Ok, so if you’re here, your obviously not looking around for some other strange blog topic like say celebrities or another mommy’s best cake recipe, not, of course, that I don’t mind looking at the pretty people ruin their lives or even add another recipe to my ever expanding recipe book. But, I digress, no you want to learn about how to travel sustainably, and more to the point travel sustainably in Alberta Canada – a place that has more nature than Paula Deen has butter or Joan Rivers has clothes. But, figuring out the right place to stay in Alberta, in an authentically “sustainable way” can be…challenging.
There are a lot of hotels out there that engage in green-washing, which is the practice of claiming greater ecological sustainability than actually practiced. Like, if a business installs all compact florescent lighting and suddenly advertises as being “environmentally friendly”.
Which begs the question… “ How do I know the place I stay is ecologically friendly”? Well, there are some principles to it that may be of some use. According to Pamela Wight in her Article
“ Ecotourism: Ethics or Eco-sell?”, an ecotourism business or organization should and should not:
There are a lot of hotels out there that engage in green-washing, which is the practice of claiming greater ecological sustainability than actually practiced. Like, if a business installs all compact florescent lighting and suddenly advertises as being “environmentally friendly”.
Which begs the question… “ How do I know the place I stay is ecologically friendly”? Well, there are some principles to it that may be of some use. According to Pamela Wight in her Article
“ Ecotourism: Ethics or Eco-sell?”, an ecotourism business or organization should and should not:
- It should not degrade the resource and should be developed
in an environmentally sound manner; - It should provide first-hand, participatory, and enlightening
experiences; - It should involve education among all parties - local
communities, government, nongovernmental organizations,
industry, and tourists (before, during, and after the
trip); - It should encourage all-party recognition of the intrinsic
values of the resource; - It should involve acceptance of the resource on its own
terms, and in recognition of its limits, which involves
supply-oriented management; - It should promote understanding and involve partnerships
between many players, which could include
government, nongovernment organizations, industry,
scientists, and locals (both before and during operations); - It should promote moral and ethical responsibilities and
behaviors towards the natural and cultural environment,
by all players; - It should provide long-term benefits - to the resource, to
the local community, and to industry (benefits may be
conservation, scientific, social, cultural, or economic).
Now, it’s admittedly almost impossible for any organization or business to adequately meet all these criteria, however, just meeting even half, I believe, would be a property worth your while. Which brings us to (*trumpets please*) The Aurum Lodge, located close to Banff National Park overlooking beautiful Abraham Lake.
The Aurum Lodge tends to focus more on the ecological side of sustainability, as in not harming the environment – like at all. Which isn’t surprising as the property is fairly isolated. But, what they do focus on they do really well. The lodge with five good guest rooms and outlying cabins, has garnered some impressive awards for its efforts in keeping it green. They have: - A five green leaf rating (the best) from the “ Audubon Green Leaf Eco-rating program”.
- It was a finalist for the “ Alberta Emerald Awards”.
- It was the first to receive and “ALTO award” for sustainable tourism.
- From the CCME, it has a pollution prevention award.
- And, just out of principle, they’ve opted out of being a part of the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Rating. Why? Because, they don’t think the rules are strict enough.
If, the owners Alan and Madeleine Ernst, are so dedicated to ecological tourism as to garner these great awards and accolades, then you can be pretty sure that their property does at least meet half or more of Ms. Wight’s criterial principles. Before even opening their doors to guests the couple spent four years researching and planning to create the most “non-foot-print” lodging experience they could. If you want to stay in a place off the grid, with as little environmental impact as possible this it the place, from total solar power to well… an on-site septic system. And, while staying with them they both would love to educate you on how you can personally be more “green” and also entertain you with their “ABC’S” of activities to engage in on their property. Really, they actually have one or more activities to do for each letter in the alphabet.
If you’re going to Alberta Canada, and want the best in ecological tourism as possible while also really enjoying yourself than you should check out the Aurum lodge.
http://www.aurumlodge.com/