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

If yes, please attach.    See Attached.

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

If yes, please attach.   See attached

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

We built this Eco lodge to share with our visitors the wonders of nature and to promote the need to conserve our natural resources.  The property is located on 60 acres owned, maintained and cultivated by us.
We have planted 3,500 trees to help us offset the energy we are consuming and contribute with oxygen production. We do not use chemicals on our fields only organic fertilizers from our composts.

Our initial construction area equals 1,200 Square meters (13,000 sq.ft)

We offer 4 Casitas (Cabanas) and 3 Guestrooms for a total of 7 rooms that can accommodate up to 14 people.  We also offer Spa services with alternative therapies including; therapeutic baths, aroma therapy, body wraps, Finnish sauna and yoga classes.

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

Hacienda Puerta del Cielo Eco lodge & Spa, seats at the rim of Volcan Masaya National Park at the top of the mountains surrounding it.  Our back yard is the volcano field (one of them active) and Lake Masaya. 

We are located within limits of the city of Masatepe which is located 4 kms from our Eco lodge in the Masaya department.
We are 45 minutes away from Managua International Airport and 25 minutes away from the Granada, Nicaragua’s historic and colonial gem.

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

Being an Architect, I have always been interested in energy conservation and designing within the given environment, to minimize the human imprint of the ecosystem.
I purchased this land to build a summer residence for my family, but I later decided that I needed to share our wonderful surroundings with the rest of the world as a way to help spread the word and create consciousness about conserving and protecting our natural resources.
Developing this eco lodge and following the best practices of ecotourism, allow us to help economically the local community that surround us. So it is a win-win situation.

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
We have 4 air conditioners in our Casitas that will only be turned on during the hottest months (2).  There is an additional sur-charge for their use to create consciousness on the responsible use of them by our guest. The Guestrooms have fans.
__X_  use natural light during the day
_X__  minimize use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines and equipment
__X_  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 or LED 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
___  wind
___  hydro
___  generator
100%_  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:  
We are studying the possibility of integrating wind power next year, when we expect better equipment to be available

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
_X_  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
_X_  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
_40%_  rain
___  reuse gray
_60%__  public utility
Other water sources? Please list.
We use rain water collected on a 100,000 gls cistern to irrigate our gardens and vegetable garden

100% TOTAL

Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
___  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List:                                  
___  chemically.  List chemicals used:

Waste water management:
__X_  septic tanks
___  cesspools
___  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): 4

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
__X_   compost organic matter
Other methods to recycle waste? Please list. All waste from our fields are use on composting.

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):  5 

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
__X_   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. 
_X__   Landscaping with native plants
Please list actions
and projects:

 
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

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                               100 % 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
_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. They live in our Hotel
_X__  take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects.
___  Have enrolled your staff in any personal green training/certification schemes such as ecohelpline.com green leaf certification.

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):

We have three final questions which are not part of the eco rating:  3.8 

• Please describe your single most important eco achievement:

To built a beautiful eco lodge that incorporates Nicaraguan architecture and art (our eco lodge is full of murals from local artists), as well as showcase the natural environment of our country.

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

We are waiting for new wind generators to come to market to have less dependency from the public utilities.

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