With natural fauna and other wildlife quickly becoming depleted throughout and within the world’s most beautiful tourist destinations, it is crucial that nature preserves become established in order to protect and ensure the survival of entire ecosystems, including endangered species.

However, politics tend to often stand in the way of progress.

Last week, a slated preserve creation in northeast Puerto Rico – plans for which were put in place back in 2007 as the new Northeast Ecological Corridor – was officially canceled. The 3,240 acres of coastline nestled alongside tropical forest is a prime nesting ground for endangered leatherback sea turtles.

While the government had been trying to secure the preserve’s future by buying up public lands that intersected with the planned preserve, ultimately political pressure determined its fate.

According to the governor’s office, the cancellation was based on political pressure and job creation. The establishment of a nature preserve in the area would not bolster the region’s economy as well as, say, rows of resorts and tourism attractions.

Obviously, this scares most environmentalists, as resort areas tend to negatively impact and disrupt the natural ecosystems of the surrounding areas. Construction, debris, waste and toxic materials as well as human foot-traffic all lend a hand in destroying the native environment.

On the brighter side, the governor has called for the environmental authorities to determine what of the 3,240 acres is the most sensitive in the hopes that these areas will still remain protected. However, most are concerned that, even if set aside as a smaller-scale preserve, the area will still be harmed due to human interaction.

With each new positive step toward natural and ecological preservation, the environment gains “a win”. Yet, it is often hard to sidestep the bureaucracy of political agenda. Even seemingly big wins can end in disappointment.

Located in Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes region on the shores of Stoney Lake, Pine Vista Resort is an award winning cottage resort for nature lovers of all ages, perfect for any family summer vacation, fishing weekend, romantic couples retreat or girls getaway.

With ecotoursim being one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry, the resort’s new construction aims to develop a better understanding of the natural environment and developing a moment to protect it. Teeming with life, the resort’s wetlands boast diverse and abundant species of animals and fauna, including dozens of different species of birds.

Guests are invited to spend a few hours observing the wildlife on display and share their experiences and sightings with others via a trailside log book. A log book is available trailside so that guests may share with others their experiences and sightings.

Connecting kids to nature

During the summer, the boardwalk will be used in Pine Vista’s Kids Klub program – a place for kids to learn about the various components of our natural environment in a way that they can understand and that is fun for them.

Under the guidance of program leaders, the children will be using the information collected in the boardwalk sighting log to learn about the significance of wetlands, and their importance to the health and sustainability of the planet.

“Through our interpretative programs it is our goal to promote interest by developing an understanding of our role as humans to share, respect and care for natural systems that all creatures call home,” said Pine Vista Resort owner Bonnie Hamilton.

Nature-oriented tourism “makes sense”

Out-door recreation and environmentally sustainable tourism is building in popularity among Canadians. More and more people are participating in outdoor recreation due to greater awareness of the importance of health and fitness.

A number of outdoor, nature-based, non-consumptive recreation activities have experienced significant growth, while bird watching is rapidly becoming one of the most popular nature-based activities in Canada, followed by hiking and back-packing.

“Preserving our wetlands just makes sense,” added Hamilton. “Not only because it is the right thing to do but also because protected wildlife areas can make a significant economic contribution to communities. Rapidly growing activities like bird watching directly benefit areas that depend on tourism. Bird watchers and other eco tourists visit areas that actively protect the environment. We are pleased that Pine Vista Resort can play a part in protecting the environment and sustaining eco-friendly tourism.”

For more information, visit www.pinevista.com.

Located in Rancho Palos Verdes, just 20 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport, the 120-acre property introduces a whole new generation to a part of Los Angeles that feels worlds away from the dynamic city, and to a beautiful and tranquil setting which is largely unknown.

“Visitors that round the last scenic coastal bend before Terranea are met with a breathtaking sight: an oceanfront Resort surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean with Catalina Island looming across the channel,” said Charlie Peck, president and chief operation officer for Destination. “This location has to be one of Southern California’s most striking vistas and we are honored to add this inspired Resort along the Pacific to our collection of properties.”

Building green luxury

Last year, as well as just a few months back, Destination had already begun the marketing push for the newest addition to their line of resorts. Now, with its doors finally open, the 360-room hotel and luxury villas can show-off their environmental commitment; the resort wass developed with strict eco-sensitivity across all aspects of its building and operations.

During the building process, 45 stately trees on the site that date back over 50 years were carefully boxed prior to construction, then replanted. Also, 14 acres of natural Coastal Sage Scrub habitat was planted by Terranea, re-creating the natural California coastal terrain.

Progressive water quality systems were installed throughout the property to treat and clean rain water runoff and help protect the ocean, including strategically planted areas that serve as “organic filters.”

“Visitors will learn through our example that developments can provide access to irreplaceable land while safeguarding their beauty and nurturing the flora and fauna – all for the benefit of generations to come,” said Terri A. Haack, executive vice president and managing director of Terranea. “It is part of our vision that people will come away from Terranea compelled to become caretakers with us of the land and the ocean that make Southern California one of the world’s most desirable locales.”

Being no stranger to eco-lodging incentives, Destination Hotels & Resorts consistently works to protect and preserve the unique communities in which the company operates through its Destination Earth program; an environmental sustainability program in 2008.

The company is consistently rated one of the top 10 independent hospitality management companies in the United States with more than 30 luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers. To protect and preserve the unique communities in which the company operates, Destination launched Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program.

The property also features The Links at Terranea, a challenging 9-hole par 3 golf course, and The Spa at Terranea with 25 treatment rooms, three ocean view pools and a collection of eight distinctive restaurants, bars and lounges.

Guests will recognize the views from many vantage points as the property has been the location of dozens of Hollywood films and television shows over the years. The Resort’s expansive outdoor lawns, terraces, gardens, gazebos and event space are all designed to showcase the Pacific Ocean locale.

“Terranea is secluded and private, providing an oceanfront escape that feels far removed from hectic city life, yet is close for millions. Guests and owners will feel like they’ve been transported to a tranquil place that embodies the classic California lifestyle. The Terranea staff offers gracious, humble service – providing the kind of attentive service one associates with retreating to a safe, familiar, nurturing environment,” said Terri A. Haack, executive vice president and managing director of the new Resort.

Other amenities include a children’s center with interactive programs and several miles of scenic bluff-top trails that connect miles of off-property coastal trails.

For more information visit http://www.terranea.com.

The 308-meter walkway reaches heights in excess of 17.5 meters, enables visitors and researchers to experience the unique biodiversity of a Pacific Coastal Rainforest canopy, which include s treetop mosses, lichens, birds, insects and other invertebrates, and offers a “bird’s eye” view of the forest canopy.

Developed by GreenHeart Conservation, the walkways utilize suspension bridges and portable towers that allow minimal impact on the surrounding grounds and plantlife. The walkways are constructed entirely of separate pieces that can be manually transported from location to location, eliminating the need for construction vehicles and roadways within the ecosystem. Sustainable construction technology has been used to secure the walkway’s eight platforms and nine bridges to trees in the UBC Botanical Garden’s 15-hectare David C. Lam Asian Garden. Instead of using invasive fasteners that can damage trees, the walkway is secured by a patented “Tree Hugger” system of interlaced steel cables, provided by Greenheart Conservation Company, a private eco-attraction company from Vancouver. The cable system is designed to expand allowing for normal tree growth.

“The Greenheart Canopy Walkway gives students, researchers and visitors unprecedented access to the rarely seen forest canopy of the Pacific Northwest,” says Murray Isman, Dean of UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems. “This unique eco-attraction will be a destination for education and interactive learning, adding to UBC’s reputation as a global leader in research, teaching and sustainability.”

GreenHeart has already constructed similar systems in Ghana, Brazil, England, Peru, and Madagascar. This new development marks the first treetop walkway in Canada, and the second in North America.

The new walkways allow researchers and on-lookers to study and appreciate first-hand the intiricacies of the canopy, including wildlife – birds, insects, animals – as well as fauna. Researchers are steadily identifying previously undiscovered species throughout forest canopies, as the ecosystem of forest canopies is still widely unknown. They are also accessible to people living with disabilities, thanks to a motorized wheelchair device.

Local guides who specialize in the subject lead visitors through the treetops to witness this rare sight, up-close and personal, while maintenance is the responsibility of local residents – promoting a sustainable, culturally-progressive economy.

From September to June, hourly tours begin at 10am except on Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, hourly tours begin at 12 noon. The last tour of the day begins at 4pm.

UBC’s Botanical Garden will use revenues from the walkway to support and expand existing horticultural, educational and research programs.

“Nature tourism is considered one of the fastest growing markets in the tourism industry,” said Ian Green, president and co-founder of Greenheart, which has used “Tree Hugger” technology in eco-attractions in National Parks in South America and Africa. “We are helping to develop viable long-term businesses that support the local economy while also creating sustainable conservation strategies that leave a minimal footprint on the environment.”

About the UBC Botanical Garden
Established in 1916, UBC’s Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research is Canada’s oldest continuously operating university botanic garden. The mission of the Garden includes research, conservation, teaching and public display of temperate plants from around the world, particularly Asian, alpine and native plants.

The Garden’s research arm is the UBC Centre for Plant Research, which produces world-class research on topics including plant adaptation, evolution, genomics, plant physiology and biotic interactions, phytochemistry, plant biotechnology and plant breeding.

For more information on Greenheart Canopy Walkway, including hours of operation, fees and group rates, visit www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/visitorinfo/greenheart-canopy-walkway.php.

About GreenHeart
GreenHeart is a private conservation company based in Vancouver. It has built canopy walkways and aerials trails in Asia, South and North America and Africa.

For more information on GreenHeart, visit www.greenheart.ca.