Ecotourism Principles and Practices

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	Knowledgeable local naturalists and small group sizes foster enriched wildlife encounters.

The following ecotravel principles and practices are guidelines by which we conduct our travel programs, both in the design of trips by our USA staff and their operation in the field by our local guides and outfitters. They reflect a travel ethic which you, the conscientious traveler, can expect will make your experience with Wildland Adventures a positive one for hosts and guests.

1. Develop an understanding of and respect for the complex ecological interactions of plants and animals in the natural world and the culture of resident communities.
   Guides are well studied in their field and skilled in interpreting scientific, historic, cultural or other complex information into interesting and easily understandable terms. Almost without exception, we work with resident guides rather than American trip leaders. They are the most experienced and knowledgeable guides in their locale. All leaders speak fluent English and often converse in local dialects distinct from their native language. Family trips include fun and innovative guided interpretation oriented to the interests and educational level of young people.

2. Promote and encourage the preservation of natural values among local people.
   The more local people observe outside interest in their surrounding natural environments and benefit from the resulting tourism, the more they will commit to preserve the natural values upon which the tourism is based.

3. 	Lunch at a Mayan village in Belize.

   Encourage and create opportunities for authentic, meaningful and beneficial cross-cultural interactions between hosts and guests.
   This is most successful in small groups of well-prepared, inquisitive and conscientious travelers who respect the customs, dignity and privacy of their hosts. Furthermore, the direct involvement of indigenous people in organizing and leading our trips assures your Wildland Adventure will be an authentic, community-based experience.

4. Avoid or minimize environmental impacts on fragile ecosystems and undesirable socio-cultural change imposed by tourism.
   We support the establishment and enforcement of local regulations and management to control environmental and cultural impacts of tourism on natural ecosystems and indigenous communities. Trained, professional guides are essential to enforce regulations and minimize visitor impacts.

5. Maximize the financial gain for local communities and host residents.
   We recognize that local political and economic structures often restrict real social and economic improvement and opportunities for self-determination of local peoples. Small scale, community-based tourism is one way to circumvent conventional centers of economic and political control which frequently by-pass indigenous peoples. We give preference to employment of qualified services provided by local communities whenever possible rather than depending exclusively on expatriates or upper-class residents to provide accommodations, meals, and guides.

6. Provide a wide range of opportunities through which local people can learn from and participate in tourism in meaningful ways.
   We encourage native peoples, especially of minority ethnic groups with little political power or meaningful economic opportunity, to participate in the operation of our trips as guides, cooks, office staff and managers. We favor local ground operators who are willing to help educate, train and hire indigenous staff.

7. Advocate preservation of natural areas and protection of the rights of native people who may reside within them or otherwise depend on their resources for their livelihood.
   Wildland travelers are given opportunities to learn about local conservation issues and informed about organizations in host country destinations working to protect the natural environments and native peoples of the places we visit.

8. Cultivate responsible travelers, those who go on an exotic vacation to appreciate the differences rather than the similarities.
   We cultivate travelers who welcome the new and unexpected. Those who accept with compassion the deeper, sometimes harsh reality when preconceived illusions of "authentic" cultures and idyllic environments do not meet their expectations. Travelers who immerse themselves in customs, traditions and languages to gain a better understanding of themselves and the world.

9. Further the understanding of ancient cultures, technologies and spiritual beliefs in the context of human evolution and adaptation.
   To learn how ancient cultures adapted to their environment and evolved into their contemporary lifestyle helps develop an understanding of cultural, economic and political development in the world and how we might improve our personal life and the society in which we live.

10. Foster, develop and promote the philosophy, ethic and practice of ecotourism worldwide.
    Wildland Adventures was a founding institution of The International Ecotourism Society and has continued to support professional development and reform of the travel industry to support conservation and the well-being of local people.

For further information about our conservation and ecotourism programs see our Travelers Conservation Trust projects and affiliated conservation organizations.