travel but make it ✨sustainable✨ + 10 tips for how to travel eco-friendly this summer

"You cannot do all the good that the world needs,
but the world needs all the good that you can do." ©

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[danielleangulo]

For the past few years, I have been buying postcards as souvenirs. I have been writing a small bit about the trip on the back and then been collecting them in a photo album. It's a lot easier to pack a postcard than other traditional souvenirs. It has kind of turned into a travel journal. I love it and it is so cheap!

[ZoeMikelStites]

"Take only pictures, leave only footprints" is a motto I use when I hike. I'm starting to take plastic bags that I get from the grocery store when I forget my reusable bags and use them to pick up what other people have left behind.

[rowan]

shelbi, I know you said you weren't going to get emotional about your dad's life long wish to go to Yellowstone. I'm glad you went while you still had time. My aunt died this past Monday and it really put into perspective how much time I have left with my mom, who's lifelong wish is to go to Alaska to see the northern lights. It's been on her bucket list since her dad promised her they'd go but he died before they could go. You've inspired me to start saving & thinking about getting to Alaska before its too late.

[DOpalG]

Another great option if you do like souvenirs- thrift them! I recently went on at trip to Arizona/Utah and thrifted a vintage tee that I love very much, it will always remind me of my trip. 🖤

[RebeccaMundschenk]

You should partner with Amtrak because they are really trying to sell the smaller carbon footprint angle and I'm sure you'd be a great asset!

[brigidfarley]

I do want to say, it's actually really important to have a physical map when hiking. Not because it's a sustainable option, but because if something happens like your batteries run out or your phone breaks, you won't have to worry about getting lost or losing your way. This isn't as important for Shelby because there's 4 of them and they're very serious about sticking to the trail, but not everyone is so principled OR with people who care about safe hiking. Back up maps are Really Important.

[katieg]

Another tip for leaving no trace on public lands - PLEASE do not make rock cairns! They're so popular on Instagram pics, but depending on where you are, you could be disturbing an animal's habitat or an archaeological site. Plus, the only reason there should be a cairn in a park is to mark a trail, so you may end up confusing future hikers.

[beth]

Another tip for any beach going travelers: if you want to collect shells, please don’t take a lot! or consider just taking photos instead. the prettiest shells on the beach most of the time are of high need to any conch snails/Gastropods :) also in some states/countries Shell collecting or conch shell collecting is illegal, so be sure to check local laws so you don’t commit a crime by accident lol

[ArtistryOfAdventure]

Well said. Travellers forget that they can do some damage to the environment when they veer off a path or trail. So it’s important to stick to the defined paths. Thanks for making this video!

[kelleenbrx]

Stay on the trail is especially important in Yellowstone- The land is NOT all stable. The crust is very thin, and you can fall through and get severe burns. There's a whole book that's updated almost every year of Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park- Don't be an addition to that book.

[aleakeliinoi]

recognition of tourism, its effects, and the cultural significance of a destination is so so so refreshing to see online oh my goodness!! as a Hawaiian and as someone who wants to live sustainably, this video literally gives me hope for the future thank you so much for doing what you do!!! <3

[AlanaLee-xvqy]

Enjoy Yellowstone! It is a wonderful place but I'm sure it will be a zoo. It is a great place to see with someone in a wheelchair, tons of accessable trails. My best advice is get out early, like 7am early, to see things. There is almost no one around and driving is so much easier. And yeah nothing out there. We took a train from the Bay Area to SLC and then had to rent a car to get to YS.

[kalleyh]

We always give the food that is going to go bad to my family. Whenever someone goes on vacation in my family it's fun to raid the fridge and make different meals than I normally would while I pet sit. Fun way to not have food waste!

[deannapolaski]

I'd be interested to hear you do a deep dive on traveling with a camper! Is it more or less eco friendly (used of course!)? Like compare campers vs. hotels, compare different types of campers, for larger families is it more or less eco friendly than 2 hotel rooms, etc. I'd love to hear a deep dive on this. We're currently expecting twins (making us a family of 6) and we've been considering getting a camper because we do love traveling with our kids (and we live far away from family, so we travel a lot too see our loved ones). So I'd be interested to know the environmental impact and weigh that in our consideration on if we buy one or not. 😊

[raynahailey]

I think if you really want a souvenir, just collect postcards. you can either buy from a local shop or support a small artist. plus you can write a little note on the back with the date you visited, very fun to look back

[hrabi]

I love the travelling opportunities in Europe honestly. I have never flown by plane and I am going to study abroad just by a train. It takes about 17 hours for 1000 kilometers, but I love trains. Maybe the US should get inspired there

[julecaesara]

Pack a stain remover and some laundry detergent (there are solid or powdery versions and travel versions) so you won't have to buy a new item if you get tomato sauce on your shirt. This also allows you to pack super light if you plan on washing one or two things by hand

[eileennguyen]

I do really love the focus on using less electricity - especially when you're not even there. Unplug everything that you can! Plugging your lamp and toaster back in when you get home takes 2 seconds but saves energy and money.

And I treat travel-buying the way I treat regular buying - if I really like it and know that I will use it regularly, sure. If I won't? Nah, it was fun to look at in the store but I don't need it (although I admit I really like fridge magnets and probably have more than I need. They're all in use though!)

[katemikilewicz]

“You can’t do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good you can do” love that

[bethanygates]

I’ve gotten into perfumes and fragrances lately, and I’ve started to switch to purchasing one when I go on a special trip if I feel that urge to buy a souvenir. I do a ton of research ahead of time on which ones are more sustainable and which ones are available from good small businesses and create a wishlist so when I go on a trip or accomplish something big, I allow myself to finally purchase one. Then, whenever I smell that fragrance, it reminds me of that special time 🥰