It’s not enough that I list eco lodges anymore. It’s time that I went and actually helped run one. With that in mind, my friend Jem Winston of Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge has invited me for a 3 month stay that may well work into a more permanent move. Needless to say, being at an eco lodge with alternative energy sources I may not have power at all times so please bear with me if I don’t get back to you right away.
Lise Tyrrell
Eco Tropical Resorts
Archive for the ‘Ecotourism’ Category
I’m off to Dominica on Sept. 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010Sustainable Water Workshops at El Jardin Eco Lodge in Mexico
Thursday, August 19th, 2010Tropical WaterFeatures/Landscaping
Gray water Irrigation
Presented at El Jardin –Yelapa, Mexico
October 21-26, 2010
Price for workshops: $225.00 for 6 days
Lodging for workshop participants: $225.00 includes breakfast and lunch
Please call or email to register :
Yelapa phone 209 5284
US phone 831 535 3059
Email: chrissibrewer@gmail.com Yelapagardenretreat.com
Water Feature/Landscaping
Workshop focuses on design, installation, and maintenance of residential water features. Learn basic water feature design with hands-on instruction. This workshop will include start to finish design and installation of stepped pools and pond. Combined water feature design with landscaping ideas for water plants and areas surrounding a feature. Water used for the fountain will be from a rainwater harvesting system.
Gray Water Landscape Irrigation
Learn the basics of utilizing the water that is so oftened misused, mishandled or allowed to runoff into waterways, further polluting our oceans and streams. We will be exploring ways of turning waste water into a valuable and ecological resource, with hands– on instruction and installation of a laundry and shower graywater irrigation system. (more…)
Matava Foundation and Hydroports Dive Centre partner to provide dental care to remote villagers in Kadavu
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS – 28 July 2010 – In June 2010, Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort, through the Matava Foundation, partnered with HydroSports Dive & Travel to bring a Dental Mission from USA to provide dental treatment for the children and people of Kadavu Koro village.
The initial idea was Mark Fischer, owner of HydroSports Dive & Travel in Oregon, USA.
“Returning from a recent Fiji trip I decided to pioneer a Dental Mission. I partnered with Coach Ramey Stroud, a Mill City diver, and Stuart Gow, Director of the Matava Eco-Resort on the island of Kadavu. Together we identified dates for our trip, solicited the cooperation of Air Pacific, the national airline of Fiji, the Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association and the Fiji Ministry of Health. Salem Hospital generously shared information about our trip with their staff.” Mark said.
“This project was an excellent opportunity to achieve long term goals of Matava in regards to assisting the children and people of Kadavu” said Matava Director, Mr Stuart Gow. “It was a natural fit for us, and we have found much common ground in our activities with those of Mark and Hydrosports”.
“Through the Matava Foundation we assist the people of Kadavu in many ways, and concentrate on community assistance .” he continued. “The Matava Foundation is driven by Matava Resort owner’s passion for the Fiji Islands and the communities which live here. The Foundation makes social investments that help the people of Fiji to have fuller lives by sharing the benefits of sustainable development, protecting the natural environment and supporting the local communities in which Matava’s customers, employees, investors and suppliers live”
Mr Fischer continued, “I traveled with Dr. Mike and Mrs. Carrie Litchfield and Dr. Sean Hanson of Salem and Jim and Gina Jepsen from Ione, Oregon. Dave Beard from Tasmania met us at Matava and joined our team. Air Pacific allowed us each to bring an extra 50 pounds of medical gear. Mike and Sean had received hundreds of toothbrushes, toothpaste samples and dental supplies from their suppliers. Mike brought a portable dental station as well.”
“During the week the Dental Mission had the opportunity to serve nearly 200 villagers from Kadavu Koro. Carrie taught 75 children how to brush their teeth. Numerous rotted, damaged and decayed teeth were removed, mostly from adults, a few from children.” continued Mr Gow.
For more information about the resort: Matava
Matava is the First Resort to achieve “Shark Safe Certification”
Sunday, April 18th, 2010Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort and The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education take a leading role in the world with a major shark conservation initiative in the resort and tourism community.
KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS – 14 April 2010 – Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to take a world wide leading role in the the international Shark Safe Certification program by becoming the first resort to be certified Shark Safe.
Shark Safe certification program
The mission of the Shark Safe certification program is to protect oceanic ecosystems by encouraging practices that do not negatively impact shark populations. By increasing public awareness of the need for shark conservation, we endeavor to change the way people think about sharks, thereby reducing the sale, use, and trade of shark products.
The Shark Safe certification program uses an easily recognizable logo to endorse restaurants and select businesses that distinguish themselves through their manifest dedication to shark conservation. Establishments earning Shark Safe status may proudly display the logo to attract customers. The logo also serves to engage dialogue from patrons, thereby further promoting awareness of shark and ocean conservation.
Matava Director Stuart Gow said “We have worked hard over the past few years to ensure that all the food, not just the fish, within our resturant ‘The Terrace’ here at Matava are sustainable and natural”
“Matava, and our on site fishing charters Bite Me Gamefishing Charters, are the first in Fiji to sign up and be awarded certification. We are now actively promoting, coordinating and distributing information about the Shark Safe certification program around Fiji.” he continued.
Goals of the Shark Safe certification program:
Increase public awareness of the need for shark conservation.
Reduce the sale, use, and trade of shark products. Shark Safe certification is designed to give discerning customers confidence that their choices help protect sharks.
Restaurants and businesses recognized as Shark Safe have met scientific criteria and stringent guidelines, and they are awarded the authorization to display the Shark Safe logo. The logo and its associated recognition and prestige will help attract customers to the business.
Since sharks are universally recognizable and tend to attract attention, customers and passers-by not already familiar with the program will still be drawn to the displayed logo and will be inquisitive. Participating establishments can provide literature about the Shark Safe program, explain the basic premises, and direct people to the sharksafe.org website.
To learn more about Matava, please visit: Matava
Balamku Inn on the Beach receives Award for Green Hotel
Thursday, April 8th, 2010Balamku Inn on the Beach in Mexico in has been nominated for a Leading Green Hotel award. They received the below from World Travel Awards:
It is a pleasure to inform you of your company’s nomination in the 17th Annual World Travel Awards, in the following category (categories):
Mexico & Central America’s Leading Green Hotel: Balamku Inn on the Beach, Mexico
Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the “Travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscar’s”, the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and most prestigious awards programme in the global travel industry. World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry. With thousands of votes cast by travel professionals from 183,000 travel agencies in over 160 countries across the globe, winning a World Travel Award has become one of the highest accolades a travel product can receive.
All the nominations can now be viewed on our website at www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees
For more information about Balamku go to: Balamku Inn on the Beach
Celebrate Earth Hour
Saturday, March 27th, 2010Tranquilseas Eco Lodge on the island of Roatan shows it’s support for the WWF by taking part in Earth Hour this Saturday
Earth Hour is organized by WWF. With almost 5 million supporters and a global network in over 100 countries, it’s one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature.
Earth Hour has done a lot to raise awareness of climate change issues. But there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year. It’s all about giving people a voice on the future of our planet and working together to create a sustainable low carbon future for our planet.
Tranquilseas Eco lodge is committed to helping the environment, recently highlighted with it’s 4.4/5 rating on Eco-tropical resorts for it’s efforts in eco tourism, and on Saturday 27 March 2010 will be switching off it’s lights to show it’s support once again and help raise awareness of this important initiative.
More about Earth hour:
Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.
In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.
Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet. So sign up now and let’s make 2010 the biggest Earth Hour yet!.
Tranquilseas Eco Lodge, Sandy Bay, Roatan, Honduras:website
WWF Earth hour: website
Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges is proud to announce the latest addition to the Red Mangrove team, the LP Marie Anne
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges is proud to announce the latest addition to the Red Mangrove team, the LP Marie Anne.
The LP Marie Anne is an 11 meter deep V fast boat powered by twin ecologically friendly 225 horsepower Suzuki 4 stroke outboards to whisk our guests in comfort from island to island as part of the now famous Red Mangrove Lodge to Lodge Island hopping tours.
With a well appointed galley and bathroom the lucky Red Mangrove guests will cruise Santa Cruise, Floreana, Isabela and San Cristobal in comfort and style. To go to Red Mangroves site: Red
Mangrove Galapagos
Belize “eco” camp for kids at Chaa Creek
Monday, March 15th, 2010Want to have your child participate in a memorable summer camp adventure in 2010?
Chaa Creek eco lodge is having a week long specialized summer camp for children aged 7 through 15. They are putting on an Eco Kids Rainforest Adventure from July 18 through July 24, 2010. The main focus is on sustainability. Some of the topics included are biodiversity, natural resource conservation, the ancient “Maya”, natural healing and the main focus of sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Chaa Creek is set in a 365 acre private reserve, where most of the activities will take place.
Meanwhile parents will be right next door enjoying many of the amenities that Chaa Creek has to offer.
For more information: Chaa Creek Summer Camp
Renewable Energy Advanced course available
Saturday, February 27th, 2010We are happy to announce that the first Advanced Ecohelpline course is now online.
This new advanced class covers various forms of renewable energy including solar, wind, and hydro power. This includes system design, calculations and wiring diagrams, as well as history and maintenance. Once you have completed the course, you should have the knowledge to install your own alternative energy system.
You get to study at your own pace at whatever time is convenient for you because access is online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you score below 60% on the test at the end, you will be able to re-take it because our goal is that you understand the material.
The course is priced at only $99, and is gaining growing recognition in the eco-tourism community.
Please follow this link to sign up for it: Eco Helpline
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us via info@ecohelpline.com
Mad Fish Dive Centre at Matava, in Fiji, Unveils New Dive Boat
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010New 10m boat MV “DIVE ME” provides even more verstaility for divers visiting Kadavu, Fiji
KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS – On December 27th 2009 Mad Fish Dive Centre’s new boat, “DIVE ME”, arrived at Matava’s dock! Both guests and staff were very excited to see the first glimpse of the custom designed alloy dive boat on the horizon along The Great Astrolabe Reef next to Waya Island.
The new boat is completely innovative and new to the scuba diving industry in Kadavu, and indeed the Fiji Islands. This dive boat has room for 12 divers on a 2-tank dive,as well as 2 PADI Divemasters and a captain. It has everything on board that a diver needs like rinse buckets, a camera table, a shaded area, and easy entry twin platforms for both going in and out of the water.
With this new boat Mad Fish Dive Centre @ Matava will be the first and only resort on Kadavu that is able to dive the entire length of the Great Astrolabe Reef. This opens up never before dived areas and dive sites. We are excited about diving never before seen reefs and offshore pinnacles in the coming year!
In addition we are going to offer a 3-tank boat dive trip to the Northern Astrolabe Reefs north of Ono and as far as Solo Atoll. This will be combined with a BBQ lunch on the beach cooked by our very own chef, Kuki, before your 3rd dive!
DIVE ME was custom designed for the specific diving done in Kadavu, Fiji Islands. Based on a proven hull design by NAIAD Designs from New Zealand, the boat was further developed by Bluewatercraft in Navua, Fiji Islands to allow a dry, safe ride, while allowing easy access to the water from the back twin dive platforms.
In keeping with Matava’s policy of ‘buying Fiji’ and supporting local community capacity building, Mad Fish Dive Centre made the decision to build the vessel in country. This has allowed many of the tradesmen in the boat building industry once more gain advanced technological skills required to build a high end alloy vessel.
DIVE ME is fitted with the newest state-of-the-art twin 4 stroke SUZUKI 140hp Outboard Engines. 4-strokes are the cleanest outboard engines currently available. Suzuki 4-stroke outboards are noted for the low fuel consumption, low exhaust emission, low noise and outstanding reliability. When compared to conventional 2-stroke engines, 4 strokes:
Improve fuel efficiency (25-45 percent).
Reduce hydrocarbon emissions by 75-90 percent.
Reduce smoke smell.
Are quieter.
“With the addition of this new state-of-the-art dive boat we have placed Matava as the premier dive resort in Kadavu.” said Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar. “Adding a vessel of this advanced calibre to our other dive boats in our fleet solidifies Mad Fish Dive Centre as the only PADI 5 Star Dive Centre on Kadavu”.
Mr Akhtar finished by saying “We would like to thank all friends and clients of Matava and Mad Fish Dive Centre past and present who have contributed to the success of our dive resort and we look forward to exciting times ahead diving the Great Astrolabe Reef from DIVE ME.”
Mad Fish Dive Centre is Matava’s on site PADI 5 Star Dive Centre. We dive the The Great Astrolabe Reef extensively and cater for all levels of diver from beginner to experienced. Mad Fish Dive Centre will take you to sites varying in depths, currents and visibility ranging from 20 – 50m where you can expect a kaleidoscope of colourful corals and wonderful marine life – we can assure you that you won’t be disappointed. Combined with simple access to The Manta Dive, Fiji’s only year round manta dive site, Mad Fish Dive Centre truly offers divers easy and comfortable access to some of the best diving Fiji can offer.
Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava – Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian ‘bures’ with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.
Matava