Walking the Sustainability Talk

“Culinary explorations have traction: they now factor into the travel agendas of curious gourmands from Bali to Baja California...[and] the enterprising operators of adventure cruise line Lindblad-National Geographic Expeditions have committed to local sourcing across every level of service and experience on their South American cruises. While guests enjoy delicious preparations of Andean superfoods—from maca and amaranth to chucho and cocoa nibs—small farms across the continent, from Costa Rica to the Falklands, are working with them to provision on spec; a Galápagos-based farm produces exclusive specialty provisions for the ships. It’s one more thoughtful way the Lindblad team really walks the sustainability talk.”

—MARIA SHOLLENBARGER, Financial Times

PIONEERING FARM-TO-TABLE IN GALÁPAGOS

Ana Esteves, Lindblad-National Geographic’s Director of Hotel Operations, has cultivated a farm-to-table culture in Galápagos. We have purchased some 30 tons of fresh produce, invested money in the farms, and contributed to their well-being and production. And reducing the need to import produce from the mainland by sourcing locally means reducing our carbon footprint as well. Here’s what Clemente, a farmer who supplies us with carrots, cabbage, pineapples, lettuce, leeks, white onions, butternut squash and blossoms, has to say about the programme:

“What I love the most about farming in the Galápagos is being able to give back to this Island I grew up in. I could spend days on end in the field under the sunshine or rain, but as long as I am out there with my plantation I am happy and fulfilled. Before Lindblad-National Geographic, there was no sign of any tourist wanting my products, it was all for the locals. Lindblad has opened up so many possibilities for me and my family and our future. Anita (refers to Ana Esteves) has shown us that what we have been doing has a name, sustainable farming.”

To learn more & see the farmers, use your smartphone to watch this Farm-To-Table video.

TURNING TRASH INTO TREASURE

EMPOWERING TEACHERS THROUGH TRAVEL

The Lindblad Expditions-National Geographic Artisan Fund supports the local creative community. The Fund not only provides artisans with instruction, materials, and support, it links upcycling to economic possibilities, as one successful artisan describes:

“I started making paper to pearls in 2011, when Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic brought Sarah, an instructor from Uganda, Africa, to Galápagos to teach members of the community how to turn paper into pearls. The paper I use to make paper to pearls basically comes from discarded magazines and catalogues (including old Lindblad-National Geographic Expeditions brochures from the ships). I take this material and choose the most vibrant and alive colours. Over time, I learned to turn this unwanted material into beautiful pieces. [Lindblad] started buying my jewellery, to sell in their ships in various parts of the world.” —DAYSI PATIÑO, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos

To learn more about this programme, visit expeditions.com/artisan-fund

We have long believed that teachers are heroes, and deserve to know there are people out there who respect their work, their dedication to their students and to education, and are willing to recognise and support their growth and development. The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship is the professional development opportunity we co-created with National Geographic Education, to give current Pre-K–12 classroom teachers and informal educators the opportunity to feed their curiosity about the world, learn, and bring geographic awareness back—by traveling aboard our fleet. Since the start of the programme in 2007, some 265 Fellows from 48 states and 6 Canadian provinces, plus Washington D.C. and a Department of Defense Education Activity school abroad, have utilised their fellowship experience to inspire tens of thousands of students and educators to care about, and protect, the planet.

Jennifer Chavez-Miller, a veteran educator, National Geographic Teacher Advisory Council member, Fulbright Scholar, and recipient of the 2020 National Geographic Gilbert M. Grosvenor Educator of the Year award, speaks for many in describing her experience: “Being a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow means being connected to other educators across the planet and to my students—past, present, and future. It means being connected to the world in just such new and visceral ways. It also means that I’m an empowered teacher. I’m empowered to create opportunities and experiences for my students to be explorers. I have the opportunity to dream big, and now I have a support network to make those dreams a reality.” —JENNIFER CHAVEZ-MILLER, 2018 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, Albuquerque, NM

Learn about the programme, eligibility, and more at expeditions.com/GTF