Since 1978, Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks (GBSK) and its owners have been an advocate for environmental conservation in Alaska. We are privileged to have the opportunity to work in Glacier Bay National Park, a pristine and fragile wilderness. Special care must be taken while traveling through it and we firmly believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that every guest strives for ethical, minimal impact travel that leaves no trace of their visit. It is our mission to preserve as well as to present this natural environment.
GBSK believes that the preservation and conservation of wilderness areas is enhanced when the general public has the opportunity to experience these areas first hand, and learns the importance of and means to protect them. By introducing visitors to Glacier Bay in a responsible and respectful way, we can teach our guests about not only the beauty of Glacier Bay, but the importance of wilderness preservation in Alaska and world-wide, so that when they return to their homes, they will be better prepared to understand their own local conservation issues and to become involved in their local programs of wilderness conservation and preservation.
To put our beliefs into action, GBSK includes the following practices in operating our business, our guided trips and preparing guests for an independent kayak trip.
Protecting the Environment through Minimizing our Impact
• GBSK follows and teaches guests established Leave No Trace Principles with special attention made to tailoring them to our temperate rainforest recently glaciated environment.
• We operate our trips with a 5:1 client to guide ratio in order to enhance visitor experience, maintain our standard of safety and minimize disturbance of wildlife.
• GBSK reduces impact by: eliminating plastic water bottle use with re-useable cups and utilizing reusable and recyclable bags, plates, bottles and cutlery for all guided trips; planning purchases according to our schedule to reduce food waste; composting food scraps through our award-winning local Disposal & Recycling Center (DRC); utilizing van capacity appropriate for the group size to reduce fuel consumption; and reducing consumption of outdoor goods by repairing damaged equipment.
• GBSK reuses paper with print on one side or by cutting and stapling it into notepads.
• GBSK recycles all cardboard, plastic (#1 & #2), glass, aluminum, tin, and paper with our local DRC.
• GBSK continues to research environmentally friendly business practices and new technology in order to increase our sustainability.
Educating through Citizen Science, Partnerships, & Tlingit History
• GBSK share’s our knowledge and passion about Glacier Bay’s wilderness and Tlingit culture on our guided Bartlett Cove day tours.
• GBSK’s small group overnight tours offers Citizen Science trips. By participating in science and data collection, our visitors will gain an enhanced understanding of what supports the ecosystems and biodiversity of this region as well as providing data for future research, which in turn, will encourage them towards other future conservation efforts.
• GBSK has partnered with Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC) and other environmental organizations to raise awareness and contribute to the conservation of southeast Alaska’s natural resources.
• GBSK staff participates in NPS Tribal House seminars and other training to understand the Tlingit people’s history and presence today in Glacier Bay so that we may better share with our guests an accurate and respectful interpretation of the cultural, spiritual and historical significance of the Tlingit homeland and an insightful portrait of their traditions.