Holiday eco-tourism, Oscar de la Renta style

by Annie Scott on

Puntacana Resort & Club has recently announced their very first voluntourism package, one which take ornithology to the next level.

Guests of the resort from December 28 to January 4 are invited to accompany Dr. André Dhondt from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology on a yearly census of the 27 indigenous bird species native only to the Dominican Republic. The good doctor will be offering tours of the resort’s grounds and lectures on different types of birds, and guests will receive exclusive access to the resort’s beautiful Ecological Reserve, as well as guides, binoculars and refreshments, as well as a basic lesson in Caribbean ornithology and an opportunity to “participate in scientific research of native, migratory, and endemic bird species,” including the rare Ridgway Hawk.

“People think of eco-tourism as tents and backpacks. The launch of these voluntourism packages means that guests can relax and enjoy their vacation while also helping us take care of a beautiful natural environment. The Oscar de la Renta designed villas at Tortuga Bay, new rooms at the Puntacana Hotel, Six Senses Spa or our golf courses are the perfect locations to unwind after the day’s activities,” says Puntacana Resort & Club Executive Director of Hospitality Alberto Abreu.

If you’re interested in a mid-holiday island getaway with a splash of goodness, visit the website for more information — and check out the Oscar de la Renta designed villas below (drool-worthy images courtesy of Puntacana Resort & Club)! Rates for this package start at $390 per night for a Deluxe, recently refurbished room at Puntacana Hotel. A portion of the rate will be donated to the Puntacana Ecological Foundation.
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Where Disney and real nature meet

by Jamie Rhein on

There’s the Enchanted Tiki Room version of the bird world found in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World. This is a place where mechanical birds talk and sing. Then there is Disney World’s real bird world. These are not the birds put here on purpose as part of an exhibit, but birds that just show up. These birds don’t talk, at least not in human speak, but they do sing.

When I was at Disney World winter before last, I wasn’t paying attention to the real bird kingdom while I was hoofing it between attractions in the Magic Kingdom. According to this article in the Dallas Morning News, the lakes in Disney World’s parks attract migrating birds. They stop here for a rest during their journey between South and Central America and points north. Some birds like Florida so much, they use Disney World’s parks as nesting grounds. As the article points out, 45 square miles of Disney World are protected for wildlife.

The best place to bird-watch is at Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake and on the Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Animal Kingdom. It’s not uncommon to see exotic birds hanging out with the other wild life. The photo by Conspiracy of Happiness is of a pair of white ibis at Bay Lake.

Here are some other birds to look for: Sarus cranes, mallard ducks, egrets, and herons. When you’re packing for your Disneyland experience, tuck in a bird guide and binoculars. While you’re waiting in line, birdwatching might be something to do. It’s also free. For the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room song, click here, although something funky is going on at the end of it.