Archive for Ecotourism

New $140 Million Funding Deal for a 45MW Waste-to-Energy Plant in Costa Rica Engineered by Merchant Banking Firm, With Enthousiastic Government Backing

New $ 140 Million Funding Deal for a 45MW Waste-to-Energy Plant in Costa Rica Engineered by Merchant Banking Firm, With Enthousiastic Government Backing











Capital Corp Merchant Banking


(PRWEB) October 19, 2011

Capital Corp Merchant Banking has entered into a $ 140 million funding agreement with a US-based company to fund the first phase of a waste-to-energy plant, to be situated in Alajuela, Costa Rica. The full project will eventually amount to an investment totalling $ 400 million. As the Costa Rican government has grown impatient with landfills’ negative impacts, this development comes at a most opportune time.

The funding agreement is based on 11% common stock and 89% debenture. The project consists of starting with a plant capable of generating 15 MW/hr of electricity, after which it will build 2 (two) additional plants that will produce 15 MW/hr of electricity each, derived from various wastes, for a total of 45 MW.

The technology for the plant comes from Entech Renewable Energy Solutions, a technology provider and global leader in Low Temperature Gasification technology.

Costa Rica, like many other countries around the world, is facing a waste management problem and energy crisis; its landfill dilemma has social, economic, and environmental repercussions; it struggles to keep up with increasing demand for electricity; its power production is limited, which has engendered setbacks in growth; and energy production and waste management have become highly politicized issues. This project represents a long-term solution to both waste management and electricity production, while taking into account the country’s efforts to preserve its ecological and environmental balance. In fact, the Costa Rican Ministry of Health ruled in 2010 that municipalities would have to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly means of processing municipal solid waste (MSW) henceforth.

The plant has the capacity to convert 100% of landfill waste, and once completely finished it will be able to handle an intake of 520,000 tons of gasifiable waste and generate electricity up to 47.4 MW/hr.

Economic benefits to be derived from this ambitious project include but are not limited to: reduced cost of generating electricity; greater distribution of electricity throughout Costa Rica; reduce landfill-designated areas and thus reduce local pollution; increase property values in surrounding areas; myriad recycling benefits; and greater tourism value for Costa Rica as an eco-tourism hotspot as the country becomes ‘greener’.

This project will also play a major role in Costa Rica’s effort to reach its ambitious goal of becoming the world’s first carbon neutral country by 2021. With this first project and 2 anticipated similar projects of similar size, the client intends to contribute to the reduction in the country’s carbon footprint by well over 4 million tons of carbon or equivalent greenhouse gases over the next decade.

The method by which this project is to be funded is the brainchild of Mr Gilles Herard, Jr. Mr Herard is a seasoned Merchant Banker and has been in the banking industry for 38 years. He worked early in his career at the Toronto Dominion Bank (Canada) and later on joined Manufacturer Hanover (MH) of New York as Senior Credit Analyst. He eventually created his own Firm, Capital Corp Merchant Banking, where he syndicates and structures funding for top companies worldwide, all the while investing his own firm’s funds into the projects. As the head of Capital Corp Merchant Banking, Mr Herard has become a leading figure in international middle-market project financing and engineers all funding structures for projects at Capital Corp. Mr Herard has received numerous awards for his work and other contributions including being appointed to the Presidential Business Commission, Honorary Co-Chairman of the Business Advisory Council, nominated as Executive of the Year by the internationally acclaimed National Register’s Who’s Who, and having received the Senatorial Medal of Freedom, among many others.

About Capital Corp Merchant Banking: Capital Corp Merchant Banking offers quality Merchant Banking services for a variety of projects worldwide. Capital Corp Merchant Banking has developed close working relationships with groups of Professionals: Specialists in Finance, Commercial Risks Insurance and Re-Insurance, International Accounting Firms and Law Firms, and the largest Valuation Firm in the world. Capital Corp Merchant Banking is solution-oriented and known for being the most flexible Funding Source on the Market in creating handcrafted investment structures to meet the needs of the different constituent groups in each individual transaction. Capital Corp Merchant Banking offers many services: Project Financing, Consulting, Due Diligence, Evaluation of a Business, Negotiating Services, Acquisitions, Investment Approach, and Presentation Reports as well. For further information, please visit our website.

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Adirondack Fall Foliage Tradition Returns to Tupper Lake October 8th

Adirondack Fall Foliage Tradition Returns to Tupper Lake October 8th











Tupper Lake, NY (PRWEB) September 13, 2011

Tupper Lake’s finest fall tradition returns on October 8th with live music, delicious food and drinks, children’s activities and more. Visit Tupper Lake this fall and enjoy “Oktupperfest” at the Big Tupper Ski Resort.

Oktupperfest 2011 offers a full day of entertainment at Big Tupper’s mountain stage, with live performances by Lost in Translation, Abbott Hayes and The Jones Boys. Enjoy scenic chairlift rides to the top of Big Tupper, find a new favorite brew in the beer tasting tent or savor food prepared by local vendors. A youth archery range will be set up as part of the children’s activities, with additional attractions including face and pumpkin painting, bobbing for apples and special Wild Center activities, sponsored by ARISE (Adirondack Residents Intent on Saving our Economy) and the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce.

“ARISE and the local business community welcomes visitors to Big Tupper Ski Area during the peak fall foliage season,” states David Tomberlin, Vice President of the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce. “We are happy to support all of our visitor attractions in Tupper Lake by giving people a reason to make the trip to our picturesque village during the off season.”

Located in the Adirondack Village of Tupper Lake, Oktupperfest is sponsored by ARISE, Belleville & Associates, Ski Big Tupper, North Country Public Radio, Sam Adams and Coors Light, and the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce

This fall, visit the Adirondacks and enjoy Tupper Lake events and festivals, including:

    ‘A Walk through the Woods’ on Sunday, September 18. A progressive dinner and outdoor experience at the John Dillon Park hosted by Paul Smiths College and the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce. The event is open from 3pm until 7pm.
    ARISE Golf Scramble at the Tupper Lake Golf Club Sunday, September 25. Sign up now at http://www.tupperlakegolf.com.
    Oktupperfest at Ski Big Tupper, Oktupperfest Mud Run and the Ski Patrol Ski/Snowboard Swap slated for Saturday, October 8.
    Tupper Lake will host an eco-tourism event, ‘FeatherFest,’ at the Wild Center on Sunday, October 9.

About Tupper Lake:

Located just 30 minutes from neighboring Adirondack communities Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Long Lake, and Blue Mountain Lake, Tupper Lake offers family oriented entertainment and events year-round, including fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, and golf in the summer and skiing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing in the winter.

For more information on Tupper Lake’s events, arts, music, entertainment, the Wild Center Natural History Museum and more, log on to http://www.tupper-lake.com to find out why we “Live, Work, Play” in Tupper Lake.

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Chula Vista Centennial Harbor Days Extravaganza September 24 and 25, 2011

Chula Vista Centennial Harbor Days Extravaganza September 24 and 25, 2011











Tall Ship Californian en route to Chula Vista Harbor Days


Chula Vista, CA (PRWEB) September 01, 2011

On Saturday September 24 and Sunday September 25, Chula Vistans will pull together as a community to commemorate the city’s 100 year history through a volunteer-powered event open to the public showcasing the Chula Vista Bayfront. Chula Vista Centennial Harbor Days Extravaganza is part of the year-long series of Centennial Celebrations.

In collaboration with the San Diego Unified Port District, the Big Bay, the Maritime Museum of San Diego, Chefs de Cuisine Association, and Arts Month Chula Vista, this free event will span from the southern “J” Street Bayfront Park, along Marina Parkway waterfront to the northern Bayview park bringing a fun-filled weekend to the community.

The tall ship Californian and the steam yacht Medea, will grace the harbor as guests enjoy free admission to these historic vessels. The Maritime Museum will present displays of the San Salvador project and Cabrillo National Monument will showcase the early seafaring days; Pirates and Spanish explorers will be on hand.

A classic car show will set the mood for the early years of transportation. Visitors can catch a ride on an amphibian tour bus, the SEAL, to explore Chula Vista harbor and the bay, and Old Town Trolleys will offer free rides to hop from one area of Harbor Days Extravaganza to another, including the Chula Vista Nature Center and the new US Fish and Wildlife Headquarters. Bicycles will be available to explore the Bayshore Bikeway and Chula Vista bicycle trails, a service provided through a grant from the Port of San Diego. Other exciting transportation displays and events will be scattered throughout the festival.

The Centennial Harbor Days Extravaganza supports Arts Month Chula Vista with a juried Art Show hosted by the Chula Vista Yacht Club. The free exhibition will feature works by local waterfront artists and is open to the public. An artisans’ craft fair, poetry and theatre on the boardwalk, various random acts of culture, an interactive mural, and a special event sculpture by Michael Leaf will animate the bay during this two-day celebration.

Saturday’s lineup includes the first annual Susan G. Komen “Sail for the Cure” regatta with a special “Art Bra” exhibition to help raise funds for breast cancer research. On Sunday, Chula Vista’s high school robotics teams will challenge other County teams to an afternoon match. In the Kidzone guests will be treated to feature performances by the Von Jon Circus, the CCC Ballet Folklórico Xochitl, and the Heart Light Dance & Fitness along with activities for children hosted by the Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Department including storytelling and roaming pirates. This year our program coincides with the National Worldwide Day of Play sponsored by Nickelodeon, encouraging everyone to get outdoors and play.

Ecotourism and the natural environment will be a highlight of this event, with educational exhibits and activities focusing on Chula Vista’s unique eco-zone and delicate habitat, in collaboration with the Chula Vista Nature Center. Plan to spend time enjoying the outdoors and the natural jewel of the South San Diego bay.

Special thanks to our partners the City of Chula Vista, Chula Vista Centennial, the Unified Port of San Diego, Big Bay, San Diego Maritime Museum, Allied Waste and Rural/Metro Ambulance, and to our hosts California Yacht Marina, Chula Vista Yacht Club, and Chula Vista Marina and our sponsors, Marine Group, Procopio, Vulcan Materials Co., Copy Link, and many other businesses and community members supporting this event.

For more information please visit the official website: http://www.cvharbordays.com

ABOUT HARBOR DAYS EXTRAVAGANZA 2011- SEPTEMBER 24 & 25

Harbor Days was an annual event that celebrated the Californian’s return to her original homeport of Chula Vista. The event was canceled in recent years, but has been reborn for Chula Vista’s Centennial Celebration as a volunteer-powered community Extravaganza, thanks to support from the San Diego Unified Port, the Big Bay and the Maritime Museum of San Diego. This waterfront “Extravaganza” is a free two-day fair providing entertainment for locals and tourists alike. This year’s focus is on Chula Vista’s 100-year anniversary and the history of transportation: past, present & future featuring the tall ship Californian and the historic steam yacht Medea, highlighting local history, arts and culture, supporting economic development and raising environmental awareness. To learn more about Chula Vista Centennial Harbor Days Extravaganza visit the official website at http://www.cvharbordays.com. (Website designed by Chula Vista resident Marianne Gibson.)

ABOUT CHULA VISTA CENTENNIAL The City of Chula Vista Centennial is a yearlong, once-in-a-lifetime celebration of events, organized by and for the community to commemorate the history and people of the city and create a lasting legacy. City-wide events sponsored by community businesses, educational groups, and non-profit organizations in partnership with the Centennial’s Committee of 100 volunteers, will continue through 2011. To learn more about the Centennial and review a calendar of events and projects, visit the official website at http://www.chulavista100.com. (Website designed by Chula Vista-born Israel Farrer.)

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University of Florida Partnership Creates Jobs in the Florida Marine Industry

University of Florida Partnership Creates Jobs in the Florida Marine Industry











Cocoa, FL (PRWEB) August 17, 2011

Full-time positions for captains are being created in Florida due to a partnership between the University of Florida IFAS Extension and USOBE, LLC. Captains will be dedicated to luxury properties in Florida.

The UF/IFAS Extension’s partnership with USOBE, LLC is in alignment with the extension’s dedication to creating a sustainable coastal economy and environment. Captains will be trained and certified to lead boating eco-tours based out of luxury properties. Tours will be focused on the enjoyment and conservation of Florida’s ecological wonders.

Interested captains should apply at CaptainsOffice.net for the next series of classes to be held October 18 – 21 at 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, FL, 32926. Cost for the training is $ 300.

About USOBE, LLC:

What started as a saltwater charter fishing company specializing in customized service has grown into a national network of over 400 captains located in 32 states. USOBE, LLC operates a unique program targeted to luxury resorts.

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Global Basecamps Sponsors Sustainable Travel Series on BootsnAll

Global Basecamps Sponsors Sustainable Travel Series on BootsnAll












Encinitas, CA (PRWEB) July 01, 2011

California-based sustainable travel company, Global Basecamps, is pleased to announce the next article in the Bootsnall sustainable travel series, 6 Things You Don’t Know About Ecotourism. Global Basecamps and BootsnAll have teamed up in an effort to spread awareness of ecotourism and what it means to travel responsibly. Ecotourism and green travel have become big buzzwords in the tourism industry. However, often sustainable travel is thought simply to mean minimizing the negative environmental impacts of travel, while the definition is much more encompassing. By sponsoring the sustainable series on BootsnAll, Global Basecamps’ goal was to shed light on what sustainable travel really means.

“We feel that one of the most overlooked aspects of sustainable tourism, and perhaps the most important, is the impact of travel on local communities,” says Global Basecamps co-founder Michael D’Amico. Sustainable travel not only entails how travelers reach their destination and how resources are used, but also how they interact with the physical and cultural environment while at their destination.

The articles within the sustainable travel series on BootsnAll focus on specific, tangible ways to experience sustainable travel, which starts at the trip preparation phase, not simply once you step off the plane. The articles include:

5 Ways to Experience Sustainable Travel

10 Tips for more Eco-Friendly Travel

6 Natural Phenomena to See Before They Disappear

8 Secrets to Guilt-Free Travel in Developing Nations

6 Things You Don’t Know About Ecotourism

About Global Basecamps

Global Basecamps is specialty travel company that helps independent travelers research and book locally owned boutique hotels, off-the-beaten path lodges and multi-day excursions all over the world. Travel at your own pace with a custom itinerary, or simply find accommodation and excursions so that your trip priorities are met and you have maximum flexibility while on the road. Whether you are discovering wildlife on a Tanzania safari, relaxing in a traditional Japanese ryokan on a Japan tour, or experiencing the local culture on a Vietnam tour, Global Basecamps clients can rest assured that their trip is aiding the local communities, preserving the natural resources and, minimizing negative environmental impacts. Please visit http://www.globalbasecamps.com for more information.

About BootsnAll

BootsnAll Travel Network, started in 1998, is a community of over 30 online travel guides and resources that connect and encourage independent travel. BootsnAll has over 3.6 million unique visitors per month and 100,000+ community members. Please visit http://www.bootsnall.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ali Dempsey, Global Basecamps, (866) 577-2462, Ali (at) globalbasecamps (dot) com

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Online Eco-Travel Mecca, Greenloons.com, Showcases New Costa Rica and Peru Based Tour Operators

Online Eco-Travel Mecca, Greenloons.com, Showcases New Costa Rica and Peru Based Tour Operators










(PRWEB) June 15, 2011

Family friendly eco travel website, http://www.greenloons.com, just added two new tour operators, Explorandes Peru and Camino Travel tours, to their extensive eco vacation listings. Both tour operators are extremely family friendly and customizable, holding the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) eco-certifications respectively. By providing visibility to these smaller yet deserving certified providers, Greenloons levels the ecotourism playing field, and makes progress toward their mission provide the most unique, certified and sustainable travel opportunities possible to families worldwide.

Explorandes Peru has created four customizable and family friendly Peruvian eco tours specifically for Greenloons. The tours, which range from 4-10 days, take visitors on exciting journeys through the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and the Amazon Rainforest in Peru. They have all obtained the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System designation, which enables an organization to identify and control the environmental impact of its activities, products, or services; improve its environmental performance continually and to implement a systematic approach to setting environmental objectives and targets. For Explorandes Peru, the certification deals mostly with impacts of adventure travel activities in the field, such as waste and water management, toilet waste disposal and risk of fire in the cooking tents.

The Camino Travel tour through Costa Rica has received the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (Level 4), which rewards tourism companies that comply with a sustainable model of natural, cultural, and social resource management. Focused on first time travelers to Costa Rica, the tour includes whitewater rafting through class III-IV rapids on the Pacuare River, hiking the Poas Volcano, and taking tours of a coffee farm and La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

According to Irene Lane, the Founder and President of Greenloons, “Families can feel good knowing that the Explorandes Peru and Camino Travel vacations, like all eco tours listed on Greenloons, have been certified as those that support local communities, emphasize environmental education, sustain conservation efforts, minimize tourist waste, and respect local cultural traditions.” The addition of these quality tours to the already informative and engaging website will help make strides toward strengthening certified and eco-friendly travel on a global scale.

About Greenloons

Greenloons L.L.C. is a Washington DC based company dedicated to providing nature enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists worldwide with trusted information about responsible, sustainable, and certified ecotourism travel vacations and volunteer conservation efforts both in the U.S. and internationally. For more information, please visit: http://www.greenloons.com.

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Jennifer Morfín Wins 2005 Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award

Jennifer Morfín Wins 2005 Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award










(PRWEB) June 4, 2005

Planeta.com – As part of the global celebration of World Environment Day, Planeta.com presents the fifth annual Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award to Jennifer Morfín Morgan

About the Colibri Award

First presented in 2001, the Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award is presented to a leading catalyst working toward ecotourism in Mexico.

Colibri means “Hummingbird” in Spanish and the Colibri Award is celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2005. The winner of the annual award receives a trophy, diploma and a $ 1,000 cash award from Emilio Kifuri, president of Canyon Travel.

The winner of the Colibri Award is selected by Planeta.com founder Ron Mader with consultation from members of the Mexico Ecotourism Network.

“Ecotourism depends on the leadership of individuals who are resourceful and innovative and who are bold enough to bridge the traditional divisions between tourism and the environment,” said Planeta.com founder Ron Mader.

“Mexico is one of the world’s mega diverse countries with one of the most successful tourism industries,” said Emilio Kifuri. “If ecotourism is ever to overtake the senseless destruction of the world’s natural areas, it certainly has to develop at a much faster pace. We feel fortunate to be in a position to demonstrate to the tourism industry that ecotourism can be more profitable than mainstream tourism. It is this potential for profit that has the greatest ability to cause the most profound changes.”

Planeta.com will participate in several environmental events in Mexico City during the World Environment Day weekend and will present the Colibri on the waters of the Xochimilco Gardens.

“If we desire to make our cities greener, making tourism greener is a great step forward,” said Mader, adding that urban ecotourism is a reality in Mexico City with such pioneering projects as the ciclovia (bike path) and the hiking and biking trails in the Ajusco mountains.

Planeta.com is no stranger to city-based nature tourism, having hosted the 2004 Conference on Urban Ecotourism. Participants at that event agreed upon the Urban Ecotourism Declaration, a collective response to a common challenge – making urban spaces more livable while protecting biodiversity.

Winner

Jennifer Morfín Morgan’s interest in ecotourism began when she began working at the Mexican Nature Conservation Fund (FMCN) and took part in several online conferences hosted by Planeta.com to see whether tourism could benefit conservation.

Jennifer’s work with communities goes back 10 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in International Affairs at Mexico City’s Universidad Iberoamericana and recently received a masters degree in Sustainable Tourism Management from the International Cooperation University of Costa Rica.

Her tenure at the FMCN began in 2000 and she was part of a team that created the Mexican Conservation Learning Network (IMAC). Jennifer’s work at IMAC is that of a web-savvy training manager specializing in sustainable tourism and wildfire management.

Jennifer describes her work as a way that connects conservation in the natural world with improving communication using a variety of media:

“I believe that promoting communication among institutions and communities links people with similar interests in a way that encourages transparency and sustainable development,” she said. “Sustainable development has renewed purpose when we use current technology to improve not only what we know, but how we collaborate and learn new things that improve our quality of life.”

Jennifer’s interest in sustainable tourism and ecotourism continues as IMAC strengths its coverage and Jennifer continues to work face-to-face with community leaders.

Feedback

Jenny is one of the most dedicated people I know in the conservation field, besides being one of the most efficient people I have worked with! Certainly she deserves it!

Edna Aguinaga

Totalmente de acuerdo con que Jennifer sea este año la ganadora del Premio Colibrí. Me entusiasma la idea. Más allá de que sea una amiga. Poca gente hay en iniciativas ligadas a gobierno que hayan favorecido al ecoturismo, Jennifer es una de ellas, quien además tiene un gran entusiasmo.

Fernando Garcia Aguinaco

I completely agree with Jennifer’s designation as a recipient of the 2005 Colibri Award. Her work in IMAC has been outstanding and she fully deserves this award.

Hector Ceballos-Lascurain

Of course Jennifer has all the qualifications for the Colibri Award. She has done a marvelous work and, as you say, her dedication to the “cause” is remarkable.

Verena Gerber

Excelente la propuesta para que Jennifer sea acreedora al Premio Colibrí 2005.

Angel Nieva

About World Environment Day

The United Nations General Assembly established the first World Environment Day in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. 2005 spotlights green cities.

Planeta.com is submitting our Declaration on Urban Ecotourism (the theme of our 2004 online conference) to the organizers of WED 2005. The declaration is a collective response to a common challenge — making urban spaces more livable while protecting biodiversity.

Organizers

Planeta.com

http://www.planeta.com

Canyon Travel

http://www.canyontravel.com

References

Colibri Award

http://www.planeta.com/colibri.html

World Environment Day

http://www.unep.org/wed

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Family Ecotourism Epicenter, Greenloons.com, Expands Costa Rica Offerings to Include Luna Lodge Eco-Vacations

Family Ecotourism Epicenter, Greenloons.com, Expands Costa Rica Offerings to Include Luna Lodge Eco-Vacations










Washington, DC (PRWEB) July 19, 2011

DC based eco-travel provider, http://www.greenloons.com, just added 5 new family friendly trips to its Costa Rica vacations repertoire. A Certificate in Sustainable Tourism – Level 3 certified lodge, Luna Lodge operates on 100% hydro-electric energy and solar power. Located in Costa Rica’s beautiful Osa Peninsula, called “…the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic Magazine, Luna Lodge also supports The White Hawk Project, a private non-profit working to extend the boundaries of Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park.

With an emphasis on the Greenloons goal to preserve ecosystems, educate visitors about conservation, empower localities, and operate sustainable tourist attractions, a trip to The Osa Peninsula’s Luna Lodge provides a rewarding, fun and unique family experience. Suitable for children as young as 6, travelers spend their days birding, hiking through lush rainforest, horseback riding, kayaking, or exploring Corcovado National Park, with options to nourish the mind, body, and spirit with an invigorating yoga class or visit to the Luna Spa. Guests stay in spacious, thatched roof bungalows and receive evening appetizers and several gourmet meals over the course of their stay. The five tours, the Rainforest Discovery Package, Rainforest Adventure Package, Toucan Birding Package, Hummingbird Birding Package, and Honeymoon Package average less than $ 1,000 per person, depending on the season.

According to Luna Lodge founder and owner, Lana Wedmore, ¨Luna Lodge is very excited about working with Greenloons because they have identified the difference between Ecotourism, Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Tourism. It is an honor to be represented by them because their clients are going to understand and appreciate the philosophy of Luna Lodge and the importance of protecting the rain forest and Mother Earth.¨

About The Osa Peninsula

Offering a perfect blend of virgin lowland rainforest and an exquisite tropical beach environment, the Osa Peninsula’s 42,000-hectare Corcovado National Park is home to almost 400 species of birds, 140 species of mammals, 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, over 500 species of trees, and more than 6,000 species of insects. With 13 major ecosystems, the park protects endangered species such as the jaguar, puma, crocodile, tapir, poison dart frogs, and the harpy eagle. The expansive beaches of the Osa, especially those near Carate, where the lodge is situated, are also major nesting sites for several varieties of sea turtles.

About Luna Lodge

Founded by Lana Wedmore, Luna Lodge is a wonderful example of the power of ecotourism in terms of preserving the environment and its wildlife while connecting with nature. Since it opened in 2000, it has been recognized by Travel and Leisure as one of the “Top 25 Eco-Lodges in The World” and by Yoga Journal as, “…ultimate rejuvenation, 12 blissful yoga vacations.”

The Luna Lodge has also joined together with the White Hawk Project, a foundation aimed at protecting the Carate River Valley. The goal of this project is to purchase forested lands for protection of all of the wildlife in the Carate River Valley. It will be part of a protected corridor that will span from Corcovado National Park to Luna Lodge and continue to the southern end of the peninsula. With much of this land bordering Corcovado National Park, the corridor would literally be an extension of the park where the animals can roam freely and be protected. For more information about Luna Lodge, visit: http://www.lunalodge.com/

About Greenloons

Founded by eco-entrepreneur, Irene Lane, Greenloons L.L.C. is a Washington DC based company dedicated to providing nature enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists worldwide with trusted information about responsible, sustainable, and certified ecotourism travel vacations and volunteer conservation efforts both in the U.S. and internationally.

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Francisco Ver

Francisco Verástegui Wins 2007 Colibri Ecotourism Award










(PRWEB) June 8, 2007

As part of the global celebration of World Environment Day, Planeta.com presents the seventh annual Colibri Ecotourism Award to Francisco Verástegui, who created Mexico’s first map of notable and historic trees.

First presented in 2001, the Colibri Ecotourism Award is presented to a leading authority and catalyst at the vanguard of ecotourism in Mexico.

The winner of the award is selected by Planeta.com founder Ron Mader following consultation with members of the Mexico Ecotourism Network.

The United Nations celebrates World Environment Day each year on June 5 as a means to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and enhance political action.

About the Colibri Award

Francisco Verástegui receives the Colibri (“Hummingbird”) Award for his work in protecting the historic and notable trees of Oaxaca City and raising awareness of the urban environment.

Announcing this year’s winner, Planeta.com founder Ron Mader said, “Ecotourism depends on the leadership of individuals exemplified by Francisco Verástegui who are resourceful and who create new linkages connecting tourism and environmental conservation.”

Colibri means “Hummingbird” in Spanish and in 2007 the Colibri Award celebrates its seventh anniversary, making this one of the longest-running ecotourism awards. The winner of the annual award receives a trophy, diploma and a $ 1,000 cash award from Emilio Kifuri, president of Canyon Travel.

“Mexico is one of the world’s mega diverse countries with one of the most successful tourism industries,” said Emilio Kifuri. “If ecotourism is to overtake the senseless destruction of the world’s natural areas, it has to develop at a faster pace. We feel fortunate to be in a position to demonstrate to the tourism industry that ecotourism can be more profitable than mainstream tourism.”

The Colibri Ecotourism Award’s co-sponsor, Destination Ventures, is contributing another $ 1,000 directly to Planeta.com for development of spin-off media, including an English-language version of the map and DVD. The company specializes in travel industry education and currently works for the Mexico Tourism Board and United Nations Foundation in promoting sustainable travel to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Previous winners include Steve Bridger , Jennifer Morfín, Hector Ceballos-Lascurain , Jorge Chàvez de la Peña, Fernando Garcia Aguinaco, Marlene Ehrenberg, Juan Carlos Ibarra and Antonio Suarez.

2007 winner

Francisco Verástegui is an artist born in Mexico City’s Condesa neighborhood who has lived in Oaxaca for the past twenty years.

His work is featured at prominent galleries, including Arte Cocodrilo and Arte de Oaxaca.

Verástegui’s passion for Oaxaca’s urban parks and gardens has never been stronger and in the spring of 2007 he collaborated with colleagues in producing the map Árboles Históricos y Notables. The first printing has a run of 7,000 copies, courtesy of La Curtiduria and Carteles de Sur, and is available in Oaxaca City at Amate Books, Macedonio Alcalá #307.

The map has attracted the attention of the local TV 9 which is preparing a video documentary about the trees.

Future work

In the planning stage is a portfolio of engravings of the historic trees created by Oaxaca’s most famous artists to be published by Fernando Sandoval, one of Mexico’s most prestigous printers. This will be sold to raise funds to pay for scientific studies, signage plaques and fences to protect the trees. The publication is sponsored by La Curtiduria and the Alfredo Harp Helú Foundation.

Planeta.com is preparing a DVD documenting trees in Oaxaca and is researching how to locate the trees using Google Earth. Planeta.com is also updating our online guides to forestry issues and documenting reforestation efforts in Mexico.

Testimonials

Sin lugar a dudas, hay pocas personas como Francisco Verástegui, interesados en crear proyectos para el bien común. Artista de gran talento y trayectoria, escritor de verdades y luchador incansable por nuestro patrimonio cultural e histórico y sobre todo un gran observador y pensador de nuestro tiempo, Verástegui es indiscutiblemente el mejor candidato para recibir el premio Colíbri por su dedicación en conservar, difundir y promover proyectos novedosos como La Hoja Volante uno dedicado a los árboles notables de la Ciudad de Oaxaca.

Demián Flores

Francisco Verástegui es alguien ha trabajado a favor del patrimonio natural e histórico de Oaxaca y en especial de nuestros entrañables árboles en los últimos tiempos ha sido precisamente él, quién con su decidida y significativa participación ha logrado despertar en nosotros el deseo de contribuir a la protección y salvaguarda de nuestro invaluable patrimonio. Sin embargo, el camino por recorrer el largo y difícil, por lo mismo considero que cualquier premio u apoyo que reciba Francisco le será de gran utilidad y le motivará a continuar con esta importante labor.

Víctor González Sánchez, Galeria Arte de Oaxaca

Tengo varios años de conocer a Francisco Verástegui y hoy mas que nunca me sorprende su personalidad ya que no logra estar sin movimiento un momento, siempre tiene en su ser una creatividad inmensa para el bienestar social que es realmente su pasion por la vida. Comenzo a mirar a los arboles de Oaxaca pero como solo él sabe hacerlo…..observando y dandose cuenta de su belleza y trascendio esta mirada a la Historia de cada uno. Hoy que me entero que esta propuesto para recibir el Premio Planeta me lleno de alegria porque es decir sí a la vida y sí a las personas que como Verástegui la viven atentos a la realidad.

Dora Luz Martinez Vasconcelos

Francisco Verástegui’s Oaxaca tree map is an innovative product that is of great interest to residents and visitors alike. This is urban ecotourism in action and it really works as the map results in one wanting to find more of these hidden green wonders in the city.

Gerhard Buttner

Kudos

Many thanks to friends and colleagues who are relaying the word about the Colibri Award including the United Nations Environment Programme.

Details

Colibri Ecotourism Award

http://www.planeta.com/colibri.html

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Sri Lanka’s Ranweli wins first annual ECOCLUB Ecolodge Award

Sri Lanka’s Ranweli wins first annual ECOCLUB Ecolodge Award










Athens, Greece (PRWEB) July 5, 2004

To celebrate its 5th anniversary, ECOCLUB, http://www.ecoclub.com, the international ecotourism club, has just held its first annual Ecolodge project competition, the “ECOCLUB Ecolodge Award 2004″. ECOCLUB Members were asked to choose by email vote from project proposals submitted by Ecolodges around the world. The winners were Ranweli Holiday Village of Sri Lanka, http://ecoclub.com/ranweli who proposed the creation of an organic vegetable plot and green house in school premises close to the Lodge. The all-girl school has over one thousand students.

Presenting the award at a live on-line event, ECOCLUB Founder, Antonis B. Petropoulos, noted that “this new Award is not a beauty contest, but aims to implement and verify the implementation of meaningful small-scale projects, by existing, successful, genuine Ecolodges, selected in a democratic fashion. ECOCLUB believes that genuine Ecotourism should be self-sustained, and supported from within, from its roots, rather than from governmental organisations and charities that arbitrarily splash out millions to the wrong hands, without even following up, and in so doing encourage corruption.”

RANWELI Director, Mr Chandra de Silva noted that “the ECOCLUB Ecolodge Award will further strengthen us in our endeavour to link the community with our enterprise. We hope to extend our Bio-Vegetable and pesticide free farming project through school children to the community, to areas of environmental conservation and education of the children. We thank the members of the Ecoclub for giving us this opportunity of taking forward the project.”

The 2004 Award is accompanied by the monetary sum of Euros 500, raised by ECOCLUB Members, and this amount is meant to cover the expenses of the project. Half of the funds will be awarded immediately, and the other half on completion of the project. The project implementation will be monitored and details, including photos, will be made available on-line, at http://ecoclub.com/award.html as the program progresses.

ECOCLUB is an international ecotourism club / ecotourism cooperative,

with members in over 50 countries. It is managed by ECOCLUB S.A. of Athens, Greece. On July 1, 2004 ECOCLUB celebrated its 5 years promoting genuine ecotourism.

To find out more:

For details on the winning project and all the candidate projects:

http://www.ecoclub.com/news/060/ecofocus.html

For information on ECOCLUB please see:

http://ecoclub.com/aboutus.html

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.