Chaa Creek Belize resort
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
“The goal of Chaa Creek is to establish a model of low-impact, sustainable development. By stimulating interest in the environment, natural history and local culture we hope to demonstrate the long term benefits of ecotourism over other environmentally damaging options for development.”
This mission statement is still as valid as it was when we wrote it down years ago. We realise now, as then, that the things that sustain our business – the natural wonders of Belize, the rich legacy of the Maya and the harmonious, multicultural mix of Belizean society are all assets that not only support us but also entail certain responsibilities. We recognise the challenge to wisely use our common resources to ensure they remain viable and continue to provide benefits for future generations.
Chaa Creek operations are guided by the fundamental principles of ecotourism and fairness, and a harmonious relationship with the natural environment and local communities. Our full time staff is comprised entirely of over 125 Belizeans from the local towns and villages, and we acknowledge that their genuine warmth and friendliness are the foundation of our business and the source of constant praise from our guests.
We remain faithful to our original mission statement and sincerely – and humbly – hope that our efforts will be seen as a model for sustainable tourism development that will encourage others to follow a pathway of responsible travel and sustainable tourism.
It’s been an amazing journey, and along the way we learned some valuable lessons that continue to define Chaa Creek today. Environment - It’s a give and- take-relationship, and you take more than you give at your own peril. We learned what the Maya did millennia ago – the environment isn’t an endless resource that you can continually exploit without any sense of responsibility or stewardship. Humans and nature share a dynamic relationship. Look after the environment, and it will look after you.
People – As Chaa Creek developed, so did our sense of community. We received so much assistance from our neighbours we felt blessed to be able to give something back when our first tractor, an old beat up Massey Ferguson arrived from England and became a shared resource. Belize has one of the most culturally diverse populations on the planet, and we learned much about patience, tolerance, that coexistence doesn’t necessarily lead to conformity, and about appreciating diversity while sharing the positive attributes one’s own cultural background.
This ongoing give and take came to define Chaa Creek’s relationship with the environment and our neighbours, based on that old Belizean saying, “hand wash hand”.
Community
The Lodge at Chaa Creek is wholly committed to responsible tourism and promoting natural history education. To be truly sustainable, tourism must respect and maintain its product – in our case the beautiful natural environment of Belize. While this may seem obvious, we have learned that careful attention must be paid to sustainability if protection is to keep up with growth. Our environmental education programs, delivered both internally and externally, are aimed at contributing to a pool of educated, aware Belizeans who respect their environment and have the skills to protect it. This represents our best hope for the future.
Sustainable, responsible tourism must also be firmly rooted within the local community, providing tangible, long lasting benefits to its people. If work is a source of pride with the promise of a real future, people will be engaged with every aspect of their work – to the benefit of visitors, the business, and the workers and their families. We have seen this proven time and time again at Chaa Creek.
This recognition is behind our commitment to continuously improve and expand our environmental education and community outreach programs.
For example:
* Our Environmental Education Outreach program takes environmental education directly to the schools and many special events throughout Belize
* We established the Belize Foundation for Conservation to “Promote environmental education, cultural awareness, and sustainable conservation practices”
* Financial assistance and community support programs benefit the Octavia Waight old folks centre, the Cayo Deaf Institute, and Marla House of Hope Orphanage
* Contingency reserves - Chaa Creek has in-house procedures and resources in place to respond in times of need. Whether from individual tragedy or natural disasters, Chaa Creek will always respond to calls for assistance
* Community Liaison - Chaa Creek supports and works with local organizations and groups conducting community based conservation and improvement projects such as anti-litter campaigns and development and maintenance of public parks
* Ecotourism and responsible travel education - Each year the Lodge hosts and educates hundreds of local and overseas students and sponsors internship positions in ecotourism and responsible travel through programs at our Natural History Centre, Blue Morpho Butterfly Breeding Centre, the Maya Medicinal Plant Trail and other Chaa Creek operations
* Educational field trips within the Chaa Creek Nature Reserve are offered to local and international schools, universities and community groups
* Summer Teachers Institute in Environmental Studies and Culture is a program delivered in partnership with the State University of New York to broaden the teaching skills of our local educators through teachers training workshops focused on sustainable use of our natural resources and enhancing an understanding of Belize’s heritage and culture
* The Teacher’s Resource Guide to Maya Archaeology, Ecology and Tourism of Western Belize, produced and published by Chaa Creek is a 113 page resource used in many local schools
* The Chaa Creek Scholarship Program annually provides 10 local students with full board educational scholarships at secondary and tertiary levels, paying for tuitions, fees, books and other necessities
* Share a Pound Program. We encourage our guests to share one pound of their luggage space for materials (pens, pencils, etc.) to be donated to a local school, craft items for the Octavia Waight Old Age Center, or pet care supplies to be donated to the Humane Society. Guests can also financially sponsor school books for a school child.
* The Eco-Kids Summer Camp gives 24 Belizean school children an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Belize first hand while learning environmental responsibility during a fully sponsored weeklong summer camp at our Macal River Camp.
