The Balenbouche Estate, a family owned property and St. Lucia Heritage Site, is a former sugar cane plantation. Under the care and management of the Lawaetz family since 1965, it has been constantly developing into a desirable tourism destination for the island.

Through the use of low tech (fans rather than a/c, mosquito nets instead of screens), solar water heating, re-directed rainwater, and conservation a very natural level of comfort is achieved. They have worked to enhance their environmental, conservation, and alternative energy programs with the goal of becoming largely self-sufficient in the near future.

The community involvement and educational projects sponsored and or supported by Balenbouche are a very strong part of what makes this a special place to be (see their “activities” page at link below). They’re working hard for responsible tourism and we give them our green thumbs up!

For Information and Booking, CLICK: http://www.balenbouche.com

We at GreatGreenTravel.com are very grateful for their help in making this day a reality.

Now that we’ve spent the weekend cleaning up our respective shorelines, we’ll start visiting some destinations known for extensive coasts. That is to say we’re going island hopping, and we’re starting off today in the United Kingdom.

How many of you are aware that along with the happiness generated under the tent, the Big Apple Circus, as a non-profit organization, offers community programs? These special features allow the Big Apple experience to be shared with healthcare facilities and outreach programs throughout the areas they visit.

The Big Apple Circus is currently in Boston through May 10, then moves to Queens, New York from May 16-31. To view their schedule, learn about the outreach programs, or donate, CLICK: http://www.bigapplecircus.org/

You will meet in Cajamarca, Peru at noon on Monday for lunch at the Hostel. You’ll have a stovebuilding class for 3-4 hrs in the afternoon. The next day you’ll meet the local family you’ll be building the stove for and help transport the materials. Day three you build the stove for the family, on Day four you complete the work and enjoy the family hospitality. On Friday, breakfast is cooked on the new stove!!! You arrive back in Cajamarca Friday afternoon.

Departures: Monday Departures from U.S. year round

Price: From U.S. $435.00 excluding flights (5days), including building supplies

Contact: http://www.responsibletravel.com/Trip/Trip100765.htm

Ecuador is home to numerous Andean and Amazon ethnic groups, which practice their rich traditions and represent about 12 pecent of the population. Andean ethnic groups include the Otovlenian, Saraguro and  Puruhae and jungle ethnic groups include Quichua, Huaorani, Shiwiar, Cofan, Secova, Shuar and Ashuar.

With a fair trade or eco tourism human program you’ll get to know these indigenous communities and experience their way of life. Explore their customs, food, and their daily activities. By participating in these programs not only will you get to know about these communities you’ll also be helping them to get better economic resources without the need to sell their precious natural resources to forest and oil companies.

Programs include accommodations like a local, which means you will stay in the homes of the indigenous people, or in huts, camps or rural inns. You’ll eat like a local, and become immersed in every way. But you’ll also go on walks, canoe trips, and piranha fishing. Try your hand at gun blowing, gold washing and craft making. You’ll also an unforgettable chance to meet with a shaman.

Palmar Voyages offers 10, 12, and 15 day humanitarian tours to Ecuador but also to places like Bolivia, Peru and Cuba. Each tour allows you to see the country in the best way possible; by becoming a part of the community and helping to support the locals and their ways.

Get ready to delve into a new culture with Palmar Voyages.

Eco-volunteering is a great way for people to contribute to solutions to the many ways the environment is being threatened. Where you can offer your brains and brawn in efforts to help with habitat restoration and environmental protection. Your reward for your hard work is not just the satisfaction of doing important and necessary environmental works but also by working in a paradise that rewards you with its beauty. The book, Preserving Paradise: Opportunities in Volunteering for Hawaii’s Environment, outlines a number of non-profit environmental volunteer opportunities for the various islands of Hawaii. These projects range from just a few hours up to those that require a commitment of up to three months. There are descriptions of the particular needs, how difficult the work is and what is involved, what the process is to volunteer, the difficulty level of the activities, and how to contact the various groups.

The author Kirsten Whatley states:

“Consider this an invitation, no matter your origin. Consider it a call to arms – and to hands and feet and backs and rakes and hoes and sweat. We all need a paradise to come home to. But we need to consider our impact on this paradise – more importantly, our responsibility to it.”

The opportunities she discusses in this wonderful book are a great starting point. Some of the projects include: the Hawaiian Island Humback Whale Sanctuary, Hawaiian Island National Wildlife Refuges, Reef Check Hawai’i, Sierra Club Hawai’i chapter, Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary, Native Hawaiian Plant Society, and many, many more.

Even if you are not sure you can commit to volunteering, this book is good for people considering a vacation in Hawai’i as it will help you respect the delicate environmental balance and needs of the Hawai’ian Islands. Here is a link to a site to get more information on eco-touring in Hawai’i. Another site can be found here.

During the brief summer season the area is rich with life. Over 80 species of birds are present, with more migratory sightings. An abundance of mammals like muskox, caribou, and barrenground grizzlies roam. Wildflowers come out by the thousands to celebrate the sun! The arctic land is host to vast geological wonders and awe inspiring views of waterfalls, gorges, canyons, and eskers.

The lodge is co-owned by the Warner family and the Kingaunmuit people, the indigenous Inuit residents of Bathurst Inlet. The history of this lodge is long and exciting, culminating in its present state of partnership. After your long and eventful day on the tundra you’ll be treated to a great meal and to story sharing.

Departures are out of Yellowknife. There are five 1-week programs scheduled beginning June 26-July 02 through July 20-26. Reservations are still being accepted, I just checked.

For reservations and full booking information, CLICK: www.bathurstinletlodge.com/

At the same time we look toward June 8, 2009, formally recognized as World Oceans Day by the United Nations; this just 16 years after it was first proposed during The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro back in 1992 by the Government of Canada. We applaud Canada for the foresight.

Since that time, Oceana, the world’s largest organization focused fully on ocean conservation, joined by hundreds of museums, conservation organizations, agencies, and supporters have worked tirelessly for this day. “Making World Oceans Day official will help us and other ocean groups to engage more people and to increase public support for efforts to reverse the declining health of marine ecosystems.” From a statement by Dan Sharpless, C.E.O. of Oceana. The full statement and more on this article appears at this CLICK: http://oceana.org/north-america