Sustainability

Sustainable Eco Tourism

This page has been designed to keep you informed on all of the sustainable eco tourism projects we are working on.  This will include information on the various workshops and activities you can participate in to help us implement our eco friendly initiatives and reduce our carbon footprint.

What is Ecotourism?

‘Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation’ (Ecotourism Australia, 2009).

With the emergence of an eco-conscious society, people are being drawn to products and services that offer ecologically sound practices.

Across the globe, it has become increasingly evident that there needs to be a shift in lifestyle to move away from a consumer driven society to one that is environmentally, economically and socio-culturally sustainable.  Sustainable eco tourism has the ability to educate tourists and locals alike in the cultural and natural significance of an area.  It has positive implications on the relationships between a tourism business and the local community and has the potential to provide a stable economic flow into local areas.

Sustainable Eco Tourism at The Arts Factory Lodge

The Arts Factory Lodge is in a unique location within the Cumbebin Wetlands.  These wetlands contain a wide variety of flora and fauna which are endemic to the area.  The Arts Factory Lodge aims to operate within this natural environment in a sustainable manner.  We aim to minimise our impact on the surrounding environment and hope to contribute to the conservation and management of the natural resources of the Cumbebin Wetlands.

The Arts Factory Lodge is working on various projects to reduce our carbon footprint that are being conducted throughout the hostel and we would appreciate any feedback or advice to help us provide you with a truly unique backpacking experience.

But we need your help!

The Arts factory wants to reduce our carbon footprint. You can help us with only $1.

• ECO Green Contributions

This is being applied to your accommodation as an optional extra charge. These contributions will go directly into funding the various projects required to reduce our carbon footprint.  By contributing to our Eco Green Projects, guests will have the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions while staying at The Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge.

We are currently asking all guests to contribute just $1 per person for their entire stay.  Of course you are more than welcome to increase this contribution if you wish.  Please don’t hesitate to ask our friendly Reception Staff if you would like any more information on where your contribution is going and the various projects we are currently working on.

We appreciate any feedback or advice you may be able to provide in continuing to implement eco friendly initiatives involving YOUR participation and contribution.  Please help us by following a few simple rules:

• Please put rubbish in bins located throughout the property
• Recycle wherever possible
• Please don’t feed the animals
• Turn off taps when not in use
• Turn off electricity when not in use

COMPLETED PROJECTS

• Information Board

The Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge has recently developed an information board, located in the undercover area in front of Reception.  This was primarily developed to reduce the amount of paper used for our welcome notes which were distributed to all guests upon check in.  All the information from these welcome notes has been transferred to the board providing guests with detailed information on various aspects of the Hostel.

This board also provides information on the history of the area and the native flora and fauna that can be found in the areas surrounding The Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge.  It also includes information on Ecotourism in general as well as updated information on the various projects that are occurring to reduce our carbon footprint and help us achieve Eco Certification.

• Sustainable Garden

We are very excited about our eco-garden. Situated at the bottom of our property behind the camp ground, we have successfully established a sustainable garden.  It has seasonal organic produce, herbs and an edible forest.

Staff and guests are welcome to participate in the maintenance and upkeep of the garden in exchange for  delicious fruit, vegetables and herbs. Regular volunteer times are available three times a week, so guests can have a hands on gardening experience during their stay. Ask at reception for the current volunteer schedule.

• Implementing water saving fixtures and fittings to ensure efficient use of potable water

With the help of funding we were able to install a range of water saving fixtures and fittings throughout The Arts Factory Lodge.  This will ensure that we are not wasting this precious resource.  In addition we took advantage of the possibility to install rain water tanks and a grey water re-use system to recycle water used in the washing machines.

• Recycling Station
  

We have made huge improvements to our recycling system. Although we had a fantastic recycling system in place at The Arts Factory Lodge, we felt that we could do better. We looked into ways of recycling waste on site in order to minimize the amount that has to be taken off site. You can help by making sure that your waste goes into the appropriate bins and ensure that all recycling items are cleaned thoroughly before disposal. There are many recycling bins located at various spots in the hostel, so this makes it easy for you to recycle.

CURRENT INITIATIVES

• Solar Panels

One of our main projects for  2013 is the installation of solar panels on the property . This will give us clean renewable energy that assists in reducing carbon emissions. Your contribution of just $1 during your stay will help to instal solar panels at the Arts Factory..

• Extra Clothes Lines

We are currently installing extra clothes lines to reduce the amount of dryers. We encourage all guests to use this facility, weather permitting.

• Sustainable Garden

In addition to our eco garden we are planning to establish a fantastic composting system which will be a great way of re-using compostable waste on site.  We will also have an area which will be used to propagate native seeds from the surrounding Cumbebin wetlands. We will also be transferring re-usable materials from our recycling station and throughout the property to implement into other projects on site.

FUTURE INITIATIVES

• Self guided interpretive walk

We would like to develop a self guided interpretive boardwalk that will take guests through the Cumbebin Wetlands. This boardwalk will have detailed signage to educate visitors on the surrounding flora and fauna.

If you’d like any further information or have ideas for future projects at The Arts Factory Lodge – please feel free to contact us!