Ecolodge in Dominica

What makes a Sustainable Ecolodge?

/in , , , /by

What makes a Sustainable Ecolodge

There are 5 Parts of what makes a Sustainable Ecolodge, as there are 5 parts to our Online Eco Rating. The parts include energy, water, recycling and waste, land and nature conservation, and community. These 5 areas are able to be measured, that adds credibility and verification for a lodge.

In 2015 a branch of the United Nations: The Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development came up with 17 sustainable goals. Their mission statement is: “A blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all people and the world by 2030”. Because the UN’s goals are all encompassing, it would be impossible to include them all in what makes a sustainable lodge. Therefore, I’ve narrowed it down to the 5 areas in the online eco rating that I think are most important to what makes a sustainable ecolodge. Therefore I will wrote about each of these next.

This sign shows the basics of Sustainability

Energy and it’s Conservation

Energy uses up resources. Conservation of energy involves using renewable energy that doesn’t use up resources. Sustainable energy includes but is not limited to solar, wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal, and biomass. When an ecolodge uses one of these renewable energies, that helps them rate as sustainable. Most of the eco lodges on our Directory use one or more of these. In fact, many lodges are located where there is no power grid, so must use alternative energy. Preserving energy helps us from polluting the earth

Water

Clean water is a limited resource for our planet. Lodges can conserve water several different ways: Harvested rain water from roofs or stormwater, reclaimed wastewater, and graywater. Parts of the world have an over-abundance of water, whereas other areas have a lack. Therefore, careful use of water is important. Many ecolodges use reclaimed graywater to water their plants. If an ecolodge is in an area of water abundance, then educational items should be made available for guests. We are part of the whole.

Recycling and Waste

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase: Reduce-Reuse-Recycle. This catch phrase is important to help us keep this in mind when getting rid of waste. Recycling and disposing of waste responsibly helps us keep from polluting the environment. It is an important part of what makes a sustainable lodge. Recycling is using waste materials and converting them into usable new materials. Where I live in the U.S., in Arizona, we have recycle and waste bins. So that makes it convenient and easy. In 3rd world countries recycling may not be available. During my time in Mexico, recycling was not available. But I noticed that people were very good at re-using things and adapting other things for use. An example of this was my van. The latch had broken on one of my windows and we were far away from a dealership to get spare parts. The person who fixed it used different screws and waste metal to create something that worked. It may not have looked great, but it worked and kept the waste metal out of the trash.

Most of the sustainable lodges on this directory are not close to recycling facilities. As an alternative, lodges can leave information out for guests about re-using items. Some examples of immediate recycling are having guests refill water bottles and putting food waste into a compost bin for the garden. Another is recycling of graywater. Many of our lodges have recycle bins available for use by guests. And some of them have helped local villages to recycle and reduce waste.

Lodges can separate waste into usable materials such as food waste and yard clippings for use in compost.

Land and Nature Conservation

An ecolodge should have little to no impact on the environment, unless it’s positive. That’s a big part of what makes an Ecolodge Sustainable. Some lodges make sure that part of the land remains in its natural state. This natural state insures the local fauna and flora can thrive, as well as letting guests enjoy the natural landscape.

Community

Hiring people in the local community helps lodges benefit the local people. Information and training in sustainable ways also benefits the communities. Some lodges sell local handicrafts to visitors as another means of helping locals gain by the presence of a lodge. By involving nearby communities it helps them understand and participate in preservation of natural and cultural resources. When someone is living at a subsistence level, there’s not much room to think about conservation when taking care of basic needs is so difficult. When lodges or people offer alternatives, then change is possible.

Years ago, I was lucky enough to visit Jem Winston in Dominica. He runs 3 Rivers Dominica and Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge. I saw first hand the dedication and work it takes to create and run an eco-lodge. His 2 lodges are fine examples of what makes a sustainable ecolodge.

In conclusion, maybe the most important part of what makes a sustainable ecolodge is the warm and caring people that own, create and run them. It takes a special kind of person to go to the extremes it takes to make an eco lodge. My hat is off to them.

Sustainability in Dominica at the Tamarind Tree Hotel

/in , , /by

Sustainability in Dominica at the Tamarind Tree Hotel

The Tamarind Tree Hotel & Restaurant from inception has taken our role as a sustainable tourism partner very seriously. Sustainability in Dominica at the Tamarind Tree Hotel has implemented various measures to ensure our environmental impact is minimal to non-existent.

Sustainability in Dominica at the Tamarind Tree Hotel

We recently installed a Solar System which generates ninety (90%) of the energy needed by the hotel to operate on a daily basis. Thus ensuring our energy consumption with the Electricity Company is minimal. All our guests are encouraged to conserve energy and water. The hotel uses signs strategically placed to remind them to switch off lights that are not in use. As well as ensuring that all faucets are closed properly. Included is our towel use policy whereby the towels are only changed if they are placed on the floor. The Tamarind Tree Hotel also makes sure that all organic waste  from the Restaurant is put to compost. The fertilizer created is used in our organic garden.

Outside of the Hotel we continue to do our part. The Hotel has adopted Segment 11 (Syndicate to Bourne) of the Waitukubuli National Trail. This is in collaboration with the Forestry Division as well as the Waitukubuli National Trail Management Unit. The purpose is to clear, restore and rehabilitate part of the only long-distance hiking trail in the Caribbean.

Sustainability in Dominica at the Tamarind Tree Hotel

Submitted by The Tamarind Tree Hotel and Restaurant in Dominica

See the Hotel on Eco Tropical Resorts

Cardamom Tented Camp Site view

Your Stay Keeps the Forest Standing

/in , , /by

Cardamom Tented Camp – Your Stay Keeps the Forest Standing.

Visitors might think this is just a fancy slogan for our eco tourism project, Cardamom Tented Camp. But they couldn’t be more wrong!
The Camp’s slogan is really true. Most importantly, a certain percentage of our revenue goes to one of our partners in this project, Wildlife Alliance – an international non- profit organization.  The tended camp in Cambodia supports them and their very important work in the national park. Their rangers are protecting Botum Sakor National park from illegal logging activities and poachers.

Rangers and our Tented Camp

The Tented Camp has already assisted Wildlife Alliance by supporting the building of new ranger towers. The rangers are too often making confiscations of weapons and other equipment found inside the park. These weapons are used to hunt and catch some of the unique animal species, as well as destroying some of the indigenous flora and fauna. Therefore, having ranger towers and other equipment helps in preserving the forest.

Most of the activities that guests can participate in during their stay involve activities with the rangers from Wildlife Alliance. Guests join them on patrols and also help rangers set up camera traps. Visitors also learn more about our work on sustainability and wildlife protection and nature conservation. 

Recent Activities at the Tented Camp

Recently Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia hosted a stay for a small group from  Sam Vesna Centre (SVS). SVS is a an non profit organisation that works with ethical birding and wildlife tours in Cambodia. The guests stayed 4 days and managed to record over 55 unique species in and around the camp. This shows Cardamom Tented Camp is indeed a real paradise for wildlife and nature lovers.

Cardamom Tented Camp tents
Inside Cardamom Tented Camp tent

About Cardamom Tented Camp & Sustainability

Cardamom Tented Camp opened  at the end of 2017 in western Cambodia. The Camp is a completely unique project created mainly to be able to protect the 18,000 hectare forest through eco-tourism. Cardamom is only accessible by boat because of its remote location. Cardamom Tented Camp is powered completely by solar panels. The tented camp has also created its own waste water management system.

Our tented camp is constructed mainly with natural materials from the Koh Khong area. The Camp is incorporated into the environment. Cardamom Tented Camp is designed in a way so that we could,  if we wanted to (but we don’t), remove the whole camp with absolute minimum effect to the environment. Thereby leaving only footprints on the land.

Cardamom Tented Camp works closely with the Trapeang Rung Community. The goal is to help educate and promote sustainability throughout Cambodia. Hoping that our model can become an example of how to combine wildlife and nature conservation with (responsible) tourism.

See Cardamom’s listing on Eco Tropical Resorts

Staying at Cardamom Tented Camp is a meaningful stay because, as a result –
Your Stay Keeps The Forest Standing.

By:
Jakob Waern
Director of Marketing
YAANA Ventures

 

Costa Rica Retreats at Ojo Del Mar Ecolodge

Retreats in Costa Rica at Ojo Del Mar Ecolodge

/in , , , /by

Upcoming Retreats in Costa Rica at Ojo Del Mar Ecolodge

January 23 – 30, 2016 – 7 nights – Yoga Adventure – Led by Basia Going
Enjoy yoga in the morning on our newly constructed yoga deck under the palm trees overlooking the ocean. Another session for breathing and meditation is held in the evening. Spend the rest of the time surfing, hiking, riding horses, or just chilling in the hammock doing absolutely nothing.

Retreats in Costa Rica at Ojo Del Mar Ecolodge

January 31 – 8, 2016 – 8 nights – Advanced Therapeutic Thai Massage – Led by Christopher Ray and Kate Lewandowski
This is an intensive workshop for bodyworkers that includes training in That massage in the incredible environment of the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. The Thai massage training is 45 hours. This leaves lots of time for other natural pleasures including yoga.

February 8 – 14, 2016 – 6 nights – Wild Yoga Journey – Led by Rebecca Wildbear
This is a daily yoga journey that is playful, gentle and invigorating. It is a daily morning asana practice. Open to all levels of physical ability.

February 13 – 20, 2016 – 8 nights – Goddess Within – Led by Sara Hilgendorf and Stacie Finucan
This is a woman only yoga and massage therapy retreat. Enjoy something special and spiritual as you journey towards better self awareness.

April 9 – 16, 2016 – 7 nights – Two Feet One Word Yoga – Led by Tami Ellis
Begin the day with meditation and Vinyasa Flow Yoga and every evening with Yin Yoga.

April 16 – 23, 2016 – 7 nights – Yoga Retreat – Led by Ame Wren
We will begin each morning with a rockin’, sweat-inducing and muscle-loosening Vinyasa yoga class. The evening practice will serve to cool you down (think yin, restorative, meditation) and prepare you for the best sleep you’ll ever have.

All retreats include food and lodging and the amenities offered by Ojo Del Mar Ecolodge. For more information on any of the retreats please go here: Retreats in Costa Rica at Ojo Del Mar Ecolodge. Information about each of the teachers is also available through that link.

Retreats in Costa Rica at Ojo Del Mar Ecolodge

Our online eco rating exam explained

What difference does an Online Eco Rating Exam make?

/in , , , /by

In this day and age every time you turn around there is another “eco” lodge popping up. As “ecotourism” is moving more mainstream, more hotels will try to ride on the sustainable bandwagon. In some ways this is wonderful. It’s really good that hotels are wising up and trying to improve their best practices. I applaud that and it’s good for business.

But what about those places that will pretend they are “eco” when really they are doing the minimum. We have even created a word for this problem that is cropping up: “Greenwashing”. It seems clear that we need some way to differentiate between hotels that are committed to sustainability and those that just use if for publicity purposes.

Our online eco rating exam explained

One way to insure that a place really is sustainable is to get certified by someplace like Green Globe, http://greenglobe.com/. They send someone out to do a hands on rating. The only problem with their rating is that it is expensive to have someone travel out to a lodge, etc. and personally evaluate them. Last time I checked it cost the lodges around $1000 (US) to become certified. For many lodges, this keeps them from joining. By definition, it’s the smaller lodges that are more “eco”. Should they be penalized because they can’t afford the fee?

The next best alternative is to have some kind of check and answer system that doesn’t need a hands on visit. I’ve tried to develop just that with the “Online Eco Rating Exam”, https://www.eco-tropicalresorts.com/ecorating/. It’s a way for lodges to respond to a series of questions and come up with a score that shows exactly how “eco” they are based out of a total of 5. In order for a lodge to get a perfect score, they have to have Policies and Procedures as well as a way of monitoring their consumption of water and energy and send it for authentication. The online rating covers energy, water, recycling and waste, community, and land and nature conservation.

There is no charge to members to take the Online Eco Rating Exam and it is a way for them to prove that they are not “greenwashing”. The Exam is always being improved on as new things come to light or as many people express their opinion.

Right now I’m grappling with water issues. Should lodging that is in a wet area of the world be penalized for not using water saving techniques? I’m leaning towards yes because water is a global issue and I see “eco” lodges as ways to open up people’s eyes to conservation in all its aspects. Please feel free to share your opinion by answering here or contacting me directly at lise @ eco-tropicalresorts.com.

In summary, an Online Eco Rating can make a big difference, especially for small establishments. It helps add credibility to hotels.

Tembo Ki9jani and Ecotourism

Tembo Kijani and Ecotourism

/in , , /by

Tembo Kijani and Ecotourism in Tanzania

Tembo Kijani sits right on the coast of Tanzania in Africa. Here you will find secluded, white sandy beaches. The owners are passionate about ecotourism and their philosophy is to take what nature gives and to give back to nature. This post is about Tembo Kijani and Ecotourism in Tanzania.

The buildings at Tembo Kijani are made from local materials and designed to blend into the surrounding nature. They use Makuti roofs on all their buildings. This type of roof can be seen throughout Tanzania and is accomplished by using coconut leaves. What’s great about these roofs is that they help with constant air flow, thereby keeping the heat from building up. Below is an image of these roofs.

Tembo Kijani in Tanzania

Being far off in the bush, Tembo Kijani uses only solar and wind power to generate their electricity. Each bungalow has it’s own controller and guests can see exactly how much electricity they are using.

Waste management is done with the goal of zero waste. Water is filtered instead of purchased in plastic containers. All kitchen waste is composted. Waste water is reused to water the bush.

Ecotourism is at the heart of Tembo Kijani and Ecotourism in Tanzania.

Eco Lodge for sale on the Caribbean in Mexico

/in , /by

Eco Lodge for sale on the Costa Maya in Mexico
Maya Luna is located on beach front property on The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, a world class coral reef. The hotel offers diving, snorkeling, fly-fishing, trawling and bird watching. It is a small boutique type Eco Lodge on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. This is known as the Costa Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula, known as a desirable place to travel. The beachfront restaurant offers a daily variety of Mexican, Oriental and European flavors with staff well trained and willing to stay on.

Maya Luna is located near the small town of Mahahual. This is one of the most relaxing places and nature abounds. Tranquility is there in abundance in the unspoiled environment.

Hotel Maya Luna is located two miles south of the important Mexican-Caribbean cruise ship port and little fisherman’s town MAHAHUAL, known as Puerto Costa Maya. It is a 4.5 hours drive from the international airport of Cancun, at 360 km (219 miles). Chetumal, at 140 km (89 miles) and 1.5 hours, has a national airport with flights from Mexico City. There are daily bus services from Costa Maya to Cancun and Chetumal. Most tourists arrive in rental cars.

Maya Luna is owned by a Dutch couple. They built the resort in 2003. Their mission-statement: Maya Luna must be an eco-resort where the guests feel at ease, the Mexican employees gain a rewarding living and the owners make a fair profit.

The resort facilities include four spacious beach front bungalows that all have a beach terrace downstairs and a private roof deck upstairs, a king size bed or individual beds, bathroom, closet, hot and cold water, drinking water, beach chairs, and hammocks. One of the bungalows is fully equipped for wheel-chair travelers.
The two floor main building: Downstairs consists of a beach front restaurant, fully equipped kitchen, reception, palapa-covered patios, public toilets, and storage. Upstairs has two rooms, storage and a huge ocean view terrace.
All the buildings and parking places are situated in beautiful, tropical gardens.
The eco-resort runs 24 hours on a solar panel system with back-up generator, rainwater with big cisterns and septic tanks for the dirty water. Wireless and cellular telephone are available.
All the permits, land titles, environmental impact study and all business permits are in order. Tax and social security payments are up to date. Maya Luna has a permit to build 2 more bungalows. If you are interested, please contact the owners at info@hotelmyaluna.com.

Golfo Dulce and Earthwatch in the OSA peninsula in Costa Rica.

/in , , /by

Golfo Dulce and it’s importance. The owners of Saladaro Lodge participated in an Earthwatch sponsored program recently. They shared some of their thoughts and are taking an active role in a new study which will take place next year.

Centro de Investigación de Cetáceos CEIC – Costa Rica (http://cetaceansgolfodulce.blogspot.com/) is a non profit working to help preserve Golfo Dulce. They have been studying the whales, dolphins and the supporting habitat of the Golfo Dulce since 2005 with the intent of collecting more knowledge and monitoring impacts. Some of the dolphins they have known during this time have an advanced fungus derived from chemicals used on the palm plantations. These groups help with collecting data on species, time, temperature, actions as well as identifying individual animals and comparing to previous photos. They also monitor people’s impact on the beaches surrounding it.

As a part of the program they also study poison dart frogs on the Osa peninsula and will be starting a new study of the Aguja (needlefish) at Saladero Lodge this coming July, 2014. Our location is one of the few critical areas for the aguja spawning on the west coast of Central America. The type of rocky beach and temperature is very important for the eggs to hatch. They are a primary food source for the dolphins.  

Their primary goal is to prove that the Golfo Dulce is a unique marine area that needs to be protected and to influence the government into making all of it a Protected Marine Area.

For more information click here: http://www.saladerolodge.com/

Luxury and Eco on Holiday – Getting the Balance Right

/in , , /by

Luxury and Eco on Holidays are precious and let’s face it, we all fancy a bit of luxury to indulge our senses in.  But for the eco-conscious traveller, the challenge is to find a destination that achieves the balance between luxury and environmentally friendly.  The ‘green’ part really needs to be seamlessly integrated into the experience.

It’s not hard.  Guests can be traveling ‘green’ without really knowing it at some resorts.  Take Eco Beach for example, on Western Australia’s remote Kimberley coast.  This eco wilderness retreat boasts the 2 key ingredients of 1.Location and 2.Experience. The green part of the recipe can then be very simply integrated and just like a green smoothie, you don’t even know you’re drinking kale or spinach! It’s the right combination of Luxury and Eco on Holiday.

Passive solar architecture is a subtle, effective way to increase guest comfort without detracting from luxury and decreases the need for power hungry air-conditioning: elevated villas and tents that facilitate cooling airflow; long eaves for shade; reflective rooves ; higher angled roof pitch that decreases the surface area exposed to the midday sun; lightweight building materials that drop heat quickly; double glazed windows and orientation of buildings to capture the sea breezes. These clever initiatives are like a dash of spinach in amongst the raspberries and bananas – hidden wonders.

The top of the list green feature is the resort’s computerised hybrid renewable power system. Every villa and tent is equipped with solar arrays that gather energy from the Sun to store in a large battery bank. The grid-based solar system allows excess power generated to be diverted to areas requiring power or to be stored in the batteries.  So, energy is used on a ‘needs only’ basis. This is indeed combining Luxury and Eco on Holiday

Other green initiatives include:  a unique energy-monitoring system that enables both management and guests to check energy usage; circuit breakers to restrict the use of large power-drawing electronic devices; LED lights; louver windows to maximise the airflow; thermostatically controlled Chromogen hot water systems; multi-head split system air conditioners in the villas; sustainable bamboo floor boards; eco-decking – a composite, renewable material that combines polyethylene and organic rice husks and reduces the need for deforestation; recycling in the office and around the resort; low flow taps, toilets and showerheads; biological micro-organism sewerage treatment plant and bio-degradable cleaning and bathroom products.

In the garden: grey-water is used to water the gardens; 5,000 native plants reduce irrigation needs; over 1km of elevated boardwalks protect the natural bush floor and an organic vegetable patch in season supplies 70% of the resort kitchen’s fresh produce needs – from edible marigolds, to beans that rival those of any fairy-tale.  Kitchen scraps are composted and fed to the chickens that kindly lay some 20 eggs a day – a poignant example of the ‘great circle of life’, and a reminder that we are all interdependent. Another great example of combining Luxury and Eco on Holiday.

Going green actually creates more guest comfort and more delicious meals! And guests can sleep soundly in their premium King Beds (minus the peas under the mattresses!) under a million stars, knowing that they are supporting the sustainability of the planet.  It’s surely a win, win situation, taking a Luxury and Eco on Holiday.

Find out more about Eco Beach Resort Broome and book online.

Alternative Electricity Generation – Photovoltaic Solar Panels and Sustainable Water usage

/in , , /by

Alternative Electricity Generation is practiced at Rosa Blanca and is a model of Sustainable Tourism, which has at its core not only sustainable good practices in terms of  conservation but also in terms of generating financial stability (ie; sustainability) so that the company can continue to innovate and create newer and more solutions to the issues of win/win situations for its bottom line. After 24 years of being pioneers in this kind of green innovation, and in regard to your observations about solar or alternative energy sources we have grave misgivings about requiring photovoltaic solar panels as preferred means for generating electricity, as they are not actually sustainable at this point in time.

This is an issue that we believe is misunderstood and is a very complex and evolving topic, and one in which we have been very involved. The advantages to solar energy are on the surface very obvious; the major benefit being the mitigation of greenhouse gases that fossil fuels produce. In the case of Costa Rica, 92% of the electricity generated is from hydroelectric, Eolic (kinetic wind energy) or geothermal sources; none of which emits fossil fuels. The company that sells this electricity is a nationally owned cooperative, called Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz, from which we buy this clean power as a cooperative member (consumer). In the case of other countries or places where the “grids” mean that the electricity is created through fossil fuels, the transportation of these materials and their subsequent waste is also of concern, along with the financial impact, transportation wear and tear etc.

Basically, going off grid is a huge advantage for those in isolated areas where they cannot get access to the cooperative electricity generated through a nonpolluting or fossil fuel depleting grid.

The disadvantages, which for us in Costa Rica outweigh the advantages, are the following; solar energy is not viable at night and for a tourism business that relies on services that require electricity (ours is a luxury accommodation which requires 24 hour services to our guests) nor is it constant. Furthermore, it is drastically reduced during our rainy season where many hours of the day are spent in overcast or stormy conditions.  Beyond daily inconsistency, solar production decreases over winter months when there are fewer hours of sunlight and sun radiation is less powerful.

But more important to us, as a business (and sustainability also includes first and foremost, financial sustainability) is that solar energy production is relatively inefficient. At best it is efficient at 25% and this is not sustainable on a viable level for those businesses that have healthy alternatives to this kind of electricity. Furthermore, because of this inefficiency for converting solar power to electricity, it requires a tremendous amount of coverage in order for it to be useful. This then as a result requires us to cover a large area of land that could be used for other good practices, like reforestation, propagation of endemic species and erosion protection. Our abundance of foliage and trees does not allow much of our roofing area to be used, and what is available for sunlight is being utilized by solar panels for heating water, which is a very efficient and viable energy use. (100% of our energy for heating water is through solar panels)

Additionally, there is great polemic about the storage and inversion of solar photovoltaic cells to A/C current which for the time being in any achievable or viable financially option, requires lead based batteries. In other words, solar electricity storage technology has not reached its potential yet.  These batteries have a short life of a year or two and then need to be discarded; posing a new and more worrisome issue of what the lead and acid detritus does to the places it is discarded. They are very bulky, VERY expensive and not a good option for a business that needs to have reliability and recyclability in mind.

So in conclusion, we believe that the assumed benefits and “green” stamp that photovoltaic solar panels imply can be misleading and in our case, we are actually being much more sustainable using the system we have in place for generating electricity.

In the case of heating water, then there are no real arguments, as this is a 100% viable and efficient method for heating water and as a result, 100% of all of our hot water comes from this technology. 

Water:

All of our water comes from a well which is pumped to a holding tank and delivered via gravity to most of the hotel. We have several water saving methods which we use to monitor our water usage, including flow meters on every outlet of water which are checked daily and logged into a monitoring logbook. Not only does this allow us to keep tabs on our water use and spikes in its consumption, but also allows us find leaks quickly and efficiently.

All of our faucets, shower heads and water outlets have water saving devices and our water is checked every 3 months for contamination of any kind through a licensed and official professional laboratory approved by the Ministry of Health. Additionally all of our toilets are 3.8 liter flushes (1 gallon) and we have literature in the rooms and bathrooms asking our guests to conserve water.

Additionally, our pool water is sanitized and cleaned through copper/silver ionization which has a 100% avoidance of harmful chemicals such as chlorine, acids or other damaging materials. Finca Rosa Blanca uses all of this water from the rinsing during the pool cleaning (chemical free water) for irrigating the Coffee plants that are in the green area below the hotel.

As per the CST, there is a large portion of the biological category (25%) which is dedicated to water consumption and its monitoring.

For instance in many parts of the CST one can find norms such as the following

  • Design a plan whereby the principle norms of practice and operation of the company in environmental concerns would permit the best water quality
  • The company creates an integral operation for the use of its water taking into account the following aspects;
    • Better use of water through a monitoring system and optimization for reaching the goal of reducing its use.
    • Reusing residual water for the irrigation of its green areas
    • Guaranteeing the use of such water at its most efficient methodology
    • Utilizing any irrigation with the most efficient technology possible to minimize its use.
    • To maintain a monitoring and establish standards (benchmarks) for the utilization of water
    • Select grass species (and the species of all plants) that would best adapt to the climatic characteristics of the soil in its area
    • Establish areas of priority for irrigation, identifying those that require no or little irrigation
    • Ensure regular comparisons of the irrigation system with the intent of premature leakage, inundations form defective irrigation systems or that do not cover the area adequately,  bad pumping systems among others
    • Avoid irrigating in windy conditions or during the day
    • Follow a regular monitoring of the soil humidity levels
    • Use hydro-receptors for accumulating  ground water

We have scored 100% on the CST inspections which include all and more of these norms.  To go to their site: Finca Rosa Blanca Plantation

Finca Rosa Blanca recently updated their Eco Rating for Eco-TropicalResorts.com.  In part, the above was a response to the Eco Rating and it started a conversation.  The Eco Rating will be updated to reflect some of the views held here.  When I first started Eco Tropical Resorts there was no country getting 92% of their energy from renewable resources.

To read about an Ocean Cleanup.