Ecotourism Things to Do
Eco Jobs at The Eden Project, Cornwall
I’m always on the look out for eco-orientated jobs that I think will appeal to Ecotourism Logue readers, especially those on the move. This one for Den Challenge Team at The Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, will suit creative types keen to get involved in something a little more daring than the usual 9 to 5 drudgery.
Date: May 20th, 2008 |
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Earth Day Events 2008
Last month it was Earth Hour, this month it’s Earth Day.
The reaction to Earth Hour was much more than organisers envisaged. In Chicago, 840,000 pounds of carbon dioxide were kept out of the atmosphere, in Toronto energy consumption reduced by 8.7% and in Melbourne, Australia, there was an impressive 10.1% drop in energy use. Next year is set to be much bigger but for those who missed out on Earth Hour, for whatever reason, here’s another chance to go green.
On April 22, 2008 the world will celebrate Earth Day… again (The United Nations celebrates Earth Day on March 21, the Vernal Equinox – beginning of spring). The idea started in 1970 to remind people that they need to consider how their everyday actions affect the environment. Now, almost 40 years later, Earth Day is fighting just as hard to make people recognise their impact on the planet.
Various events are planned around the world but just like Earth Hour you don’t need to attend an event to take part; you can do your own thing to mark the occasion in your own way.
Date: April 6th, 2008 |
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Galápagos Islands on Unesco Danger List due to Mass Tourism
News that the Galápagos Islands, the world’s first World Heritage Site, are under threat has again put mass tourism in the spotlight.
The Galápagos are a cluster of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean sitting just west of Ecuador, South America. They are best known for their wealth of unique native species and are thought to have instigated Darwin’s theories on evolution and natural selection.
Recent Number of Visitors To the Islands
Visitor numbers to the islands have grown from 40,000 in 1990 to 145,000 in 2006, that’s a 250% rise and as a result Unesco has added the archipelago to its ‘in danger list’, specifically citing the fragile ecosystem and the negative effects of a sizable growth in tourism.
“Unless we start to make fundamental changes right now, in the next 10 to 15 years we will see the Galápagos suffer from both economic and environmental degradation,” said Dr Graham Watkins, Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation, whose mission is to conserve the Galápagos through scientific research.
Date: February 13th, 2008 |
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Rancho La Puerta, Eco Spa Resort Since 1940
The world’s very first destination spa in Tecate, on the Mexico/California border, was lovingly created and designed by two people who firmly believed in habitat conservation, organic farming and sustainable living.
Today, the family-run Rancho La Puerta has developed into one of the best examples of an Eco Spa in North America.
Humble Beginnings
Almost 70 years ago Edmond and Deborah Szekely had great plans to start a retreat for those desperate to escape the everyday rigors of modern life. So, they moved to the sparsely populated village of Tecate, rented a little hut that sat in the middle of a vineyard, which once housed meal for livestock, and started an organic veggie patch out front. The vineyard was called Rancho La Puerta.
Their idea was simple, to provide a haven for those seeking a tranquil place to help rebalance mind and body without causing any harm to the natural habitat around them.
Date: February 6th, 2008 |
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Santa Barbara Goes Eco
Santa Barbara, on California’s Pacific coast, is not usually associated with eco travel but once you get under its skin the home of OTT American soaps proves it has more to offer than just bad acting and shaky sets.
Located between the bustling metropolises of Los Angeles and San Francisco, Santa Barbara and the surrounds have officially been renamed the American Riviera. It is being likened to Nice in the South of France, minus the European edge, but the Santa Barbara Visitors Bureau is working hard to change that and is targeting European
travellers keen to discover a different side of sunny California. It seems people have finally had enough of Mickey Mouse and tacky rides.
Hiking and Cycling in Santa Ynez Mountains
The Santa Ynez Mountains offer miles of treks and trails for ramblers and hikers. Gaviota Peak and the Hot Springs Trails are very popular and Romero Canyon entices mountain bikers too; they’re steep to climb but the views from the summit are worth it, especially on a clear day.
Date: January 27th, 2008 |
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Camping in Lower Glenelg National Park, Australia
I’ve just returned from a camping and canoeing trip in Victoria’s Lower Glenelg National Park and to my surprise I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The weather was fine, even though it’s going into autumn here in Australia, the borrowed tent was plenty big for two and I had the time to finish a whole book – something that I’ve been missing of late.
Wildlife and River Life
Lower Glenelg National Park (LGNP) sits in the south west corner of Victoria, just shy of the South Australia border. It covers an area of 27,300 hectares and is home to a pretty impressive array of Australian wildlife. Emus prance around like extras from the corps de ballet, their spindly legs carrying great feathered tutu-like bodies, wallabies and kangaroos play chicken with cars and 4×4s, koalas hide high in the tree tops, playing their own version of where’s Wally and the possums sniff around at night seeking spare morsels of food from unsuspecting campers not used to their giant eyes and pleading wiley ways.
Date: April 14th, 2008 |
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Ecotourism Vacations in United States
When people think of holidays in America visions of Hollywood, Disneyland, Las Vegas and New York City spring to mind. These are all great destinations of course but they’re not exactly overflowing in ecotourism opportunities; no, for a greener than green vacation eco travellers need to ignore the usual American holiday brochures and get creative in their thinking. The Untied States has much more to offer than Rodeo Drive and Mickey Mouse.
Ecotourism Ideas in the US
Eco-friendly Santa Barbara – Leave the hustle and bustle of LA driving north to the quaint town of Santa Barbara and discover how they’re turning the area greener than green. From there catch the trolley bus to the nearby vineyards of Napa Valley and savour the local wines before bedding down for the night in a safari-style camp in El Capital Canyon.
Yellowstone National Park – answer the call of the wild by visiting one of the great wildernesses in the US which is home to wild wolves, elk and other wildlife. Hike through the park or camp overnight to truly be at one with nature.
Palm Beach County, Florida – Forget Walt Disney World and all its gaudy glitz and glamour and check out the much nicer family-friendly eco park, Peanut Island. Located in Lake Worth Lagoon, Peanut Island Park covers 86 acres and is accessible only by boat. Pitch a tent on the beach in one of the designated camping spots or treat the family to a native experience by staying in one of the Seminole Indian-style chickee huts. There’s a dedicated Eco Museum there too.
Date: March 28th, 2008 |
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New Ecological Travel Guides by VERY Publications
Just when you thought you’d found your favourite travel guides another lot pops on to the market to cause confusion but these aren’t any old tourist guides, no, eco travellers, the VERYstyleguide Ecological focuses specifically on the various aspects enviro tourists get excited about like, green restaurants, ethical businesses or alternative travel in the city ie, pedicab tours and bike rental. And the new guides are causing quite a stir.Published by UP&CO, these mini mags and shopping directories are the brainchild of designer, editor and publisher, Uscha Pohl. A long-time fan of all things ethical, especially clothing, Uscha has created a range of city guides that combine eco style and culture in an easy-to-use flip-over booklet.
VERY Eco says, “… the ecological guide offers new options to everyone who seeks to inject ecological and ethical principles into their daily life. These will permit the reader to live and shop in accordance to their convictions and to discover lesser known ecological domains like ethical banks, high-end fashion labels which rely on truly ecological and/or ethical production and sourcing procedures, as well as ‘ecologically correct’ information centres.”
Date: February 12th, 2008 |
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Ecotourism Australia Up For Top Travel Award
As I’m writing from Australia at the moment and the country has just celebrated Australia Day, I thought I’d make today’s entry about this hot and dry but rather lovely land.
Australia has long been in touch with their eco side and have had eco lodges around long before the idea of ecotourism became trendy, and they are soon to be awarded for their efforts… maybe.
The World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) have just revealed Ecotourism Australia is one of three finalists for a coveted Tourism for Tomorrow Award in the conservation category. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards showcase a selection of “the world’s leading examples in sustainable tourism development”
Date: February 3rd, 2008 |
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Green Places to Stay in Northern Ireland
It’s hard to convince people to go to the North of Ireland sometimes, too many believe everything they read and see in the media. It is a rugged, weather beaten, beautiful, unspoilt territory that’s been rarely travelled.
Residents, though, know they’ve got a potential tourist goldmine on their doorstep and have been ready and waiting for the past 30 years.
Are you ready to ramble?
Omagh Hostel, County Tyrone
This friendly, family-run hostel near the Sperrin Mountains in County Tyrone is the most environmentally-conscious hostel you’ll ever come across.
The accommodation is not fussy or fancy but it’s clean, comfortable and welcoming and rates highly with eco travellers.
Greenie Points: Opened since 1991, Omagh Hostel is a working organic farm employing a number of sustainable and eco friendly practices, too many to mention them all but enough to achieve the coveted EU Flower Ecolabel.
Check out their website for more eco information.
Dorm beds: £12 pp
Private Rooms: £15pp
Camping: £12 /tent
Date: January 17th, 2008 |
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