Traveling Green

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism recently began a new certification program. Called Travel Green Wisconsin, it recognizes businesses in the tourism industry that are paying attention to their impact on the environment and making an effort to reduce their footprints on the earth.

Here in Cheese Country, we have business owners who have already take the steps necessary to be certified by Travel Green. If you are looking for an off the beaten path way to travel, consider some of these businesses or activities:

~ Earth Rider Boutique Hotel. With a unique bicycling theme and an coordinating bike shop business, consider Earth Rider for a wayside on your next cycling trip through Green County.

~ Inn Serendipity Bed and Breakfast. A nationally recognized Eco-Destination right here in Green County! Local authors Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko offers a unique experience, complete with a hearty vegetarian breakfast that travels only one hundred feet from garden to table.

~ The Badger State Trail, Sugar River Trail, New Glarus Woods State Park and Browntown-Cadiz Springs Recreational Area are all travel green certified. Camp, hike, bike or just spend an afternoon picnicking in these public areas.

~ Scotch Hill Farm near Brodhead is a CSA/market garden grower that also offer handmade soaps. Call ahead to arrange pick-up of a box of fresh vegetables to take home or join the CSA if you are nearby. Be sure to check out their soaps!