Nature’s best
“Ecotourism is responsible travel which helps protect natural environments and supports the well-being of local communities.” (WWF 1994)
Ecotourism – Protecting Nature and Culture
Over the past decades, ecotourism has successfully helped protect unique natural and cultural sites around the world. It is also one of the fastest-growing sectors in international tourism.
“Nature’s Best” is a Swedish ecotourism quality label, designed to ensure high-quality experiences while promoting nature conservation, environmentally responsible travel, and respect for local culture. It serves as a shared trademark for Sweden’s top nature tour operators and their best experiences.
Nature’s Best six principles of ecotourism
- Respect the limitations of the destination – minimize impact on nature and culture.
- Benefit the local economy.
- Adapt the entire business for the environment.
- Contribute actively to protection of nature and culture.
- Invest in the joy of discovery, knowledge, and respect.
- Quality and security on the trip.
Vildmark i Värmland certified the Timber Rafting on Klarälven with Nature’s Best in 2002. Over the years, we have continuously updated our approach. However, when the certification was revised (Nature’s Best 2.0), we conducted a full review of our operations again during the winter of 2020/2021.
We did this because we believe it benefits you as a guest, us as a team, the local community, and the nature and culture we operate within. Together, we will continue to develop this experience and ensure its credibility for the future.
Vildmark i Värmland’s Ecotourism Policy
Since our founding in 1980, we have operated with respect for both nature and the local community. Preserving the history of log driving on the Klarälven River and creating local job opportunities—allowing people to stay or move here—were key reasons for starting our company.
Our goal remains the same: to run a long-term, sustainable business that protects nature. We aim to grow in harmony with local conditions, in an environmentally friendly and climate-smart way.
We package both timber rafting and canoeing experiences responsibly, considering history, culture, safety, and practical execution. Guests receive insights into this through travel documents, videos, and briefings from our knowledgeable instructors.
We carry on the long tradition of log driving and its craftsmanship by allowing people to build their own rafts and drift with the current of the Klarälven.
Whenever possible, we source goods locally and prioritize environmentally friendly products. Most of our provisioning is done through local shops in Klarälvdalen. We also encourage our guests to shop locally, supporting the area’s economic development.
Each year, both guests and staff are invited to provide feedback, helping us learn and improve.
We have carefully assessed the risks of all our activities and developed plans to minimize them. Our goal is for guests, our team at Vildmark i Värmland, and the local community to have fun and create unforgettable experiences.
Ecotourism is the perfect word to describe our vision: a locally driven adventure tourism that takes great responsibility for nature, culture, and people. Simply put, it’s about traveling in a fun yet responsible way—with care and respect.