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December 4-10, 2008
editorial@boulderweekly.com
• A guide to giving green
• Experience the holidays
Ecotourism
Holiday calendar
Ecotourism makes holiday traveling a truly global experience
by Dale Bridges
So, you’re planning a trip for the holidays. Maybe you’re taking the kids to Europe for the first time to prove that French fries don’t really come from France. Or perhaps Colorado isn’t quite dry enough for you, and you want to visit the Sahara. In any case, you want to have a positive experience at your destination of choice, and you’d rather not destroy the place that you’re visiting. How do you know if your travel agent is working with locally owned businesses and retailers so that your money goes into the local economy and not to some giant corporation based out of Texas? What steps can you take to make sure that you’re not helping to transform another country into a polluted garbage dump?
Fortunately, there are a variety of organizations based in Boulder that encourage and facilitate ecotourism. And it’s not nearly as difficult or expensive as you might think. In fact, you can make a big difference just by altering your perspective in small ways.
Ted Martens, director of Outreach and Development at Sustainable Travel International (STI), says traveling can be beneficial for everyone involved. “The travel industry has the potential to have positive impacts around the world, and that happens when the travelers take it upon themselves to monitor their actions.”
Martens recommends utilizing many of the same concepts and habits that we practice right here at home.
“Be conscious consumers,” says Martens. “Go out of your way to make sure tourism dollars are spent to support local people and local economies. Stay at local lodges, eat at local restaurants, purchase crafts made by local artists. I would advise against eating at Bennigan’s when you’re in Mexico.
“Anyone can be an ecotourist. It’s just doing things to make sure you are respecting the local culture. Bring your recycling knowledge and practices with you.”
STI is a nonprofit organization founded in Boulder to help individuals and companies develop travel techniques that have positive impacts. They are working with large companies and small “mom and pop” agencies to mainstream the concept of ecotourism.
One of their most exciting developments is a certification program that investigates travel organizations to see if they are really walking the green walk. This can be an extremely helpful tool for consumers, but since the program is still very young, Martens recommends travelers do some research on their own. This involves calling the travel agency and asking a few, simple questions: Does the company use local guides? Do they recommend locally owned lodging and restaurants? Do the local employees receive fair wages and benefits? Does the company work toward cutting down on or eliminating waste?
If an organization has difficulty answering questions like these, that’s a good indication that sustainability and fair trade are not a high priority.
In Boulder, STI works with a number of organizations that take ecotourism seriously, including Intrepid Travel, Mesoamerican Ecotourism Alliance and Natural Habitat Adventures (NHA). These groups offer a variety of specialized experiences for the eco-conscious traveler, and there are some extremely interesting stories about their origins.
For instance, Ben Bressler founded NHA 25 years ago in an effort to stop the hunting of baby harp seals in Canada. Bressler began organizing visits to the seals’ habitat to promote local tourism and encourage an alternative source of income for the seal hunters.
Since that time, the operation has expanded, and it now includes more than 60 trips to countries on all 7 continents. These aren’t like the bourgeoisie cruise ship tours offered to plump Americans who want to spend their days guzzling champagne and playing shuffleboard. NHA uses well-trained, experienced adventure guides to provide trips to destinations that most humans never get the opportunity to see.
Matt Kareus, director of marketing at NHA, says the tours are focused on nature and wildlife.
“We take small groups, usually between eight and twelve people, to the world’s premiere wildlife destinations. Polar bears in Canada, snow monkeys in Japan, pandas in China. Our goal is to introduce humans to diverse natural environments in order to promote education and understanding.”
NHA is one of the national leaders in ecotourism, and they’ve helped pioneer numerous environmental travel projects, such as hybrid safari vehicles and carbon offsetting.
“We calculate the carbon impacts that our trips have,” says Kareus. “Then we give money to Sustainable Travel International, and they give money to the necessary organizations to offset the impact. It’s just one more step to make sure we’re being as conscientious as possible.”
Kareus says traveling can be an illuminating, life-changing experience, but it’s important to do everything possible to make certain the benefits are global.
“Tourism can be an extremely positive practice for everyone involved, as long as the travelers and the organizations are conscious of what they’re doing.”
Holiday calendar
Thursday, Dec. 4
Events
The SantaLand Diaries. Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St., Denver, 303-477-9984.
Friday, Dec. 5
Music
A Southwestern Christmas — With Arvada Center Chorale. Arvada United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr St., Arvada, 720-898-7200.
Colorado Symphony and Orchestra — Handel’s Messiah. Boettcher Concert Hall, 14th and Curtis streets, Denver, 303-623-7876.
Mark Vann Foundation Holiday Benefit Show — With Great American Taxi, Emmitt Nershi Band, Oakhurst, Jefferson Hamer, K.C. Groves, Greg Schochet Trio, Pete Karsounes Band and Fat Rabbit. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303-786-7030.
Holiday Festival. Macky Auditorium, CU campus, Boulder, 303-492-8008.
Rocky Mountain Brassworks Holiday Music Concert. Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Rd., Broomfield, www.rockymountainbrassworks.org.
Events
A Chicken Lips Christmas. Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver, 303-321-5925.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales. University Theatre Mainstage, CU campus, Boulder, 303-492-0554.
An O. Henry Christmas. Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden, 303-935-3044.
Country Christmas Cottage at Willow Farm. Willow Farm, 11898 N. 75th St., Hygiene, 303-772-5338.
Holiday Gift Show and Sale Reception. Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Pkwy., Lakewood, 303-987-7877.
KGNU Holiday Book and Record Sale. Trust the Dust, 9635 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, 303-777-2745.
Longmont Lights! — Downtown open house and tree-lighting ceremony. Various locations along Main Street, Longmont, 303-651-8484.
The Nutcracker — With Colorado Ballet. Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 950 13th St., Denver, 303-837-8888.
The SantaLand Diaries. Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St., Denver, 303-477-9984.
Who Killed Santa? Denver’s Dangerous Theatre, 2620 W. 2nd Ave., Denver, 720-233-4703.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Music
A Southwestern Christmas — With Arvada Center Chorale. Arvada United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr St., Arvada, 720-898-7200.
Colorado Symphony and Orchestra — Handel’s Messiah. Boettcher Concert Hall, 14th and Curtis streets, Denver, 303-623-7876.
Holiday Festival. Macky Auditorium, CU campus, Boulder, 303-492-8008.
Jefferson Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert — “All That’s Golden.” Green Center, Colorado School of Mines campus, Golden, 303-278-4237.
Events
A Chicken Lips Christmas. Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver, 303-321-5925.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales. University Theatre Mainstage, CU campus, Boulder, 303-492-0554.
An O. Henry Christmas. Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden, 303-935-3044.
Acorn School Holiday Bazaar. Columbine Elementary School, 3130 Repplier St., Boulder, 33-938-8233.
Country Christmas Cottage at Willow Farm. Willow Farm, 11898 N. 75th St., Hygiene, 303-772-5338.
Holiday Gift Sale and Make-A-Gift Event. The Art Underground, 901 Front St., Louisville, 303-229-1127.
Gingerbread Teas. St. Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-406-9696.
Lights of December Parade. Begins at 15th and Walnut streets, Boulder, 303-449-3774.
The Nutcracker — With Colorado Ballet. Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 950 13th St., Denver, 303-837-8888.
Prospect Artists Association Holiday Open Studios. Various studio locations, Longmont, 303-772-0630.
The SantaLand Diaries. Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St., Denver, 303-477-9984.
Season of Light. Fiske Planetarium, CU campus, Boulder, 303-492-5002.
Who Killed Santa? Denver’s Dangerous Theatre, 2620 W. 2nd Ave., Denver, 720-233-4703.
Sunday, Dec. 7
Music
Broomfield Civic Chorus Annual Christmas Concert. Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Rd., Broomfield, 303-469-2309.
Christmas Extravaganza — With Aurora Singers. East Middle School, 1275 Fraser St., Aurora, 303-343-3377.
Colorado Symphony and Orchestra — Handel’s Messiah. Boettcher Concert Hall, 14th and Curtis streets, Denver, 303-623-7876.
Holiday Festival. Macky Auditorium, CU campus, Boulder, 303-492-8008.
Jefferson Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert. Green Center, Colorado School of Mines campus, Golden, 303-278-4237.
Peter Kater Holiday Concert — With Richard Hardy. Nissi’s, 2675 N. Park Dr., Lafayette, 303-665-2757.
Events
A Chicken Lips Christmas. Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver, 303-321-5925.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales. University Theatre Mainstage, CU campus, Boulder, 303-492-0554.
A Colorado Christmas & Sweet William Market. Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., Denver, 720-865-0800.
Annual Holiday Party and Sale. The Amazing Garage Sale, 4919 N. Broadway, Boulder, 303-447-0417.
Country Christmas Cottage at Willow Farm. Willow Farm, 11898 N. 75th St., Hygiene, 303-772-5338.
Holiday Festival of Trees. CU Stadium Club, 2085 Colorado Ave., Boulder, 303-441-3907.
Local and Handmade Holidays. Chautauqua Community House, 900 Baseline Rd., Boulder, 303-494-1521.
The Nutcracker — With Ballet Ariel. Cleo Parker Robinson Theater, 119 Park Avenue West, Denver, 303-282-9828.
The Nutcracker — With Colorado Ballet. Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 950 13th St., Denver, 303-837-8888.
Prospect Artists Association Holiday Open Studios. Various studio locations, Longmont, 303-772-0630.
Ralph Sharon Trio — Holiday music. St. Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-406-9696.
The SantaLand Diaries. Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St., Denver, 303-477-9984.
Who Killed Santa? Denver’s Dangerous Theatre, 2620 W. 2nd Ave., Denver, 720-233-4703.
Monday, Dec. 8
Music
FACE. Nissi’s, 2675 N. Park Dr., Lafayette, 303-665-2757.
Tuesday, Dec. 9
Music
Trace Bundy Holiday Concert — With Justin Roth. Nissi’s, 2675 N. Park Dr., Lafayette, 303-665-2757.
Events
An O. Henry Christmas. Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden, 303-935-3044.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
Music
Velvet Elvis Christmas Show. Nissi’s, 2675 N. Park Dr., Lafayette, 303-665-2757.
Events
The Flaming Lips’ Christmas on Mars. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303-786-7030.
Free Holiday Tour of the Colorado Governor’s Mansion. Governor’s Mansion, 400 E. 8th Ave., Denver, 303-866-3682.
The SantaLand Diaries. Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St., Denver, 303-477-9984.
Respond: letters@boulderweekly.com
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