Protecting Biodiversity
protecting biodiversity
Make positive impact choices while traveling. Photo via Cyrille Fleury/Shutterstock; Edited by Epicure & Culture.

By Daniela Frendo

Imagine taking a walkĀ through an intact old-growth forest, where ancient pineĀ trees pierce into the skyĀ andĀ the chirpingĀ of dozens of colorful birds fills the air. At one point, you might find yourselfĀ surrounded byĀ steep green mountains, or wander out onto a deserted beach. It sounds like paradise, but this place is real… and you can find it in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Known for its rich biodiversity, Mexico is home to aboutĀ 10% of the worldā€™s plant and animal species. There are aroundĀ 200,000 different species in Mexico, and the country also boastsĀ 34 biosphere reserves and 67 national parks. Most of Mexico’s natural habitat is found in the southern state of Oaxaca, which proudly hostsĀ 133 species of amphibians and 245 species of reptiles. Oaxaca is also a culturally diverse place, whereĀ 16 indigenous communities, each with their own traditions, dialect and customs, coexist in social harmony.

The only threat to their well-being, and to the existenceĀ of Oaxaca’sĀ unique species, is the rapidĀ deforestation that has been scarring Mexico’s landscapes for the last two decades.

To address the environmental crisisĀ in Oaxaca and other vulnerable places inĀ the world, an international nonprofit has beenĀ working with tourism entrepreneurs and local communities to establish sustainable ways ofĀ protecting natural habitats andĀ empowering indigenous peoples.

protecting biodiversity
HosterĆ­a Tambopaxi, Ecuador. Photo courtesy of Rainforest Alliance.

ImplementingĀ Sustainable Tourism Practices

The Rainforest Alliance was established in 1987 with the aim to conserve biodiversity and supportĀ local communities through sustainable tourism. The organization offers training toĀ local tourism enterprises to equip them with the tools needed to operate sustainably, efficiently and responsibly. Ā There are currently aroundĀ 300 people employed with Rainforest Alliance, and the NGO has so far worked with over 1 millionĀ individuals in 89 nations.

In a recent project in Oaxaca, theyĀ partnered with local organizations toĀ hold training workshops forĀ community-based entrepreneurs, showing them how toĀ contribute to a cleaner environment through waste management and efficient energy use. The workshops have also highlighted the importance ofĀ working with local suppliersĀ in order to boost the local economy and createĀ economic opportunities for rural and indigenous communities. In San Miguel del Valle, around 3,000 people have benefited from suchĀ community-based tourism initiatives. The program has also led to the conservation ofĀ 16,857 hectares (16,944 acres) of pristine forest and a main cougar habitat.

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protecting biodiversity
Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, Costa Rica. Photo courtesy of Rainforest Alliance.

Protecting The Environment

In its mission to spread eco-friendlyĀ practices in the travel industry, Rainforest Alliance helps hotels, lodges, tour operators and other tourism businessesĀ achieve and maintainĀ high sustainability standards. This is carried out through training sessions on topics such as cultural and environmental preservation, green marketing and recycling,Ā as well as technical assistance and yearly audits.

In order to qualify for the Rainforest Alliance certification, businesses and hotels must implement aĀ sustainable management plan, commit themselves to protecting the environment and the communities in the area, and prohibit destructive tourism practices or activities, such as poaching and deforestation. Tourism enterprises that comply with the strict sustainability standardsĀ set by the organization are awarded theĀ Rainforest Alliance Certified seal.

The certification programs designed by the Rainforest AllianceĀ have been recognized by theĀ Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

protecting biodiversity
Hidden Valley Lodge in the Mountain Pine Ridge in Cayo District. Photo courtesy of Rainforest Alliance

Building A Sustainable Future For Indigenous Communities

With the help ofĀ community partners from around the world, Rainforest Alliance ensures the needs and rights ofĀ rural communities are included in local tourism operatorĀ sustainability projects.Ā InĀ Ecuador, Peru and Colombia, Rainforest Alliance and theirĀ local tourismĀ partners are conserving about 780,000 hectares (1,927,422 acres) of land, an initiative which hasĀ also improved theĀ lives ofĀ overĀ 2,000 Amazon residents.

Rainforest Alliance aimsĀ to establish sustainable livelihoods for people and communities who depend onĀ the natural environment for food, medicine and other basic needs. In Latin America, the organization works with indigenous communities and local enterprises to help themĀ manage their natural resources sustainably and conserve the surrounding wilderness.Ā TheseĀ initiatives not only help local communitiesĀ lead better lives,Ā Ā but they also promoteĀ responsible tourism in the region.

“In Oaxaca, our work focused on building local capacity and providing a diagnostic tool that community-based tourism operations could use to evaluate how well they were implementing sustainable tourism practices. We hope this work will help communities to implement everyday sustainable practices in their tourism operations, and, in the long run, result in better management of the destination as a whole,” explains Ronald Sanabria,Ā senior vice president of sustainable tourism at Rainforest Alliance.

protecting biodiversity
Hacienda Zuleta, Ecuador. Photo courtesy of Rainforest Alliance

A Costa Rican Case Study

Very often, localĀ communities and small businesses in rural areas know a lot about their trade, but have limitedĀ experience inĀ tourism management. In the town of Santa Ana, Costa Rica, pottery making is a main tourist attraction, as demonstrated by the 60+ pottery shops lining the streets. One of these potters isĀ Mario HernĆ”ndez, whose father was the first to open a pottery shop in Santa Ana back in the sixties. The trade has since spread throughout the country, becoming an important cultural heritage in Costa Rica and providing a sustainable income for the many families who practice the craft.

To help potters in Santa Ana boost rural and community tourismĀ in their hometown and thereforeĀ maintain a sustainable income, Rainforest Alliance have invited them toĀ workshops in marketing,Ā conservation, customer service,Ā cost-cutting and sustainable tourism practices. Following these training sessions — offered toĀ moreĀ than 600 entrepreneurs and 140 tourism businesses across Costa Rica — the HernĆ”ndez family is now better equipped to protectĀ the landĀ around the clay pit and help reforest the surrounding area.Ā The family is alsoĀ planning to build eco-friendly cabins for tourists, while they continueĀ toĀ promote local history and biodiversity through their tours.

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protecting biodiversity
Yacutinga Lodge & Private Nature Reserve. Photo courtesy of Rainforest Alliance.

HowĀ You Can ContributeĀ 

If you’re worried about greenwashing or potential eco-frauds, purchasing products or services that carry the Rainforest Alliance seal is aĀ way ofĀ ensuring that you are trulyĀ traveling sustainably and responsibly.Ā To make this choice easier, Rainforest Alliance haveĀ put up a directory of certified hotels and tour operators in Latin America and the Caribbean.

What NGO’s, hotels, airlines or tour operators do you know focused on protecting biodiversity and assisting indigenous communities through tourism? Please share in the comments below!Ā 

Recommended:

6 Best Apps for Finding Authentic Travel Experiences [Blog Inspiration]

Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity by Eric Chivian [Great Reads]

Book These Nonprofit-Led Experiences When Traveling [Responsible Tourism]

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Daniela Frendo is a travel writer and photographer from Malta. No matter how often she travels, she keeps breaking out in cold sweats at boarding gates. She is terrified of flying, but willing to try out stomach-churning delicacies wherever she goes. Her trips arenā€™t complete without doing a bit of trekking, experiencing local culture and getting a souvenir t-shirt.She has a degree in Communications and divides her time between teaching English and writing for different publications, including her own travel blog www.grumpycamel.com.

Daniela Frendo

Daniela Frendo is a travel writer and photographer from Malta. No matter how often she travels, she keeps breaking out in cold sweats at boarding gates. She is terrified of flying, but willing to try out stomach-churning delicacies wherever she goes. Her trips arenā€™t complete without doing a bit of trekking, experiencing local culture and getting a souvenir t-shirt.She has a degree in Communications and divides her time between teaching English and writing for different publications, including her own travel blog www.grumpycamel.com.

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