Below is an outline of the things we are trying to do as a company to offset our impact on the environment. We need your help and open-mindedness to help us be successful at this endeavor.

Carbon offsets: During our registration process, we offer you the chance to offset your transportation to and from the event. The money you decide to contribute to offset your transportation to the event will be sent to The Climate Trust for all Portland Events and to EcoSecurities for the Run Like Hell Bend.

The Climate Trust is a non-profit organization based in Portland, Oreg. Since 1999 they have helped businesses, organizations, and individuals minimize their climate impact by funding projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

EcoSecurities is the largest carbon offset provider in the world. Headquartered in London, EcoSecurities works with companies in developing and industrializing countries to create emission reduction credits from projects that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

Pacific Power / Blue Sky renewable energy at our events: Through the generous support of Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program, 3Degrees, and your individual efforts, Terrapin Events 2011 race season will be going carbon neutral. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program are being used to offset the electricity use associated with our races and events and carbon offsets or Verified Emission Reductions (VERs) are being purchased by 3Degrees to offset the carbon footprint generated during registration and race day activities. Our race participants and attendees will have the opportunity to enroll their home in Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program by speaking with a representative at our races or by enrolling online.

You can also lessen your impact by...

Recycling and composting at the event. Please be aware of the different recycling options we set up at our events. Don't be afraid to ask someone where to put your materials.

We have teamed with Elysium events to help us with all of our composting / recycling and garbage disposal. They will be present at all of our events at the recycling / garbage centers to assist you in disposing of your material properly. After the event, they will take the time to go through the material and sort it into the proper places (but PLEASE make their job easier by putting things in the correct place).

Carpooling: Probably the coolest method to find someone to carpool with is through our online registration system. You can go to the information page for the particular event you are wanting to carpool to, and click on the link to the participant map. This will allow you to locate fellow participants in your area and contact them via email to carpool with you. Other participants can also contact you. Your private info, other than your name and what age catagory you are in are not given out. The participant map only allows someone to zoom in to a point that you can tell the area but not exact location of the person.

Take public transportation: check out TriMet to see the best bus line or MAX line for you to get to the event.

Ride a bike to the event. Use our forum to meet others who want to ride to the event and come en masse (safety in numbers). Check out the best bike route to the event here. We are offering Valet bike parking.

Southeast neighborhoods
Outer SE
Northeast
North
Southwest

Solar energy and low impact generators at the event. We will be using low impact generators or, when available, solar energy to run as much of the event as possible (Music, PA, Finish line, etc)

Bamboo Shirts: The bamboo shirts we are ordering are just like any other moisture wicking t-shirt. They are available in both men's and women's sizes. Click the link to look at an example of the Men's and Women's bamboo shirts.

Bamboo charcoal blends burnt bamboo fibers with 100% recycled polyester to create a performance blend with anti-bacterial, UV blocking, moisture wicking and odor absorbing properties.

Bamboo is...

Soft: bamboo fiber is softer than the softest cotton, has a natural sheen to the surface and feels similar to silk or cashmere.

Protective: unlike other anti-microbial fabrics, which require a chemical treatment, bamboo fiber clothing is naturally anti-microbial and requires no harmful chemicals. It contains an agent, "bamboo kun", that prevents bacteria from cultivating on it. Bamboo apparel is comfortable, thermal regulating and will keep you cooler, drier, warmer and odor free - and certain species have the tensile strength equivalent to that of steel.

Natural: bamboo is of the world's most prolific and fastest-growing plants, and is able to reach maturity in about four years. Through modern manufacturing processes, bamboo pulp is now capable of producing bamboo fiber for use in yarn and fabric.

Sustainable: bamboo is grown without pesticides or chemicals, is 100% biodegradeable, and naturally regenerative.

Bamboo is planted and grown on family-owned farms that have been in agricultural use for generations. None of the fiber comes from tropical forests. Over 2.5 billion people work with or depend on bamboo as a natural resource.

Re-usable bags for bag check: Most events (and we have been guilty of this for years too) use plastic grocery bags for their clothing check. The bags are a good size and easy to write on with a permanent marker when everyone lines up at the same exact time to check their clothing. Well, we are not anymore!

We are now using (and re-using) 100% organic cotton bags, made with Fair Trade/Fair Labor that are 16.5" H x 15" W and sustainable. Increasingly, farmers around the world are growing high-quality cotton without costly, harmful chemicals. Their methods support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, improve the quality of soil and often use less water. The result is a superior, sustainable alternative to conventional cotton.

About Ecolution®
True to the ideals that inspired its conception in 1990, Ecolution is dedicated to working with hemp and organic fibers, producing premium-quality, natural textile products in the most environmentally-sound way possible.

The bags are being provided by: HB Health and Fitness Services

Recycled paper and race bibs. Not only do we recycle our paper, the paper we use in our office is already recycled. We are looking into printing our brochures on recycled paper as well as using recycled paper for race bibs.