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Ecotourism Spots In Baltimore

Have you visited all of the “green” sites your city has to offer? Have you shared some information or insights about these places with your friends and coworkers? If you answered “no” to those questions, don’t fret. You are not alone. Many people are unaware of all of the great ecotourism spots to visit. Baltimore has more than you may realize, here's just a few great examples of ecotourism spots.

Inn at The Black Olive
theblackolive.com

The Inn at The Black Olive is a hotel and restaurant that was designed with “green” on the mind. The goal when building the hotel was to receive LEED Platinum certification. Platinum is the highest certification the USGBC gives out and is very tough to get. Some of the amenities this hotel has includes king-size organic mattresses with an "ergonomically designed pillow top layer, Sanijet pipeless hydrotherapy tubs with house-made organic herb infused sea salt and organic spa products," furniture regionally made with bamboo or recovered wood and vegetable-based sealers, radiant heated floors from a geothermal energy source and the rooms are even cleaned with steam and natural cleaners for a chemical-free environment. Be sure to eat at The Black Olive restaurant, a Greek-themed, organic eatery with all sorts of “green” menu items.

The National Aquarium
aqua.org

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is one of the most respected in the country. It is simply amazing. Not only does it have normal aquarium exhibits like dolphins, tropical fish and sharks, but it also has some unique animals like jellyfish and exotic life from Australia. In addition to the aquatic life, there are a number of reptile and bird species throughout the facility. The National Aquarium is also a leader in “green” efforts. It is involved with rainforest and coral restoration efforts and is one of the most active proponents for Chesapeake Bay cleanup and preservation. The aquarium tries to educate everyone that walks through the door about how vital the bay and all natural bodies of water are to the environment. It accepts donations and other forms of help from people who want to get involved.

Cromwell Valley Park
cromwellvalleypark.org

Baltimore has a number of great parks to visit, but Cromwell Valley Park is a good place to start. This park has areas that are still used for farming as well as natural tracts of land that are untouched to provide sanctuary to all kinds of wildlife, including the state bird, the Baltimore Oriole. The park offers many different educational programs and focuses on teaching people about conservation and sustainable agriculture. A portion of the park is a demonstration farm where visitors can learn about these farming techniques. There are over five miles of hiking trails along streams and ridges. Visitors can expect to see many species of hawks, birds, plants, flowers, butterflies, foxes and much more. Cromwell Valley Park is a great place to put on your ecotourism checklist.

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Tom Clocker is a freelance writer covering all things Baltimore. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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