eco-tourism – Syndication Server

This luxury seaside resort is reimagining the eco-lodge experience

Unwind on the coast.

This summer, big changes are coming to one of Marina, California’s top seaside destinations. The Sanctuary Beach Resort enjoys an enviable location on Monterey Bay between Carmel Valley and the Marina Dunes Preserve. Surrounded by stunning scenery, this hotel takes pride in its connection to the California coast. In June 2024, The Sanctuary Beach Resort will take its love for local landscapes to the next level by launching 60 thoughtfully reimagined rooms and suites. Here are a few of the Earth-friendly features you can look forward to at this luxurious eco-lodge.

“The Sanctuary Beach Resort provides more than just an uninterrupted seaside escape. It’s an invitation to reconnect with yourself, others and nature,” the resort explains on its website.

Aerial view of an eco-lodge hotel on the coast at sunset. — *Photo courtesy of The Sanctuary Beach Resort*

The Sanctuary Beach Resort’s eco-lodge offerings

The resort enlisted interior design and architecture firm FAROUKI FAROUKI to incorporate locally-made artwork and wellness-focused elements into the soon-to-be-unveiled rooms and suites. But these changes represent just one part of The Sanctuary Beach Resort’s connection to nature, sustainability, and wellness.

The interior of an eco-lodge lobby with white walls and wood features. — *Photo courtesy of The Sanctuary Beach Resort*

Earth-conscious efforts throughout the resort (and its restaurant Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette) are what make this destination so appealing to adventurers seeking an eco-lodge experience. Protected areas across the property help preserve local flora. Gardens incorporate native and drought-resistant plants. The beachfront cottages even provide visitors with organic, vegan-friendly bath products from Grown Alchemist.

A beach cottage patio overlooking a sandy coast. — *Photo courtesy of The Sanctuary Beach Resort*

According to a recent press release, “With close proximity to such ecological wealth, The Sanctuary is committed to prioritizing eco-conscious practices and urging guests to appreciate the dunes through guided walking explorations and protective areas with educational signage to deepen visitors’ understanding and appreciation for this unique ecosystem.”

A sandy path by beach cottages at The Sanctuary Beach Resort on Monterey Bay. — *Photo courtesy of The Sanctuary Beach Resort*

Travelers curious to explore The Sanctuary’s nature-focused programs can enjoy everything from beach yoga and guided nature walks to Coastal Jazz Nights. Guests who want to upgrade their seaside relaxation can also check out the resort’s spa for holistic wellness treatments. Discover more about the hotel, its programs, and its green initiatives here.

A massage table in a spa at The Sanctuary Beach Resort on Monterey Bay. — *Photo courtesy of The Sanctuary Beach Resort*

Mitlenatch Island comes alive on this wildlife catamaran tour

Explore the wilderness.

Not many people get to visit Mitlenatch Island, and the seabirds like it that way. This important nesting site rests in the middle of the Strait of Georgia between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island. Mitlenatch means “calm waters all around” in the Coast Salish language. But visitors might wonder if they were joking. The wind often kicks up too much for folks to land on this island, which is only accessible by boat.

When I visited, my group got lucky and arrived on an idyllic spring day. Mitlenatch is in a rain shadow, so it only gets about 30 inches of rain annually — which is nothing in coastal British Columbia. We stopped off at Mitlenatch as part of a five-day cruise via posh catamaran with the Victoria-based company Maple Leaf Adventures. If you’re interested in birds or plants, it’s a fascinating trip to take.

How to reach Mitlenatch Island

Visiting Mitlenatch on a calm spring day was delightful. After walking on the island, we circumnavigated it by boat to watch sea lions and harbor seals lounging on rocks. Several tour groups and water taxis offer service from nearby Cortes Island or Vancouver Island. Depending on the weather and the condition of your muscles, it’s also possible to kayak to Mitlenatch.

A person kayaking on the water in front of coastal rocks. — You could kayak to Mitlenatch. / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Cactus and wildflowers

Greg Shea, our boat’s naturalist, told us we were looking for cactus on Mitlenatch. What?! I’d never heard of cactus growing in British Columbia. But sure enough, we found prickly pears, thanks to the rain shadow.

Purple flowers growing near small cacti. — Wild cacti growing in British Columbia! / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Spring is also the time to see wildflowers blooming. Local species include purple camas, pink pea flowers, yellow monkey flowers, and chocolate lilies. While most of the surrounding islands have tall trees, Mitlenatch is mostly treeless due to the rain shadow and “shallow dry soils.” This lower flora profile makes for gorgeous wildflowers.

Black lilies growing wild. — Chocolate lilies. / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Mitlenatch’s seabirds

Mitlenatch is a protected area for nesting birds. Over a thousand pairs of glaucous-winged gulls nest here, arriving in April to pick out their breeding territory. Pelagic cormorants nest on the island’s steep cliff faces and narrow ledges. Double-crested cormorants, northwestern crows, pigeon guillemots, and black oystercatchers also rely on the island for safe nesting. My group took turns in a blind, where we watched a colony of gulls on a rock outcropping.

Black birds on a rock formation. — Birds at Mitlenatch Island Nature Reserve. / *Photo by Andrea_44*

Volunteer projects

The only people allowed to stay on Mitlenatch are volunteers with the Mitlenatch Island Stewardship Team (MIST). I met Heidi Tonn and Rodney Mitchell, who have volunteered for a week every summer for 30 years. The couple had five students with them during my visit.

“We do a whole bunch of different citizen science during our weeks here,” Tonn said. Volunteer stays coincide with the four-month-long seabird breeding season. “During that period of time, we’re here just to keep a presence, to keep it protected,” Tonn added. Volunteer activities include bird counts, beached bird studies, intertidal surveys, plant phenology, and removing invasive species.

A small wood sign reading "volunteers cabin" in front of a wilderness lodging area. — The humble but much beloved volunteer cabin. / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Greater Victoria biosphere certification may boost British Columbia tourism

Here’s what it means for outdoorsy travelers.

Outdoorsy people flock to Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, for its water activities, remote forest hikes, whale watching, and Indigenous culture. Management organization Destination Greater Victoria (DGV) is protecting these natural and cultural resources. In March, DGV earned Biosphere Certification, making Greater Victoria the first urban destination in Canada or the United States to receive this honor. The Responsible Tourism Institute, which awards this certification, recognizes destinations that demonstrate extreme commitment to environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, equity, and social responsibility.

Several people standing with signs in front of a lake. — The team celebrates the new certification. / *Photo courtesy of Destination Greater Victoria*

“I am so proud of the hard work that our committee has done since forming in 2020, and of Destination Greater Victoria’s dedication to sustainability, despite so many challenges our industry faced during this time,” Erin Cassels, chair of DGV’s Sustainability Committee and the general manager of Huntingdon Manor and Pendray Inn and Tea House, said in a statement. “It is incredible to see the values of so many tourism stakeholders in Victoria align and commit to a future in which we have the most positive impact on our home community as possible.”

The Responsible Tourism Institute has four ranks: Committed, Certified, Gold Certified, and Platinum Certified. Currently, only 45 destinations around the world have earned Biosphere certification. Many of these locations are in Spain and Portugal. In Canada, the Northern B.C. Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and Tourism Vancouver Island are all Biosphere Certified.

Two people on a beach. — *Photo courtesy of Destination Greater Vancouver*

Greater Victoria includes the city of Victoria, plus other Vancouver Island communities like Saanich, Sooke, and the Gulf Islands. Tourism adds $2.3 billion annually to the economy. As more people prioritize sustainability in their travel decisions, Biosphere certification could become even more important — especially for industry meetings and events.

“The landscape of the business events sector is evolving, and conferences and major events are increasingly seeking tangible evidence of a destination’s dedication to sustainability,” Emma C. Parston, a partner at events specialty company Connect Seven Group, said in a statement. “Biosphere certification marks a significant achievement for Destination Greater Victoria, providing international recognition of ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability practices, as well as a strong foundation for a local sustainable supplier network to create and attract more sustainable events in and to the destination.”

Three people riding bikes over a bridge. — *Photo courtesy of Destination Greater Victoria*

In addition to the region as a whole being certified, DGV’s member businesses can also get individual Biosphere certifications. So far, 12 Victoria area businesses are participating in the program. DGV hopes to get the number up to 60 by the end of 2023.

Extraordinary eco-adventures you won’t want to miss in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s lush landscapes call to adventurous souls worldwide.

On a trip to northwestern Costa Rica with Choose Life Sober Adventures, nobody missed sitting around the pool drinking. There is so much to do in this Central American country known for ecotourism and biodiversity. Our group of nondrinkers bonded as we spent three days among the forest and waterfalls of Volcán Rincón de la Vieja National Park and three days in the sun and sand at Playa Carrillo. The days started early and ran full throttle as we explored the country’s land, water, and wildlife. Curious about what kinds of excursions are available for energetic travelers? Here are some of northwestern Costa Rica’s top eco-adventures.