FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Elizabeth Richardson
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
erichardson@poconos.org
PoconoMountains.com / @PoconoTourismPR
GreenTourism Conference Kicks Off Earth Day Celebrations in the Pocono Mountains
Throughout history the region has been at the forefront of conservation
POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pa., April 14, 2015 – The Pocono Mountains (PoconoMountains.com), a long-time favorite destination of outdoor enthusiasts, is celebrating Earth Day throughout the month of April and continuing our commitment to protect the environment well beyond the month.
To kick-start Earth Day festivities, hotel, restaurant and other travel and tourism entities will gather in the Pocono Mountains on April 15 for the 2015 GreenTourism Conference. Held at Woodloch Pines Resort, the conference includes a Chefs’ Roundtable with chefs from the local restaurants, the Culinary Institute of America and the Food Network discussing the local food movement, a session on eco-tourism and marketing to millennials, and workshop sessions with case studies, green renovations and sustainability.
The celebration of Mother Nature continues with Earth Day festivals and events throughout the four-county region including: Jim Thorpe Earth Day Celebration on April 18; Hawley Earth Fest, April 24-26; Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) Earth Day Festival, April 25 and Grey Towers Heritage 8K Run/Walk, April 25. National Park Week is also April 18-26. The Pocono Mountains is home to two National Parks: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River.
The commitment to sustainability started with Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service (1905), at his home in the Pocono Mountains. It was here the conservation movement began in the United States. The family estate, known as Grey Towers, was donated to the United States and President John F. Kennedy accepted this gift in 1963. The region’s obligation to the environment continues today with efforts such as:
- River clean-ups held by canoe and rafting outfitters
- The use of low-energy snow guns at ski areas
- The Lodge at Woodloch’s farm expansion to include a two acre orchard
- Barley Creek Brewing Company is certified as a “2 Star Certified Green Restaurant”
- Pocono Raceway’s Solar Projectwill generate enough power to provide the electricity needs for close to 1,000 homes beyond the power needs of the Raceway.
From the beginning of the conservation movement, the Pocono Mountains has prioritized using the natural resources of the region in the most efficient ways possible. That commitment continues today and will continue to enhance the economic and environmental well-being of our greatest resources in the future.
For more information about the Pocono Mountains visit PoconoMountains.com.
About the Pocono Mountains
With 2,400 square miles encompassing Pennsylvania’s Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties, the Pocono Mountains region is home to rolling mountain terrain, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, thriving woodlands and 170 miles of winding rivers. Winters offer guests the opportunity to ski, snowboard, snow tube and even snowshoe their way through snowy wonderlands encompassing over 163 ski trails, while summers also cater to the active traveler allowing exploration of 261miles of hiking and biking trails, over 30 golf courses, whitewater rafting, boating, fishing and open access to nine state and two national parks.
Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at PoconoMountains.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667). Follow @PoconoTourism on Twitter to stay current with up-to-date information. Established in 1934, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit, membership organization. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeasternPennsylvania.
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Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed., The Epicurean Explorer
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