Ecuador Ecotourism & Conservation

Hosteria San Jorge Ecolodge is fully committed to conservation. We are the only enterprise actively promoting sustainable tourism in the Pinchincha forest. Our primary aim is to preserve the 80 hectares that comprise San Jorge and to utilize native, low impact methods of Ecotourism. We have a major tree planting, and native habitat re-planting program in effect and we believe we are setting an example to others about how precious our natural environment is.

We are continuing to look for new ways to be more environmentally conscious as we continue our process of changing from a traditional Ecuadorian farm to an ecolodge. Please read below to learn more about the Ecotourism and conservation initiatives at San Jorge.

Ecotourism initiatives that are currently present at Hosteria San Jorge Ecolodges:

• Preserving all 80 hectares of San Jorge and other 300 hectareas that belong to the other San Jorge Reserves around the country for conservation purposes
• Restoring native habitat at San Jorge
• An extensive tree planting program that has resulted in over 2000 trees planted
• No pesticides are used on the property
• Building materials used exclusively from the region, including tiles, eucalyptus wood columns, black soil bricks, and river stones, some dating at least 300 years back.
• There is ongoing research by biologists, botanists, and ornithologists
• A bird identification program – over 85 different types of birds have been spotted at San Jorge
• Providing educational, historical, cultural and natural tours of San Jorge and the areas surrounding Quito including the following types of tours: Pre-Inca trail, medicinal plant, Shamanism, native plant, cultural, native market of Otavalo, and bird watching
• Natural rain water is used for the hot tub and pool, no chlorine or chemicals are used
• Low impact hiking and mountain biking on established trails
• Employing local people at a fair wage
• Skylights are used in all the buildings and in all the rooms for natural daytime light
• Allowing the staff to wear local native Andean clothing that is purchased from local markets around Quito, including the Otavalo market
• Using local and traditional materials whenever possible for items such as blankets, floor mats, curtains, etc.
• Volunteer programs with volunteers and students interested in conservation, eco tourism, biology, bird watching, biology, and nature
• A clothes drive for local residents near Quito. San Jorge guests are asked to bring clothes to donate for this clothing drive
• Gravity based plumbing for majority of water needs instead of electricity based water pumps
• No motorized vehicles are allowed in the Reserve

Ecotourism initiatives that are in the process of being designed and started:

• A new scientific interpretation center is currently in the planning stages
• An organic garden
• A compost heap for natural fertilizer
• Volunteers to teach the local staff English
• A recycling program for metal, paper, plastic and glass
• Using biodegradable soaps and shampoos made locally
• Using biodegradable clothes detergent and biodegradable dishwashing detergent

Future Ecotourism initiatives that are being considered:

• Using solar panels for some electricity needs and solar tanks to heat the water
• Using “gray water” techniques to filter, clean and reuse water that is not fully contaminated
• Reducing the use of electricity by using kerosene, olive or jatropha oil lamps and candles at night
• Reducing the use of electricity by using coals in metal buckets for portable heat instead of space heaters
• Building and using self-composting toilets
• Contributing a percentage of profits to local environmental non profits
• Guest lectures by local environmental and cultural professors and experts