International Expeditions is dedicated to preserving the natural habitats of the places we serve, and to improving the welfare of the people and communities in the areas where we provide ecotourism vacations. We are committed to ecotourism and strive to thoroughly understand each place we go in order to minimize our impact on it. To do this we select and train exceptional local guides, who accompany our guests every step of the way. We share with them an appreciation for the natural and cultural history of their homelands. We impress our mission upon our service providers too, so that they can participate in conservation.
Adopt-a-School Program
Created by IE and CONAPAC in 1993, the Adopt-A-School program began by matching schools in the USA with rural schools in the Amazon rainforest. It quickly grew into a donor based program, providing rural schools and students with school supplies while promoting environmental education in their communities. The program serves 120 schools with 4,200 students and teachers in 71 communities along the Amazon and Napo rivers. Before a child receives books and supplies, the parents sign a pledge to send their children to school every day and to use the supplies with respect. IE recently purchased an 18-foot boat to more easily deliver these supplies to the remote villages. The company also encourages its Amazon guests to bring along school supplies for the children. These are directly distributed when the groups visit schoolhouses and meet the youngsters during their tours.
Iquitos Education Project
In conjunction with U.S. and Peruvian education experts, IE is developing an environmental education curriculum and enrichment pilot projects for Iquitos schools that teach the importance of ongoing education, health and nutrition in the rainforest. IE is also in the beginning stages of an endeavor to build an environmental education center in the city.
Medical Clinic Support
Amazon Special Interest Travel participation supports the Amazon Medical Project and the medical clinic of Dr. Linnea Smith. As part of our Lifelong Learning custom group workshops, guests have an opportunity to meet Linnea and learn more about her clinic, which brings Western medical care to more than 2,300 remote people each year. www.amazonmedical.org
GIS Environmental Mapping
IE has funded satellite imaging and data collection to document unprotected tropical wilderness areas and aid in future Reserve status for these areas.
Scientific Publications
IE supports research and publication of important books, including Guide to Frogs of the Iquitos Region, Amazonian Peru by Lily Rodriguez & William Duellman and Amazonian Ethnobotanical Dictionary by James Duke & Rodolfo Vasquez Martinez.
Belize
Crooked Tree Cashews "Cashews with a Cause"
IE donated $2,000 plus technical and promotional support in creating this sustainable natural resource project in a fragile wetlands sanctuary. Each year the project is celebrated at the annual Cashew Festival.
Ix Chel Tropical Research Foundation & Terra Nova Rainforest Reserve
You support these innovative conservation initiatives as a traveler on our Belize eco tours.
Slate Creek Preserve
IE supports environmental awareness and preservation of this unique biome through ecotourism vacations and programs, including programs for school groups.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
This habitat supports a dense population of Jaguars. IE travelers contribute significantly to the support of this sanctuary.
Belize Zoo
For nearly two decades, IE has led thousands of travelers on tours through this remarkable zoo, translating into political and financial support of the project's local and international education programs. www.belizezoo.org
Costa Rica
Project Green Macaw/The Neotropical Foundation
IE has supported efforts to preserve imperiled habitat linking vital protected areas along the Caribbean coast.
INBio Research Institute
IE has supported the efforts of INBio, which works to catalog and conserve Costa Rica's natural resources. www.inbio.ac.cr/
PROFELIS/Wild Cat Rescue
IE programs benefit Costa Rica's National Center for Wild Cat Rescue, which protects the lives and habitat of endangered cats through research, education, law enforcement, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. www.seibermarco.de/profelis/
Galapagos Islands
International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA)
IE is an active member of IGTOA, a successful organization which backs special legislation and promotes measures aimed at protecting the Galapagos Islands and marine reserve and promoting ecotourism. IE is working with IGTOA on its Bocario program for youth. www.igtoa.org
Kenya
East African Wildlife Society
IE is a corporate sponsor for the East African Wildlife Society. Founded in 1956, the Society's mission is to promote the conservation and use of East Africa's wildlife and environment. By influencing policy reform through advocacy; helping support national park infrastructure, anti-poaching measures and wildlife sanctuaries; conservation education and research; translocating endangered species; and community conservation initiatives, the East African Wildlife Society has been able to conserve the region's black rhinos and elephants and contribute to current efforts to preserve East Africa's rapidly disappearing forests. www.eawildlife.org
India
Indian Tiger Protection
IE donates $100 per traveler to India to Tiger Trust India, a program to ensure the future well being of the seriously endangered tigers of India. www.tigertrustindia.com
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