World Legacy Awards – Finalists Announced
We are delighted to announce that the Conservation Ecology Centre and Great Ocean Ecolodge have just been recognised as Finalists in the World Legacy Awards.
The awards are a partnership between National Geographic and ITB Berlin to showcase leading travel and tourism companies, organizations and destinations — ranging from airlines to ecolodges and from cities to countries — that are driving the positive transformation of the travel industry based on sustainable tourism principles and practices.
The Conservation Ecology Centre is making a difference in conservation. A particular focus is Tiger Quoll conservation, and a landscape approach to wildlife and ecosystem conservation, working across private and public land. Research is also a key activity, ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in conservation efforts and developing innovative solutions to conservation challenges. Offering an opportunity for people to see and be part of this work is important to CEC – for this reason we created the Great Ocean Ecolodge, a wonderful way to stay in comfort while being a part of something special.
CEO of the Conservation Ecology Centre, Lizzie Corke, said, “We are honoured to be selected as finalists in the prestigious World Legacy Awards. Using engaging and innovative methods, the Conservation Ecology Centre nurtures ecosystems and conserves wildlife. The WLA Awards highlight areas of progress in addressing conservation challenges and we are delighted to be a part of it.”
CEC is an exciting organisation working hard to ensure a natural future. Rather than a tourism business conducting some conservation projects it is a conservation organisation offering people the opportunity to get involved through staying and assisting in their work, not just as short term guests but as long term supporters and partners.
“Our natural world is at great threat but CEC offers a connection with nature which is inspiring and exciting. It is not just a holiday destination but a place with which connection can be formed and where there are opportunities for individuals to stay involved for a lifetime to make a significant difference,” said Ms Corke.
The judging process includes three phases, starting with the selection of finalists in each award category, followed by an in-depth on-site evaluation to review sustainable tourism practices in action based on criteria of the United Nations Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and lastly the selection of winners.
Winners will be announced in Berlin next March.
See the media release from National Geographic Traveler.