Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel
Third Quarter 2006
Price: $2.00 USD
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
SPECIAL FEATURE:
GREEN BUILDING
& NATIVE LANDSCAPING
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
CHINA’S FIRST PLANNED ECOLODGE
TAKES A METAPHYSICAL APPROACH
THE CASE FOR
NATIVE LANDSCAPING
EVERDAY ECOTOURISM
AGROECOTOURISM: ECOAGRI-
CULTURE AND PERMACULTURE
GUATEMALA UTILIZES
ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE
FUTURE ECOCURRENTS TOPICS
Log on to TIES new and
improved Web site at:
www.ecotourism.org
E c oCu rre n ts
Editor: Katie Maschman
Copy Editor: Dave Mesrey
Letter from the editor
T he allure of land and its connections to culture plays a large role in the principles
of sustainable tourism development and in the inspiration of traveler affinities.
Connection to place means connection to people. Architecture (both building and
landscape) has the unique capacity to establish experiential links between a culture and
the land in which its inhabitants dwell.
In recognition of these connections, I’m pleased to bring you this edition of EcoCurrents.
Featuring green-building, native landscaping, and innovative technology, we hope
to highlight the philosophy of and recent developments within these themes. If this
publication inspires you to learn more about or to implement green-building and native
landscaping projects, please take advantage of the
practical resources in the Business to Business section
of TIES Web site (www.ecotourism.org).
I encourage you to share your thoughts with fellow TIES
members. For potential insertion in future issues of
EcoCurrents, write us at newsletters@ecotourism.org.
—Katie Maschman
TIES Membership Director
1 China’s First Planned Ecolodge
Takes a Metaphysical Approach
1
By Frances Figart
4
5 C an you imagine working with a small indigenous community in China to create an
ecolodge that celebrates bamboo and takes into account the chi and feng shui of the
native landscape? While it might be hard for most of us to envision, planning such an
ecotourism destination and tshen working with others to make it a reality is seemingly all
7
in a day’s work for Hitesh Mehta.
8
Mehta, a world-renowned landscape architect and environmental planner — and one of
the world’s leading authorities on ecotourism planning and ecolodge design — has worked
11 with many indigenous communities during his tenure at EDSA, a planning and landscape
architecture firm based in Florida, USA.
He’s worked on projects in Madagascar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, Kenya, Mexico,
Dominica, Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo, Turks and Caicos, (Continued on page 3)
 Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel

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BROCHURESsLOGOSsGRAPHICDESIGN

WWWLAURENPETERSONNET

2
Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel
China’s EcoLodge Con’t
(Continued from page 1)

Galapagos, Gabon, Fiji, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St.

Vincent, and the Grenadines. But his current work on
the Crosswaters Ecolodge in the Nankun Mountain
Reserve in Guangdong, South China, gives him a
special kind of energy.

“This project represents the first planned ecotourism

destination in China,” Mehta says. He’s worked hard with
the locals and with Longmen Mt. Nankun Zhongheng
Ecotourism Development Co. to protect and enhance
Aesthetic design of Crosswaters Ecolodge
the existing forest biodiversity. “That not only involves
the local people,” he says, “but also helps them benefit spaces and relationships to gardens and [their]
from the development.” This injects much needed capital philosophical connections with the bamboo,” Mehta says.
into the local economy and also yields a profit. “That not
only respects the spirit of the place,” Mehta says, “but From a topological map provided by the client, the
enriches it through thoughtful, sensitive, sustainable team used Geographic Information Systems to better
planning and design.” understand the watershed, vegetation, hydrology,
and land use, and to analyze various aspects of slope,
Site Analysis elevation, and terrain. These analyses helped them
Nankun Mountain Nature Reserve, 80 miles northeast identify the optimum locations for the various buildings.
of Guangzhou, South China, was established in 1984 For instance, careful study of the riparian corridors
to protect the subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest. determined that the confluence of two rivers held
The nature reserve lies within the boundaries of the the most potential for development of the ecolodge.
Nankun Shan Forest Park, which covers an area of 260
square kilometers. There are more than 1,300 plants “We also brought in a local renowned feng shui master
in the park, with more than 30 square kilometers of with 20 years’ experience to help us analyze the
bamboo. There are also more chi of the site,” Mehta says. “South China is
than 75 nationally protected the center of feng shui beliefs and thought
bird species in the reserve, processes, and we felt that the local cultural
including the Mountain “South China is the and spiritual values needed to be respected.
Scopes Owl, Grey-
Headed Woodpecker center of feng shui beliefs and It’s crucial that the chi of the site is
not disturbed during development.”
and Orange-Bellied
Leafbird. There
thought processes, and we felt
Community Involvement
are more than that the local cultural and spiritual Mehta and his team asked
175 species Longmen to organize a kickoff
of butterflies; values needed to be respected. It is meeting with the Keijas, where
four of them are
considered near-
crucial that the chi of the site is not they learned local views on
development in the surrounding
threatened. More disturbed during development.” areas to ensure that the site was used
than 5,000 people live to develop a truly authentic ecolodge.
in the reserve, and their
main source of income is
the harvesting of bamboo ~Hitesh Mehta The design team interacted with local
bamboo artisans and craftspeople, and gave
for use in scaffolding in several presentations on ecotourism and
Guangzhou and Hong Kong. ecolodges to the local authorities. Eager to be
involved in the planning process, the local people proudly
In determining their design strategy, Mehta and the invited the team into their homes to share their thoughts
planning team carried out an in-depth environmental, and concerns. Due to this community participation in the
social, and metaphysical analysis. They made three ecotourism plan, the team was even able to convince the
visits during the winter, spring, and summer, studying developer not to demolish the local village, but instead
the ways of living of the local minority Chinese people
3 — the Keija. “We particularly studied their internal
to celebrate it and turn it into a rural tourism attraction.
(Continued on page 6)
 Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel

The Case for Native Landscaping

By Michael Bocking

C ontemporary tourist facility development often

results in the loss of indigenous vegetation — and
in its replacement by horticultural species selected for
can enhance our understanding and our appreciation of
both native flora and native culture. The conservation
of natural areas and the use of indigenous plants in
their exotic appeal. The result is a landscape that values landscaping recognize this connection.
the man-made over the natural — and one that belongs
to nowhere in particular. A golf putting green in North Natural systems are self-sustaining. Native plants have
America looks very much like a putting green in Europe adapted over time to local conditions, and they’re
or Australia. When we lose our connection to the natural typically more resilient to disease, fire, and drought
landscape, we lose the sense of uniqueness of the place than non-native species. Re-vegetated areas provide
we’ve come to visit. valuable wildlife habitat
and moderate surface
More and more travelers want to experience authentic temperatures; they also
natural areas. For those visitors, natural landscapes retain moisture, slow the
provide a welcome contrast to the urban environments in rate of water runoff, and
which most live. They’re an important part of what visitors reduce the potential for
expect to find at an ecotourism destination. Visitors don’t soil erosion. And because
expect to see intensively managed landscapes that rely on naturalized landscapes
fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. Instead, they hope to don’t need fertilizers,
find a natural environment where humans leave a small herbicides, or intensive
footprint — and where nature is respected and protected. mowing and pruning,
Since our surroundings create our sense of place, the they require less fossil
landscape viewed from the window is as important as the fuel to maintain than
view along a wilderness trail. cultivated landscapes —
and are therefore more
While it’s preferable that ecotourism development sustainable.
minimizes the impact on natural areas, it’s sometimes
necessary to restore areas that have been disturbed prior Landscaping in remote
to or during construction. Re-vegetation with native ecotourism destinations
plants maintains visual integrity with the surrounding faces special challenges.
landscape and creates habitat for indigenous wildlife. In general, the more Natural landscapes are the model
Restoration projects can also serve as outdoor remote the site, the greater for landscape restoration.
classrooms, providing an opportunity to educate visitors the visitors’ expectations
about local flora and fauna. Plant identification tags, of a natural setting. Where it’s necessary to restore a
brochures, and outdoor displays allow for self-guided disturbed area, detailed ecological knowledge is needed
interpretation, while local naturalists can provide more to prescribe the appropriate plants for a particular site. In
in-depth knowledge and responses to visitors’ questions. remote areas, non-native species could become invasive,
Areas that undergo a naturalization can demonstrate the resulting in widespread ecological damage. Another issue
ecological connections between climate, flora and fauna, is the availability of plants for re-vegetation. Salvaging
and the ways in which landscapes change over time. and transplanting native plants from areas scheduled for
development might be possible. If native plants aren’t
Natural landscapes are also cultural landscapes. Visitors available through nurseries, it might be necessary to
seeking to understand the relationship between local develop a propagation program to provide the plants
people and the local environment enjoy discovering how needed over time.
native plants have been traditionally used for food, shelter,
medicines, arts and crafts, and ceremonial purposes. When we understand local ecosystems and the conditions
Tourists might be surprised to learn, for example, that necessary for optimum growth, we can restore disturbed
the western red cedar, which was carved to make totem areas and create landscapes that will support more
poles, was also used to make clothing, ropes, and baskets. ecological diversity. Restoration could include small-
Opportunities to demonstrate how plants in the area scale native replantings around buildings, wetland
have been harvested and used by indigenous people enhancements, 4
4 (Continued on page 9)
 Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel

Everday Ecotourism

By Jessie Sackett

I t’s a common sight in hotel rooms these days: The

little card informing you that you can conserve water
and energy by reusing your towels and sheets, or asking
you to turn off the lights when you leave your room. The
fact that such programs have become the status quo in
four-star hotels and motels alike is an important step for
the environment, but the truth is it’s only a step.

The built environment has a profound impact on both

environmental and human health. In the United States
alone, buildings account for more than one-third of
all energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and the
Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air
quality as one of the top five environmental health risks.
Green-building — designing and constructing buildings
that are not only profitable but also environmentally
responsible and healthy places to live and work — is Len Foote Hike Inn, LEED Gold
imperative if we want to protect the environment and Georgia, USA
our communities for the future. Energy efficiency
owners who want to demonstrate their commitment to
and water conservation are important components of
environmental stewardship.
green-building, but transforming the built environment
requires a “whole building” approach to sustainability.
The benefits of LEED certification are numerous,
including reduced greenhouse gas emissions; significant
The LEED Green Building
energy and water savings; increased occupant health,
System, a voluntary,
comfort, and productivity; and drastic reductions in
consensus-based standard
materials consumption and waste generation. For all
for green-building
these reasons, a growing number of hotels are “going
design, construction, and
green” with the LEED Rating System. The Hilton
operations, promotes
Vancouver Washington, for example, a 226-room hotel
the whole building
connected to Vancouver’s new convention center, is
approach by recognizing
registered to earn LEED certification and expects to
performance in five
save $80,000 year on energy costs.1
categories: sustainable
site development,
The Inn & Conference Center at the University of
energy efficiency, water
Maryland, a Marriott property that was the first hotel
conservation, indoor
in the country to earn LEED certification, has also
environmental quality,
realized significant savings and sees its certification as
and materials and
a competitive advantage. “Operating an eco-friendly
resources. By offering
hotel is not only good for the environment, but makes
independent, third-
Kandalama Hotel, LEED Bronze good business sense,” says hotel manager Bob Allen.
party verification
Sri Lanka “We’ve found that our guests also appreciate our efforts
that a building meets
to protect the environment.”2
established performance
benchmarks, LEED (Leadership in Energy and
It’s not just large hotel chains that are pursuing LEED
Environmental Design) helps building owners and
certification. The Len Foote Hike Inn at Amicalola
operators ensure that their buildings will perform
Falls, a small rustic retreat located deep within Georgia’s
as expected. And because LEED certification is the
Chattahoochee National Forest, was the second building
nationally recognized standard for high-performance
in the state to earn LEED gold-level certification. And
buildings, it’s also a valuable marketing tool for hotel
the Kandalama Hotel, a luxury hotel located within the
5 (Continued on page 10)
 Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel
China’s Ecolodge (Continued from page 3)
“We helped the client build a truly
Bamboo international consultant team, including
the top two bamboo designers in the
world,” Mehta says. “The core consultant
team represents six continents, and
Bamboo is called the the rest of the expertise is local —
both from academic and professional
“friend of the people” in fields.” The architect of record is
based in Guangzhou, while some
China because of its di- of the most renowned academics in
South China have provided input in
verse use in everything ecology, ornithology, plant selection,
horticulture, and tourism planning.
from food and cook-
Crosswaters Ecolodge Thanks to the feng shui master, the
ing to furniture, paper, “chi” of the site is harnessed around
a bamboo entry bridge. All other structures, which utilize abundant local
musical instruments, materials such as earth, clay tiles, marble, recycled railway ties, and river stones,
are symmetrically arranged on the bridge’s feng shui axis. Local craftsmen
boats, and houses. were mentored in the construction of this bridge — the first of its kind outside
Colombia, allowing them to learn a new skill they can use in the future.

Sustainable Planning and Design

Crosswaters Ecolodge As a result of this international teamwork, Nankun Mountain Nature Reserve will be
an ecotourism destination that provides a variety of experiences and accommodation
celebrates the spirit facilities. The opening of the upscale Crosswaters Ecolodge this fall is just the
beginning. The overall nature reserve ecotourism plan calls, over a 10-year period,
of bamboo in its for the sustainable development of a boutique 25-room lodge called Sumoaping River
Lodge, a three-star Village Lodge, a visitors and interpretation center in Shangping
landscape architecture, Village, a bamboo museum, a retail and civic center, and an enhanced trail system.
Tourists who visit the reserve will enjoy mountain climbing, hiking, boating, birding,
architecture, and tubing, cycling, walking, swimming, astronomy, wine-tasting, and fruit picking.

interior design. The The planning and design of Crosswaters Ecolodge also celebrates the rich
garden history of China, with plants and materials native to the region. “We
ecolodge represents researched and analyzed ancient Chinese gardens to understand the relationships
between inside and outside and cosmic orientations of buildings and gardens,”
the largest commercial Mehta says. “This research was then used in the planning and design of the
various gardens, each of which has its roots in Chinese poetry and history.”
project in the world
The botanical garden will showcase bamboo species from China and act as
that uses bamboo an interpretive experience for guests. Other gardens include a lotus garden,
a reflective moon garden, a seven-sages Tao garden, a bamboo sculpture
and the first time garden, a butterfly garden, and an organic rice and vegetable garden.

bamboo has been used
in Asia as a structural
element in a large-scale
place of habitation.
In May, EDSA received the prestigious Award of Honor in the Analysis and Planning
category from the American Society of Landscape Architects for Crosswaters
Ecolodge, one of only four winners selected by the jury out of 122 national and
international entries. For more information, visit www.crosswaters.com.cn.
Frances Figart is a magazine editor who plans to launch Green Travel magazine in 2007 to raise
public awareness about sustainable travel and the industry professionals who make it possible.
Learn more about her work at www.greentravel.biz.
6
 Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel

Agroecotourism: Ecoagriculture And Permaculture

By Christina Cavaliere

G lobal biodiversity is under extreme threat

due to unsustainable monocrop agriculture
that promotes the clearing of species-rich natural
vegetation and habitat. Concurrently, sustainable
community-based ecotourism initiatives that rely on and
attempt to conserve these threatened natural areas face
many challenges. Agroecotourism is a market-linked
method of biodiversity conservation and sustainable
rural community development that addresses this
interface of challenges. As industry statistics have seen
market growth in rural travel through agrotourism (also
known as farm tourism) it is critical for the ecotourist
to be made aware of sustainable options within this Organic Cocoa Farm for
growth area. Agroecotourism is a grassroots ecotourism Specialty Chocolate in Costa Rica
movement where profitable community-based initiatives
additional visitor demand by producing natural,
meet sustainable agriculture systems.
handmade, and locally grown products.
What is Agroecotourism?
What is Ecoagriculture?
Agroecotourism is an element within sustainable
Monocrop agriculture strips natural landscapes to
agriculture operations that addresses the acute threat
produce one crop and introduces a multitude of
to biodiversity by increasing landscape diversity,
pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. In contrast,
implementing the core principles of ecotourism, and
polycrop organic farm operations include all elements
incorporating the essential practices of ecoagriculture
of the natural landscape and introduce hundreds
and permaculture. Agroecotourism, as a component
of biome-appropriate species of flora and fauna
of sustainable, organic, polycrop agricultural systems,
for food production and long term investments
meets the desires of a growing niche market segment,
such as timber. The sustainable agrosystems where
promotes agrobiodiversity and environmental
agroecotourism products flourish contributes to
integrity, and contributes to community development.
ecologically sound development through organic
This unique travel segment is designed for nature
practices, thus reducing pollutants released into
travelers who seek an in-depth understanding of low-
surrounding natural and protected areas. As community
impact lifestyles, local communities, and sustainable
based businesses, these organic farms boost local
agriculture. In addition, agroecotourism activities
economies through job creation and increased revenue
promote non-extractive interpretation-based
for local goods and services. Ecoagricultural approaches
activities in order to increase visitor appreciation of land-
to land design and management increases the motivation
use planning, environmentally conscious businesses
for tourists’ visits and at the same time decreases the
practices, renewable energy projects, community
pressures and impacts of tourists to protected areas.
development initiatives, and social services projects.
These diversified and managed landscapes serve several
Furthermore, agroecotourism operations meet an
functions that are both attractive to the ecotourists and to
environmental conservation.
For instance, they attract
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Primary Components of environment through
7 Primary Components of
Agrotourism Agroecotourism (Continued on page 10)
 Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel
Destination Highlight:

Guatemala Utilizes Ancient Knowledge

By Melissa Leggett

W ith an end to the region’s longest running civil war, Edmundo Solis,
Guatemala – a country rich in Mayan civilizations manager of the
as well as a Spanish colonial architecture – is rapidly Hotel Jaguar
growing as a Central American ecotourism destination. Inn in the Tikal
In 2004, Guatemala enjoyed a 34 percent growth in jungle region,
international arrivals, demonstrating its expanding draw explains that the
in the global marketplace. According to the Guatemalan use of sustainable
Tourism Institute, more than one million international materials for
tourists visited Guatemala from January through building the
August 2006 — a record number. Guatemala boasts hotel’s restaurant
exceptional diversity in archaeological sites and strong came not from a Tikal National Park, Guatemala
Mayan cultures that reigned until Spanish colonization. detailed design
And now with national ecotourism organizations such plan, but “as a necessity that was satisfied with local
as Alianza Verde and Puerta Mundo Maya working to materials.” Materials from the jungle such as quano (palm
conserve and promote the natural and cultural resources, leaves), bejucos (wild vines), and stones are used for roof,
community-based tourism and ecotourism are two of structure, and pathway construction, minimizing the
the major activity draws in Guatemala. need for imported materials.

Because more than half of Guatemala’s population is
indigenous, its hotel and ecolodge construction are able
to reflect the strengths of native culture and practices.
The use of both local materials for construction and
organic farming is widespread. Many techniques, such as
the local production of organic cotton, have been a part
of traditional customs for much of history, although they
sometimes aren’t officially organically certified.
Indigenous methodologies are still extensively used
throughout many Mayan communities in Guatemala,
and they continue to demonstrate the beneficial balance
between nature and the local peoples. Fransisco Sandoval,
manager of Uxlabil Atitlan in the Mayan village of San
Juan La Laguna near Lake Atitlan, understands the
importance of local building materials to the overall
experience of this ecolodge. (Continued on next page)

GUATEMALAN NATIONAL ECOTOURSIM

ALIANZA VERDE provides information on ecotourism destinations within Guatemala and administers the Green
Deal certification program. www.alianzaverde.org
The MESOAMERICAN ECOTOURISM ALLIANCE is committed to the development of sustainable tourism as a means
for supporting conservation efforts throughout Mesoamerica, including Guatemala. www.travelwithmea.org
MUNDO MAYA ORGANIZATION works regionally on cultural and environmental development of the Mayan world
region. www.mundomayaorganizacion.org
PUERTA MUNDO MAYA has helped establish an ecotourism route completely operated by Q’eqchi’ communities.
www.puertamundomaya.com

8
Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel
Guatemala Con’t
(Continued from previous page)
Using the centuries-old building techniques of the
Tzutuhil Mayan, the hotel was constructed from
excavated stone that displays carved images throughout
the restaurant; the image designs emulate those of the
local historical church.

Modern influences and technologies such as solar

energy are also being applied to hotel and ecolodge
construction in Guatemala. Hildegard Valle, manager
of San Gregorio Wellness Retreat south of Guatemala
City, explains that although San Gregorio is not defined
as an ecolodge, this four-star boutique hotel and spa
is taking special measures to implement sustainable
principles. They plan to use solar energy as the primary
resource for heating all the hotel’s water, while the
restaurant will serve local organic produce.

Guatemala, with its living Mayan culture, impressive

archeological and architectural sites, traditional
organic farming techniques, and present-day use of
sustainable construction materials, is one of today’s
hotspots on the Mesoamerican eco-circuit.

Melissa Leggett, former TIES Intern, is a recent graduate of

the University of California, Irvine, where she earned her B.A.
in International Studies. She currently resides in Berkeley,
California, and will be traveling to New Zealand in 2007.

Native Landscaping Con’t

(Continued from page 4)

and long-term, larger-scale reforestation projects.

Restoration could also involve the construction of bird
blinds and nesting boxes, or recording the number of
species present over time. Some of these initiatives can
give visitors opportunities to get involved and to make a
personal contribution to landscape restoration.

The key to successful landscape naturalization at

ecotourism destinations is a collective vision of conser-
vation, in which the local, natural environment is valued
and seen as the model for landscape restoration. It’s based
on an understanding of how natural systems function,
a respect for indigenous culture, and a desire to create
landscapes that are ultimately self-sustaining. Moreover,
it’s what ecotourists come to see.
Author Michael Bocking revegetating lake edge

Michael Bocking is a landscape architect who specializes in ecologically based planning and design. His experience includes work
in parks, as well as in private natural areas. His travels have taken him to ecotourist facilities in Central America, the Caribbean,
Australia, and New Zealand. Michael and his wife, Evelyn, live on their 135-acre nature sanctuary outside Victoria, British
Columbia, Canada.
9
 Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel
Agroecotourism con’t
(Continued from page 7)
increased interpretation. They reduce or eliminate the
use of toxic agrochemicals and soil erosion, and also
highlight local community knowledge of food production
and traditional landscape management.
What is Permaculture?
The term permaculture, coined by Bill Mollison
(renowned Australian ecologist) in 1978, combines
permanent agriculture and permanent culture. Patterns
found in naturally occurring environments are studied
to both dictate and enhance system synergy. Food
production is the primary focus of the design of these
ecological landscapes and combines multi-use plants,
cultural practices, animal assistance for nutrient recycling
and weed control, energy-efficient buildings, wastewater
treatment, recycling, and land stewardship.1 The
philosophical studies that support organic permaculture
practices have evolved to incorporate co-housing projects,
eco-villages, sustainable tourism products, and on-site
trainings. This allows cross over from rural to urban
and from family farms to whole villages. Permaculture
incorporates designing and living in regenerative systems
where visitors are encouraged to integrate these principles
and techniques into their home communities.
Agroecotourism and permaculture products that benefit
local residents, the environment, and visitors include
greenbuildings; landscape planning; consumption
and sale of organic foodstuff; educational programs
and training including organic gardening, compost
making, wild herbs collection, and traditional food and
beverage processing, and renewable energies. Successful
agroecotourism ventures also involve extensive
environmental and cultural interpretation with activities
ranging from day classes to full-scale, accredited courses
of study. An internationally recognized Permaculture
Design Certificate (PDC) is available to homeowners,
tourism operators, landscape architects, teachers, and
trainers. Off-site permaculture activities often include
visiting private farms, protected areas, industrial farms (for
comparison lessons), and local communities.
Ecoagriculture sites that incorporate agroecotourism
operations provide tourists the opportunity to
witness examples of permaculture design, organic
agroforestry research, and the application of
appropriate traditional and innovative tools,
skills, and practices for ecological management.
Many permaculture sites are surrounded by primary and
secondary forests that were affected by deforestation,
conventional farming practices, and livestock
production. Agroforestry is commonly used as an applied
development approach to agriculture within permaculture
practices. Successful agroecotourism products build
strong global connections between permaculture sites,
ecotourism operators, travel agents, educational
institutions, and domestic and international tourists.
Agroecotourism is a diversified market approach
that operates within sustainable ecoagricultural
systems and addresses the environmental, socio-
cultural, and economic complexities facing local
communities by utilizing ecotourism principles,
community-based initiatives and sustainable ecosystem
management. Agroecotourism offers essential
components to maintaining rural life and a human
connection to food production. It is thus becoming an
increasingly popular tourism and educational option,
as well as a vehicle to support ecoagricultural systems.
A diversified system, albeit ecological, agricultural,
economical, or social, is a stable system.
1
Diver, Steve. Revised August 2002. United States of America. Appropriate
Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA). http://attra.ncat.org/
attra-pub/perma.html#defined
Christina Cavaliere is TIES Director of Training and Education.
She’s spent several years analyzing the interface of tropical ecology
and sustainable development in various equatorial regions.
This article is based on excerpts from her postgraduate research
on tropical ecoagriculture and agroecotourism. Christina
earned her Permaculture Design Certificate in Costa Rica.
For more information on the themes discussed, please contact
education@ecotourism.org.
Everyday Ecotourism Con’t
(Continued from page 5)
culturally and ecologically rich Kandalama region of Sri
Lanka, earned LEED certification as part of its overall
commitment to environmentally friendly practices and
superior guest accommodations.
The ecotourism industry has grown exponentially in the
last few years, but eco-conscious traveling can — and
should — be an everyday occurrence. The US Green
Building Council (USGBC) is working to educate the
public and the industry about the benefits of green-
building and is giving them the tools to make it a
reality. From business travelers to family road-trippers,
customers are increasingly aware of the impact that
buildings have on our health and on our planet. They’re
seeking hotels that are filled with natural light and
fresh air, that conserve resources, and that don’t pollute
our environment. With the LEED rating system, hotel
owners and operators can respond to this demand and
help create a healthy and sustainable future for us all.
1
Hotel and Motel Management, www.hotelmotel.com/hotelmotel/
article/articleDetail.jsp?id=337417
2
UMUC, http://www.umuc.edu/events/press/news222.html
Jessie Sackett manages communications for the USGBC. For 10
more information on USGBC, please go to www.usgbc.org.
 Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel

Future EcoCurrents Topics

The next edition of EcoCurrents will focus on Cultural

Heritage + Handicrafts: Products + Services. We
encourage members to submit articles on the role of
ecotourism within these topics, particularly community
development and cultural interpretation.

Please submit letters and future articles to

newsletters@ecotourism.org by December 1, 2006 for
potential inclusion in 4th Quarter 2006 EcoCurrents.

Photo Credits:
Clockwise from top left on each page

Page 1: Photos courtesy of Hitesh Mehta.

Page 3: Photo courtesy of Hitesh Mehta.
Page 4: Photo credit - Evelyn Samuel.
Page 5: Photo courtesy of US Green Building Council; Photo
credit: Mario Seneviratne.
Page 6: Photo courtesy of Hitesh Mehta.
Page 7: Article photo credits - Christina Cavaliere.
Page 8: Article photo credits - Katie Maschman.
Page 9: Ad photo credit - Katrina Shum;
Article photo credit - Evelyn Samuel.
Page 11: Photo credit - Katrina Shum.
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 Uniting Conservation, Communities, and Sustainable Travel

TIES SPONSOR MEMBERS

Adventure Life Journeys • Alaska Wildland Adventures • Amazonia Expeditions • Aventuras Naturales - Pacuare Lodge • Canadian
Mountain Holidays Inc. (C.M.H.) • Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (at Conservation International) • Crossing
Latitudes, Inc • ecoAfrica Travel • Ecoventura/Galapagos Network • El Pescador Resorts • Finca Rosa Blanca Country Inn • Green
Hotels of Costa Rica • Holbrook Travel • Horizontes Nature Tours • InkaNatura Travel • International Expeditions, Inc • INTRAV /
Clipper Cruise Lines • Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd • Jungle Bay Resort and Spa • Lapa Rios Ecolodge • Legitify • Lindblad Expeditions
• Maho Bay Camps, Inc. • Micato Safaris • NatureAir • Nomadic Journeys Ltd • OARS (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists) •
Rainforest Expeditions (Posada Amazonas/Tambopata) • Rhino Walking Safaris • Rivers Fiji • Solimar Marketing & Travel • Tiamo
Resorts • Trans Niugini Tours • Wilderness Travel • Wildland Adventures

TIES NATIONAL & REGIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism Association • AMTAVE (Mexican Association of Adventure Tourism & Ecotourism) •
Armenian Ecotourism Association • Asociación Ecoturismo Guatemala • Asociación Ecuatoriana de Ecoturismo - ASEC • Brazilian
Society for The Environment • Camara Nacional de Ecoturismo de Costa Rica (CANAECO) • Central Balkan Kalofer Ecotourism
Association • Discover Nepal • EcoBrasil - Associacao Brasileira de Ecoturismo • Eco-Nigeria – Ecotourism Society of Nigeria •
Ecotourism Australia • Ecotourism Kenya • Ecotourism Laos - Mekkong Tourism Development Project • Ecotourism Norway •
Ecotourism Society of Sri Lanka (ESSL) • Ecotourism Society Pakistan • Ecotourism Society Philippines Foundation • Ecotourism
Society of Saskatchewan • Ecoturismo Italia • Estonian Ecotourism Association (ESTECAS) • Fiji Ecotourism Association • French
Ecotourism Society • Grand Bahama Island Ecotourism Association • Green Tourism Association • Hawaii Ecotourism Association
• Indonesian Ecotourism Network (INDECON Foundation) • Iriomote Island Ecotourism Association • Japan Ecolodge Association
(ECOLA) • Japan Ecotourism Society (JES) • Kunigami Toruism Association (KUTA) • La Ruta de Sonora Ecotourism Association •
Mesoamerican Ecotourism Alliance (MEA) • Mongolian Ecotourism Society • Murghab Ecotourism Association (META) • Sri Lanka
Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) • Sustainable West Virginia • Swedish Ecotourism Society • Taiwán Ecotourism Association • Thai
Ecotourism & Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) • The Ontario Ecotourism Society (TOES) • Toledo Eco Tourism Association •
Virginia EcoTourism Association
TIES BOARD

Heba Aziz, Ministry of Tourism, Oman • Tracy Berno, University of the South Pacific, Fiji • Rajiv Bhartari, Indian Forest Service &
Corbett Tiger Reserve, India • Sylvie Blangy (Development Chair), TUKTU Ecotourism Consultants, France • Kelly Bricker (Board
Chair) , WILD-U, Fiji & USA • Tony Charters (Vice Chair), Tony Charters & Associates, Australia • Richard Denman (Secretary), The
Tourism Company, United Kingdom • Andrew Fairley (Treasurer), Turtle Island, Fiji & Australia • Kamelia Georgieva, Human
Research Center, Bulgaria • Nandita Jain, Independent Consultant, India & USA • Glenn Jampol, Finca Rosa Blanca Country Inn,
Costa Rica • Karen Lewis, Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Costa Rica & USA • Clare Mcfarlane, Aries Tours, Australia • Hitesh Mehta, EDSA,
USA • John Poutasse, Attorney, USA • Ravi Ruparel, The World Bank; Uganda • Chandra de Silva, Ranweli Holiday Village, Sri
Lanka • Keith W. Sproule, Independent Consultant, USA • Masaru Takayama, Japan Ecolodge Association, Japan • Louise
Twining-Ward, Tourism Resource Consultants, USA • Wolfgang Strasdas, University of Eberswalde, Germany • Jan Wigsten,
Nomadic Journeys, Mongolia & Sweden • Carolyn Wild, WILD International, Canada

TIES STAFF

Courtney Baggett, Events Coordinator • Amos Bien, Director of International Programs • Christina Cavaliere, Director of
Training andEducation • Alice Crabtree, Asia-Pacific Director and Research Associate on Certification • David Diedrich, Director
of Finance and Administration • Ayako Ezaki, Asia-Pacific Coordinator • Martha Honey, Ph.D., Executive Director • Katie
Maschman, Director of Membership and Communications

CONTACT TIES:
1333 H St NW, Suite 300E, Washington DC 20005, USA • Tel: +1(202)347-9203 • Fax: +1(202)789-7279 • www.ecotourism.org