As we venture around the world seeking new places, people and connections, it’s important to also take steps in ensuring that the incredible destinations we enjoy today are still around for future generations.
All Secrets Retreats Members share this belief in supporting and protecting their communities and environments, some even going so far as to create their own non-profits and foundations to further give back to their surroundings, such as the private island resort, Misool, in Raja Ampat and its Misool Foundation.
Dedicated to protecting some of the world’s richest reefs, the foundation has made great strides in not only conserving the marine environment around the resort but helping it to truly flourish and even increase biomass.
Scroll down to learn more about Misool’s inspirational work and how you can easily support it simply by booking a stay with Secret Retreats.
Misool Foundation
Called Yayasan Misool Baseftin in Indonesian, Misool Foundation has a proven track record of delivering measurable conservation results in some of the most remote and challenging locations in the world.
At the core of their operation is a belief that sustainable tourism and community-based conservation are mutually beneficial. They seek to demonstrate to their local hosts, government and guests that sustainable tourism can provide a better life than logging, mining or overfishing.
The foundation is now expanding its mission to address pressing conservation issues across Indonesia by developing programmess and campaigns focused on safeguarding threatened species and important marine habitats.
Misool Foundation’s Programmes
Misool’s conservation work takes place in two primary locations in Indonesia: Misool in south Raja Ampat and Lamakera in East Flores. The foundation manages the following marine conservation and social development programmes:
- Misool Marine Protected Area – Management of two No-Take Zones (NTZ) encompassing 91,000 hectares.
- Misool Ranger Patrol – A 15-person team dedicated to preventing fishing in the NTZs. The team moves between the resort and three ranger stations patrolling the region with a fleet of five boats as well as radar surveillance.
- Fafanlap Kindergarten – Building and sponsorship of a remote village kindergarten aiming to boost education levels within the community.
- Bank Sampah – A Community Recycling Project which has prevented 200 tonnes of waste from entering the waterways since 2014 and has now expanded beyond Raja Ampat to the city of Sorong. The project currently processes half a tonne of waste each day!
- Lamakera Programme – A 5-year programme to end the illegal hunting of mantas and sharks by providing alternative livelihoods to marginal communities.
Make your money travel further
Want to help save the world’s richest reefs? From now until 31 December 2017 book a stay at Secret Retreats properties to help support Misool Foundation’s marine conservation efforts and other community programmes.
For each night booked, the hotel will donate $1 USD to Misool Foundation and we will match the donation with another $1 USD.
Where are you travelling to? Start planning your stay with some of these hotel options now!