[ Marine Tube Anemone - Digital Art Photo by BRM ]
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[ Marine Tube Anemone - Digital Art Photo by BRM ]
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After 30 years of experience with many of the world's major conservation organizations and government environmental protection agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are few organizations or agencies I have much respect for - but here is one organization I can fully support:
Dollar for dollar - their international organization has had a far more effective impact on saving species and protecting their habitats then most of the other major conservation organizations and government agencies. TNC approaches the problems of conservation in a scientific, rational, and cost effective manner - methods that seem to be beyond the ability of many of those other big organizations that always have political and self-enrichment agendas as their priority.
ECOTOURISM & OTHER EXCELLENT TRAVEL SITES
THE DUTCH PIRATE - Check out the 'Bocas Del Toro' Islands of the Western Caribbean - the last unspoiled paradise in the 'Spanish Main'. Panama is protecting some of the last Caribbean reef systems still in their pristine state. The white sand islands are covered with lush tropical jungles and filled with tropical birds, monkeys, etc. Contact your hosts Rob Vrij and Karrol Nixon for an experience of a lifetime.
'PANAMA JET BOAT EXPLORER' Explore the jungles and islands of Panama with the people that are familiar with the 'hidden beauties' of this exciting country - by canoe, jet boat, jeep or helicopter! Tons of helpful information and links for any visitor to the country.
SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORERS - the best source of up to date information on Peru or most anywhere in South America. They also have many other things to offer the traveler at their clubhouses.
RockClimbingHolidays.com - Your International gateway to rock climbing holiday adventures, courses, & schools around the globe.
AdventureSportsHolidays.com - Great place to search for adventure sports centers, book adventure travel holidays & vacation packages.
THE INTERNATIONAL ECOTOURISM SOCIETY - Everything you need to know about ecotourism, an important organization to join if you are a supporter of ecotourism.
LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS - One of the first and still one of the best.
THE ECOTOURISM PAPERS - More information about our industry.
ECO TROPICAL RESORTS - "Ecotourism is what we're about. We are a web site with a high interest in the ecology of tropical resorts, hotels, and lodges. What we are trying to do here is bring awareness to the beauty of these phenomenal natural surroundings, as well as the vulnerability.
What we did is perform some extremely intensive research to find those resorts/hotels/lodges that meet these standards. Some of them are obvious, such as incredible locations (including tropical rain forests and tropical beaches), great people running the resorts who care about our planet, and activities including eco tours. We also looked at how these resorts take an active interest in their environment, therefore justifiably calling them "eco" tropical resorts. Ideal for ecotourism!"
RENTALS 365 - Holiday Rentals - Vacation Rentals - Holiday Lettings - Free Listings. Excellent listings from around the world.
NGOs or 'Non-Government Organizations' are rated by watchdog groups that look into the organization's financial books to see if the donated funds are being used wisely. Some NGOs spend an inordinate amount of the donated funds they receive for self-promotion, salaries, and other operational expenses. Some do a great job of funneling most of the funds directly into the conservation projects they support. Unfortunately, it is a great deal more difficult for the watchdog groups to judge if the NGO funds spent on conservation projects are used effectively. This is where the 'responsible donator' comes in - all of us have to monitor the NGO's actions to see if they are just engaged in emotional ploys and politics or if they really are doing the job of rational conservatism. Below are two of the watchdog groups that you can visit online and see how your favorite or potential NGO is doing.
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