Seacology News: October 2010 Archives

How would you like to swim next to a 50 foot whale? With the help of Seacology and Trazzler, you can! Submit your travel writing to Trazzler's Smart Travel contest by November 15 and you might win a spot on a Seacology ecotourism adventure to swim with humpback whales in the Polynesian island of Tonga.

The Smart Travel contest asks: Can Travel Make Us Better People? Do you think travel can make the world a better place? Is it possible to make a positive contribution to a community just by visiting?

Since islands appear in every corner of our planet, Seacology board members, supporters, and staff frequently travel to islands around the world to visit Seacology project sites and meet with communities we've helped.

Now, Seacology has teamed up with Trazzler, an online travel website that recommends personalized travel experiences to its users. Trazzler allows you to submit personal, one-of-a-kind trip descriptions, and then share and suggest them to other Trazzler users. Trazzler promotes Smart Travel--trips that are more than just a visit, but instead allow you to truly explore the world around you as an active, rather than passive, traveler. Trazzler believes that travel can be a good thing in the world--that it can make the planet a better place to live, and make us more conscientious people and global citizens.

Seacology is helping Trazzler put this idea to the test. Trazzler users can enter the Smart Travel contest and submit their own trips. Two lucky winners will be selected to join Seacology on an ecotourism adventure to swim with humpback whales in South Pacific island of Tonga. Tonga is one of the few locations in the world where humans can swim with humpback whales. The 10-day trip will begin in Nuku'alofa, Tonga's capital and continue north to the Ha'apai island group, where travelers will have the opportunity to swim with humpback whales. In addition to up-close whale encounters, the trip will include opportunities for snorkeling and several night dives amidst Tonga's pristine coral reefs--and a visit to the Seacology project in the Ha'apai islands, where Seacology is establishing a marine reserve.

So what do you think--can travel make us better people? Join Trazzler today and share your life-changing trip experiences in the Smart Travel contest! 

If you live in the Bay Area, you still have time to RSVP to this year's Seacology Prize Ceremony. Seacology will be honoring Mr. Rabary Desiré of Madagascar next Thursday, October 7, at the David Brower Center in Downtown Berkeley.

Mr. Desiré has dedicated his life to protecting the unique wildlife of his native Madagascar, where he established a private conservation reserve and became a self-taught expert on Malagasy flora and fauna. Seacology will be awarding Mr. Desiré the 2010 Seacology Prize for his conservation efforts. The evening will include a reception and keynote address by Mr. Desiré, who will share his inspiring story with us. Join Seacology Board Members and supporters at this special event!

RSVP at (510) 559-3505 or carynne@seacology.org.

A full press release describing Mr. Desiré's achievements can be found here.