ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
January • 2024
Experience NW Pennsylvania’s Oil Region!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER ADVERTORIAL
Trailblazing Through History: Experience the Eclipse in the Oil Region National Heritage Area As the birthplace of the modern petroleum industry, the Oil Region National Heritage Area in northwest Pennsylvania revolutionized the world. It’s home to fascinating stories of fortunes won and lost, innovation, and perseverance. It will make history again on April 8, 2024, as the path of totality for a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse passes overhead in the afternoon. Come to the Oil Region to experience the eclipse and take in the rich history, impressive outdoor recreation, and vibrant art scene always awaiting guests. Much of the impressive late 1800s architecture and oilfield relics remain alongside charming small towns brimming with activities and special events. Nature reclaimed “the Valley that Changed the World,” creating an outdoor recreation paradise with Oil Creek State Park and the Allegheny River at its heart. With more than 70 miles of paved bike trails plus hundreds more for hiking, mountain biking,
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horseback riding, fishing, and boating, the ORNHA offers adventure for everyone. The ORNHA has the longest continuous miles of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, a 270-mile rail trail being developed for bicycling between Erie and Pittsburgh. The EPT contains two tunnels, the Rockland Tunnel at 874 meters and the Kennerdell Tunnel, which
at 1,020 meters is one of the longest rail-trail tunnels in the U.S. and among the longest bike/ped tunnels in the world. The North Country National Scenic Trail, the longest of the 11 National Scenic Trails authorized by the U.S. Congress, passes just south of the Oil Region on its route between Vermont and North Dakota.
Just south of the Oil Region in Foxburg is the oldest golf course in continuous use in the U.S., the Foxburg Golf Course & Country Club, and the American Golf Hall of Fame. Drake Well Museum & Park interprets the oil industry's history and its impact on the environment and daily life. The original well still exists inside a replica derrick, sometimes operated by re-enactors. The grounds offer additional exhibits to explore. A partner site, Historic Pithole City, is a former oil boomtown about a 20-minute drive from Drake Well. Here, a town of more than 15,000 people sprang up, then dwindled within two years. Now, all that remains is a visitor center containing a diorama depicting the streets, shops, hotels, and theaters of this once bustling community of oil speculators and the empty land left behind. These towns were much like the Wild West and gold rush boomtowns. Often lawless collections of speculators and
swindlers, oil boomtowns had dubious reputations. The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad takes riders through the valley and back in time on the only train in the U.S. with an operating Post Office car. DeBence Antique Music World, Venango Museum of Art, Science, and Industry, the Tiffany Windows at St. John’s Episcopal Church, the artists of the National Transit Art Studios, and BarrowCivic Theatre’s live performances contribute to the area’s vibrancy. Self-guided walking tours in the towns of Titusville, Oil City, Franklin, and Emlenton, plus dozens of educational displays throughout the region, bring history to life. The ORNHA is an affordable destination for adventureseekers, history buffs, and the whole family. Request an Oil Region Guide to plan your visit and see why the Oil Region National Heritage Area is a museum where you can hike, bike, float, and fish!
What Travelers Need to Know About Carbon Offsets RAYE MOCIOIU
From business trips to leisurely adventures, travel has become an integral part of our lives, and the impact of our journeys extends beyond the memories we create. Responsible travelers leave nothing behind except footprints, but savvy travelers keep an additional footprint in mind as they embark on their adventures: the carbon footprint. Travel leaves behind a sizeable footprint, and with climate change becoming more of a concern with each passing year, there is a need for solutions that go beyond the norm. While recycling and conservation play key roles in taking care of our planet, there is an even more effective way to mitigate our carbon footprints: balancing our impact with carbon offsets—a vital tool in mitigating the environmental impact of our voyages.
WHAT IS A CARBON OFFSET?
A carbon offset is a measurable action designed to counterbalance the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere due
to human activities. Whether it's industrial operations or our daily commute, carbon offsets are a remedy, measured in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (mTCO₂e). The idea is to reduce, avoid, or sequester emissions elsewhere to compensate for those generated during our journeys. "Carbon offset" and "carbon credit" are often used interchangeably. While a carbon credit represents the removal of one tonne of carbon from the atmosphere, the term "carbon offset" is commonly associated with the action taken to achieve this reduction. This reduction is crucial not only in the compliance market, where companies can make an impact by adapting and lowering their emissions, but also in the voluntary market, where individuals, organizations, and everyday heroes can proactively offset their carbon footprint.
carbon emissions into the atmosphere, creating an ecological debt that demands attention. From the energy we consume to how we travel, our actions play a role in the rising carbon pollution that has disrupted the planet's natural carbon cycle. The consequences of our escalating carbon emissions are
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The reality is that every human has a carbon footprint. Our daily activities contribute to releasing
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becoming more noticeable, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels. Carbon offsets offer a solution that seems small but makes a big change. By taking conscious steps to reduce, offset, and sequester emissions, we can contribute to a significant positive change for our planet.
HOW DO YOU DO IT?
The road to a sustainable future involves individual responsibility and collective action. We can curb our carbon footprint by making mindful choices in our daily lives. Reducing reliance on red meat, reconsidering our commuting habits, and being mindful of energy consumption are all steps in the right direction. Still, it’s possible to make an even more significant impact. Planting trees, for example, is an easy way to impact your carbon footprint. In addition, organizations like TenTree, Cool Effect, and Less, among others, offer online carbon offset calculators, accessible ways to see how much your travels will impact your carbon footprint, and even allow visitors to donate the amount to finance worthy carbon projects, from reforestation efforts to conservation initiatives. As travelers, we have the power to explore the world responsibly. From reconsidering our travel habits and consumption patterns to supporting sustainable practices, every effort counts.
