It's a paradox: although backpackers, particularly those who are hardcore, are committed to "leaving no trace," and surely appreciate our natural environment, we still consume fossil fuels getting to our favorite trailheads, and damage, however minimally, the environments in which we hike. Most of us, also, are still totally into gear: backpacks, tents, and the like, which can consume resources, even petroleum, and can produce pollution through their production.

Although backpacking can be one of the most eco-friendly vacations one can take (let's face it, you're walking everywhere), can backpackers lessen their eco-footprint? Although environmentalism has always been on the radar of those who enjoy the outdoors, there are more and more options that allow backpackers and hikers to make greener choices to preserve the nature that they love getting away to.

First and foremost, getting to and from the trailhead can be a major source of carbon impact. Consider taking the train or bus instead of driving or flying. The Appalachian Trail has multiple sections that are serviced by train or bus, as does the Pacific Crest Trail, and the John Muir Trail. And if you take the train you don't have to worry about your car getting broken into while you are on the trail. If worse comes to worst, you can (gulp) offset your travel.

Second, remember to obey leave no trace principles. Sometimes, after a long day of elevation gains, unexpected rain, and blisters, you might not feel like packing out the leavings of washing dishes, or the thought of a roaring campfire trumps the knowledge that you probably shouldn't make one, or you feel like wandering off the beaten trail. It may seem like your actions don't really make a difference on your favorite trail, but according to Leave No Trace, backpackers have a significant impact on the wildlife, water sources, and vegetation of their favorite habitats.

Finally, keep an eye out for greener options when buying gear. Outside magazine recently released it's green issue and, in its yearly gear guide, included an entire section devoted to eco-friendly outdoor gear. Backpacker considers green gear when reviewing products for their magazine, and awards annual "Green Awards" for sustainable gear. Teko socks kept my feet dry and blister-free through a 21 mile overnight on the Colorado Trail, have eco-friendly packaging, and are made of recycled polyester. Patagonia has established itself as an industry leader in environmentally-friendly business practices, and much of their clothing is made of recycled materials and can be returned to the company (via a retailer or the company's website) for recycling. Chaco sandals were ubiquitous on and off the trail, and are produced using recycled rubber and water-based glues. Lafuma has a new hemp pack and a more sustainable sleeping bag, and Nau recently released its highly-anticipated line of on and off-trail clothing.

Country Home magazine has released its 2007 list of Best Green Places in America, and Burlington, Vermont has taken top honors.

Cited for its many unique green attributes, Burlington was noted for its advanced community compost facility and it's Eco Info Project.

Country Home examined 24 data metrics in five major categories to determine which of 379 metro areas are best for those wanting to live a green life. The study collected data on traits such as air and watershed quality, mass transit use, energy use, organic food producers, farmers markets, and number of green-certified buildings.

Rounding out the top ten were–
2. Ithaca, NY
3. Corvallis, OR
4. Springfield, MA
5. Wenatchee, WA
6. Charlottesville, VA
7. Boulder, CO
8. Madison, WI
9. Binghamton, NY
10. Champaign-Urbana, IL

The study is featured in Country Home's green April issue, which hit newsstands yesterday.
What do Green Options readers think? What makes where you live worthy of green distinction? Country Home is welcoming suggestions for other green communties. Go to Country Home to nominate your city, or comment below.

I was at a Guster concert a few weeks ago, when the lead singer/guitarist, Adam Gardner, encouraged concertgoers to offset their travel to the show by buying carbon offsets, in the form of wind tags at the merch booth. It turns out that in 2004 Gardner, and his wife, Lauren Sullivan, founded Reverb, a non-profit that seeks to educate music fans about environmentalism by greening up touring and concerts.

Because of the high environmental costs of touring, artists like The Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, O.A.R, Alanis Morissette, Bonnie Raitt, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are now fueling tour busses with biodiesel, setting up recycling at shows, and powering concerts with renewable energy, in conjunction with Green Highway. Reverb also connects bands with environmental organizations to create interactive eco-villages at venues. Reverb sponsors the Campus Consciousness Tour, bringing expanded eco-villages to college campuses along with shows, to encourage environmental consciousness among college students and college communities.

Guster and friends aren't the only musicians trying to lighten their eco-footprint. Willie Nelson's tour bus runs on biodiesel, and many popular summer festivals, including Bonnaroo and Wakarusa, have booths where concertgoers can offset their travel. At Wakarusa, all cups, utensils, and other food packaging is either compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable, and they provide on-site facilities to do all three. In fact, when you arrive at Wakarusa to camp, you are given bags to encourage you to recycle aluminum, cardboard, glass, plastic, and steel.

If you are planning on attending a summer tour, stop by and purchase a carbon offset in the vendors area. Think of it this way: drink one less overpriced beer, buy an offset, and feel even better about your concert choices.

Check out Green Couples, Green Weddings, Part 1 for the first part of our green weddings special.

Bridal registries were once a way for a couple to furnish and supply their new home together. Today, more and more couples are either already living together when they get married, or have already furnished a house on their own. Although there are greener choices in registries, a gift registry can be superfluous for green couples who already have what they need. What to do when family members and friends will still want to give the couple a gift to celebrate their commitment?

Instead of registering for things you may not need, why not create a way for your loved ones to donate money, in honor of your vows, to the green charity of your choice? The IDo Foundation and JustGive.org allow couples to give instead of get on their special day. JustGive also provides info for donating your wedding flowers, leftover food, or wedding dress after the festivities are over, so those things that made your day wonderful can be reused and brighten someone else's day

Wedding favors can be green, too. Instead of spending money on trinkets that will inevitably end up in the bottom of someone's purse or gathering dust in a drawer, why not buy something that can actually be put to use, specifically use greening our planet? Plant-A-Memory can create bookmarks, placecards, and other paper items that can be planted. Embedded seeds in the paper grow into beautiful flowers. Seed packets, flower bulbs, or saplings can also be a thoughtful favor that can green a guest's home.

And once the vows are said and done, happy eco-couples will want to get away, and there's no reason why the honeymoon can't be green, too. The International Ecotourism Society and ResponsibleTravel.com can help couples find vacations that are environmentally and socially sustainable. And if you can't swing an ecotrip, you can always offset your travel (and maybe that of your guests, as well) through CarbonFund.org or DriveNeutral.org.

Photo credit: Chicago Joinery, producer of beautiful eco-friendly wooden jewelry.