of the hands down best, biggest, busiest I have ever visited. It just keeps going and going, closed off streets and streets of local farmers, restaurants, and vendors purveying their goods. Some spot are clearly known commodities with half-block long lines of fans waiting their turn. Locals and tourists alike descend on these blocks creating a palpable energy.

Adventuring: Kayaking
We hopped in the FunRide to Morro Bay, about a 40 minute drive from SLO, for a kayak tour with Central Coast Outdoors. The 3 hour tour was just beyond gorgeous, not to mention a pretty decent workout! We saw harbor seals, sea lions and otters, and crazy amounts of birds. But beyond the wild side, was the calm. For once in a long time, we had the chance to just stop, sit in total silence in the completely open, yet calm ocean waters, and exhale… before paddling back to the shore and heading to the Amtrak station. Time to go home.

As an LA local, I know we consider ourselves pioneers in environmental sensibility. Organic materials acquiesce themselves perfectly to our airy beach clothes, natural foods are just another factor in our booming body-beautifying markets, and, to top it off, we are pretty liberal, so we’re out on the streets with signs any time a favorite hiking trail is going to be pummeled down by a new shopping center. But I wanted to turn our attention to the environmental efforts of a region that may not necessarily come to mind when we think eco-tourism—the South. Home to some of the most historical natural landmarks in this country, eco-tourism actually has a very special place in Southern hearts.

Kentucky: An Environmental Event To Remember
Kentucky boasts one of the largest caves in America, Hidden River Cave. Today tourists can crawl, climb and explore the underground river for hours on guided tours, but for approximately 50 years visitors to this Southern town were not so lucky. In 1940 pollution cut off the river’s drinking water supply to the town and made the cave a danger-zone. It’s restoration in 1993 is one of the most notable environmental successes in America’s land-loving, tree-hugging history.

Photo: Danijel Micka

Keeping with the blast from the past theme, lay your head down at Country Girl At Heart Farm Bed & Breakfast, a re-furbished working farm on a 140-acre sustainable property. Book your stay ahead of time because this quaint B&B only offers 5 rooms, each uniquely decorated with historical artifacts and antiques. All meals are made from seasonal, local, organic and natural ingredients, many of them hand picked on the property. If you really want the Southern experience, don’t just sit pretty at the dining room table waiting for your meal—step outside and partake in the farm’s processes by canning, drying and freezing the produce with the staff.

Arkansas: The Dude Ranch
Many of our associations with a Dude Ranch may come from the popular Nickelodeon show from the 90’s, but the modus operandi of Horseshoe Dude Ranch in Jasper, Arkansas is to preserve it’s natural surroundings. As long as you’re horseback riding through the giant sandstone rock formations, cars aren’t spitting out fumes through them. Visitors an also canoe and kayak on the famous Buffalo River, or take a nature hike to the nearby quiet pools and cascading streams. The Ranch is minutes away from the Buffalo National River, with waters clear enough for turtle watching and fishing. The property kitchen is happy to pack you a lunch for your hike.

Photo: Nelson Hale

Texas: From Roof To Table
The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas Texas swapped out the rooftop bar for a rooftop garden where the restaurant gets all of its herbs and produce. The hotel also rewards visitors for being conscious of their carbon footprint en route to the property. All guests who use the DART public transportation system receive a discount, and VIP guests will be picked up in a Lexus Hybrid Sedan.

Virginia: Where Thomas Jefferson Had His Spa Days
The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia has been pampering spa-lovers since before the American Revolution with their healing mineral water Jacuzzis. Thomas Jefferson spent three weeks at this luxury location in 1818, soaking in the tubs daily. If you have energy to expend after spa treatments, you can fly fish on the private waters of the Cascade Stream. A carriage driver is ready to take you on a ride in an antique buckboard carriage along a secluded wooden trail. And it wouldn’t be a trip to the South without a tractor-driven hayride.

Georgia: The Alternative To Horseback
Atlanta, Georgia is home to the world’s largest fish tank. If the movie Jaws didn’t shake you up, take a swim with a 40-foot whale shark. Other adventures in Georgia include the world’s longest zip line tour. Located at Historic Banning Mills Lodge, the zip line runs 300 ft high, cruising along up to 60 miles an hour on preserved woodlands overlooking Snake Creek Gorge.

Photo: Lars Christensen

What makes Atlanta an eco-destination that truly deserves attention of eco-enthusiasts is this: Atlanta proudly launched the first Zero Waste Zone in 2009, diverting 2052 tons of residuals from landfills. That’s the equivalent of 310 cars off the road for an entire year.

I've been waiting to write this post, since a return from the Dominican Republic for some Spring Break relaxation and family bonding. Of course, I love my family, but sometimes the kids can be a handful. Like my 9-year-old daughter, who's sweet and wonderful, but can make your blood boil depending on the day. OK, but how to cool hot tempers? Snorkeling, I've found.

Snorkeling is a perfect way to spend an afternoon, especially in a spot like Punta Cana. You're in a refreshing place, breathing carefully through a tube, peering at what you normally can't see --- what's normally out of sight, and out of mind for many.

And you're staying close, maybe holding hands when the water gets a bit deeper, or you journey near some seaweed or coral for a closer look. It's a way to explore, bond with nature, spend time with your kids, and (using the proper sunscreen) learn to better appreciate what's underwater. Even adults can soak up a thing or two.

I say take your kid(s) snorkeling in the headline because I also went snorkeling with my younger, 6-year-old daughter in Punta Cana. All three of us stayed close to shore, near a dock.

We did that once. My older daughter and I spent the better part of a week snorkeling for several hours each following day, including under the dock, where we found a virtual aquarium of fish (a lot like this one). Those included an angelfish, a few of her friends ... and a stingray that I completely did not expect to see. Anyway, no injuries, just appreciation. My daughter says she wasn't at all scared. That makes one of us.

We also took a family snorkeling excursion, as they call it, venturing farther offshore. My six-year-old didn't last long in the water, and spent more time on the boat. My 9-year-old outlasted us all.

Photo by author

I picked up some snorkeling tips and enthusiasm along the way that's worth sharing for others interested in getting their gear on. The gear, by the way, is inexpensive. $20 will get you a decent mask and snorkel.

Spit into the mask before you start snorkeling, for starters, which cuts down on fogging. Thanks to the fellow French guy who taught me this one. Rub and rinse.

Watch out for coral, too, which is actually a living thing, and can be damaged by feet. Laurel offered other tips in a previous Planet Green post on sustainable snorkeling.

Punta Cana is experiencing some coral bleaching, which is bad. But my daughter hopes to help do some good when she grows up. Both daughters.

More on Oceans and Snorkeling
Planet's Best: Snorkeling with Fish
Know Your Marine Life? (Quiz)
Blue August

It’s funny with all of the amazing restaurants opening daily, bizarre and trendy night clubs, museums with astounding artifacts and—let’s face it—some hands down credit card-debt-be-damned-worthy shopping areas, throughout the ages, when people are asked what they would do before they died, if they could do anything at all, these largely urban, modern sites don’t make the list. And that is largely because restaurants, nightclubs and shopping come and go. They hold no legacy. The stories of the largest Bloomingdales probably won’t be passed down from generation to generation. When all is said and done, and buildings are put up and torn down, the sites and experiences that will be talked about for ages are linked with—you called it—good old mother earth. Here’s a handful that have gained some notoriety.

Photo: Woo Bing Siew

Escape To A Paradise Island
Long before the popular animated Madagascar reared its animated head, paradise beaches have existed right here off the big screen. Northeast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa lies a group of 115 tropical islands, and hiding from civilization within that group you’ll find La Digue, an island whose sandy white beaches have drawn top magazines from around the world for their photo shoots. This island is the stuff those silly Corona commercials are made of, at about 3.73 miles long by 1.8 miles wide, paper-white beaches, crystal clear waters and palm trees that generously bend to give shade. The average yearly temperature is 84 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average temperature of the water is 81 degrees Fahrenheit. If you get exhausted from walking in the heat, the main transportation on the island is bike or Ox cart. Bird enthusiasts might go to see the black paradise flycatcher—only about 300 are in existence today.

Photo: Nick Griffin

Go On A Safari
Naturally, when one thinks of what he’ll do before dying, he becomes a little bolder. A safari will satisfy that need to shiver in your jungle boots. There are a few different ways to mingle with wildlife. Popular in Africa, a Balloon Safari will let you drift at a safe distance above the landscape, catching views a regular jeep safari doesn’t get. You’ll also be at leisure to sip champagne. For the Egyptian Desert a Camel Safari seems most suitable. At any destination, to get the true Safari experience, a walking Safari will get you up close in personal with animals that don’t know to even fear humans.

Sleep In A Tipi
You probably had one of those small Tipis from Toys R Us as a child. But in the Welsh Mountains you can stay in a “grown up” tipi. This circular abode has a diameter of 21 feet and is equipped with all the trappings of an Indian movie—wood burning chimney, sheepskin rug, and an organic hamper for food. Upon arrival, your hamper will already be stocked with wine, hot chocolate, cookies, oh and some “healthy” stuff, if you really insist on it. Your stay includes a Reiki healing session and moonlight meditation.

Photo: Jose Antonio Sanchez Romero

Visit The Egyptian Pyramids
Most famous is the pyramid of Giza, part of a complex of buildings dedicated to the ancient Pharaoh Khufu and nearby lies the famous Sphinx. You can reach the temples by air-conditioned shuttle, but if you really want to authenticate the experience, arrive on camel back. The pyramids are surprisingly easy to access since the city of Cairo has expanded almost to their doorstep.

Photo: Cheryl Whitney

Catch The Other Loch Ness Monster
I’m talking about fishing for the Blue Marlin. Apparently quite a few fishing enthusiasts took one BBC poll on things to do before you die, because tracking down one of these real-life sea beasts came up a lot. The fish weighs an average of 1,000 lbs and runs 11 feet or longer. The largest Blue Marlin caught to date was 1,805 lbs and was snatched up in Oahu, Hawaii by a party of anglers. Other popular spots to bate your giant pole: Portugal, The Canary Islands, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Brazil and Venezuela.

Visit The Lost City
Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian, impeccably preserved Inca ruin above the Urubamba River Valley in Peru. The ruins consist of 5 square miles of terraced stone and 140 buildings connected by 3,000 steps. This city center, dating back to about 1460 and built for the Incan nobility, has temples dedicated to the Incan gods, sanctuaries, parks and residential structures. Machu Picchu is an admirable model of sustainability, with agricultural terraces intermixed with the buildings and water coming from natural springs. Some visitors skip the bus and make the 3 to 4 day hike from Cusco to catch sites of other ruins along the way.

Photo: Dreamstime

Explore Antarctica
This land is about as green as it gets—just not in color. No man has claimed it. It has no government and no country. But if we were to compare it to a country, it is larger than Europe. While Antarctica is the coldest place on earth, with 98% of the land covered in mile-thick ice, it is also the driest, making it technically the largest desert. And treat it like a desert by bringing plenty of sunscreen because the vast amount of snow reflects the sun so strongly, sunburns are a major issue for visitors.

Editor's Note: The title of this post has been changed to reflect that all of the activities listed are not sustainable, merely acknowledged as incredible experiences.

More on Eco-Travel
Top 7 Sustainable Travel Destinations
7 Destinations for the World's Most Magnificient Animal Viewing
4 Tips to Planning a Sabbatical and Traveling the Globe

This idea from the Boing Boing people gives me another. The gist is, a California company called Adzookie is offering to pay your mortgage if you're willing to let them turn your home into a giant billboard. No homes have been selected as of this writing, but what would you be willing to hawk to help pay the bills? This brings a new meaning to the "for sale" in the front yard.

What about ads on your home that give you some time away, as in a free adventure trip/vacation? After all, your neighbors may not be too happy about the ad anyway.

Some travel organizations that may want to consider this, from our Planet Green archives:

• Atlas Obscura, dubbed as the definitive guide to the world's wondrous and curious places;
• Cruise North Expeditions, which offers a line of Arctic polar cruises with cultural content and Inuit staffing;
• The Lodge at Chaa Creek, in Belize, which bills itself as the spot's premier eco resort.

Or maybe this is a bad idea altogether? The chosen house would probably be on a well-traveled road, which probably has enough signs and ads already. But the idea is that it's so weird to see an ad on a house, that the ad should get your attention.

More on the Adzookie ad-on-your-house pitch:

Adzookie, a smartphone ad company, says it's willing to "pay your mortgage every month for as long as your house remains painted." You have to own your home, and they paint the exterior in bright colors, minus the roof, windows and awnings.

Which is kind of a turn off. Paint? How about using a wrap-around or stick-on ad, like they do for on-car advertisements?

Adzookie plans to spend $100,000 on its campaign (not including all the free advertising from us media types), or about $8,000 per house.

What's your price? Do you think ads on homes are going too far? Would you be willing to do it for a free vacation/adventure/trip? It seems as though it's a little over-the-top. Aren't pop-up TV ads awful enough? Let's agree that any of these ideas are better than a forehead tattoo.

More on Travel and Adventure
Take Your Kid(s) Snorkeling
Top Eco-Adventures in the Southern States
12 Most Bizarre Roadside Attractions on Route 66 (Slideshow)

You might be a regular camper who escapes to the wild weekly. Maybe you just can’t afford a vacation so a tent and a campfire make for the cheapest getaway. Maybe your friends dared you to spend just one night away from your comfortable, pampered lifestyle. Whatever your reason for camping, you don’t owe any less to the nature you’re going to come in close contact with than the next guy. And it’s true—camping is about as eco-friendly as it gets when it comes to traveling. You and your gear are pretty much the only signs of civilization around. Here are some tips to keep it that way:

1. Buy each camper a BPA-free reusable water bottle or canteen. Find out ahead of time if there is a water source at your site. If not, bring a portable purification system. You can find one at most camping stores.

2. If you’re new to camping it’s best to borrow camping gear. When you totally fall in love with your sleepover outdoors, consider getting your own equipment from a second hand store. Seasoned campers can donate your old gear to such a store.

Photo: Microsoft Images Recycling Bin

3. Bring extra reusable bags to throw trash in. Even if there are bins around the site, they might be full and it’s too tempting when you’re sitting around the campfire to just toss your trash to the side rather than venture to the bin a few yards away. Better to be prepared.

4. Check if there are campfire restrictions at your campsite. These are here for a reason. Your firewood could introduce a pest or disease into the area. If you burn coals, make sure there are no smoldering coals left over after your stay.

5. Bring LED flashlights or lanterns. These require much less power than traditional flashlights and have a longer service life. Shake or wind-up flashlights require no batteries and can last up to 30 hours.

6. Instead of the usual paper or Styrofoam dishes, bring reusable supplies and wash them after the trip. This probably isn’t the best time to break out the wedding china, but kids' plastic plates or plastic reusable dishes will work.

7. The above tip gets counteracted if you’re using soap with toxic chemicals! Be sure to bring biodegradable soap and wash dishes away from water sources.

Photo: Dreamstime Bug Repellant Candles

8. Use Citronella candles. Citronella is a tall grass with a lemony scent and its essential oils are used to repel insects. If you like the good old fashion spray, use organic insect repellant.

9. Bring dishtowels from home rather than paper towels. Make an old-school clothesline between two trees to hang the towels to dry.

Photo: David Watts Jr. Do Not Litter Sign

10. Your favorite gourmet items might have to sit out this camping trip. To reduce packaging waste, grab your friend with a Costco card and buy food and other items in bulk. This means fewer plastic wrappers that can fly around than if you buy individual items.

11. Being a trailblazer in life is great. But don’t do it on an actual trail. If you’re planning a hike during your camping trip, stay on the set path. Going off the beaten path can cause soil erosion and the stomping of native plants.

Photo: Xuguang Wang Camper Applying Toxic Makeup

12. Leave your vanity at home. Particles from many makeup and beauty products can be toxic to the environment. Instead of a shower, just toss on some extra deodorant. If you absolutely must bathe in a natural body of water, don’t bring in any soap or products.

When you’re camping, you’re a guest in the wild. You wouldn’t trash a hotel room (well, maybe if you’re a rock star) and you shouldn’t trash your campsite, especially because there is no room service to come clean up the mess. I hope these tips will help you leave your campsite like you found it, if not in better condition.

More on Camping
An Insider's Guide to Camping in National Parks
Eco-Friendly Camping Trip
How to Take Your Dog Camping