About You and the Property

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

If yes, please attach.

• Do you have a written environmental management system?              YES

If yes, please attach.

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

At Rosalie Forest ecolodge we recognize that we have an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the environment for guests and the residents of the local community alike.
We aim to provide a relaxing / adventurous / natural holiday to all visitors, whilst offering the necessary comforts, and considering and minimising negative impacts on our  natural surroundings and the local people, who we work closely together with to ensure that they benefit directly from our existance.

 9 acres of Dominican company and  personally owned land;
 5 private rooms, 1 mixed dormitory, total 24 beds,  pus camping
Restaurant,
bar,  
sustainable living centre where we further aim to educate all visitors, about the benefits and practicalities of sustainable living.

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

Most of the lodge can only be reached after a 15 minute steep forest walk. We are in the heart of rainforest surrounded by clean rivers and jungle trails, leading to stunning waterfalls and lakes, and are on the edge of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park World Heritage Site. We have numerous natural river pools for bathing and a wild Atlantic beach is only half hour walk: Not far to witness a nesting Leatherback turtle. Grand Fond, our local village is 20-40 minutes steep walk away, or 10 minutes drive, to a happy village of about 900 inhabitants.

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

Dominica, the land I love, is known as, and lives up to its name of, The Nature Island, and so if I wanted to do a tourism business here it was essential to follow that philosophy and protect the place. I also grew to believe over the years in the need to do something to protect the environment for future generations, and understood, whilst doing my research in preparation for building the lodge, that the ecotourism market was the smart tourism market to be involved with in today’s ever greener world, and ever greener minded tourists.

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:

_yes__  use natural air circulation and fans, not air conditioners
_yes__  use natural light during the day
_yes__  minimize use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines and equipment
__yes_  use “on demand” or solar heating for hot water
__yes_  air dry clothes/linens
__yes_  wash dishes by hand
_yes__  use energy efficient appliances and electronics
_yes__  use low wattage fluorescent light bulbs
_yes__  change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
_yes__  switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:
 Manual juicers, manual coffee grinder and other manual appliances where possible
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:

95% combined_  solar___  wind___  hydro
_5%__  generator
0%___  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:
We use and sell hand wind dynamo, non battery, flashlights
100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?
We use the generator on average one night a week for 6 hours, making 312 hours a year.
There are 8760 hours in a year
5% would be 438 hours, leaving 126 hours in our 5% for occasional emergencies

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) =   5

Water

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

_yes_  low flow faucets and showerheads
_yes_  low water use toilets – rocks for displacement
_yes_  change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
_yes__use table mats that can be wiped and not laundered
_yes_  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
_n/a_  treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes
No treatment of natural river pool
Other water conservation activities?  Please list.
Some no water no electric composting toilets
Self turning off taps
Gray water used in gardens

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
__55_  river
40___  rain
__5_  reuse gray
___  public utility
Other water sources? Please list.

100% TOTAL

Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
__yes_  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List:                                  
Dolton ceramic carbon filters

Waste water management:
_yes__  septic tanks
___  cesspools
___yes  other? List methods:
Grease traps and soakaways

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): 5

Recycling and waste

Check all that apply:

_yes__   use durable service items, e.g. cups, glasses, dishes, tableware, storage items
__yes_   buy most fresh and local to reduce packaging and emissions from transportation
_yes__   purchase in bulk to reduce packaging
_yes__   recycle paper, glass, aluminum
__yes_   minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment      
__yes_   zero waste in the kitchen
If you count re-using all waste in compost or for animals
_yes__   serve local water, not bottled water
__yes_   cleaning products are biodegradable
__yes_   compost organic matter
Other methods to recycle waste? Please list.
Re cycle polystyrene egg boxes as hot water pipe insulation
Recycle damaged water storage tank as shower cubicle
Computer recycling programme

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:

__yes_   minimize tree removal when building
_yes__   use only botanical (plant-based) herbicides & pesticides in garden & grounds
__yes_   maintain organic gardens as food source for resort
_yes__   use biodegradable cleaning products
_yes__   minimize external illumination
__yes_   take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat.  Please list actions and projects:
No music permitted in forest and silent running solar water pump in order  to avoid noise pollution to habitats
Indigenous tree planting project
Educate about local nesting turtles
 
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): 5

Community

This category addresses policies and activities regarding staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the community. 

Check all activities that apply:

_yes__  hire staff residing near the resort          _100__% local nationals
_yes__  use local suppliers                                _50__% purchased goods produced locally
_yes__  re-invest resort income locally            _100__% income re-invested locally
_yes__  pay above local prevailing wage
_yes__  pay into local social security
_no__  provide health insurance or coverage
__yes_  use regular staff meetings to educate staff about sustainable processes throughout the resort, in the garden, with waste disposal, etc
__yes_  provide educational awareness programs for staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the local community
__no, but most walk to work_  provide sustainable transport to work for staff
__yes_  take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects.
Annual Computers for schools project – see below
Village preschool scholarship fund
Sustainable living workshops - we give our property and time to the workshops
Loans using funding to locals to buy renewable energy equipment
Sponsor various local sports and community groups,
Showcase local bands
Provided training for local person to open restaurant
Provided machine for local laundry
Our Ngo has initiated a nationwide recycling programme, and has funding for a staff member to travel the island for a year educating about recycling

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): 5

YOUR OVERALL ECO SCORE (add your level for each category and divide by 5):

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

• Please describe your single most important eco achievement:

Hard to choose...
Through our Mission Dominica, our computers for schools programme, in collaboration with NS Optimum Ltd, and various other partners, we arrange for 2/3 year old computers from UK private schools to be refurbished to standards acceptable by the ministry of education here in Dominica, and delivered to the schools in Dominica, along with monitors and new keyboards, mice, some networking, cabling, and fibre optics equipment, as well as projectors and computerised smartboards.
Our UK partner, NS Optimum Ltd, also provides for free two technicians to carry out training during the installations, and offers year round support.
The project has so far been running for two years and has seen over 400 computers making a real difference to the schoolchildren around the island.
We anticipate the project will continue on an annual basis.

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

We plan to install a second small wind turbine and a couple more solar panels.
We have just launched a project which will see 6 village schools receiving renewable energy equipment with workshops and training
Still thinking........

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

perhaps the opportunity to add pictures