About You and the Property

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

If yes, please attach. See http://www.piedrablanca.org/eco-guidelines.htm

• Do you have a written environmental management system?              NO

If yes, please attach.

• Describe the property – aim, size, facilities, amount of land owned and leased  (150 words max)
  A simple yet beautifully set, peaceful, traditional design ecolodge/cabana with 4 rooms in the tiny hamlet of Piedra Blanca.  Restaurant, showers and toilets located in separate buildings.

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

Piedra Blanca is at an altitude of approximately 600 metres above sea level at the Western foot of the Andes, a 75 minute walk from the town of San Luis de Pambil, Bolivar Province, Ecuador.

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 (no hot water)
_x__  air dry clothes/linens
_x__  wash dishes by hand
___  use energy efficient appliances and electronics
___  use low wattage fluorescent light bulbs
___  change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
_x__  switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:
 A recycling programme is  in development along with the local NGO CRACYP, though currently no recycling takes place.

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
___  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, for Level 5, 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:

__  low flow faucets and showerheads
__  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.
The forest of Piedra Blanca is the source of water for the nearby regions lower in altitude, including San Luis de Pambil, and as such the local preservation of the forest helps keep that water clean.
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
___  rain
___  reuse gray
___  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:                                  
___  chemically.  List chemicals used:

Waste water management:
___  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, for Level 5, 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):  1

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
___   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
___  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, for Level 5, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record recycling and waste; (2) test and apply additional recycling and waste conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific recycling and waste targets.   Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Recycling and Waste Level 5 (required).

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

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 (planned)
___   Use biodegradable cleaning products
_x__   Minimize external illumination  
___  Take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat.  Please list actions and projects:
Locals are taught the importance of conserving the rainforest, much of which is privately owned land, as it attracts the tourists.  Small scale reforestation and regeneration projects have been ongoing for 4 years.
 
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, for Level 5, 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          _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
___  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
___  Take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects.

Much of the income from the project is re-invested into the community by means of a community fund that is managed by the locals as they deem fit eg. for education, medicines etc.

Level 1: one or two community activities

Level 2: three community activities

Level 3: four community activities

Level 4: five community activities

Level 5: six or more community activities

In addition, for Level 5, 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 5):  2.8

Three final questions: 

• Please describe your single most important eco achievement:

To build excellent community owned tourism infrastructure with almost impossibly small levels of external funding.

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

None planned within this timeframe.

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

Thank you very much for completing and returning this survey.  Developed by Joyce Kelly.