ECOTURISM
OUR GOAL is to share the beauty of Nicaraguan nature and culture with responsible travellers, to promote conservation and to benefit the local community.
COMMUNITY | CONSERVATION | LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT | LINKS
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Art
Participate in Arte Accion! Education through art.
We are using art as a medium to teach social, cultural and environmental values through free art classes, crafts and workshops for kids 5-15 years old every Saturday from 9am-11am. Through free classes of painting, drama, and other disciplines, we can teach our students about self-estime, the environment, health issues, children's rights, and how they can play an active role in the improvement of their community. During this privileged time we practice basic English skills with the students. Volunteers needed (infoloscardones@yahoo.com). School, dental, and art supplies as donations and awareness in your community are greatly appreciated!!
Sustainability
In an area that used to depend solely on sugar cane farming, Los Cardones generates income and employment. Los Cardones and our companion project Finca Del Mar employ 36 local men and women, providing fair wages, social security and stability to their families. We are committed to generating income around us by buying local products: fresh fish, local cheese, fruits and vegetables, locally made art, jewelry, clothing. We support local entrepreneurs in their initiatives, such as transportation, furniture making, masonry, horseback-riding tours.
Education
We have been running a mobile library since January 2010, lending approximately 80 books each month. The mobile library brings the magic of books into the lives of these children and encourages them to read, read, read!
We sponsor local sports teams. Donations at the lodge resource the local schools of California, San Diego, San Bartolo and Zapote with supplies and projects.
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Experienced Teachers Work In Local Schools
We host a work exchange program for experienced teachers. If you speak Spanish and are not afraid of riding a bike, Los Cardones Surf Lodge will provide lodging in exchange for teaching in the local schools. Bring you own teaching program! Contact us at infoloscardones@yahoo.com.
Sea Turtle Hatchery
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Four species of endangered sea turtles nest on our beaches. The most common are Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys Olivacea) ; Green Turtle (Chelonia m agassizii) and Hawksbill ( Eretmochelys imbricata) also nest on our shores; the largest population of nearly extinct Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) in Nicaragua occurs on a nearby beach.
We have been protecting sea turtles since 2001, saving their nests from poachers by relocating them to our nursery . Over two thousands hatchlings were born in our nursery between 2001 and 2009 and more than 500 during the first half of 2010. We collect data to identify the nesting sea turtles and enrich the national database kept by Fauna & Flora International. Six of our staff are proud graduates of a training program given by FFI to teach us how to identify sea turtles, care for their nests and their hatchlings.
Birds of Nicaragua coastal wetlands and dry tropical forest, endemic and migratory species
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Several acres of the property are reserved for wildlife observation, providing a precious habitat to local and migratory species.
Just outside your bungalow, dry tropical forest species can be spotted: Long-tailed Manakin, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Lesser-ground Cuckoo, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Pacific Parakeet, Hoffman´s Woodpecker, Black-headed Trogon, as well mixed flocks of ant following birds, composed of Northern Barred Woodcreeper, Dusky Antbird, Red-crowned Tanager, Gray-headed Tanager, Lesser Greenlet, Barred Antshrike. In the winter, Warblers and some endangered migratory birds like the Painted Bunting can be spotted.
A short nature walk along the mangrove estuaries of Quebrada Samacuao will give you an opportunity to see spectacled caimans and birds of our coastal wetlands; local species: Black Crab Hawk, Great Egret, Blue Heron, Swallow, King Fisher, Brown Pelican, Boat Billed Heron; migratory species: Roseate Spoonbill, …
Los Cardones is built in a spirit of conservation and minimal impact. Its forest is beautifully wild and we intend to preserve it and its wildlife.
All construction is designed to blend in with the existing vegetation and adapt to the sites. Native materials and construction techniques are used: local timber, driftwood, thatched palm roofs, straw walls, The designs reflect the principles of environmental architecture and take advantage of sun, rain and wind patterns for cooling and water drainage.
The lodge relies exclusively on solar power. The sun's energy is converted into electricity by the photovoltaic cells of the solar panel, then stored in deep-cylce batteries. We limit energy consumption to a few efficient light bulbs, a computer and a modem.
Bigger appliances such as fridges and stoves run on propane gas.
Our water is supplied by our own well, fitted with a mechanical pump and a gravity tank. This ingenious local design called ´bomba de mecate´ is used throughout the nicaraguan countryside. Water conservation is encouraged further by the understanding that the water is pumped manually out of the well. Grey water is recycled through a network of perforated pipes that irrigates gardens.
We minimize waste by buying directly from the producers or purchasing products in bulk with reduced packaging. Plastic and aluminum are recycled. Glass bottles for soft drinks and beers are reused by the
suppliers. All organic refuse is recycled onsite by thermophillic composting.
Composting is a simple technique that ensures sanitary conditions while benefiting the environment. Made of alternate layers of saw dust, organic waste and leaves, our compost piles and compost toilets
are designed to provide the right balance of air, moisture, nitrogen and carbon to the microorganisms that digest the organic matter.
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www.treepals.org
Tree Pals Support local schools and plant trees in deforested communities around Los Cardones by donating to the Tree Pals program! Trees for the Future, a Non-profit 501 (c) 3 based in Silver Spring, Maryland proudly introduces the Tree Pals program, an innovative approach to environmental education and reforestation in the developing world. The Tree Pals program is hoping to continue its success by working in the same area you enjoy so much.
Los Cardones is a proud supporter of the Central Oregon Environmental Center and Santa Cruz Baile-thon for the Consuelo Buitrago Clinic in Managua.
http://www.fauna-flora.org/americas_turtles_nicaragua.php
Fauna & Flora International Conserving Species and ecosystems worldwide
www.swaptravel.org
SWAP is a Global environmental surf travel network that supports organisations and companies worldwide in promoting sustainable development and environmental awareness.
www.planeta.com
Provides a clearinghouse of information and a forum to discuss ecotourism, with specific information on Latin American ecotourism.
www.nature.org/wherewework/centralamerica/nicaragua
The Nature Conservancy in Nicaragua
www.wholetravel.com
www.responsibletourism.co.uk
www.bigtravelweb.com
www.ecohotelsoftheworld.com
www.seaturtles.org
