Rosalie Forest / 3 Rivers Eco Lodge

Jack Byers, Drew Burkhard, Tim Kelly

Commonwealth of Dominica

• Caribbean Island lies South-SouthEast of Guadelupe

• Total:290 sq miles• 3 Rivers Eco Lodge

– Opened at end of 2002, Just North of Grand Fond

– Convergence of the Coco, Stewards, and the Rosalie River

– 2 Main Areas, total:9.5acres

Goals• Eco lodge was established to protect privately owned rain-forest from

logging carried out by owner. 3 Rivers management ensured in-forest development has always been carried out sparsely and considerately. -cabins built with renewable materials such as bamboo, grass, and

fallen trees. -electric music not permitted -staff monitors noise and litter -only foot traffic allowed in forest

• Organic farming carried out on site. -each cottage surrounded by an organic garden -compost nourishes gardens -organic pest control in place, with some crops acting as pest deterrents

• Community Based Tourism (discussed later)

Accomodations

• 3 Self-Contained Cottages/Apartments• Each room fully equipped with double/twin beds, private

equipped kitchen and toilet/shower room (solar hot water),

electricity supply of 240 volts (array of 10 solar panels) -All linen and bio-degradeable soaps are provided complimentary-Complete with terrace and hammock

Accomodations

Bamboo Tree House• Double-Bed and Hammock• Floor is made of Boit Diabla, a local

hardwood, walls are a bamboo structure• Composting toilet near private shower• Drinking water filtration system changed

with fresh water daily by staff

Chataiere Lodge Treehouse• Similar set-up to Bamboo Tree House• Built around the roots of a Chataniere tree

(butress tree)• Small Bathhouse inside• Both houses short walk from communal

kitchen

Accomodations

• Mixed Dormitory, Eight Beds and Several Hammocks

• Electric Light• Composting Toilet• Shower Outside of Room

Community Based Tourism

Community Based Village Homestay• Typically limited to one night. The program focuses on

interaction between host and guest as a way to enhance and exchange cultural knowledge and understanding. the idea is for you to experience their way of life, not to change their way of life to suit yours Families:The Pascal Family (Grand Fond, Dominica)- Joyce, Community Management Committe (CMC) chairperson, her father Ryan (99 years old) the village bottled gas salesman, and Bernette, 27, is Joyce’s nephew.

• House -The Pascal family home is modern and reasonably well equipped, with televison, telephone, and even internet access.

• To do: Go drinking with Bernett, and play Dominoes in the local bar, sit and chat with Joyce, or play the banjo with Ryan

Other Families• The Ebi Lawrence Family• The Lazare Family• The Marcelline Lawrence

Family• The Lockhart Family• The Prince Family

Community Life PackageThis package lasts 7 days, it inlcudes 6 nights accommodation in one of the self contained

cottages, and one night in a family home in the local village, Grand Fond.• Day 1 : Arrive and transfer to 3 Rivers.• Day 2 : ½ day on an organic herb farm, discovering traditional herbal medicines & remedies,

and tasting various bush teas, followed by ½ day helping out in the local village primary school : getting to know the kids, and sharing experiences with them and giving general assistance.

• Day 3 : Coffee and coco picking, peeling, fermenting and drying on two local plantations, followed by preparing and roasting ; take some home at the end of the day !!

• Day 4 : A day assisting with eco tourist trail development to local waterfalls and sites of interest.

• Day 5 : CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS : -Free day.-Renewable energy workshop.-Reggae band practice.-Traditional dance or music classes.-½ day harvesting coconuts & bamboo, then ½ day learning to make crafts with them.

• Day 6 : Local guided hike to some stunning natural spots.• Day 7 : Depart for airport / ferry terminal.

EcoDesign

Sustainability Policy• Energy consumption is 40% better than the best

practice level in terms of percent of renewable energy used.

• Water consumption is 65% better than the best practice level.

• Water saving was 13.6 points better than the best practice level

• Waste recycling was 1 point better than the best practice level

• Waste production was 98% better than the best practices level

• 100% of employees live within 20km of the lodge

• Community contributions are 13.4 points better than the best practice level.

• Extremely low amount of solid waste production

Renewable Energy• Micro hydro system, provides a constant

1kW of power• 10 PV panels, max power 800W• Air-x 400 wind turbine on top of 100ft tree

in forest. Supplies 400W of power to forest dwellings,-used only for lighting... no electrical outlets provided in tree-houses.

• Individual solar ground lighting in place to provide for safe foot travel while preserving view of night sky.

Accreditation/Awards(2009)• Fully certified by Green Globe 21, the Global Certification Scheme for Environmental Travel & Tourism, have now

been re-benchmarked for the third year running.• November, 2008 : Island's Magazine Blue List -Celebrating Community Tourism• October, 2008 : National Geographic Adventure Magazine -Top island Lodges• In November 2006 British Airways selected 3 Rivers as number 9, in the top 20 Ultimate Island Activities, throughout

the Caribbean• June, 2006, at the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference at The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami,3 Rivers Eco Lodge was

awarded, for the second year running ! The most prestigious American Express and Caribbean Hotel Association Caribbean Environmental Award 2006 - - - In the small hotel category (previously the green hotel of the year award)

• June 2006- This month’s business that is “Making a Difference” on the Eco-Index Sustainable Tourism site• May 2006- 3 Rivers has been voted runner up in the Green Globe 21 Best Overall Green Globe Business Award.• December 2005- Green Globe 21 awarded 3 Rivers its champion of the month award, in recognition of our work for

sustainable development, here in Dominica, The Nature Isle of the Caribbean.• November 2005- 3 Rivers was awarded 2nd place in the First Choice Holidays and responsibletravel.com Responsible

Tourism Award for Best Technology. It was also voted 3rd in the 2005 Green globe 21 Environmental Best Practices Website Award.

• October 2005- At the International Hotel & Restaurant Association 42nd Annual Congress held in Beijing, China, 3 Rivers was awarded 2nd prize in the 2005 Environmental Award.

• June 2005- ECOCLUB.COM ECOLODGE AWARDS 2005 : 2ND PRIZE WINNER• 2004- Top Ten of the Green Globe 21 Worldwide Environmental "Best Practices Website" award 2004. ALSO 3rd

place, in the 2004 International Hotel & Restaurant Association Environmental Awards.