Eco Rating Kosrae Village

Name of property	Kosrae Village Resort & Dive Resort
Person completing this form	Katrina Adams
Position	Owner / General Manager
Address of property	Box 399 Kosrae Island
Country	Micronesia
Phone number including country code and area code	691 370.3483
Web site	Kosrae Village
E-mail	katrina@kosraevillage.com
Type of property	Ecolodge
Number of rooms or cottages	9
Maximum number of guests	20
Eco memberships	TIES
Eco ratings, certifications, awards	2009 Eco Tropical Resorts Eco Rating: 3.6 out of 5. 2008 National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine’s “50 Top Ecolodges”, 2007 Islands Magazine Responsible Tourism Blue Award, 2007 EcoHotels Awarded Kosrae Village 4 Stars, 2007 National Geographic Adventure Magazine Sustainable Outfitter Award, 2006 Project Aware Environmental Achievement Award, 1998 Pacific Asia Travel Association Environmental Achievement Award

• Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy?     YES

• Kosrae Village will be sustainable designed, built and operated.
• Kosrae Village will use local materials and traditional construction techniques.
• Kosrae Village waste will be handled in a responsible and sustainable manner.
• Kosrae Village will showcase and promote the protection of traditional Kosraean culture.
• Kosrae Village will work to protect the reef and ocean environments.
• Kosrae Village will provide information to guests and other island visitors regarding environmental and community interaction.
• Kosrae Village will work with the community to:
  • Assist the community in developing sustainable income generating activities.
  • Hire only from the community, providing training as necessary.
  • Purchase building materials locally.
  • Use locally produced vegetables and fish.

 

• Do you have a written environmental management system?                  NO

If yes, please attach.

• Describe the property – aim, size, facilities, amount of land owned and leased  (150 words max)

The property is built on approximately 5 acres of leased land. There has been no filling, dredging or other disturbance of the land or adjoining reef and mangrove. The buildings are almost 100% biodegradable and have a very light footprint. Only medicinal plants may be harvested on the leased and adjoining land, all other plants and animals are protected.

• Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town (100 words max)

Kosrae does not really have towns, it has 5 small villages scattered around the coast. We are approximately 2 miles from Malem (population approximately 1500).  We are about 3 miles from Tofol, the village where the government and business center are – very few people live in Tofol. We are 12 miles from the airport.

• Describe WHY you made the decision to develop an eco resort (100 word max)

We want to make a difference and we want to demonstrate that “eco” can be financially sustainable as well as environmentally and culturally sustainable.

Introduction to the Butterfly Club’s Eco Rating

The Butterfly Club Eco Rating has five equally-weighted categories:

• Energy;
• Water;
• Recycling and waste;
• Land and nature conservation; and
• Community.

Each category has five levels, designated by one to five butterflies.  Through self assessment, resort operators completing this rating will determine their own levels within each category based on their responses to items listed below.

Two categories – energy and water – have similar rating systems with Levels 1 and 2 addressing conservation of existing resources, and Levels 3, 4 and 5 addressing creation of renewable energy or capturing water.

Level five in every category also requires written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record consumption; (2) test and apply additional conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific targets.   We require a copy of your policies if you achieve level 5 in any category.

Eco Rating Kosrae Village Energy

Levels 1 and 2 – conservation: Check all that apply:

_x__  use natural air circulation and fans, not air conditioners
_x__  use natural light during the day
_x__  minimize use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines and equipment
___  use “on demand” or solar heating for hot water
_x__  air dry clothes/linens
_x__  wash dishes by hand
_x__  use energy efficient appliances and electronics
_x__  use low wattage fluorescent light bulbs
_x__  change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
_x__  switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:

Level 1 = four or fewer energy conservation activities

Level 2 = five or more energy conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 – renewable energy: Indicate proportion (%) of energy from each source:

___  solar We are working on solar, but don’t have it installed yet.
___  wind
___  hydro
___  generator
_100__  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:

100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?

Level 3 = renewable energy is employed and is less than 1/3 of all energy

Level 4 = renewable energy constitutes 1/3 – 2/3 of all energy

Level 5 = renewable energy constitutes 2/3 or more of all energy.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record energy consumption; (2) test and apply additional energy conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific energy targets.

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Energy Level 5 (required).

Your Energy Level (select 1 – 5) = 2 

Eco Rating Kosrae Village Water

Levels 1 and 2 – conservation: Check all that apply:

__  low flow faucets and showerheads
__  low water use toilets
__  change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
___use table mats that can be wiped and not laundered
_x_  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
__  treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes
Other water conservation activities?  Please list.
Water conservation is not an issue as we received over 200 inches of rain a year. Our focus is on not contaminating the surrounding water.

Level 1 = three or fewer water conservation activities

Level 2 = four or more water conservation activities

 

Levels 3, 4 and 5 – capture and treat fresh water and manage waste water. Capture water: Indicate proportion (%) of water from each source:

___  spring
_50__  river
_50__  rain
___  reuse gray
___  public utility
Other water sources? Please list.

100% TOTAL

Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
_x__  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List:   fine mesh filters
_x__  chemically.  List chemicals used: A very small amount of chlorine in drinking water.

Waste water management:
_x__  septic tanks
___  cesspools
_x__  other? List methods: leach fields

Level 3: Water is captured (from springs, rivers, rain or prior use) and constitutes less than 1/3 of water from all sources.  Water is treated chemically.  Water disposal does not minimize damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 4:  Captured water constitutes 1/3 to 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 5:  Captured water constitutes more than 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests.   In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record water consumption; (2) test and apply additional water conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific water targets.

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Water Level 5 (required).

Your Water Level (select 1 – 5): 4

Eco Rating Kosrae Village Recycling and waste

Check all that apply:

_x__   use durable service items, e.g. cups, glasses, dishes, tableware, storage items
_x__   buy fresh and local to reduce packaging and emissions from transportation
_x__   purchase in bulk to reduce packaging
_x__   recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum
_x__   minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment
_x__   zero waste in the kitchen
_x__   serve local water, not bottled water
_x__   cleaning products are biodegradable
___   compost organic matter
Other methods to recycle waste? Please list.  Waste food goes to local pig farmers, plant waste is composted.

Level 1 = four or fewer recycling activities

Level 2 = five recycling activities

Level 3 = six recycling activities

Level 4 = seven recycling activities

Level 5 = eight or more recycling activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record recycling and waste; (2) test and apply additional recycling and waste conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific recycling and waste targets.

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Recycling and Waste Level 5 (required).

Your Recycling and Waste Level (select 1 – 5):4 

Eco Rating Kosrae Village Land and nature conservation

Check all that apply:

_x__   minimize tree removal when building
_x__   use only botanical (plant-based) herbicides & pesticides in garden & grounds
___   maintain organic gardens as food source for resort
_x__   use biodegradable cleaning products
_x__   minimize external illumination
_x__   take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat.  Please list actions and projects: The community may take medicinal plants from the property, all other flora and fauna on the property and adjoining land is protected (not by statute, this is a decision reached in partnership with our landlord).
Level 1: one or two land and nature conservation activities

Level 2: three land and nature conservation activities

Level 3: four land and nature conservation activities

Level 4: five land and nature conservation activities

Level 5: six or more land and nature conservation activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record land and nature conservation activities; (2) test and apply additional land and nature conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific land and nature conservation targets.

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Land and Nature Conservation Level 5 (required).

Your Land and Nature Conservation Level (select 1 – 5): 4

Eco Rating Kosrae Village Community

This category addresses policies and activities regarding staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the community.

Check all activities that apply:

_x__  hire staff residing near the resort          _100__% local nationals
_x__  use local suppliers                                _85__% purchased goods produced locally
_x__  re-invest resort income locally            _85__% income re-invested locally
___  pay above local prevailing wage
_x__  pay into local social security
_x__  provide health insurance or coverage
_x__  use regular staff meetings to educate staff about sustainable processes throughout the resort, in the garden, with waste disposal, etc
_x__  provide educational awareness programs for staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the local community
_x__  provide sustainable transport to work for staff  – it’s a regular car though
___  take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects.

Level 1: one or two community activities

Level 2: three to five community activities

Level 3: six to seven community activities

Level 4: eight to nine community activities

Level 5: ten or more community activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record community activities; (2) test and apply additional methods to support the community; and (3) work towards specific community targets.

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Community Level 5 (required).

Your Community Level (select 1 – 5): 4

YOUR OVERALL ECO SCORE (add your level for each category and divide by 5and enter the result with the decimal point, e.g. 3.6): 3.6

We have three final questions which are not part of the eco rating: 

• Please describe your single most important eco achievement:

Establishing KCSO (Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization) our local conservation NGO. Established in 1998, KCSO has grown into an international recognized environmental organization that is completely managed by local Kosraeans.  KCSO primary mission is environmental education and enabling the community to manage their vital resources.

• Indicate additional sustainable practices that you plan to institute within the next 6 months.

We hope to install solar system for water heaters and other electrical needs.

• Is there anything else you would like to add to this eco rating?

Hi Lise, I think that you need to work in some variability depending on the location – for instance our problem is too much water, NOT a shortage – so we don’t focus on water conservation, but we make sure that we don’t contaminate the water.