More people are considering the environment in just about everything they do, from recycling to what they drive to how they vacation.

Now, you can "travel green" throughout Wisconsin, thanks to a state Department of Tourism program.

Travel Green Wisconsin is a voluntary, affordable program that reviews, certifies and recognizes tourism businesses that have made a commitment to continuously improve their operations in order to reduce their environmental impact. This program allows tourism businesses to evaluate their operations, set goals, and take specific actions towards environmental, social and economic sustainability.

According to the program's Web site: "Travel Green Wisconsin is designed to support the Wisconsin brand, give the state and hospitality business participants a marketing edge, promote smart business practices, reduce costs, educate travelers, and protect the beauty and vitality of Wisconsin's landscape.

"Among Wisconsin's most popular attractions are its natural resources, cultural diversity, and the wildlife that make their home in the state. Efforts to preserve these assets for generations to come are in the best interest of Wisconsin's tourism industry and the state's overall economy."

The goals listed for the Travel Green program are:

• Be entirely voluntary.
• Be simple and affordable so that tourism businesses are motivated to participate.
• Be adaptable and available to the full variety of business types that serve travelers.
• Make good business sense by offering identifiable cost savings to participants.
• Increase participant awareness of environmentally sustainable business practices.
• Provide a marketing advantage for program participants as well as the state.
• Lead to measurable environmental improvements.

Department of Tourism Secretary, Jim Holperin, formed a work group in 2004 of leaders representing tourism industries, non-profit organizations, and government agencies with the mission of helping tourism operators adopt more sustainable business practices.

This work group called the Sustainable Tourism Ad Hoc Committee explored the development of a voluntary environmental certification program for the Wisconsin tourism industry. The Department of Tourism then formed a contract with the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative (WEI) to take the lead on this initiative to develop the certification program, called "Travel Green Wisconsin."

More than 30 businesses in four pilot areas of the state went through the certification process. They then gave feedback to improve the program. Travel Green, which officially started in January 2007, now is taking applications from businesses throughout the state. A number of businesses are participating. Here are just some examples of participating bed and breakfast operations and what they are doing:

• Located outside Hillsboro, the Inn Serendipity Woods cabin features a solar thermal system -- guests take showers with water heated by the sun -- sustainably harvested hardwood floors, tile made from recycled vehicle windshield glass, and a woodstove for heat, plus a comprehensive forest and riparian buffer management plans on premise.
• To conserve resources and minimize impacts, recycling is encouraged and a bin provided in the kitchen for such purposes. Owners, Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko, wrote about some of their efforts in a book titled Rural Renaissance (www.ruralrenaissance.org).
• The Trillium Cottages country setting is outside of La Farge, where Rosanne Boyett and Joe Swanson's innovative practices include trees planted around perimeter of property conserve moisture and prevent soil erosion. No air conditioners are used. Natural ventilation is encouraged through operational windows. The use of reusable, recycled, and organic products and local products are part of the daily operation.
• Over the past several years, Mike and Marie Cimino have incorporated programs into the daily business at the Westby House Victorian Inn. Saving energy through using STAR ENERGY appliances, and replacing the traditional light bulb with compact fluorescent light bulbs is an ongoing program at the Inn.

The Ciminos said, "Placing recycle bins in the restaurant kitchen and in each of the nine guestrooms has helped reduce the amount of landfill waste. The recycle program also makes the staff and guests aware that they too are helping the environment. The laundry department contributes to the environment by using non-toxic, biodegradable laundry detergent and cleaning of the property.

"In the summer months, rainwater is recycled by catching it in 55 gallon barrels, then used to water flowers and plants in the outdoor landscaping."

The Wisconsin State Fair Park, Lakefront Brewery and the Port Washington Inn are Milwaukee area businesses among more than 60 statewide participants in Travel Green.

Travel Green's Web site lists the benefits of participating to businesses:

• Cost Savings and Improved Profitability
• Reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and conserving natural resources not only helps the environment and local community, but also reduces costs and increases efficiencies that improves profitability.
• Marketing
• Display the Travel Green Wisconsin logo in promotional materials and websites to create market distinction and attract new customers.
• Receive website listings on the Department of Tourism's website and Travel Green Wisconsin website.
• Receive media attention.
• Educational
• Attend workshops and training sessions to learn more about sustainable business practices.
• Receive technical assistance and resources to help with certification and program implementation.
• Networking
• Learn best practices and share ideas with other Travel Green Wisconsin certified tourism businesses.
  

Customers also can easily identify Travel Green Wisconsin businesses that are committed to achieving environmental, social, and economic sustainability.