• Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy?     YES/NO

If yes, please attach.
I have a draft policy, and should be able to get you an approved one in the next month or so.

• Do you have a written environmental management system?              YES/NO

If yes, please attach.

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

The aim of the 1600 acre property is to create a boutique eco-resort of 35 to 50 rooms on a small portion of the property, which would support a conservation covenant for approximately 80% of the property.  Currently the Estate House, Estate Tour and Jacks Bay Beach are the only tourism offerings.  The remainder of the property is leased for organic agriculture, cattle grazing or orchids.

• Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town (100 words max)  We are in rural Jamaica.  Robins Bay is our local village with a community size of around 1500 people.  It is primarily a farming and fishing community.  Kingston and other major city centres are an hour away.
• Describe WHY you made the decision to develop an eco resort (100 word max)

Green Castle is one of those special places where you know you want it to remain whole for the enjoyment and appreciation of future generations.  Eco-tourism is the lightest way to use the 1600 acres of land without over developing it.  As well, the local community of Robins Bay is our partner and has clearly communicated their desire to have development that keeps things green and beautiful, and encourages guests who want to come and appreciate Jamaican culture and people.

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.

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
___  air dry clothes/linens
_x__  wash dishes by hand
_x__  use energy efficient appliances and electronics
___  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:

_0__  solar
_0__  wind
__0_  hydro
__0_  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

Water

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

_x_  low flow faucets and showerheads
_x_  low water use toilets
_x_  change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
_x__use table mats that can be wiped and not laundered
__  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
__  treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes
Other water conservation activities?  Please list.

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
___  river
_25%__  rain
___  reuse gray
__75%_  public utility
Other water sources? Please list.

100% TOTAL

Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
___  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List: It is used for nonpotable needs such as laundry and toilets                                 
___  chemically.  List chemicals used:

Waste water management:
___  septic tanks
___  cesspools
__soak away drain systems_  other? List methods:

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): 3

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  (plastic only is available in JA)
___   minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment      
___   zero waste in the kitchen
_x__   serve local water, not bottled water
___   cleaning products are biodegradable
_x__   compost organic matter
Other methods to recycle waste? Please list.

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): 3 

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
___   use biodegradable cleaning products
_x__   minimize external illumination
_x__   take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat.  Please list actions and projects: Greencastle Tropical Study Center is a nonprofit 501 c 3 www.greencastletropicalstudycenter.org, which is working to maintain sustainable land uses to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the property. 

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): 3

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          93_% local nationals
__x_  use local suppliers                                85_% purchased goods produced locally
_x__  re-invest resort income locally            100_% income re-invested locally
_x__  pay above local prevailing wage
_x__  pay into local social security
___  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
___  provide sustainable transport to work for staff
__x_  take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects. We are sponsoring an environmental camp this summer for primary age children.  Other projects are always in the works.

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): 3.0

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

• Please describe your single most important eco achievement:  Introducing low-impact tourism has been good for the land as well as the community.  It has brought much needed income that has made keeping the land undeveloped viable.  The message of ecotourism has spread to Robins Bay community and has begun to create a mentality that ‘bush’ can be good.

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

We are looking to replace our electric water heater with solar.  We will also refurbish an additional rain catchment tank to increase the amount of rain water we use and reduce national water use. 

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

The Greencastle Tropical Study Centre and the Robins Bay Citizens Association have partnered to have two Peace Corps volunteers placed with us from the Environmental Sector.  They will be working with us to promote conservation and environmental programs in the area over the next two years.