By Mary Kuhner

Celebrating 35 years of research and education at the edge of the Arctic, the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC) recently cut the tape on its state-of-the-art 27,000 square-foot facility. In keeping with its mission to understand and sustain the North and to live sustainably on the fragile tundra, the new building – with arching wooden interior ribs – has been aptly dubbed “the upside down ark” by locals. On track to obtain Manitoba’s northernmost LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, the CNSC reduces both the high cost of operating in the North and reliance on outside services and utilities.

Green Construction: Creative and Responsible Solutions

Executive Director Michael Goodyear touts the Centre’s design process and self-sustaining features:

“Although LEED-certified construction provided us with a framework for decision making, we tried to stay away from ‘chasing’ a particular level of certification. Not all energy-efficient technologies are appropriate, practical or cost effective in northern settings like Churchill. On the other hand, because we are essentially ‘off the grid’ except for hydro-electric power, creative and responsible solutions are required – especially when managing water and sewer. The Centre’s water comes from a nearby lake and the sewage is treated on site using bio-filters and below-ground filter beds. This technology is very useful to us but wouldn’t be cost-effective for residential areas in the South with access to centralized municipal infrastructure. The CNSC, however, pays 10 cents per gallon to have our waste trucked to the nearest sewage treatment facility. The more we can treat on site, the better. In the end, we will likely achieve the high end of ‘gold’ certification.”

To minimize waste production and fresh water consumption, the new Centre’s ultra-low water use systems feature waterless composting toilets as well as a variety of low-flow water fixtures. With each person currently averaging 18 gallons of water per day – less than 25 percent of the amount used by a typical consumer – gallonage has already been reduced by 45 percent and is soon slated to drop even further. Mr. Goodyear notes that one of the technologies getting the most attention is the potential for grey-water recycling. Upon final code approval, “all waste water from the sinks and showers will be treated and used to flush the toilets.”

The Centre’s bio-filtration system uses bacteria to break down wastewater for release into an underground filtration bed. (Photo Credit: CNSC)

Smart Energy Choices

In a region where long days of midnight sun are offset by longer days of minimal light, the structure incorporates maximum use of available solar energy: ninety percent of the interior is exposed to natural light. This passive solar collector not only lets in light, but it retains heat through a super-insulated R40 building envelope and triple-glazed windows.

Daylight streaming through the central atrium supplements energy-efficient lighting and a South-facing exterior solar wall pre-heats ventilation air. Saving energy cost through heat recovery is also a high priority. Enermodal Engineering’s lead mechanical engineer Richard Lay designed the CNSC ventilation and plumbing systems to conserve energy with heat exchangers: 80 percent of the energy in heated air is recovered. In addition, heat is recovered from shower drain greywater to pre-heat cold water going to the water heater.

Much more than a physical plant, “the ark” is home to researchers and students working in the biological, physical and social sciences as well as visitors drawn to Churchill’s natural and historical treasures. It is one of the few settlements in the world where the great arctic bears and beluga whales can be encountered in the wild in addition to rare birds and a wide variety of plant communities.

Positioned in the auroral zone, Churchill is one of three top locales to view the northern lights. The area also features diverse first-nation cultures and historical sites ranging from the 18th-Century Fort Prince of Wales to the 20th Century Churchill Rocket Range, the location of the Centre.

Glue-laminated wood columns and supports shape the “Upside-Down Ark.” (Photo Credit: Penn-Co)

From Cold War Relics to Modern Research Centre

In true Churchill recycling style, old became new again in 1985 when the CNSC purchased several buildings on the mothballed Cold War site from the National Research Council of Canada – ironically, a spot once considered for nuclear weapons testing. The Operations Building, which formerly housed upper atmospheric scientists, evolved to accommodate a wide variety of residents.

Originally designed as a multi-purpose structure with barracks – complete with a rodent-seeking “house weasel” named Wally – the Centre became increasingly inadequate to meet the 21st Century needs and expectations of its users. With climate change bringing greater numbers of researchers to the region, as well as eco-tourists eager to learn about sustaining northern species, “the increased expense of operating a poorly insulated, energy-inefficient facility was becoming prohibitive,” according to Mr. Goodyear.

He further said that when funding became available for a purpose-built research and education facility, the CNSC Board was able to demonstrate its commitment to users and to the surrounding environment. Using an integrated design process, Board members, staff and clients developed an environmentally focused plan in collaboration with project managers, architects, and engineers from Integrated Design, Prairie Architects, Enermodal Engineering and Penn-Co Construction.

Given the potential for -40 degree cold, 100 km/h winds and danger from wandering polar bears, the quality of the CNSC’s indoor environment is significant. Foresighted planning has created a self-contained living module that incorporates a wish list of amenities from users seeking greater comfort and elbow room. Dormitories and rooms accommodate 88; and 12,000 square feet of space house scientific laboratories, a commercial kitchen, and administrative offices.

Researchers now share their specialties in classrooms instead of a common area, and when programs are going full tilt, residents and guests can mingle in the 100-seat cafeteria instead of eating in shifts. Fitness facilities and an outdoor deck have been added to help stave off cabin fever between excursions in addition to an aurora dome for exploring northern skies.

Now that the new facility is in place, the former Centre in the historic Operations Building will be recycled for a second time. “There are plans to extend its useful life by 25 years through modest renovation,” Mr. Goodyear explained. “It will house many of the service functions (maintenance and contract research) of the CNSC. These areas will require less energy in some cases and will allow for many of the mechanical systems to be located away from the residential and teaching functions of the new building.”

What will become of Wally? “He’ll probably still have run of the old building, but he’ll have to find creative ways of getting into the new one!”

The use of wood helps warm the lounge and solar atrium spaces. (Photo Credit: Prairie Architects Inc.)

Pacific Northwest Annual Canoe Journey

On July 29, 2012, The Squaxin Island Tribe will host the Paddle to Squaxin 24th Annual Canoe Journey, an inter-tribal celebration of Pacific Northwest canoe culture and tradition. More than 100 canoes will land at the Port of Olympia, in Washington state, with thousands of people joining together to welcome each arrival.

For centuries, Pacific Northwest tribal people navigated the waterways in intricately carved dugout canoes. The Salish Sea, the body of water that encompasses Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Strait of Georgia in Canada, were the central force that connected canoe cultures for inter-tribal communication and trade. But early federal government mandates outlawed many tribal traditions, resulting in the almost lost art of canoe building, and ceremonial practices.

In 1989, the Canoe Journey event, originally called “Paddle to Seattle”, was organized as a revival of the canoe culture traditions and the Native American contribution to the Washington State Centennial. Today, tribes from Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and the Seminole Tribe in Florida participate.

The Bella Bella, from British Columbia, Canada, will travel more than 1,000 miles over 23 days. As the canoes arrive at the host site on July 29th, each canoe family asks for permission to come ashore, according to their own culture and protocol. Paddles are raised, signifying “We come in peace.” The Squaxin Island Tribe will then host a week of traditional potlatch ceremonies and festivities with daily performances by dancers, singers and storytellers.

Potlatch ceremonies and performances will continue after the landing to Kamilche, Washington at the Squaxin Island Community. The public is welcome but is asked to respect ceremonies, while in the protocol tent. Potlatching begins on July 30th and ends on August 5th.

“Teachings of Our Ancestors” is the guide for the 2012 Canoe Journey. “These teachings are the center of our lives and cultures, as it is our ancestors that teach us that we must care for our elders, each other, our children, and the earth because each is a part of our past, present and future,” said Charlene Krise, Squaxin Island Museum Executive Director.

Support the Paddle to Squaxin 2012

There are various opportunities to support the Paddle to Squaxin and to help make this important event a success. The following are available sponsorship levels, taken from the contemporary names of Native American ancestral lands, each of which is equally important to the People of the Water.

• Noo-Seh-Chatl of Henderson Inlet watershed
• Steh Chass of Budd Inlet watershed
• Squi-Aitl of Eld Inlet watershed
• Sawamish/T’Peeksin of Totten Inlet watershed
• Sa-Heh-Wa-Mish of Hammersley Inlet watershed
• Squawksin of Case Inlet
• S’Hotle-Ma-Mish of Carr Inlet watershed.

For more information about these sponsorship opportunities, contact Margaret Foley at +1 (360) 432-3952 or mfoley[at]squaxin.us (Subject line: “2012 Canoe Journey Sponsorships”).

About EcoCamp Patagonia

EcoCamp Patagonia is located at the very tip of South America, in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with a unique view of the majestic granite towers. The region’s first fully sustainable accommodation south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, EcoCamp offers upscale camping in geodesic domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants. Guests enjoy guided treks and wildlife excursions by day and Chilean food and wine at night, before falling asleep gazing up at star-filled skies in their cozy sleeping quarters.

Guests arrive in Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas or Calafate, Argentina and are immersed in nature as they enter EcoCamp and explore its wildlife and wooden walkways leading to green domes with cozy interiors. The uniqueness of EcoCamp’s location, right in the heart of the park in Estancia Cerro Paine, allows the park’s spectacular mountain formations, forests, glaciers, rivers, fjords, flora and fauna to be enjoyed on EcoCamp’s doorstep. No journey time is needed – Guests wake up with the view of the Torres every day and begin trekking from their front door, returning on foot to enjoy sunset from the park’s heartland.

There are three large community domes where guests can eat breakfast and dinner overlooking the Torres, unwind in the bar in the evening, or plan excursions in the library. Outside the Community domes there is a large terrace where guests enjoy an aperitif in summer while local chefs prepare Chilean food, including Patagonian barbecues. Guides eat with guests every night and then hold a briefing to discuss the following day’s trek.

Environmental Design

Community domes are connected to sleeping quarters via raised open walkways which minimize foundations, excavations and terrain disruption and allows animals to roam around freely underneath. All domes are designed and constructed to cause minimal impact on the terrain and to provide efficient thermal insulation and wind protection. Domes have a limited height so as to blend into their natural surroundings, and renewable materials are used in the construction of domes and their indoor amenities.

Green technology is constantly studied, tested, and installed and all of EcoCamp’s energy comes from a micro-hydro turbine and from solar panels. Electricity is very limited and items such as hairdryers are not allowed. EcoCamp was certified under ISO14.001 regulations by a third party in 2007, to date the only lodge or hotel in Chile and Patagonia to have received such recognition, and in 2008 became carbon neutral. EcoCamp has worked to become fully sustainable and proved the efficacy of its low impact design when it relocated within the park in 2005, leaving no trace behind.

EcoCamp’s goals center around the development of environmentally-friendly tourism practices and the protection of local flora and fauna. EcoCamp aims to act as a best practice of tourism in a fragile natural environment and help shape the future of eco-tourism in areas of wilderness. This means educating guests about their surroundings and EcoCamp’s innovative sustainability efforts, and outlining individuals’ responsibilities regarding recycling, waste management and protection of flora and fauna.

The EcoCamp Experience

EcoCamp has 25 bedroom domes in total – 13 standard domes, 2 superior domes and 10 suite domes. Standard domes are cozy, resistant to all the Patagonian elements and have shared bathrooms, while superior domes have more space, heating and a private bathroom. Suite domes are designed with the highest level of comfort allowed by sustainable development in a natural environment and have a wood fire, en-suite bathroom and outside terrace. In all domes guests fall asleep looking up at the star-lit sky through the ceiling and listening to the wild Patagonian wind outside.

EcoCamp treks have gained international recognition for guides’ intimate knowledge and high-quality adventure services in the Patagonian wilderness. Guides take guests on an unforgettable experience through the prime locations in Torres del Paine National Park, exploring the park’s nooks and crannies leading to pristine forests, lakes, rivers, breathtaking views of glaciers and exquisite wildlife.

The EcoCamp Patagonia Wildlife Safari is a unique multi-day trip created by EcoCamp, taking guests through the park’s exquisite flora and fauna by day and giving them the opportunity to enjoy suite domes or standard domes by night. The Wildlife Safari is perfect for families, individuals, groups of friends and couples of all ages, who can opt for easy or active excursions depending on their preference that day. Easy excursions include trips to Blue Lagoon, Condor viewpoint, sailing to Grey Glacier, walking along the Fauna Trail and the Botanical Safari Trail, while active excursions include hiking the Pingo Trail, French Valley and the Towers.

About EcoCamp Patagonia

EcoCamp Patagonia offers trekking adventures and wildlife tours in Torres del Paine, Patagonia. Since opening its doors in 2001 as the region’s first fully sustainable accommodation, EcoCamp has gained international recognition for its expert guides, high-quality services and environmental sustainability.

About Cascada Expediciones

Cascada Expediciones is a Chilean in-bound tour operator dedicated to developing eco-friendly trips in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. With 20 years of experience offering a wide range of exciting trips – trekking, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife trips – in the region, Cascada owns and operates EcoCamp Patagonia in Torres del Paine National Park, from which most of Cascada’s trips depart.

Related Article

Cascada Expediciones: Enjoying the Patagonian Wilderness Responsibly with EcoCamp Patagonia
Situated in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, EcoCamp Patagonia has gained an award-winning reputation for its eco-friendly policies and innovative use of green technology. EcoCamp Patagonia, owned and operated by the Chilean in-bound tour operator Cascada Expediciones, is carbon neutral, 100% renewable energy, and carefully designed to minimize environmental footprint.

Best Volunteering Organisation, Responsible Tourism Award 2011

This year’s Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, announced on World Responsible Tourism Day (November 9, 2011) in London, UK, recognized Global Vision International (GVI) as the world’s “Best Volunteering Organisation” for 2011.

The Responsible Tourism Award committee noted, “GVI impressed the judges with the scale of their impacts on the ground. Placing 3,500 volunteers each year in 40 countries, GVI teaches over 10,000 people each year on six continents. And for GVI the proof of their work is in the performance of their students – in Guatemala their students were in the top 5% nationally examined in 2011 – proving that well-placed skilled volunteers can have genuine impacts. Their charitable trust already estimates £400,000 will be raised for their projects this year alone.”

Ground-Up Approach to Volunteer Travel

Global Vision International (GVI) runs responsible volunteering programs in over 40 countries around the world, and is one of the largest and most respected volunteer abroad organisations in the world – with over 22,000 supporters on their Facebook community (GVI on Facebook). Guided by a unique commitment to volunteers and partners, GVI run almost all of their own operations. This unique ground up approach to volunteer travel allows GVI to run sustainable long-term projects that volunteers can join and contribute on for short periods of time, from two weeks to two years.

GVI volunteers fill a critical void in the fields of environmental research, conservation, education and community development. International partners include the South African National Parks Board, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Jane Goodall Institute, Rainforest Concern and Kenyan Wildlife Service. From 2007, 70% of all volunteer contributions received were spent directly in the field.

Originally founded in the UK, GVI also maintains head offices in Australia and the United States. GVI volunteers range in age from 18 to 70+, and come from all over the world. GVI also runs programs for 15-17 year olds through GVI Foundations.

Learn more about GVI:

GVI in the UK
+44 (0) 1727 250 250
3rd Floor | The Senate
Exeter, UK

GVI in the USA
+1 888 653 6028
66 Long Wharf
Boston, MA, USA

GVI in Australia
+61 1300 795 013
530 Little Collins St.
Melbourne, Australia

By Ali Dempsey

Ilkurot Village Community Projects, Tanzania

Global Basecamps, in collaboration with Maasai Wanderings, contributes to a variety of ecotourism and community outreach programs in Tanzania. In 2004, Maasai Wanderings visited a Maasai village called Ilkurot (which means “dusty place”) just north of Arusha, and saw that the schools were in desperate need of supplies and repairs, and there was no nursery school.

Following this visit, the Ilkurot community project was developed to raise funds for the school and to make education more accessible to the Maasai children. The Ilkurot community project began by setting up a nursery school so the village children would be able to enter the Tanzanian education system and would hopefully then move onto primary and secondary school and beyond.

People in Ilkurot live below the Tanzanian poverty line and earn an average of less than $200 per year. The cost of schooling is about $40-$50, making it difficult for children to receive an education. With the help of donors and volunteers, Global Basecamps and Maasai Wanderings strive to make education easily accessible and free to the Maasai children of Ilkurot, with the hope that educated Maasai will be better equipped to aid in retaining their ancient culture.

Maasai Village Experience Tours

In 2005, the Ilkurot Nursery School opened and had 45 students between the ages of 5 and 7. The class was held in a small room, but the number of students quickly outgrew the small facilities. As a way to raise additional funds for the school, Global Basecamps in Tanzania developed ‘Maasai Village Experience Tours’, giving travelers the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from the Maasai people. These cultural tours helped raise funds to build a new classroom for the Ilkurot School and continue to help build the Ilkurot community project.

The new classroom was opened in January 2006 with a large increase of students. To accommodate all the new students, the school began holding two sessions a day. The five-year-old group consisted of approximately 110 students and was held in the morning, while the afternoon lessons consisted of about 100 six-year-old students. At each session the students are served uji (ground corn porridge with sugar and oil), the staple diet of the Maasai people.

Community Members Benefit from Ilkurot Nursery School

In 2007, over 1,000 textbooks were purchased, and for the first time students had guides to their studies. During this year, funds were also used to plaster classroom and fit glass windows, which were previously wooden windows, allowing dust in and making the classrooms very dirty. In an effort to control the amount of dust in Ilkurot, a tree and grass planting project was put in place and a 2,000-liter water tank was installed. Almost 500 trees were planted in an effort to limit the dust that flies around and caused many eye infections and dry coughs.

The school was able to employ a Tinga Tinga artist to stay in the village for a few weeks to paint murals and educational drawings on the classroom walls. The school was also able to build a playground – the first playground in the school and in the district – with a basic football pitch, netball court, and volleyball court that allowed for sports education in their curriculum. In 2009, Ilkurot saw many more changes, including the completion a library/teacher’s resource center.

In addition to providing valuable educational opportunities to children, Ilkurot Nursery School also supports teachers and cooks by offering employment, and promotes additional cultural tourism throughout the village. Recently, a building was constructed to include a kitchen, store, staff room and changing room with a 3,000-liter water tank, and six new toilets. Further, the children now all have school uniforms, made as part of another community project that allows women with disabled children to stay at home and earn an income by creating a sewing business.

Maasai Village Life and the Importance of Education

In Maasai villages, young boys are typically sent away with their father’s cattle and accompanied by older morani (warriors) for 3-5 years tending to the cattle. Therefore, the Nursery School has a higher attendance of girls than boys. The girls that attend school also have chores they must complete before or after their lesson. By the time the students are 5 or 6, their mothers may have had 2 or 3 more children, for which the young girls are responsible for. They feed, bathe and carry the smaller children.

The lifestyle of young males and the responsibilities expected of young girls were a hurdle in the Ilkurot community projects. While trying not to disrupt the norms of Maasai life, the school tries to encourage education in the community. The school continually changes lesson schedules and requirements to make it more acceptable to the Maasai community.

The main task of the nursery school is teaching the children Swahili (Tanzania’s national language). Since the primary school curriculum is taught in Swahili only, children who do not learn the language will not be able to advance to primary school. The nursery school also teaches some English phrases because secondary school is taught only in English.

About Global Basecamps

Global Basecamps is a specialty travel company designed to simplify the process of researching and booking sustainable hotels, lodges and private tours worldwide. Travel at your own pace with a custom itinerary or simply find accommodations and excursions so that your trip priorities are met and you have maximum flexibility while on the road. Global Basecamps is the North American representative for Maasai Wanderings.

Los Flamencos National Reserve protects the largest nesting colony of the Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus). Photo: © Hernán Torres

By Marcela Torres

Co-management of protected areas by the State and local communities is one of the best ways to guarantee that tourism will provide economic and social benefits to many people who would otherwise be marginalized, and at the same time that it ensures protection of the environment on which these communities rely on for their income. An excellent example is the Soncor Sector of Los Flamencos National Reserve, in the Atacama Desert of the Antofagasta Region, in northern Chile.

Tourism Development in Los Flamencos National Reserve

Los Flamencos National Reserve is located within the Atacama La Grande Indigenous Development Area, which was established in 1997 to promote sustainable development of the ancient territories of the Lickan Antay peoples. Since then, the Lickan Antay communities have strengthened their ancient rights to use the resources, in many cases using traditional ways and in others, applying modern natural resource management techniques.

When the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) began charging entrance fees to visit the Reserve about a decade ago, the Lickan Antay Community of Toconao cut off the road to access Laguna Chaxa, in the Soncor Sector, to demand that tourism carried out in their ancient territories would also benefit the descendants of this ethnic group that live in this nearby town.

Their action brought about a revision of the plan and CONAF and the Lickan Antay communities signed co-management agreements for four of the seven sectors of the Reserve: Soncor, Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, Moon Valley and Tambillo. Income generated from the entrance fees to these sites, which attract national and foreign visitors, has allowed the communities to strengthen programs to aid elderly and disabled people in their communities.

This bilingual sign at the entrance explains the co-management project and the local guide system to visitors. Photo: © Ricardo Cerda

At the same time, a significant amount of these incomes is invested in the management of each sector and staff salaries. The inclusion of local community personnel in the management of these sectors has, in turn, allowed CONAF to redirect its staff to sectors and activities that were previously left largely unattended.

First Sustainable Visitor Center

Because of the increasing interest shown by tourists from the nearby town of San Pedro de Atacama, the community decided to improve the site’s infrastructure and visitor information. To that end, in 2006, it partnered with CONAF and SQM mining company, which exploits lithium in the Atacama Salt Flat, to develop the first sustainable Visitor Center in the country to be built in a protected area.

The project included the architectural design and construction of the Visitor Center, incorporating techniques such as reuse of grey water and electricity generation through solar panels and wind mills. The roads were also repaired and the parking lot expanded.

This was the first sustainable Visitor Center built in a protected area in Chile, using renewable wind and solar energy. Photo: © Hernán Torres

At the same time, a group of local guides was trained, all of them members of the Lickan Antay Community of Toconao, in interpretation techniques, to convey effectively to visitors the natural and cultural values of the area. To support this, five bilingual signs were developed for the interpretive trail and 18 for the inner hall of the Center. A documentary video was also produced, in Spanish with English subtitles, to complement information provided to visitors.

The results could not have been better. Visitors to Laguna Chaxa comment that it is a pleasure to pay an entrance fee because you can see that the revenues are invested in the people and in improving the place, where you no longer find garbage lying around and there is good infrastructure. In addition, tourism has provided local people with a new source of income and each day more and more Lickan Antay Community members seek training to be part of the benefits of responsible tourism.

A local Lickan Antay guide explains the importance of conservation to a group of school children. Photo: © Marcela Torres

Local Lickan Antay guides accompany visitors in the interpretive trail, providing in-depth explanations and answering questions. Photo: © Hernán Torres

Southern Cone Journeys

Southern Cone Journeys is a responsible tourism operator based in Chile. Our tours provide you with a unique opportunity to experience the country’s natural and cultural heritage in depth. We have designed excursions off the beaten path, allowing you to be in close contact with locals and to discover scenic wonders that will take your breath away.

Southern Cone Journeys es un operador de turismo responsable con base en Chile. Nuestras excursiones le brindarán una oportunidad única para experimentar en profundidad el patrimonio natural y cultural de nuestro país. Hemos diseñado excursiones en rutas poco exploradas, que le permitirán entrar en contacto cercano con la gente local y descubrir maravillas paisajísticas que lo dejarán asombrado.

By Kim Lisagor

WriteGirl Poem on Endangered Places

Earlier this year, writer Colleen Wainwright celebrated her 50th birthday by raising $50,000 for WriteGirl, a nonprofit organization that empowers teenage girls by mentoring them in creative writing. In exchange for my contribution, I was given an opportunity to commission a poem by a WriteGirl author.

I requested a poem that honors the world’s endangered places and calls upon travelers to care for them, a poem for the readers of Disappearing Destinations. WriteGirl author Yamuna Haroutunian rose to the challenge with a poem that manages to be mournful, beautiful and hopeful at the same time.

*Kim Lisagor, TIES Advisory Board member, is a journalist who covers travel and the environment. She is co-author (with Heather Hansen) of the award-winning book, Disappearing Destinations: 37 Places in Peril and What Can Be Done to Help Save Them. Based in San Luis Obispo, California, she teaches journalism at Cal Poly and chairs the International Service Committee for the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Daybreak.

“Remember” by Yamuna Haroutunian

*Reprinted with permission from the author

Remember

How lovely it was
Water fresh
Forest thick
Fragrant, full of green

I remember
My hometown beach
My foreign namesake river
Once so lovely
Safe
Cared for
Utterly magnificent

You too remember
Air
Waters
Land
Your home

Somewhere
We forgot
To check our breathing
To watch our steps
To notice
The clouds in our mouths
The grease under our feet

We forgot
We screwed up

Mistakes aren’t always endings
We haven’t yet made
Our own graves.
It’s time to remember now
Before out memories are only ours
Before we miss the beauty
We are not alone.

We have a window of time
Don’t waste it
Don’t forget
We don’t want to lose
Our world

Stop forgetting to remember

El Remanso Lodge Receives “Five Leaves”

El Remanso Lodge (Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica) has been awarded with the “Level 5″ of the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST), a rigorous certification program by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) that evaluates tourism companies’ sustainability practices in natural, cultural and social resource management. CST is regulated by the Costa Rican National Accreditation Commission and consists of a scale of 5 levels of sustainable tourism achievements. This is the highest possible rating and El Remanso has achieved 100% of the points in the 4 areas of the evaluation.

In addition to utilizing renewable energy sources to power the lodge’s operations, El Remanso Lodge implements various sustainability practices such as: utilizing local and sustainable construction materials including naturally fallen timber; avoiding herbicides, pesticides or dangerous chemicals; progressive waste management to avoid excess waste; banning bottled water; and using fully biodegradable cleaning supplies.

Green Adventure in a Natural Paradise

Hidden in the jungle of the Osa Peninsula, El Remanso Lodge cradles both adventurers and travelers looking for a relaxing getaway in a natural paradise. A wide array of activities are available to suit every nature-loving traveler. From waterfall rappelling to guided bird watching tours; from exciting night hikes into the mysterious jungle strolls… The lodge’s 185 acres of private reserve offer unique opportunities to discover the magic of a tropical rainforest acting as a buffer zone to the famous Corcovado National Park, and to explore the wonders of Osa, one of the world’s most bio-diverse regions.

El Remanso Lodge actively contributes to the efforts to study and preserve the rainforest, by supporting local education programs and by funding conservation projects – with the philosophy that “one of the most effective ways to protect the rainforest is by understanding how it works.”

The National Park of Corcovado, one of the most remote parks in the country, is home to the largest and most spectacular tropical primary rain forest in Costa Rica, as well as many rare species of endangered wildlife – including the beautiful tapirs, the biggest earth mammal in Central and South America, bull sharks and large crocodiles. The park was created in 1975 in order to protect the land from the gold mining and logging. Today it is renowned for being one of the most special ecotourism destinations in Central America.

El Remanso Lodge caters to the most discerning traveler, ideally suited to couples or families, naturalists, photographers and nature lovers seeking green vacations and nature adventures.

Sápmi Experience Quality Label

Tourism activities under the Sápmi Experience Quality Label are based on the common heritage of the Sámi. Sámi tourism must be sustainable over the long term. This means that tourism must be accepted and established, culturally and socially, in Sámi society, and the host must be able to communicate Sámi values and way of life. Sápmi Experience operators strive for social, cultural, ecological and commercial sustainability. They are companies that respect the integrity of the Sámi culture and work to prevent its objectification. Launched by Visit Sápmi, the Sápmi Experience program promotes responsible practices and unique encounters that “bring joy, pleasure and excitement.”

Sápmi Experience-approved companies include:

• Renbiten: A small Sámi-owned and operated tourism company featuring exclusive Sámi crafts, art and many fine gift ideas, and sharing the stories of Sámi, “the people of eight seasons”. Renbiten specializes in offering travelers the chance to experience the silence, calm and opportunity for the soul to find peace.”
• Njarka Sami Camp: Situated in the Lake Häggsjön region, Åre Municipality, Jämtland, Njarka Sami Camp features a peaceful and harmonious natural setting where reindeer wander freely among the traditional Sámi huts and in the sparse forest. The owners Maud and Mattias Mattsson welcome travelers to experience their land, not by showing you the traditional Sami national clothing, but rather by showing how the Sámi lifestyle looks today.”
• Ájtte – Svenskt Fjäll och Samemuseum (Ájtte Museum in Jokkmokk – the Sami centre): The museum tells the story of Sápmi, the land and the people, of life and survival in a
  demanding climate and environment. It is a story set in the wetlands, forests and mountains. A modern and tasteful approach to the Sámi story, the museum offers a great opportunity for travelers to gain knowledge and to explore the culture, history and heritage of the Sámi people.

>> Learn more about Sápmi Experience-approved companies

Visit Sápmi

VisitSápmi is owned by the Swedish Sámi Association. Together with Gaaltije South Sámi Information Centre, Sápmi Experience seeks to promote responsible and sustainable Sámi tourism. VisitSápmi’s vision is to develop tourism that gives money back to Sámi communities, developed in a more respectful and sustainable way than what we see today, and to collaborate with partners that share the same belief that sustainability is the right path for the future for the Sámi people.

Related Articles

VisitSápmi: Promoting an Authentic Sámi Experience Through Sustainable Tourism
By Lennart Pittja – Sápmi (or Lapland) has long attracted visitors from all over the world, and today it is visited by millions of tourists every year. In spite of this bustling tourist activity, and even though Sámi traditions are frequently portrayed through various media, today we can see very few successful Sámi tourism companies. The Sámi community wants to change this, and wants to be more involved with decision making in the Swedish tourism industry.

Ecotourism Potentials in Sweden and Norway: An Insider’s Perspectives
By Neil Rogers – As a past advisor to Sweden’s Ecotourism Quality Label Nature’s Best, and as current advisor to VisitSápmi and the Quality Label for Sámi indigenous tourism, I’ve seen many positive changes over the years yet much remains to be done. Sweden and Norway have world-class assets for outdoor and experiential travel, and have enviable reputations for image, safety, security, health, hard and soft infrastructure. The question is how to make more of this competitive advantage so that small-scale entrepreneurs can thrive.

By Lisa Andersen and Robert Wake-Walker

Voluntario Global is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development of local grassroots community projects in Latin America. It has 17 projects currently running in Buenos Aires as well as Jujuy, Bariloche, Misiones, and Villagrande in Bolivia. This article covers ideas, challenges and opportunities related to Voluntario Global’s work, based on conversations with three partners and supporters of this important cause – Sylvia, representing a local school that works with Voluntario Global’s educational programs, Valeria, Voluntario Global co-founder, and Kara, a current volunteer working in health programs.

Sylvia Ruarte, By Your Side, Voluntario Global Partner

In Pablo Nogués, about an hour train ride from Buenos Aires, Silvia Ruarte runs By Your Side, a small after-hours English school. She bases her work on the idea of quality education for everyone. That means that the school has very few resources at its disposal, as Silvia makes a point of charging the lowest possible tuition fee. It is not easy to run a school at such low cost, but Silvia seems to have what it takes: lots of energy, insight and compassion. And this seems to be where her motivation stems from.

“This is where I can make a difference”

Silvia grew up with the privilege of quality education, and when she realized that not everyone has this privileged background, she knew she had to change that. Even if the change looks small on a national scale, in the lives of the families, the opportunity is life changing. Silvia employs volunteers from all over the world (recruited through Voluntario Global).

This adds to the children’s understanding of geography – it becomes relevant and thus interesting to them to know something about other countries and regions of the world. It helps them realize the differences in the world, and sometimes the meaning of these differences. To Silvia, the most significant help for the school is the volunteers. Without them, the budget would not be sustainable, and the children would miss out on a lot of interesting and important lessons.

“Volunteers gain new insights, thoughts and ideas.”

Further, Silvia recognizes and highly appreciates the lessons the volunteers learn, what they gain and what they take home with them: new insights, thoughts and ideas. This aspect of cultural exchange is as important as the main objectives of the volunteer program, which is to help the children in her school. To Silvia, what keeps responsible tourism many projects going is the prospect of giving and receiving on equal terms.

>> Learn more about Voluntario Global’s volunteer project at By Your Side “Teaching English to Children and Teenagers” or contact Silvia at silviaruarte30[at]yahoo.com.ar / +54 (0)2320 414630.

Valeria Gracia, Co-Founder, Voluntario Global

Argentina is an interesting destination for volunteer travelers, as with many places around the world. Voluntary work is a fantastic way to get to know the community. Each and every country has its own culture, which makes each volunteering experience unique. For example, a volunteer worker in Bolivia would be exposed to the history of the indigenous culture. In Buenos Aires, a volunteer gets to connect with highly topical subjects and current affairs such as poverty in modern society and education and health issues.

About seven years ago, Valeria founded Voluntario Global, with the goals of helping improve the lives of local people. In addition to immersing yourself in the local culture, Valeria says, “a volunteer must strive to create a better society to live in.” While the volunteer tourism sector continues to grow in Argentina, Valeria has seen more growth in Buenos Aires (“everyone arriving in Argentina has to come through BA”) than in the rest of Argentina, where the needs may be greater.

“Tourists are seeking volunteer opportunities as part of their responsible tourism experiences”

So who are these volunteers – voluntourists – who visit and work in Argentina with Voluntario Global? Valeria says that these are not professional workers (e.g. medical professionals assigned to work on certain areas), but these are tourists who want to explore different cultures, and are seeking volunteer opportunities as part of their responsible tourism experiences. One of the primary reasons for these volunteer travelers to participate in the Voluntario Global program is to learn another language, to learn it by speaking it and by immersing yourself in the local culture and way of life.

Just as Silvia, Valeria believes in the learning process of volunteering, and places great importance on interaction with the local communities.

Kara Howard, Long-Term Volunteer, Voluntario Global

As a long-term volunteer at Voluntario Global, Kara is working at Centro de Atención Primaria (Basic Health Care Center), and is involved in various areas of the organization: shadowing a pediatrician working with children with respiratory illnesses; learning about what treatments they have and how she helps them; learning about the government programs that have been set up to assist patients (e.g. free medication); shadowing a healthcare worker; helping with a Pap awareness campaign in the neighborhood; participating in a local health fair and other events. “There are so many areas that I can involve myself in,” says Kara, “and that makes it a rewarding experience.”

Asked about prevalent health issues in the area, Kara says, “In the area there is a lot of pollution. There is a lot of heavy industry; including a large garbage dump and coupled with poor housing and a severe lack of running water we find that there are lots of respiratory illnesses and skin rashes. These cases are particularly common among children as they are less physically developed. Also there is a big issue with diabetes as it is cheaper and more convenient to buy junk food if a household is working 16 hours a day. Finally, there are issues with teen pregnancies and sexual health in the area.”

“Free is not enough, you need to make healthcare relevant to them.”

Coming from the United States, where healthcare is expensive, Kara had thought that having free access to healthcare would mean everyone would use it. However, it soon became clear that free health services alone were not enough. For example with the Pap smear, it’s free for everyone and prevents cervical cancer as the test can identify any symptoms. Why, then, wouldn’t any woman want this test? The fact is that most women have never really understood the reasons for the test, and therefore never been checked. The important point is even if it is free, you need to make healthcare relevant to them if the locals were to take care of their health and take advantage of medical services available to them.

When she first came to Argentina, Kara did not have a medical background; she came from a marketing background in the United States. She however chose to pursue a career where she could “have a more direct impact on people’s lives,” and has decided to become a nurse practitioner. When Kara returns to the US next year she will be starting her school work to further pursue this career path. Part of the reason she chose to volunteer with Voluntario Global is “getting a feel for what [this profession] will involve.” She says that her 5-month long volunteer experience at the center, is giving her great learning opportunities on a personal level (“more so than expected”), not just professionally.