Contact

Environmental Stewardship

Stewardship is a major focus of all our activities, so our guests and future generations can all enjoy this pristine environment.

Spirit Walker has a deep commitment to protecting the natural resources we share with visitors each summer.  Not only is the Alaskan wilderness the focus of our trips, but it’s where we live, work, and play.

We have a responsibility to help maintain the wildness of the beaches, forests, rivers and oceans we explore. It’s a commitment to the wildlife and the land itself, to ourselves and our neighbors, and to our guests – those who’ve been here already, and those who haven’t visited yet. It is this environmental responsibility that drives many of our decisions as a company and greatly influences the approach we take on our trips.

Spirit Walker Expeditions has been awarded a Gold-Level Certification from Adventure Green Alaska. AGA was developed to identify tourism businesses in Alaska that meet specific standards of environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

Spirit Walker Expeditions was chosen for our continued dedication to the highest levels of personal responsibility: to the community of Gustavus, the wildlife we interact with, the environment we operate in, and our strong partnership with local businesses. In 2010, Spirit Walker Expeditions was one of eight businesses statewide to be honored for our leadership in Alaska’s tourism industry.

Our Approach to Trips

At Spirit Walker Expeditions, we spend a lot of time and effort developing and refining methods for minimizing our environmental impact on trips.

We have been operating many of the same trips for over twenty years, and therefore we find ourselves in the unique position of being leaders in the stewardship and protection of the wilderness areas we visit.

Here are a few of the ways we minimize our impact on trips:

Conservation Efforts

Spirit Walker Expeditions and its owners have long been supporters of local conservation efforts. We’ve guided board members of the Natural Resources Defense Council and members of several Alaskan conservation groups, but we’ve also inspired our guests to think more about the wild areas in Alaska and in their own backyards. To learn more about conservation efforts in our area, please feel free to contact us, or visit:

We encourage our guests to participate in our Two Dollar a Day for the Tongass program. Most of our guests donate two dollars for each day of their trip with us into this Southeast Alaskan treasure. Spirit Walker Expeditions distributes those funds, along with our own donations, among Alaskan organizations that work for the conservation of the Tongass National Forest, the area in which we operate.

My trip with Spirit Walker Expeditions was amazing. My experience kayaking among the whales is something I will never forget! Go! You will love it.

Mandy L, visited Sept, 2015

We had a wonderful experience on a Spirit Walker trip this summer. Six nights, seven days in the Myriad Islands Wilderness. The trip was well organized, the gear was top quality and the guides were great! ... an experience I'll always remember.

Walt G, visited July, 2016

Hearing the whales and having them come up so close to you is a once in a lifetime feeling.

Jill T. August 2012

We booked the Whales tour to Point Adolphus for our family which includes a 6 year old and 9 year old... Great safety orientation for our boys who don't have a lot of experience kayaking. Thanks for an unforgettable experience.

Jonathan R, visited July 2016

It doesn't get any better than this. If you want to experience the real Alaska you must get out on the water... If we return to Alaska, we will make this expedition again.

Ernie B, visited August 2013

"Magic Family Holiday" I can't say enough about the wonderful trips that Spirit Walker puts together. The safety and equipment is great. The guides are great fun and knowledgeable about the areas we went. The food is incredible.

NIcondit, Visited August, 2015