Trees do a great deal to help the environment. If we preserve them and allow them to grow, they prevent erosion, provide a larger animal habitat and produce more oxygen. It is imperative that we remember the importance of the trees here in the rain forest. We all hear about the different medicines and other beneficial items which are discovered in the world’s rainforests.

The size of our rainforests is continually diminishing. With continued population growth, the spaces on earth covered with trees will continue to decrease. We need to try to keep the reduction in forest size to a minimum. Thus it is important for all of us to vote with our dollars.

Support business and locales which treasure natural resources and do what they can to ensure the natural resources will be around for future generations. This means that we should all do what we can to learn what it takes to support the environment. Does it mean going 100% green or does it mean supporting those businesses who have the longevity to keep going over time? Eco tourism is difficult to define. How eco can you demand a location be when at home you use large amounts of fossil fuels to support your day to day life? Or is it best to learn what is sustainable and what we can do to slow the reduction in the world’s rainforests?

Tags: Bocas del Toro, Panama, Rainforest, Jungle, Sustainable Tourism

We do all that we can to preserve the land we inhabit and places we visit on a daily basis. We have purchased about 110 acres of land much of which is covered in secondary forest. We only use a small percentage for our facility. The rest is maintained in reserve for nature trails, wildlife observation, reintroduction of native species of flora, and native habit for fauna.

We are involved on several levels with the province of Bocas del Toro, the local people and Panama in regards to environmental issues, sustainable development, sustainable use of natural resources, local tour development, and the future of the archipelago.

We work with several indigenous communities developing touristic products that accentuate their natural culture, use of sustainable resources and environment. Several of the tourism projects we are developing now involve conservation organizations working in the area, local research scientists, indigenous communities, ANAM (Panamanian environmental agency) local NGO's and private sector eco-tourism companies. We feel that all parties that have a stake in the local community need to be involved for the projects to be successful. If all parties don't "buy in" non-sustainable practices will continue. Everyone needs an economic benefit for this to work long term.

We are also currently involved in conjunction with Salt Creek village (indigenous Ngobe Bugle) ANAM, and the Defensora de los Pueblos (Panamanian Govt. Agency) to secure a reserve adjoining the Bastimentos National Marine Park. This area is a refuge for flora and fauna, and also an important area for the harvesting of Penca's (palm leafs used for thatched roofs).

Tags: Sustainable Tourism, Bocas del Toro, Panama