The communities in the New Smyrna Beach Area are committed to sustainable practices, both to keep their beautiful environment clean and thriving today and to ensure it stays that way for generations to come. Though the responsibility to protect this lush coastal area may seem like too big a task for an individual, each of us can take steps to aid in the effort. After all, each person’s actions, however small, can add up to big things.
For ideas about ways to participate in being a responsible traveler to the area, check out the sustainability e-book from the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau. It’s chock-full of ways both locals and visitors can support sustainable businesses as well as take steps to protect the pristine coastline and wildlife found in the region.
Accommodations with a Smaller Carbon FootprintWhen selecting a place to stay in the New Smyrna Beach Area, consider accommodations that strive to meet or beat carbon and water footprint levels in the sustainable range. SpringHill Suites New Smyrna Beach offers plenty of amenities without taking a huge toll on the environment. With onsite electric car charging, guest room recycling, and well-appointed suites, you can certainly feel good about staying here.
Country Inn and Suites in Port Orange also offers electric car charging and is certified by Green Key Global as a recognition of the hotel’s environmental management and corporate responsibility. Located only a little over a mile from the Pavilion at Port Orange, you could even lower your carbon footprint and walk to the shops during your stay.
On the oceanfront in New Smyrna Beach, The Atlantic Plaza offers rental condos, perfect for families, couples, and friend groups. The business is listed as a 2 Palm Facility in the Florida Green Lodging program, thanks to its work in implementing programs and practices to protect and conserve the environment, as well as educating staff and visitors alike about the importance of sustainability. Some features of the condos include energy-efficient lighting, recycling, and high indoor air quality.
Where you choose to dine can have a big impact on the environment. By focusing on restaurants, cafes, and bars that employ sustainable practices, work with local food producers, and partner with conservation initiatives, you’re ensuring that each dollar you spend at these establishments goes toward protecting the earth and the community.
Several coffee shops and cafes in the New Smyrna Beach Area follow conservation guidelines, such as Island Roasters Coffee Company, which uses recyclable paper cups and has phased out single-use straws (other than by request) to prevent plastic from ending up in landfills and oceans. Mason Bar will give a free cup of coffee to anyone who shows a photo of trash they picked up off the beach.
Cafe Verde on Flagler Avenue features locally sourced ingredients in its delicious offerings. The chefs also focus on vegetarian dishes, which have a lower impact on the environment overall. Off the Hook Raw Bar participates in the area’s Shuck and Share program, in which the restaurant donates oyster shells to create reef-building materials in nearby waters. Norwood’s Eatery & Treehouse Bar isn’t just a family tradition destination—the restaurant works closely with area farmers to ensure the freshest dishes possible come out of its kitchen. A close relationship with professional anglers and shellfishermen is the secret to success for JB’s Fish Camp. Only the highest quality will do for their kitchen, and that comes from using local ingredients.
Viking EcoTours offers several guided paddle-kayak excursions, getting participants out on the water where they can appreciate the natural beauty of the area’s waterways. This conversation-minded company is part of 1% for the Planet, in which member organizations pledge to donate 1 percent of their annual profits to nonprofits that focus on environmental issues. They also partner with Leave No Trace, which provides education, training, and outreach on how to protect the health of the region’s waterways. The guide who leads the excursions shares their knowledge of the local environment, as well as information they’ve learned through Leave No Trace, with their participants.
The Marine Discovery Center supports several programs to teach people about the importance of maintaining a healthy environment. One program, as mentioned earlier, is Shuck and Share, in which shucked oyster shells are donated by local restaurants and are used to create artificial reefs to ensure that the sealife that depends on this type of environment can continue to thrive. The center has also created the Community Compost Program. To keep food waste out of landfills, they have placed bins not far from their welcome center for veggie scraps, coffee grounds, paper tea bags, and other compostable items in exchange for some hearty compost created from previous scraps. The Marine Discovery Center also works with some local restaurants that compost their food waste in this program.
Even little steps toward sustainable practices and conservation can add up to make a big difference. That’s why the New Smyrna Beach Area and its partners encourage locals and visitors to look for ways to incorporate these actions into their daily lives, with the goal of ensuring the lush environment in this part of Florida is still there for generations to enjoy.