Eco Adventurer Gift Guide

This year, you'll want to stuff the stocking of your resident adventurer with the newest tools for eco exploration. We've rounded up our favorite pieces, which fit the bill whether you're planning to scale rocks, trek desert or hike Denali in 2010.

Retro BPA-Free Bottle ($6.50)
Rough and tough bottle manufacturer Nalgene brings retro design to the market this year, offering up BPA-free choices like this wide-mouth screw top bottle. With a 32-ounce capacity, it promises zero leakage and easy access hydration.

Organic & Fair Trade Hiking Sock ($14)
During the colder months, I live in Maggie's Functional Organic Killington Mountain Hiker socks. Made of certified organic wool and cushioned for long days on the trail, these specialty socks are a must-have. You can pick up a pair at most Whole Foods.

Patagonia Recycled Retro-X Vest ($140)
Made of recycled polyester (think used soda bottles and pre- and post-consumer fabrics) and privy to Patagonia's Common Threads Recycling Program, this durable vest is a smart choice for the classic outdoor enthusiast. Windproof and lined in mesh, it's also available in a slim fit for women.

Smart Wool Arm & Knee Warmers ($25)
Since layers are key to a comfortable day outdoors, we trust the convenience factor of the arm and knee warmers from Smart Wool. Machine washable and dryer-safe, they stand the test of time and since they're made with New Zealand's sustainable, natural and renewable wool, they're as warm you'd imagine.

Osprey Messenger Bag ($89)
Crafted from nearly all recycled materials, this convenient messenger bag boasts enough space to squeeze a laptop between adventures. A padded strap and waist stabilizer make it a solid choice on the go, and with one zillion pockets, there's a place to store everything.

Chunky Cherry Bumble Bars ($3)
I'm a die hard fan of these agave-sweetened energy bars. Vegan, organic and gluten-free, they're an option for almost every picky eater while sneaking in the benefit of flax, organic cherries and coconut. Naturally, they taste delicious, although the chance that you'll be likened to a bird picking at seed is fairly high.

Experiential travel with ekoVenture

Another new social media travel site hit the web recently. ekoVenture, a "social marketplace for experiential travel," offers access to more than 10,000 tours from operators worldwide while allowing users to post reviews, blogs, photos, and videos to the site.

What sets it apart from the plethora of identical web destinations is the "go do good" philosophy and commitment to donate 10 percent of profits to the sustainability-focused causes it supports when you book a trip. A cool feature: users are also able to create charity-driven events to leverage the community for a charitable cause.

Visit www.ekoventure.com to take a look around.

Eco Chic Globetrotter Gift Guide

I'm a shopaholic at heart, so it's no surprise that when the holidays roll around, I'm keen on digging up the greatest gifts available. This year, we've created guides by recipient type, but you can always stroll through our archives of gift guides and travel products for additional eco ideas.

First up - the Eco Chic Traveler Gift Guide, guaranteed to warm the heart of every fresh fashionista on Santa's list. 

Recycled Organic Jewelry Roll ($50)
So sweet, this soft, lemony jewelry roll is by Dogeared and crafted from recycled tees and organic cotton. Inside, you'll find a place to safely store necklaces, as well as two zippered pockets for otherwise easily-lost earrings and bracelets. Naturally, it's made in the USA.

icu Eyewear Eco Sunglasses ($21.95)
In shades like tortoise, red and black, these aviator-style shades make an impact whether you're snoozing during a layover or deckside on a cruise. Made from reclaimed materials, they're the cutest green sunglasses I've seen and also one heck of a deal.

Jane Manvel Jitney Travel Bag ($119)
Outfitted with inside pockets and a handy magnetic snap, this durable tote is a dream find, but as part of Jane Manvel's collection things only get better. All products are completely vegan - without the sky-high price point.

Hemp & Organic Cotton Circle Scarf ($40)
I'm in love with this hand-dyed, organic cotton and hemp circle scarf from Pretty Birdie's Etsy shop, which can be wrapped, slung, or belted for a variety of looks. Not only will it ward the chill on a long flight, it works with warm and cold climates, doesn't take up crucial space, and always looks artfully draped. 

MamaOm Organic Bumble Dress ($90)
The princess cut of this dress makes it a favored go-to that's perfectly packable. Designed with the environment in mind, it's made from 100 percent organic Pima cotton utilizing fair-trade practices and transitions from day (paired with flats and a chunky bracelet) to evening (throw on comfortable wedge heels and layer a few beaded necklaces) in a snap.

Heys Three Piece Eco Luggage Set ($360)
Tough and brilliantly teal, these EcoCases are the first in a series of earth friendly offerings from Heys USA. Made of 100 percent recycled plastic, each lightweight piece of luggae features four spinner-style wheels that make terminal treks a breeze.

Marriott announces pre-certified LEED prototype

How familiar are you with pre-certified LEED building? If you're like me, not very - and it's because it hasn't been happening all too frequently. Turns out, Marriott, in its plan to expand its green hotel portfolio ten-fold over the next five years, will be participating in "volume build certification" through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) with an eco prototype of new Courtyard Hotels.

The hotel, which will be available in April 2010, will cut design time by six months, reduce energy and water consumption by one quarter, and payback the LEED building investment in two years time.

This summer, the first green prototype will open as the Courtyard Settler's Ride in Pittsburgh, Penn., joining Marriott's 50 currently LEED registered properties.

To find out more, check out YouTube's Marriott Green channel (featuring recent broadcast coverage of the initiative) or the brand's "Spirit to Preserve" site.

No applause necessary, unless you'd really like

I just love being included in great green round-ups, here's a new one that highlights our certifiably green travel content: 100 Great Blogs for Green Students.

Do you have other favorites that didn't make the list? Leave it in the comments!