I've long been impressed with the excellent articles and education on Green Global Travel, a website devoted to (you guessed it), ecologically sensitive travel. I will never forget the extraordinary photos I've seen there (my very favorite is the Galapagos tortoise, munching greens). Created by Bret Love and Mary Gabbett, it's a site that truly explores nature and culture. From articles on ethical travel to interviews with travelers that are making a difference, Green Global Travel is a site that we highly recommend.

We caught up with Bret before they head off to the Amazon (yay! more stories!)...here's what he had to say...

WE: Please tell us about Green Global Travel...

BL: My partner Mary Gabbett and I launched GGT in November of 2010 as a web-based magazine devoted to ecotourism, nature/wildlife conservation and the preservation of indigenous cultures. Our primary mission is to help people learn about ecotourism and why it's important, and to enlighten them with everything from eco news stories to "Go Green tips" on how they can live and travel in a more eco-friendly and sustainable way.

Snorkeling cenotes in Riviera Maya

WE:  What was the genesis of your site?

BL: I've been a full-time freelance writer/editor/photographer for 17 years now, working for various local publications (including the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Jezebel Magazine, and Georgia Magazine) as well as a variety of international publications ranging from various airline and hotel magazines to Rolling Stone. Green Global Travel basically grew out of my frustration at not being able to write about these subjects I was most passionate about in my freelance publications. I originally got the idea during a trip to South Africa back in 2000, and had considered doing a print publication. It took the evolution of the Internet and having Mary as a partner to convince me it was finally time to do it.

Learning Mayan pottery in Coba

WE:  How can travelers best travel green?

BL: Going green is best done in baby steps, and there are a ton of simple things you can do. Pack lighter by taking clothes that can be washed in a sink. Conserve water by taking shorter showers, and not having hotel towels/sheets washed every day. Save energy by turning off lights/AC/etc. when you leave your hotel room. Recycle everything, and use less by taking home partially used soaps. Embrace the local culture, and make sure anything you buy was locally made. If you hike, stick to marked trails so as not to damage local flora, and never try to touch/feed wildlife. And never buy anything made from endangered species parts or ancient artifacts.

hiking in St. Kitts

WE:  How is ecotourism different than regular tourism?

BL: Ecotourism is defined as "the practice of touring natural habitats in a manner meant to minimize ecological impact." But it's also about educating travelers, generating funds for environmental conservation, and directly benefitting the economic development of indigenous communities in hopes of preserving the area's native flora, fauna and culture for our children, and their children's children. As Green Global Travel's new tagline says, we're trying to "save the world, one story at a time." We believe ecotourism, when handled responsibly, has that potential.

WE:  You recently traveled to Yellowstone - what are the most important eco-tourism concepts that travelers should know, before going?

BL: Well, there are a few things we learned on our Winter Wonders Tour with Off The Beaten Path that made it really interesting. First of all, Yellowstone is considered the first national park in the entire world, so in many ways it set the standard for government-mandated environmental conservation that is still being followed today. But it's also emblematic of the biggest challenges facing wildlife conservationists around the world today, as local ranchers are fighting for their right to kill wolves and bison that escape from the park, because the wolves kill their cattle and the bison can carry an infectious disease called brucellosis. It's a tricky tightrope, because if they kill too many wolves, the government will put them back on the Endangered Species list. So there's a definite political tug of war going on in the Yellowstone area to find the right ecological balance.

Bret and Mary in the Galapagos

WE:  You've shared some incredible photos on your site - what are your top photography tips for documenting a journey?

BL: My specialty is wildlife photography, and my two biggest tips are very simple: Be patient, and be ready. Animals are unpredictable, which is the part of the challenge I love. You can't tell them to turn to the right, or to step into the light: You have to work with what you've got and make the most of it. But you begin to develop your own animal instincts, and anticipate their movements to some degree. I started out as a photographer shooting concerts for Rolling Stone, and you'd be surprised how much shooting rock stars and wildlife has in common!

Beluga whale at Georgia Aquarium

WE: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

BL: The thing that makes ecotourism so special is that these experiences may not be around forever. The rhinos I saw in South Africa back in 2000 are being poached at an increasingly alarming rate. The polar bear's Arctic habitat is shrinking drastically as global warming melts the region's ice caps. According to the Planet Earth documentary, nearly 1/4 of all large mammals and 1/3 of all amphibians are currently endangered. Without serious conservation efforts, they may be gone within a few decades. When you spend your money on responsible ecotourism, you're not just getting the trip of a lifetime; in many cases, you're directly funding a local economy that can protect a species and/or indigenous culture. For us, it's the single most rewarding form of travel in the world, and it drives our passion for what we do every single day.

All photos courtesy and copyright Green Global Travel