Achievements in 2008

Sustainable Community Development Assistance

Red-fronted Macaw Ecolodge. The development of sustainable community-based tourism is a slow process that requires years of capacity-building, supervision and follow-up to reach a level where the community is able to operate and administer the enterprise on its own. To assist the communities in this process, we hired an ecotourism specialist to oversee Ecolodge operation and administration, coordinate tourist visits and train local residents in lodge management. In addition, with the aim to provide even better service and also increase the capacity of the lodge, we built accommodations for eight additional guests (total capacity 14), a detached kitchen facility and housing for support personnel (lodge staff, tour agency guides and drivers). This increased capacity will allow the lodge to receive the larger international bird tour groups and also accommodate several groups at the same time, which will give a significant boost to its economic sustainability. Promotion is of course key to any tourism venture. In 2008 we promoted the Ecolodge in tourism fairs in Bolivia (2), Argentina, Brazil and Spain.

The Red-fronted Macaw Ecolodge was enlarged

Community members improved the perimeter fence to keep out domestic animals

Achievements in 2008 included:

Community Development Assistance

• 124 acre Red-fronted Macaw Reserve was created to protect the San Carlos nesting cliffs and native vegetation that is important foraging habitat not only for the Red-fronted Macaw but also for honey bees.

• Construction of accommodations for an additional eight guests, a larger kitchen and quarters for support personnel increased significantly the capacity and earning potential of the Red-fronted Macaw Ecolodge.

• Support of Ecolodge operation and administration assured continued quality service and customer satisfaction.

• A trail was constructed to provide access to a pre-Inca archaeological site located near the Ecolodge.

• Ecolodge promotion in two national and three international tourism fairs.

• 18 community members capable of managing honey production.

• 92 kilos of honey were produced; nearly double production in 2007.

• Medical and dental attention to more than 150 people in Amaya, Perereta and San Carlos; 126 children received dental care and treatment for parasites.

• Training workshop with 30 members of the Toro Toro Guide Association and five Toro Toro National Park guards.

Trail construction. A trail was opened to provide access to a pre-Inca archaeological site, Fortaleza de Tunas Mok’o, located near the Ecolodge. Trail construction provided income to 15 community members. Tools purchased for trail construction have been donated to the lodge and will be used for trial maintenance. In 2009 we will produce a guide booklet to the Omereque archaeological sites in the region.

Honey-production. The community honey production projects started in 2006 in Amaya, Perereta and San Carlos are proving to be quite successful. Eighteen community members now are able to manage the bee hives and honey processing on their own. They produced 92 kilos of honey in 2008, nearly double the amount produced the previous year. The community of Perereta has paid back the loan for purchase of a centrifuge with honey sale proceeds. In 2009 we will loan funds to the other two communities so each will have its own centrifuge.