TREAD LIGHTLY
On Environmental Stewardship:
New York Times says
"A Drivers Course Puts Environment in the Safety Seat".
Heading each and every training session, OEX’s founder and president Bruce Elfstrom brings a lifetime of knowledge and skill to 4WD-vehicle travel and expeditions. Bruce grew up with a love and appreciation of the environment. "I grew up with a father who made documentary films and a mother who worked for the UN, I have been traveling, driving, and studying the environment for as long as I can remember. I first started using 4WDs as a way to see more of the woods of New England at the age of 10. Later, as a biologist, I found myself teaching fellow biologist, archaeologists, geologists and so on… how to properly use 4WD vehicles as an acceptable field tool." As a researcher and science teacher Bruce expounded the ideas of proper environmental stewardship. He learned that no matter how hard you try to teach people to appreciate the environment the most important step is to get them out into nature, "People need to get out into the environment. They need to see it, smell it, and taste it, before they will make an effort to protect it." Roads throughout the world allow people to reach into areas that need to be experienced and protected, some these areas can only be accessed with the proper equipment used in a responsible way. "People need to see what the world has to offer so they learn to protect it. A 4wd vehicle is one of the best ways to get out into the world and see it, learn about it, and experience the differences it has to offer." A good 4WD, driven properly on existing roads, is just another tool, like trekking or skiing, to get to a place. "People are out there using all kinds of means to get into the ‘woods’, if one means is a 4WD vehicle, if I can teach them how to operate it right, then when they do go out there they will be part of nature without fighting through it. Using a 4WD vehicle is just like mountain biking, or camping, or rafting, or fishing; done correctly there is very little environmental impact, and it can foster a lifetime of love for the natural environment. If one of my clients teaches someone else, well then I have done something worthwhile." OEX promotes the Tread Lightly, and Leave No Trace philosophies; these programs promote proper environmental stewardship.
OEX’s commitment to the environment extends even further. OEX is a carbon-balanced business. Carbon dioxide is one of the most dangerous of the greenhouse gases. CO2 emission from the operation of OEX, such as running the vehicles, heating the buildings, or powering electrical devices is offset through a reforestation program in Costa Rica. Basically stated, trees are planted that grow and absorb carbon gases and change it into their physical structures, thus removing it from the atmosphere. The trees are tended by local farmers who sell them for materials (the farmers have a vested interest in environmental protection and reforestation). The land the trees are planted on is over used deforested grazing land; this land is reclaimed and over time will hold soils and retain moisture and increase habitat diversity.
Overland Experts
112 Hemlock Valley Rd.
East Haddam, CT 06423
860-873-9640
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