Innovators in Coastal Tourism Symposium Workshop 3: Community Engagement
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Innovators in Coastal Tourism Symposium
Workshop 3: Community Engagement
Background
• Background– Principals
• David Leventhal – Media and Technology Entrepreneur, Accidental Environmentalist
• Sandra Kahn – Mexican National, Medical Professional, Environmentalist
• Commitment to Innovative Models of Conservation and Sustainable Development in Mexico
– Rainforest2Reef.org (1999) • Celebrated 10 year Anniversary
– Casa Viva (2001) • “Green” Bed and Breakfast
• 2009 2nd Best Year
– Playa Viva (2009) • Sustainable/Regenerative Resort
Models for Sustainable Development in Mexico
Casa Viva
Playa Viva
Rainforest2Reef.org
- Innovative Model for
Private Reserves
- 350,000 acres und
Conservation Easement
Program
- REDD Carbon Credits
- Local Programs for
Reforestation
Casa Viva Troncones
• Solar Thermal Water
• Grey and Black Water
• Some Solar Electric
• Edible Landscape
• Social Architecture
Playa Viva
200 Acres 85% in Private
Reserve
1.3 km of Beach Front
100% Solar Off-Grid
Grey and Black Water Natural
Management Systems
Permaculture Gardens, Forest
and Estuary Restoration
Social Architecture
Playa Viva Project Values
• Promote Biodiversity
• Generate more power than we use
• Generate cleaner water, use less water
• Promote Transformative Experiences
• Create a Living Legacy
• Promote “Meaningful” Community
Evolution of “Meaningful”
Community
• Various Levels of Community– Real and Virtual Communities - (Chris Carfi)
– New and Existing
– Overlaps (On-going Volunteer Tourism) – Core to our Brand
• Understanding the Community– History of Place (Bill Reed and Regensis)
• understanding where it has come from to understand our role in its evolution
– MIA – Environmental Impact Study• Understanding of key economic and social indicators
• Defining the initial community engagement plan
• New Frameworks for Viewing our work – 6 Key Ecosystem Services – (Verde Venture/CI
and Root Capital)• Climate Security, Water Security, Food Security, Health
Security, Cultural Values, “Optional” Values
• Biodiversity Threats
Discovering The Local
Community• The Community of Juluchuca – Town of
450 people– Aspirations of locals – “History of Place”
• “Abundance and Biodiversity”
• “Loss of Generation – to big cities or to „el Norte‟ for work”
– Evaluating Existing Resources and Industry
• Light Industry – coconut candy factories
• Minerals – Artisanal Salt
• Agriculture – organic and traditional growers - LaCosta
• Environmental (non-profit) – Turtle Sanctuary
• The Watershed
• Archeological Site– Playa Viva is situated on site of
Xuluchuyan - old city of Juluchuca
– What is our role in connecting pride in ancestry
Example: Turtle Sanctuary
• La Tortuga Feliz– All Volunteers
– Located on Playa Viva land
• Initial Direct Support– Equipment
– Expenses
• Ocean Foundation– Fiscal Sponsor
– Raised Funds from 3rd
Parties
• SunPower Foundation– Solarized Sanctuary
– “Now have the most modernturtle sanctuary in Mexico”
Example: Sal Viva• Artisanal Salt
– History of Place
– Product is Under-Valued
• 120 members in coop - 80 Active– 40 “Organic”/ 40 “Plastic”
• Invest in Packaging
• Opportunity Collaboration – – MicroFinance Leaders
• Social Venture Network – Investors
• Initial Order for Online Sales
• Benefits– BALLE Model
• Direct Benefit of Potentially 120 families
– Brand Extension
– Environmental
Example: TerraCycle• Access to Market - US firm TerraCycle
– History in Waste Management
– Emergency Need to fill order
– Partner with member of “Guest Community” – Noryol/GV
– 50 employees over 2 shifts
– Fusing Bags for Target
– Non-Certified Facility
• Largest Employer and Power Consumer
• Negatives:– Factory operated for 6 months, Had to release all workers
• Positives:– Hired back many of the best workers for construction team and then
Playa Viva Team (filter quality in local labor force)
– Joint Venture with Gente como Nosotros AC resulted in development of new project ReBOLSAble
ReBOLSAble
Complete Community Commitment
• Organic Agriculture Courses – (Water, Food)– Producers require markets for organic production
• Supporting Existing Organic Growers (Water, Food, etc.)– Procuring Organic Seeds
– Pre-buying Organic Basket
– Promoting Basket to other B&B‟s and Hotels
– Promoting Network of Organic Producers and Consumers
• Access to Capital and Markets– Turtle Sanctuary Support (Biodiversity) - expanding species
– SAL VIVA and Salt Coop Support (Cultural, Economic)
– Opportunity Collaboration Program • Integration with Poverty Alleviation Conference
• Assist Locals in developing Eco-Tourism Opportunities
• Model for Sustainable Tourism for the Mexico‟s Coast– Serve as Catalyst and Promoter for other local eco-tourism and
sustainable developments
• Waste Management and Recycling Programs (Health, Cultural)
– Education, Resources and Cultural Evolution
6 Key Ecosystem Services
- Climate
- Water
- Food
- Health
- Cultural Values
- Optional Values
Lessons
Learned• Grow Organically
– TerraCycle -> ReBOLSAble
• Expect to Move at the Local Pace
• The Smaller the Town, The Bigger the Problems– Deep Cultural Issues
• Careful of Role as Outsider– “Gringo Knows Best”
– Leverage Local Leaders
• The Best Relationships take time to Develop– Work side by side
– Share Resources
– Find Common Goals
• Engaging Your Community Expands Your Community– i.e. SunPower
Innovation in Community
Engagement
• Holistic Approach– Start with PV and work up to the
watershed• Clean Water, Reduction in use of Pesticides
and Herbicides, etc.
– BALLE Model – Building Local Living Economies
• Sal Viva, La Costa Organics, RemBOLSAble
• 3rd Party Ecotourism
• Brand Extension, Mutually Assured Security
• SLOW Travel– Playa Viva = Connecting People, Place
and Food
– Community Engagement is core to the Playa Viva guest experience
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