Sustainability

Sustainable Eco Tourism

This page has been designed to keep you informed on all of the sustainable eco tourism projects we are working on to achieve our Eco Certification.  This will include information on the various workshops and activities you can participate in to help us implement our ecofriendly initiatives and become the first Byron Bay ‘eco-packers’.

What is Ecotourism?

‘Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation’ (Ecotourism Australia, 2009).

With the emergence of an eco-conscious society, people are being drawn to products and services that offer ecologically sound practices.

Across the globe, it has become increasingly evident that there needs to be a shift in lifestyle to move away from a consumer driven society to one that is environmentally, economically and socio-culturally sustainable.  Sustainable eco tourism has the ability to educate tourists and locals alike in the cultural and natural significance of an area.  It has positive implications on the relationships between a tourism business and the local community and has the potential to provide a stable economic flow into local areas.

What is the Eco Certification Program?

The ECO Certification program is an initiative of Ecotourism Australia and was designed to ‘identify genuine ecotourism and nature tourism operators in Australia’ (Ecotourism Australia, 2009).

Sustainable Eco Tourism at The Arts Factory Lodge

The Arts Factory Lodge is in a unique location within the Cumbebin Wetlands.  These wetlands contain a wide variety of flora and fauna which are endemic to the area.  The Arts Factory Lodge aims to operate within this natural environment in a sustainable manner.  We aim to minimise our impact on the surrounding environment and hope to contribute to the conservation and management of the natural resources of the Cumbebin Wetlands.

By obtaining Eco Certification, The Arts Factory Lodge intends to provide not only a unique accommodation option for those visiting the region, but also an experience that will educate and inspire visitors to appreciate and implement sustainable living practices and utilise green technologies wherever possible.

Over the next 12 – 18 months The Arts Factory Lodge will be working on various projects to fulfil the criteria and requirements outlined by Ecotourism Australia in order to gain our Eco Certification.  Throughout this time we will endeavour to inform and educate all stakeholders on the various projects that are being conducted throughout the hostel and we would appreciate any feedback or advice to help us provide you with a truly unique backpacking experience.  We hope to have our Eco Certification complete by 2011.

The Arts Factory Lodge hopes to gain Eco Certification by 2011!

But we need your help!

We appreciate any feedback or advice you may be able to provide in helping us achieve our Eco Certification.  The entire process of not only achieving Eco Certification but also continuing to implement ecofriendly initiatives involves YOUR participation and contribution.  Please help us by following a few simple rules:

Image via Wikipedia

• Please put rubbish in bins located throughout the property
• Recycle wherever possible
• Please don’t feed the animals
• Turn off taps when not in use
• Turn off electricity when not in use

COMPLETED PROJECTS

• Information Board

The Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge has recently developed an information board, located in the undercover area in front of Reception.  This was primarily deleloped to reduce the amount of paper used for our welcome notes which were distributed to all guests upon check in.  All the information from these welcome notes has been transferred to the board providing guests with detailed information on various aspects of the Hostel.

This board also provides information on the history of the area and the native flora and fauna that can be found in the areas surrounding The Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge.  It also includes information on Ecotourism in general as well as updated information on the various projects that are occuring to reduce our carbon footprint and help us achieve Eco Certification.

CURRENT PROJECTS

• ECO Green Contributions

This is be applied to your accommodation as an optional extra charge. These contributions will go directly into funding the various projects required to reduce our carbon footprint.  By contributing to our Eco Green Projects, guests will have to opportunity to offset their carbon emmissions while staying at The Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge.

We are currently asking all guests to contribute just $1 per person for their entire stay.  Of course you are more than welcome to increase this contribution if you wish.  Please don’t hesitate to ask our friendly Reception Staff if you would like any more information on where your contribution is going and the various projects we are currently working on.

• Extra clothes lines

We are currently installing a significant amount of extra clothes lines to reduce the amount of dryers.  These clothes lines will be individually strung so that guests can have an entire row to themselves.  We encourage all guests to use this facility, weather permitting.

• Sustainable Garden

We are very excited about this new project.  We are currently underway in developing an inspirational Sustainable Garden.  We use the term ‘Garden’ in fairly loose terms as it will be much more than this.  Our Sustainable Garden will incorporate a large edible garden which will have seasonal organic produce.

Staff and guests will be welcome to participate in the maintenance and development of this edible garden in exchange for a basket full of delicious fruit, vegetables and herbs.  This area will also be used to house a fantastic composting system which will be a great way of re-using compostable waste on site.  We will also have an area which will be used to propagate native seeds from the surrounding Cumbebin wetlands. We will also be transferring re-usable materials from our recycling station and throughout the property to implement into other projects on site.

***UPDATE***

The start of our sustainable garden is happening on Monday 13th December. The first part of creating the garden will be to clear the area and put up a fence. If you would like to help, please come on Monday 13th Dec at 10am until 3pm. Meet at reception and wear a sunhat, bring a water bottle and shoes, we will provide sunscreen. There will be a sausage sizzle – vegetarians catered to, with soft drinks for lunch!

• Implementing energy saving fixtures and fittings to reduce our energy consumption

We have recently applied for a Energy Efficiency Program which if approved, will entitle us to Government funding to help implement a range of energy saving initiatives throughout The Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge.

• Implementing water saving fixtures and fittings to ensure efficient use of potable water

We are currently in the process of applying for funding to help us install a range of water saving fixtures and fittings throughout The Arts Factory Lodge.  This will ensure that we are not wasting this precious resource.  We are also looking into the possiblity of installing rain water tanks and a grey water re-use system to recycle water used in the washing machines.

FUTURE INITIATIVES

• Recycling Station

We hope to make drastic improvements to our current recycling system. Although we currently have a fantastic recycling system in place at The Arts Factory Lodge, we feel that we can do better. We would like to look into ways of recycling waste on site to minimise the amount that has to be taken off site. You can help by making sure that your waste goes into the appropriate bins and ensure that all recycling items are cleaned thoroughly before disposal.

• Self guided interpretive walk

We would like to develop a self guided interpretive boardwalk that will take guests through the Cumbebin Wetlands. This boardwalk will have detailed signage to educate visitors on the surrounding flora and fauna.