Soraya Shattuck, executive director of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF), has been traveling for most of her life. This has allowed her to experience the hospitality of indigenous cultures and the natural beauty of many destinations.
But she has also witnessed the degradation — the overuse, abuse and disrespect — of the very same places. In fact, it’s hard for Shattuck to fully appreciate the beauty of a place. In the back of her mind, she wonders, “What will happen to these places in the next five years? Will these places ever be as pristine, authentic or wild as they once were?”
In 2016, Shattuck joined ATCF (which launched the same year) with the hopes of addressing these looming questions and making a significant difference in the adventure tourism sector. Over the span of just two years, ATCF has funded nine grant projects and awarded $215,000 to local organizations and communities, and it is showing no signs of slowing down.
High Purpose, Low Impact
Through member dues (and nominations), ATCF identifies, vets and provides funding for projects that protect the cultural and natural resources that support the adventure travel industry. Today, ATCF’s membership has grown to more than 70 international organizations, including five Adventure Leaders — Adventure Travel Trade Association, REI Adventures, Backroads, ExOfficio and Eagle Creek — who help sustain ATCF.
Imvelo Safari Lodges will replace diesel engine water pumps with solar pumps to provide fresh, clean water around Hwange National Park.
Credit: 2019 Matthew Nesbitt
And while words such as “sustainable” and “eco” are not new to the travel industry, there are two differences now that explain ATCF’s continued success.
“Clients are holding travel businesses accountable,” Shattuck said. “It’s not enough to offer an eco-tour. Clients want to use travel organizations that invest — and not just their client’s money — in the protection of the places where they operate.”
In addition, businesses understand that they have an obligation to themselves to protect the land and communities where they operate. Without securing the protection and conservation of these destinations, there is no long-term future for many of these operators, advisors and travel organizations.
Plastic elimination, recycling and waste management in Baja California Sur are top priorities for Desplastificate Todos Santos y Pescadero.
Credit: 2019 Colin Ruggiero
“You can’t send your clients snorkeling if the fish are gone because of reef degradation,” Shattuck said. “You can’t send your clients on a safari to see the white rhino if there aren’t any left. And you can’t send your clients on a cultural tour to a specific village in Central America if the traditions, such as weaving, language and storytelling, are not preserved.”
Preserving Authenticity, Increasing Accessibility
ATCF recently announced its 2018 grant winners list, which includes the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust that will focus on bridging the gap between farmers and endangered snow leopards in India. Also receiving a grant is the Water for Hwange project, which will focus on securing a sustainable water source for elephants and local communities in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national park.
Meanwhile, Desplastificate Todos Santos y Pescadero will concentrate its efforts on community outreach and the elimination of single-use plastics in Baja California Sur, and Oaxaca Sea Turtle Conservation Project will work toward the preservation of Oaxaca’s coastline and sea turtle population in southern Mexico.
“Oaxaca’s unique dry tropical forest, coral reefs, diverse array of birdlife, world-class surf spots, marine wildlife and rich indigenous cultures are attracting a growing global audience,” Shattuck said. “But several communities with limited infrastructure are unprepared for this significant increase in visitation, and key nesting areas must be set aside for conservation.”
The Oaxaca Sea Turtle Conservation Project will improve infrastructure and protect sea turtle nesting areas along 65 miles of shoreline on the Mexican Pacific coast.
Credit: 2019 Zach PlopperIn addition to these exciting new projects, ATCF’s first round of grant winners will continue its work. (Each grant winner is given a two-year time frame to complete its project.)
Past winners have made incredible progress thus far, and a few noteworthy accomplishments include establishing a permanent settlement for the displaced Gahinga community in Uganda; strengthening visitation management and best practices to protect coral reef and wildlife in the Mexican Pacific; and educating children and adults to aid the preservation of wild orangutans in Gunung Palung National Park in Indonesia.
ATCF will begin accepting nominations for 2020 grants in April.
The Details
Adventure Travel Conservation Fund
www.adventuretravelconservationfund.org
