Leading Initiatives, Organizations, and Governments in Conservation and Sustainability Today

The Dinogo Global Vision Awards seek to recognize and celebrate companies, individuals, destinations, and organizations making significant strides toward more sustainable and responsible travel practices, products, and experiences. They not only exemplify thought leadership and innovative problem-solving but also take tangible, measurable actions to protect communities and the environment worldwide. Additionally, they inspire their peers and travelers to contribute positively.

Now, more than ever, staying informed is vital. Yet, as we absorb information, we should remember Fred Rogers' timeless advice: Look for the helpers. While headlines often highlight struggling ecosystems and climate change, they frequently overlook the organizations and government entities making significant, impactful strides to safeguard our natural world and foster sustainable economies—acting not with despair, but with realism and true hope for the future. Addressing the climate crisis will require bold changes, and the conservation efforts of these Global Vision Awards honorees can serve as a blueprint for all of us. — T+L Editors

African Parks

The narrative of Zakouma National Park in Chad is one of extraordinary revival. From 1998 to 2010, over a dozen rangers lost their lives to armed poachers, who decimated 95 percent of the park's elephant population. In 2010, a nonprofit organization assumed management of the park, and by 2018, the elephant population had rebounded to 560, including 127 calves. Additionally, the first black rhinos in more than forty years were reintroduced into the park.

African Parks, which oversees 16 reserves across 10 nations, attributes much of its success to a comprehensive approach that involves full park management rather than merely focusing on conservation within government-operated parks. It employs a holistic ecosystem management strategy that integrates advanced technologies, such as tracking devices and surveillance drones, along with a strict anti-corruption policy to combat poaching. Education, job creation, and collaboration with local communities are also vital components of this sustainable model. A key initiative includes establishing schools and leadership programs to equip individuals with skills to further conservation efforts. Approximately 90 percent of the organization’s 5,214 employees are drawn from local communities.

African Parks has gained significant recognition, with Prince Harry now serving as its president, and has led to new requests for assistance. In November, the government of Zimbabwe called upon this organization to help restore Matusadona National Park, which has been ravaged by mismanagement and poaching, severely impacting its rhinos, lions, and elephants.

Climate Neutral

Navigating the maze of carbon-offset programs and corporate commitments can be confusing. That’s why Climate Neutral is dedicated to establishing a clear and efficient certification process for corporate carbon neutrality. This organization lays out a detailed approach for companies to evaluate their emissions and offsets, encouraging them to implement measures to lower their environmental impact—such as decreasing the number of company-owned vehicles or adopting more energy-efficient data centers.

When a company quantifies and then offsets its carbon emissions—by altering production methods or purchasing carbon credits—it can earn the Climate Neutral Certified label. This certification aims to reassure consumers that the businesses they choose are actively combating climate change. Founding members include BioLite, which is innovating shipping methods for its thermoelectric stoves, solar lights, and camping gear, and Peak Design, a producer of camera accessories and travel bags dedicated to incorporating recycled metals and fabrics into their products.

Costa Rica

In 1994, this small Central American nation revised its constitution to enshrine a groundbreaking right: the right to a healthy environment. Since then, Costa Rica has emerged as a leader in environmental conservation. While it may not achieve its ambitious goal of becoming the world's first carbon-neutral nation by next year, it has made significant progress. Approximately 98 percent of the nation’s electricity is generated from renewable sources, and over a quarter of its land is designated as protected areas.

The tourism board's Certification for Sustainable Tourism, launched in 1995, has set a benchmark for other countries by motivating businesses to implement practices that reduce the environmental impact of travel. Currently, half of the 3.1 million visitors to Costa Rica participate in some form of ecotourism, which not only boosts the economy but also helps preserve natural wonders like the La Fortuna waterfall (shown) for future generations.

MesoAmerican Reef Tourism Initiative

The Mesoamerican Reef, extending along the coastlines of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, is the second-largest reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef. It is home to thousands of marine species, including corals, turtles, manatees, and sharks. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in a vast economic system, driving tourism that generates billions of dollars each year for local communities.

For the past 15 years, the Meso-American Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI) has adopted a comprehensive strategy aimed at promoting tourism while mitigating its detrimental impacts on both land and sea. Backed by local hotels and organizations like the Coral Reef Alliance and the Rainforest Alliance, MARTI has collaborated with Yucatán fishermen to create a thriving culinary market for invasive lionfish and has trained diving instructors in Cozumel to better protect the marine ecosystems that sustain their livelihoods. Additionally, it has facilitated the development of Mayaka’an, a network of towns, villages, and archaeological sites in Quintana Roo that have united to create a low-density eco-tourism initiative. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in Mayan traditions in Chunhuhub, swim in the pristine waters of a lagoon at the El Huasteco nature reserve, or explore the ancient pyramids of Muyil.

Throughout the region, MARTI has improved waste management and energy efficiency standards, providing guidance to hotels on how to lessen their environmental impact. Over 130 hotels have joined the initiative; on average, they've achieved nearly a 20% reduction in water use and over a 10% decrease in energy consumption. Collectively, MARTI's approach exemplifies the essence of a thriving reef: harmonious interdependence.

Para la Naturaleza

For nearly five decades, Para la Naturaleza (meaning “For Nature”) has been dedicated to the preservation and restoration of land in Puerto Rico. Central to its mission is the safeguarding of land from development; as a land trust, it has purchased properties and accepted bequests. Among its initiatives is the revitalization of the Pterocarpus Forest, a 56-acre preserve that hosts one of the largest remaining populations of the increasingly rare pterocarpus tree, often referred to as bloodwood due to its red sap. Para la Naturaleza currently manages 36,000 acres and aims to secure conservation status for 33 percent of Puerto Rico’s fragile ecosystems by 2033—twice the area currently protected.

Historic sites also fall within the scope of Para la Naturaleza’s efforts. A notable example is the 496-acre Hacienda Buena Vista, an operational coffee plantation located in Ponce. Visitors can tour the site’s 19th-century structures, which have been restored by Para la Naturaleza, and observe the rejuvenation of the surrounding forest. The secret? Sustainable, shade-grown coffee cultivation methods.

“Nature doesn’t recognize deed restrictions or property lines,” explains Anayra Santory, an executive at the organization. “We can protect the land we own, but we also need to consider human activities on lands outside the trust.” With this perspective, Para la Naturaleza has trained farmers in more sustainable practices and technologies. It encourages the public—both Puerto Ricans and visitors—to assist with bird censuses across the island. Additionally, it has partnered with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to create a breeding program aimed at reintroducing the critically endangered Puerto Rican crested toad. The organization has also engaged in efforts to mitigate the ecological damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, as well as the earthquakes of January 2020.

As Santory points out, “You can have thriving ecosystems and beautifully restored historic sites. But if the surrounding communities are struggling and facing crises, it doesn’t work.”