Wolwedans Long Run Destination adorns cover of Ralph Lauren Magazine

The beauty of the desert, the vastness of its views; once again, Wolwedans Long Run Destination is covered in praise. Featuring on the cover of Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2010 Magazine, Wolwedans reveals its mystique. The article explains how travellers are increasingly seeking ‘a more meaningful travel experience that focuses on privacy, simplicity, and a connection with the natural world’, noting that the latest travel buzz is being monopolized by smaller, less flashy hotels in remote locations. A precursor in its field, Wolwedans has been offering just that for the past ten years.

In the words of Stephan Brückner, the managing director and son of Wolwedans’ founder, "we don't want to attract the guys that want marble bathrooms, (…) instead, the Reserve offers a very honest, down-to-earth nature experience."

The architecture is "soft on nature," continues Brückner: "Every camp or lodge we built, we can take away without leaving any traces." And the camps, with their rust and sandstone colours and natural wood, do indeed camouflage against the landscape.

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Long Run Destination provides setting for ecosystem valuation study

Tahi Beach, a Long Run Destination located in New Zealand, is to be one of two case study sites for research into the value of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The research - which has been facilitated by the Zeitz Foundation and will be carried out by Masters Student Jonathan Middendorf - will evaluate the costs of biodiversity loss and the associated decline in ecosystem services worldwide, comparing them with the costs of effective conservation and sustainable use. The study will provide information to guide the activities at the two sites, as well as contribute to the growing global body of knowledge on ecosystems management and the value of ecosystems services.

Middendorf will evaluate two protected areas situated in Northland, on New Zealand’s East coast, from a social and economic perspective. One site is the privately-owned Tahi protected area, whilst the second is a mix of public and private initiatives at Bream Head.

As a first step, the management practices of both conservation initiatives will be investigated to demonstrate whether they are cost-effective. The study will look into implementation, the role played by the public and local authorities, and the skills required to ensure effectiveness.

The evaluation will generate a list of good management practices, define threats and areas for improvement, and highlight the importance of protected areas to the individual and society in general.

Jonathan Middendorf is preparing for his master thesis, the final stage of his bi-national Master´s programme in International Nature Conservation, offered jointly by the University of Göttingen in Germany and Lincoln University in New Zealand.

Zeitz Foundation's "Global Ecosphere Retreats" Certification System

One of the ways in which the Zeitz Foundation achieves its mission is through the development and support of the Global Ecosphere Retreats (G.E.R.) certification system. The G.E.R. certification system reflects, observes and incorporates available national and international standards and guidelines for all areas of an ecosphere, while still accommodating the need for flexibility when it comes to different ecosystems. Through the certification system, G.E.R. members go beyond these accepted standards to serve as “best practice” models, continuously setting new standards through an ongoing process of learning and innovation. The G.E.R. certification system is transparent, relies on independent experts and follows procedures that are common in other international certifications such as in ecotourism.

Certified G.E.R. are forming an alliance of sustainable and innovative tourist and non-tourist enterprises around the world. The Zeitz Foundation further supports this alliance of G.E.R. members in achieving its mission through, among other initiatives, sponsoring an online directory and travel destination hub for G.E.R. certified operations. Currently in development at www.ecosphere.org, members and visitors alike will be able to access and contribute a variety of information related to the G.E.R., including destination highlights, traveler reviews, sustainable tourism industry information, and the G.E.R. criteria and application guidelines. As members of this alliance, G.E.R are connecting across the globe and, as a collective, contribute to safeguarding the ecosphere.