As an advocate and zoologist, rancher Nigel Turner, owner of Grand Canyon Ranch, has introduced wild Bison on his private guest ranch, located 14 miles from the West Rim of the Grand Canyon.

“This is an incredible opportunity for visitors from all over the globe to experience an escorted horseback or horse-drawn wagon “safari” to get ‘up close and personal’ with a vital part of American history. It strikes a raw nerve with the guests who visit our Ranch where they can get very close to one of these magnificent animals,” said Turner.

“Not since the days depicted in ‘Dances with Wolves’ has America seen hundreds of Bison living freely on the American plains,” he added. “Only here at the Grand Canyon Ranch can you have that type of adventure experience of seeing these magnificent animals.”

Noting that in the early 1800’s some 30 million Bison roamed the American plains, Turner (who holds a degree in Zoology), is eager to be a vocal promoter and steward of these endangered animals. “There is a deep emotional connection that Americans have seeing Buffalo not only preserved but growing and thriving in a secluded and protected natural environment. The Buffalo is part of us – they are enshrined in the hopes and dreams of the Wild West and we simply cannot allow them to be lost forever.”

Realizing an American fantasy

Keen to bring tourists to his Arizona Ranch, the historic 165 square mile Grand Canyon Ranch – a working cattle ranch in which guests can stay in their very own private pine cabin or authentic Indian Tipi – offers Buffalo “Safaris” by horseback or horse-drawn wagon where visitors can have the ultimate “Western Experience.”

In one day, guests can visit the Grand Canyon by helicopter with Heli USA Airways, land and experience the historic ranch, be entertained by professional western entertainers and go on a buffalo “safari” either on horseback or horse-drawn wagon.

“Growing up in Manchester, England I watched Western movies and fantasized about the Wild West. My lifelong dream has now come true by owning a magnificent ranch and the opportunity to introduce the Buffalo back into the American wilderness. It is so gratifying to see the excited faces of visitors when they see the Buffalo in their natural habitat rather than in a zoo,” said Turner.

John Power, VP Sales and Marketing for Grand Canyon Ranch added that more information on the new buffalo “safaris” can be found at www.grandcanyonranch.com, www.heliusa.com or through tour operators worldwide, adding, “we have only been operating the new buffalo tours for a few days and I am pleased that more than 80% of our visitors have been coming to see the Buffalo. One Buffalo can grow to more than 2,000 lbs. They are magnificent animals to see and photograph against the unmistakable beauty of the Grand Canyon Ranch.”

The project is an ambitious effort to support the release of a billion baby sea turtles at key locations around the world by the end of the decade. The project is also a key component of Fabien’s new ocean conservation and restoration organization, Plant-A-Fish, also to be launched in June.

Jacques Cousteau would have been 100 years old this June 11th, and although the famed Cousteau name is synonymous with marine life conservation, this event marks the first visit of a Cousteau to El Salvador, which recently outlawed the consumption of sea turtle eggs.

Protecting endangered species slowly finding success

El Salvador is home to one of the most endangered sea turtle populations in the world, the Pacific Hawksbill turtle.

Until last year, virtually 100% of the Central American nation’s sea turtle eggs were collected for sale or eaten in bars and restaurants. Thanks to recently passed conservation laws and innovative public-private partnerships, that’s all changed.

In 2009, for the first time in decades, nearly one million baby sea turtles found their way to the ocean in El Salvador and 2010 should see a continuation of that success. The innovative approach of Billion Baby Turtles involves collaboration between former egg collectors, local non-profit organizations, government agencies, the tourism sector and international foundations around the world.

According to FUNZEL, the Salvadorean partner with USAID working to coordinate the expanded sea turtle network, there are now dozens of communities, hundreds of turtle volunteers—or “tortugueros” as they like to be called—and numerous agencies and non-profit organizations committed to the recovery of Hawksbills and the three other sea turtle species known to live in El Salvador.

“For sea turtles to make a comeback, we need to build a diverse social movement that extends from the city to the coastal villages and promotes El Salvador as a net sea turtle protector, rather than consumer,” says Nichols, a Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences and co-founder of SEEturtles.org who is scientific advisor to the project.

“Sea turtles are in many ways a symbol of the ocean crisis but also of hope for solutions,” he said. “By supporting the release of a billion baby sea turtles at ocean hot spots over the next decade, we’ll help tilt the odds further in their favor.”

“The people of El Salvador have an enormous responsibility to ensure the survival of sea turtles along with protecting the ocean as it is a key source of livelihood for generations to come,” says Fabien Cousteau. “What is underway in El Salvador inspires us all. This visit is my personal commitment to support their important work.”

According to FUNZEL/USAID sea turtle project coordinator, Enriqueta Ramirez, the team is convening a meeting of business leaders on May 6th to build and solidify long-term commitments to nesting beach projects along the entire length of El Salvador’s coastline.

Next up after El Salvador, Cousteau and Nichols plan to visit to the coast of Zihuatanejo, Mexico to release more baby sea turtles.

Photo credit: Island-Life via Flickr

“Preserve a Park” is the platform for ALA’s newly established conservation and educational initiative, an ongoing program that will be aligned with a different national park each year. The company will provide financial contributions to an organization that best supports that designated park, while featuring an educational experience for guests who book one of the tour company’s “Preserve a Park” trips.

This year, ALA will donate $100 per guest from each Glacier trip to the Glacier National Park Fund (www.glacierfund.org), a 501 (c)(3)organization that supports the ongoing and future preservation of Glacier National Park’s natural beauty and cultural heritage by fostering public awareness and encouraging private philanthropy.

In collabortaion with the Glacier National Park Fund and local experts on such topics as glacier activity, history and wildlife, the ALA Glacier National Park Centennial trips will feature an educational element woven throughout the week, including an afternoon or evening with the experts from Glacier National Park Fund to enrich the trip experience.

In 1850, Glacier National Park had 150 glaciers spread over its acreage and today only 26 survive. Guests will learn from active travelers and local experts, intimately familiar with the Park’s challenges and rewards and can offer special insights.

A UNESCO World Heritage site and, coupled with Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada, the worlds’ first Peace Park, Glacier National Park is an adventurer’s paradise known to Native Americans as the “Backbone of the World”. It preserves over one million acres of glacier-carved terrain that encompasses old growth forest, alpine lakes, rugged mountains and sweeping meadows of wildflowers.

According to Dan Austin, co-founder of Austin-Lehman Adventures, “Our national park programs have been our most popular, and they also represent opportunities to express our support for safeguarding our great parks. We chose Glacier National Park to acknowledge its Centennial and we are delighted to name the Glacier National Park Fund as the recipient of our donation.”

Travelers bike, hike and raft through the Park’s less traveled trails and most famous routes, including the celebrated Going-to-the-Sun Road (one of North America’s most scenic roads and an 11-year building feat), and savor an up-close look at the Park’s wildlife, natural wonders and awe-inspiring yet threatened glaciers.

Combining sustainability principles and a blend of ethical sensitivity, Local Travel focuses on the place as a whole – aiming to protect what tourists are coming to see, while incorporating all of the characteristics that contribute to sense of the destination.

Local travelers explore not only the nature and ecology of a destination, but also its historic structures, living and traditional culture, landscapes, cuisine, arts and more – lending to the positive reinforcement and economic development of a destination, rather than standardized international branding, generic architecture, food, and so on.

With this trend – preservation and development of a destination’s local culture and character – increasing in popularity, one new website, LocalTravelMovement.com, has launched to embrace, develop, promote and establish “Local Travel” as a new avenue in responsible tourism.

Pre-launched in mid-March 2010, LocalTravelMovement.com was initiated by a core coalition of people and companies can help give locals a real voice, engage travelers and develop a stronger ethical dialogue within the travel industry.

To date, the Movement has already inspired over 40 organizations to band together for the common cause – a passion and commitment to local travel values.

Unified diversity at its core

The Local Travel Movement does not attempt to rigidly define what local travel is - rather it simply places value on an approach to travel that is mindful of local people, the local environment, local culture and the local economy.

According to the coalition, there are four simple and easy steps to becoming a local traveler:

• Connect with local people before, during and after a trip
• Travel in a manner that is sensitive to the local environment
• Respect local heritage and culture
• Spend money locally to support the native economy

For travelers, Local Travel is a chance to immerse themselves in the true value of a destination while helping to preserve and support the destination itself.

For host communities, it is vital for enforcing the beneficial qualities of tourism, maximizing a general awareness of the local culture and minimising ‘leakage’ from the local economy.

According to the site: “[We are] not alone in thinking this. Although we’ve hinted previously about the onset of this movement, just one short week after a quiet soft launch of the website, word appears to be spreading fast. We’ve added two dozen companies to a list of Local Travel partners and are fielding requests for quite a few more. We think we’ve hit a good nerve.”

For more information, visit www.LocalTravelMovement.com or network at Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Photo by ecomentum.com.

WINNER #1 Destination Communities

Destination communities win when philanthropic travelers arrive with open hearts and philanthropic intent. The economic generosity of those travelers allows communities to move past the daily march for survival by gifting education, medical facilities, clean water and entrepreneurial training. Philanthropic Travelers create a chain reaction of ‘pay it forward,’ goodwill that unlocks powerful community development and gratitude.

“What David is doing is wonderful because it combines the best of everything,” says Chellie Kew, founder of Qfund, a non-profit organization whose grassroots endeavors in Africa are sometimes observed by Exquisite Safaris travelers. “You get the world-class accommodations, the top-notch activities, and then end up at a project that is life-changing.” -Chellie Kew Q Fund Humanitarian NGO

“There’s something in all of us that hungers after the good and true, and when we glimpse it in people, we applaud them for it. Through them we let the world’s pain into our hearts, and we find compassion. When things go wrong or have been terribly wrong for some time, their inspiration reminds us of the tenderness for life that we can all feel.” -Bishop Desmund Tutu

WINNER #2 Philanthropic Travelers

Acting as committed and awakened ‘resource catalysts,’ rather than ‘day laborers,’ Philanthropic Travelers who donate to our NGO humanitarian partners are participating in the inspiration, education and empowerment of communities -better able to sustain themselves creating new local opportunities for upward mobility.

“Visiting the Matare neighborhood outside Nairobi was a powerful experience for our family. What we encountered grabbed our hearts. Living there does not make for an easy life, and it is so much different from what we know. And yet we found our hearts warmed from this unforgettable experience. Franklin opened the community up to us in ways we would have never been able to see ourselves. We enjoyed a chance to hear people’s stories, to learn about their hopes and dreams, and to enjoy playing sports with local youth. Franklin’s outreach is powerful, and since our visit we now feel like we can help him make a difference through our growing friendship. Our lives will never be the same and we look forward to visiting again.” -Amber Dowd, Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Traveler

WINNER #3 Environment, Indigenous Culture and Wildlife

Once communities are empowered, they have the ‘personal bandwidth,’ to participate in the preservation of their environment, their cultural uniqueness and the wildlife that makes their neighborhoods so attractive to philanthropic travelers.

“Ultimately conservation is about people. If you don’t have sustainable development around these (wildlife) parks, then people will have no interest in them, and the parks will not survive.” -Nelson Mandela

Philanthropic Travel as a catalyst for a Peaceful, Prosperous, and Friendly World. Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel Worldwide has been working hard to show meaningful benefits to conservation and communities.

“The ‘Enlightened Luxury’ experience of Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel Worldwide revolves around a sophisticated high-end traveler who demands and requires a world class level of service and wants to play a leading role by traveling with philanthropic intent.

Our clients report that being the guest of a grassroots humanitarian outreach project for a morning or afternoon somewhere along their itinerary has profoundly expanded their understanding of the world. It has awakened powerful emotions, enlightened ideas, and concrete plans about how they intend to re-invent their future while leveraging their “quality time remaining.” -David Chamberlain

UNESCO on Tourism

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) states that if responsible practices are in place, Tourism is the natural interlocutor between the wealth and desires of the global traveler and the socio-economic needs of some of the world’s most remote, but heritage-rich communities, natural and cultural sites. It’s vital to manage, through collaboration, the impact of tourism and the low-volume, high yield operators particularly in the luxury tier are in a unique position to deliver service and stability to world heritage. UNESCO sees responsible travel as a delicate balancing act. Tourism involves a series of trade-offs but, within an agreed framework of goals and limits and a climate of educational, respectful relationships, we have one of our most powerful tools for poverty reduction.

Originally built in 1928, the 22-guestroom Bancroft Hotel is a National Registered Landmark known for its historic charm, personalized service and eco-friendly practices. The hotel sits directly across the street from the University of California at Berkeley and next door to the Berkeley Art Museum.

“The Bancroft Hotel has a rich history,” said Daryl Ross, owner of the Bancroft Hotel. “It’s vital that we protect this heritage, and that includes the preservation of historically accurate furniture pieces that were previously custom-made for the hotel. The Refinishing Touch’s experience in wood preservation techniques and its skills in armoire conversion are vital to meeting our goals of preserving as much of the Bancroft’s history as possible while also keeping up with the expectations of today’s hotel guests.”

Sustainable history preservation

For Ross, it was essential that the project was as eco-friendly as possible.

“As part of our green commitment, I meticulously researched everything. With expert insight from David Gottfried, the founder of the US Green Building council, and green design advice from Kelly LaPlante and Dan Smith, I knew we had a great team. That’s why I was especially thrilled to discover the Refinishing Touch – plus they did all the work on-site, which saved greatly in shipping costs and limiting the ‘carbon footprint’ of the project.”

After multiple structural renovations in the early 1990s in preparation for Bay Area seismic activity, the hotel began this new project – focusing on sustainably preserving the history of the property; utlizing such “green” elements as organic cotton sheets and bamboo towels in each of its bedrooms as well as cork flooring, recycled carpet tiles, nontoxic paints and earth-friendly cleaning solutions throughout the property.

The hotel has been outfitted with custom made furniture pieces that are based on the architect’s original 1928 drawings of furniture (all of which were never actually made). The designs have been drawn to cater to the needs of the hotel’s 21st-century guests and to ensure space was maximized in each guest room.

The Refinishing Touch was selected to fulfill this role and convert historically accurate armoires into desks. In line with the Bancroft’s sustainability goals, the tops of the armoires will be re-used as material for new countertops.

The Refinishing Touch is a leader in environmentally safe furniture refinishing, fabric design and re-upholstering, armoire modifications, and customized granite. It has clients across the hospitality, college and government sectors and has saved the equivalent of 500,000 hardwood trees from destruction.

“We’re proud and honored to be part of this important project and to play a small part in the history of this landmark hotel,” said Mario Insenga, CEO and founder of The Refinishing Touch. “We have developed a unique process for the Bancroft that will preserve the carvings, character and style of its unique and valuable furniture while modernizing the pieces to ensure they remain useful for many years to come.”

Participating properties include the Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont San Jose, Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica and the Fairmont Newport Beach.

Fairmont is helping to raise the funds to promote the campaign and boost traveler eco-awareness.

“By collectively raising much needed funds and promoting this initiative Fairmont hopes to bring traveler attention to the California State Parks Foundation and the Save Our Parks Campaign,” said Tom Klein, Regional Vice-President of Operations and General Manager of the Fairmont San Francisco. “Guests’ generous contribution of $1 per night will help protect state parks and keep them open for today and for future generations.”

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts was the first major hotel chain in North America to embrace environmental stewardship in its daily operations through the implementation of its own Green Partnership Program, focusing on improvements in the areas of waste management, energy and water conservation, as well as a strong element of community outreach through local groups and partnerships.

“Investment in the preservation and protection of the state’s ecological and historical gems insures that future generations of children and adults will be able to experience the same sense of awe and serenity and education that those who currently visit the parks enjoy,” continued Klein. “Support of this initiative ensures the preservation and enhancement of California’s state parks for future generations.”

“The California State Parks offer travelers the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of nature and history. Even one closing impacts the lives of Californians and global visitors alike,” said Bruce Beckham, Executive Director of Tourism Cares. “We commend our long time partners at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and their guests for their concern and action to minimize the effect of these challenging times for California State Parks.”

Tourism Cares, a non-profit public charity, works to preserve the travel experience for future generations by mobilizing the travel and tourism industry and travelers alike to give back to society through grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; through academic and service-learning scholarships for students of hospitality and tourism; and through the organization of volunteer efforts to clean up and restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation.

Attendees will be given the opportunity to travel with specialists to historic sites and villages, organic farms and nature reserves.

“Crete is blessed with fascinating history, natural beauty and excellent fresh food,” says CCS Founder, Nikki Rose. “There is much to celebrate and protect. The roots of the Mediterranean Diet originated in Crete. CCS programs help to support people striving to preserve their lifestyle and share their valuable knowledge in mutually beneficial ways.”

CCS Seminars include organic olive oil and wine tastings, cooking demos, botanical hikes, traditional music and other activities celebrating Crete’s distinctive heritage. Doctors, nutritionists, chefs, farmers, ecologists, anthropologists, travel agents, journalists, students, history and food enthusiasts have joined CCS programs. Their collected feedback confirms that participating in programs that protect Crete’s heritage is an enjoyable and enriching experience.

Global interest in sustainability includes tourism and foodservice. People involved with traditional trades, conservation, sustainable organic farming, and the food industry play an integral role in their communities, including attracting visitors. Responsible Travel offers innovative educational programs that protect cultural and natural heritage while doing good business.

Founders of Milia Ecolodge in Crete say, “We are not striving to change our standards to attract visitors, we are striving to attract visitors that appreciate our standards.”

Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries (CCS) was founded in 1997 by Nikki Rose, a Greek-American professional chef, writer and responsible travel adviser (for projects in Brazil, Cambodia, Europe and USA).

CCS collaborates with over 40 small businesses and individuals working to protect Crete’s cultural and natural heritage. Seminars are conducted in rural communities, organic farms and historic sites. CCS has received awards from National Geographic, the World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development, WTTC, and is featured in The New York Times, Lonely Planet and TV New Zealand.

“The preservation of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is critical to both its marine inhabitants and the local communities that depend on the site for their livelihoods,” read a statement by Erika Harms, Executive Director of the Sustainable Development Program at the United Nations Foundation. “In light of the Committee’s decision, we recommit ourselves to support long-term solutions to the conservation challenges in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage site.”

The United Nations Foundation is an advocate for the UN and a platform for connecting people, ideas, and capital to help the United Nations solve global problems. The foundation works to build partnerships, grow constituencies, mobilize resources and advocate policy changes to support the UN’s work for individual and global progress.

It focuses on, among other things,  improving disaster relief, protecting diverse cultures and environments and creating a clean energy future.

Working alongside local tourism businesses and conservation organizations for the past 9 years, the UN Foundation has joined with the Belizean government as well as other UN bodies to raise awareness and build support for the conservation and protection of the Barrier Reef as well as its local communities.

Seven separate pieces of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System were inscribed as a serial World Heritage site in 1996, comprising 370 square miles that include 450 cayes and 3 atolls. The site is part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the second longest in the world behind only Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and boasts 500 different species of fish and 65 species of coral.

With the new “World Heritage in Danger” designation, the foundation hopes to encourage tourism – crucial to the economic well-being of the region -  that highlights the “unique natural value of the site and support the government in its efforts to create a framework to preserve the site, support sustainable tourism in and around the site, and empower local communities to improve their livelihoods.”

The Foundation is working diligently to promote throughout the international community the idea that the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, as well as ecosystems like it,  “belong to all of us, and it is vital to protect these sites and their natural and cultural heritage.”

For more information, visit www.UNFoundation.org

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According to Jorge Villalobos, CEO of these travel companies operating Galapagos Tours, “The success of our operation is not only offering a high-end experience, it is also to help preserve the Galapagos Islands for future generations and that is what makes us different from our competitors.”

“Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands and its beautiful ecosystems need to be preserved. We start by educating our upcoming generations about this conservation and our valuable clients are a big part of this priceless contribution,” Mr. Villalobos said.

The Galapagos Islands are known throughout the world for their scientific importance-for the giant tortoises and tiny finches that suggest the mechanism of evolution of life on Earth, attracting more than 100,000 visitors every year who come to experience the distinctive biodiversity and dramatic scenery. Galapagos has also drawn thousands of new residents attracted by the promise of lucrative opportunities linked to the islands’ marine and terrestrial wildlife.

Exclusive Galapagos Cruises LLC and EQ TOURING

Exclusive Galapagos Cruises LLC offices are located in the United States offering convenient services to communicate with a travel consultant and plan a tour or cruise in the Galapagos Islands. EQ TOURING is its sister travel agency in Ecuador which will coordinate the logistics needed for a vacation to run well. In other words, this is a perfect combination of efforts to guarantee satisfaction to their clients when traveling in such a unique destination.

These two Galapagos Tour Agencies are very confident that their services provided in Ecuador will exceed their client’s expectations by always giving a high-end experience. Their clients will be able to visit the Galapagos Islands in a hand-picked fleet of yachts and vessels like the Galapagos Explorer II, the M/V Santa Cruz, the Galapagos Legend, M/Y Eclipse, Yacht La Pinta, Evolution and luxury yachts like The Integrity, The Queen of Galapagos, The Seaman II, the New luxury Motor Catamaran Nina, The Galaxy and many more that will accommodate passengers in luxurious and first class facilities, spacious cabins with private balconies or picture windows to admire the beauty of the Enchanted Islands. All destination specialists in Exclusive Galapagos Cruises know that most clients discover the nature lover inside of each one by taking this Darwinian exploration in such a unique wildlife sanctuary.

Any of these yachts besides providing a very first class service, will also help our clients explore the beauty and uniqueness of the Islands, where they will see thousands of blue footed boobies, the great frigate bird, albatross madding, giant tortoises, endemic vegetation, red sand beaches, green sand beaches, volcanic formations in the islands where a human being can be a witness of the evolution that Charles Darwin saw hundreds of years ago.

As tour Operators for the Galapagos Islands and travel specialists for Ecuador and South America, the stuff is devoted to providing the finest personal service when it comes to booking a Galapagos Islands Cruise and both companies are extremely committed to the preservation of this pristine ecosystem, all ecosystems Ecuador and its peoples involved.

One of the most delicate jobs these companies have is to send a travel specialist to personally inspect every single yacht and vessels cruising in the Galapagos Islands at least every four months making sure that all standards needed are met and accomplished, in this way their main goal is to provide their clients with the proper recommendation either for an individual vacation in Ecuador or a charter in the Galapagos Islands. The website www.eqtouring.com provides information on many tours in Galapagos, Ecuador, Peru and South America.

www.exclusivegalapagoscruises.com and www.galapagosislandstours.net are main tools used by the company to inform and describe everything in regards to the Galapagos Islands like Galapagos Cruises and Galapagos Islands Tours, conservation of the islands, details in they Galapagos fleet, accommodation in Galapagos, and detailed information in every Island.

As part of its membership in the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, Mandarin Oriental, Miami is launching a “voluntourism” program at Everglades National Park in which guests can make a difference to the environment and help preserve this UNESCO World Heritage site. The “Miami Everglades” package includes an inspiring day trip to Everglades National Park where guests can participate in tree planting, recycling projects and exotic plant removal programs. Guests can also explore the park’s walking trails to experience wildlife up close, or by indulging in the local tradition of “slogging,” wading through shallow waters.

“As members of the World Heritage Alliance, we work closely with Everglades National Park to learn about the challenges they face and are keen to develop opportunities for the hotel to help through voluntourism programs,” said Jorge Gonzalez, general manager, Mandarin Oriental, Miami. “We are delighted to offer interesting and fulfilling opportunities for our guests to get involved.”

The luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Miami is a contemporary, waterfront jewel, offering dramatic ocean views from it 326 elegant guest rooms and suites. There are two high-energy restaurants, M-Bar – a dynamic cocktail lounge and martini bar, a stunning Five-Star spa, Oasis Beach Club and extensive meeting and business facilities.

Located just an hour from the hotel, Everglades National Park is a unique ecosystem and home to many rare and endangered species such as the American crocodile. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and boasts rare and endangered species. The park is designated as a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve and Wetland of International Importance.

Guests will drive in a Hybrid vehicle to the park and participate in a morning volunteer mission followed by a delectable lunch provided by the hotel. In the afternoon an expert Park Ranger will take guests on a stimulating tour exploring this vast stretch of wetlands and share their knowledge, stories and interesting facts about the park.

The “Miami Everglades” package includes:

• Accommodations for two nights
• American breakfast daily
• Day Trip to Everglades National Park
• Hybrid rental car for a day

For more information or reservations, please contact reservations directly at (305) 913 8383 or visit Mandarin Oriental, Miami’s website at www.mandarinoriental.com.

About World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism
The World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism is a membership-based initiative that works to support World Heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and local economic development for communities in and around UNESCO World Heritage sites. The UN Foundation and Expedia, Inc. created the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism in the Fall of 2005. For more information, including a list of other WHA members and partners, visit: http://www.worldheritagealliance.org.

Here’s a roundup of a baker’s dozen of free things to do in Sonoma Country.

1. See hot vineyard action at the Sonoma County Pruning Championship at 10 a.m. on Feb. 20 at SRJC Shone Farm, 6225 Eastside Road, Forestville. You need to be on time for this one. These competitors are professionals at what they do and can prune a row in no time at all.

2. Within the county are 13 American Viticulture Areas (AVAs, or appellations) — regions with unique soils and climates that allow certain grape varieties to grow particularly well. Discover a new area to visit and enjoy the main reason why people travel to Sonoma’s wine country — the wine. Many premium wineries in the county offer free wine tasting. Those that charge a minimal tasting fee (usally $5) apply it to the purchase of a bottle. Search all wineries at www.sonomacounty.com/wineries.

3. Visit a piece of Sonoma County’s agricultural heritage. Get a Farm Trails map and go visit a farm, nursery or ranch. Experience life on the farm with sheep, llamas, honey bees, butterflies and birds! Seasonal adventures include summertime berry picking, apple farms, pumpkins and gourds in the fall, Christmas trees in winter and baby animals and fields of flowers in the spring. Can’t visit a farm? Attend a wine country farmers market. Most are seasonal, but some are year round, including the one at the Santa Rosa Veteran’s Building. More information at www.farmtrails.org

4. Western Hills Nursery in Occidental is a botanical gem. You can spend hours walking through it and enjoying the scenery. For over 40 years, Western Hills Nursery has been developing three gently rolling acres into a complete, mature landscape, using unusual or hard-to-procure varieties of herbaceous plants, vines, shrubs, and trees, many of which are seen nowhere else in cultivation. This array of plants has been arranged in such a way to satisfy the most critical and artistic eye and to delight the senses through color, form, texture, fragrance, and seasonal play of light and shadow. Water and man-made features complement the cultivated environment: a natural pond with water lilies can be viewed from one of the several footbridges that cross the waterways lined in dry-mortared rock, and an ornamental brick pool designed by one of the original owners is truly a work of art.

Western Hills Nursery
16250 Coleman Valley Road
Occidental, CA
(707) 874.3731
www.westernhillsnursery.com

5. See a live seal show in Jenner. Throw your kayak or canoe into the Russian River at Duncans Mills and paddle to the mouth of the river and get close to the seals and sea lions that sun themselves on the beach. Don’t get too close, they are wild animals and should be treated as such.

6. Bodega Head is the rocky headland that forms the entrance into Bodega Harbor. The harbor side provides a popular crabbing area along the jetty, and the many hiking trails on the ocean side allow access to small, sandy coves and spectacular scenic blufftop views. The high cliffs offer excellent vantage points for observing migrating gray whales. And it makes for a great napping spot. Open your car windows, lean the seat back and be lulled to sleep by the sound of the crashing waves.

Goat Rock, near the mouth of the Russian River, is known for its scenic shoreline and easily accessible sandy beach. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are also available. Goat Rock beach is home to a colony of harbor seals which are fun to watch, but please stay 50 yards from the seals, especially during pupping season (March – August.) Due to the protected status of the seals, no dogs are allowed on Goat Rock Beach.

Sonoma Coast State Park Headquarters
3095 Coast Hwy
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
(707) 875-3483
www.parks.ca.gov

7. Check out LandPaths for unusual, off-the-beaten-path hikes on preservation land. LandPaths creates ways for people to experience the beauty, understand the value, and assist in healing the land in their local communities. www.landpaths.org

8. Strolling through the grounds at Paradise Ridge Winery a giant American eagle swoops into view. This is the winery’s Marijke’s Grove Sculpture Garden, a wooded grove nestled among ancient oaks. Situated high on a ridge overlooking the Russian River Valley in the heart of Sonoma County, Paradise Ridge Winery handcrafts wines rich in taste and tradition.

Paradise Ridge Winery
4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive
Santa Rosa
707-528-9463
www.prwinery.com

9. Christopher Queen Galleries, located in the charming town of Duncans Mills, specializes in early California paintings and contemporary art. The early California art, dating from the 1860s to the 1940s, features artists who are represented in the Oakland Museum, the De Young, the Crocker Museum and other museums and institutions. The downstairs salon features contemporary representational art depicting landscapes, figural, still life and genre. Open daily except Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Christopher Queen Galleries
#4 John Orr’s Gardens
Duncans Mills, CA 95430
(707) 865-1318
www.duncansmills.net

10. Sonoma County Art Trails Open Studios allows you to travel the back roads of Sonoma County and visit artists in their studio. See how established and emerging artists work, and talk to them about their inspiration and motives. This annual event takes place over two weekends in October. More information at www.artrails.org.

11. Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, an 805-acre park, features a magnificent grove of ancient redwoods, a large outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails and a variety of picnic facilities. During the 1880’s, this area was set aside as a “natural park and botanical garden” by Colonel James Armstrong, an early-day lumber man who recognized the beauty and natural value of the forests he harvested. Today, it’s the largest remaining old-growth redwood forest in Sonoma County. It is a living reminder of the magnificent primeval redwood forest that covered much of this area before logging operations began during the 19th century.

Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve
17000 Armstrong Woods Road
Guerneville, CA
(707) 869-2015
www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450

12. Look to the skies at the Robert Ferguson Observatory, located within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Sonoma Valley. This gem offers public viewing occasionally for free or for a nominal fees of $3 a person. Also, take the PlanetWalk, a scale model of the solar system designed to fit within the boundaries of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. This “solar system” has been shrunk more than 2,360,000,000 times, small enough for the park to include the orbit of the most distant planet, Pluto, and large enough that the smallest planets could still be seen.

Robert Ferguson Observatory
2605 Adobe Canyon Road
Kenwood, CA 95452
www.rfo.org

13. Nestled at the end of Dry Creek, Lake Sonoma is one of the prime recreational areas in Northern California. Warm Springs Dam forms Lake Sonoma with more than 2,700 surface acres of water for canoes, sailboats, motorboats, fishing and skiing. Some 40 miles of trails are available to horseback riders and hikers. In addition to developed campgrounds, boat-in campsites and many picnic areas, Lake Sonoma hosts the Don Clausen Fish Hatchery, which is the most modern fish hatchery in the State of California.

Lake Sonoma
3333 Skaggs Springs Road
Geyserville, CA 95441-9644
(707)433-9483
www.spn.usace.army.mil/lake_sonoma

Sonoma Country, located 30 miles from San Francisco, is America’s premier wine, spa and coastal destination, featuring more than 250 wineries, over 100 organic farms, and 50 miles of stunning Pacific coast.

For a free visitors guide or information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions, and dining in Sonoma Country, visit www.sonomacounty.com or call 800-576-6662.

“Along with our host culture, Hawaii’s natural environment is an essential element of Hawaii’s tourism product,” said Lloyd Unebasami, HTA interim president and chief executive officer and chief administrative officer. “While marketing will continue to be an important focus for HTA in 2009, we will continue to support those strategic initiatives that strive to enhance and diversify Hawaii’s tourism product for our visitors and residents.”

The programs and projects selected address the goal and objectives identified in the Hawaii Tourism Strategic Plan: 2005-2015 (TSP) for the Natural Resources initiative. The objectives include: exploring innovative means to repair, maintain and improve Hawaii’s natural resources; raising awareness among all stakeholders about the responsible use of natural resources; increasing collaboration among government agencies, the visitor industry, and the community; and reviewing and enforcing rules and developing certification programs for commercial operations in natural resource areas.

HTA’s Natural Resources Program began in 2002 in response to a legislative mandate that the HTA provide at least US$1 million annually to support efforts to manage, improve, and protect Hawaii’s natural environment and areas frequented by visitors. The HTA has allocated US$2 million to its 2009 Natural Resources Program.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority was created in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with our economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.

For more information, please visit http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/.

The goal of AMNH Expeditions is to present educational travel programs that reflect past and current areas of interest and exploration by the American Museum of Natural History. The tours provide a combination of study, adventure, and leisure activities.

From the flaming cliffs of the Gobi Desert to the blue icescapes of Antarctica, AMNH Expeditions offers unique programs to extraordinary destinations, unparalleled access to world famous sites and people, and the exceptional educational content that is provided by an international network of scholars, world leaders, community members, friends and partner institutions.