CSR STATUS REPORT: SANCTUARY BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA: Defending a 3BL Paradise

Sanctuary: Forever Paradise A CSR Update from PGI President, Frank Costanzo-Connelly's in his role as the full time Sustainability Director of Sanctuary Belize, a 22 square mile Wildlife Reserve that inspires to allow a small percentage to be responsibly developed as a holistic sustainable community: Maintaining paradise during development requires business models that disrupt the conventional thinking that historically has led to paradise lost in so many other countries. Therefore, providing a quantifiable sustainability plan and actual deliverables is the most critical component to a development that prides itself on existing within a wildlife and watershed preserve. The most common question asked of nearly everyone is what quantum of the 14000 acres can be developed. This is a very valid question, however the better question -that usually follows during a longer course of discussion- is how that portion will be developed. That is, the measurement and management of sustainability. In short, quality. Eco Futures is so passionate and committed to achieving a showcase level of quality sustainability, that it branded what we are striving to achieve during development of Sanctuary Belize: the "five eco-lifestyles." It is simply, Forever Paradise. Much of my decision to accept the role as Sustainability Director was two prong authenticity: a large and unique biota with high biodiversity energy made up of five micro-climates; and an executive core team willing to give autonomy of planning and process to the role of a sustainability director to create and execute a genuine 'land ethic' plan of responsible development. The overarching goal of Five Eco-Lifestyles, as the name implies is development and community building that comes without a trade off of the Preserve's natural capital resources assets. If possible, in fact, developing infrastructures and programs that actually improve the natural and social community that extends to all life within the preserve, and embodies a land ethic. In essence to covet only the minimum footprint of natural capital that does not disrupt the biotic energy cycle, and to return in kind, measures that could further improve the strength of the biotic diversity through conservation and increased yield of natural capital assets. Plotting, planning, executing, measuring and managing these deliverables is the driver and mission crux. Here are a few of the infrastructures and programs that embody Forever Paradise: 1. Low impact, decentralized systems to deliver power, water and waste management. a) Power that is not only green, but carries an efficient levelized cost to install and maintain and where possible carbon and GHG negative. Using an objective mix of solar and biogas technologies based on the use, location and requirements allows Sanctuary to boast it's first ever government harvest and production concession to independently produce its own energy sourced from biomass waste collected directly from the property and proximate ag wastes. Using bioenergy to energize the beach club and tent village making it not only clean and green but also only beach in the Caribbean that's carbon footprint is negative?

Using solar energy on our prize pearl, Sanctuary Caye, to juice a world class water treatment and harvest system that provides irrigation and grey water. It will also energize a weather station that will provide valuable data to allow us to plan future infrastructure installations. And of course solar will 'juice' the blenders that turn out real juice for guests and residents desirous of a zero footprint Rum Punch. Our first solar powered cocktail. Further guests will be able to freshen up at the Caye with the convenience of modern 'self sustaining' restrooms amid lush Class 1 water fed gardens. Many thanks to Mark Mahaney, John and Chris Usher whose shared vision in the master planning for the island is bringing this about. Remember when we were kids and we could drink straight from the tap? Did you ever consider how we all allowed it to become 'norm' that safe water costs a buck and only comes in plastic bottles from South Pacific aquifers? Or that a billion dollar drinking-water filter industry became an acceptable alternative to keeping water clean in the first place? Or your brand water filter has become a status symbol of wellness? Well, Santuary Belize has the gift of a lake size aquifer that delivers ready to drink artesian waters that my sustainability plan jealously guards its use, with the intention that residents' great grandchildren will be drinking straight from the same tap. b) Redundant water delivery systems that are not intensive, well regulated and resilient to shocks such as power outages, intrusion or natural climate disturbances. The Quantity and Quality of water at Sanctuary is something we can boast by comparison to North Central and South American countries as well as globally. Four strategically located well naturally protected in the savanna ridge, have the flow rate to forever produce high quality, artesian spring water -ready to drink- to the entire development. This is without exception our penultimate responsibility as developers and the land ethic. Shifting and growing away from single line, energy intensive pumped water over miles of line, the (SB or SW) is currently undertaking the engineering task of spreading the load over the four wellheads. After extensive study and swot, it's been determined that above ground gravity towers are the most reliable and energy efficient method of providing on demand water. Going the extra mile to create a circuit water system provides security and well balance. Real time rainfall monitoring, water quality data and inline UV treatment provide source-to-tap quality assurance. We're excited to announce that this Fall we'll be pulling in some volunteer assets...mates from PGI's consultancy talent pool. We hope to be hosting world acclaimed FAO geologists and water resource management experts that have worked in areas of the world suffering water resilience crisis. Perhaps we can do like we did in Calcutta in 2010 and play host to a UNEP CSPAW convention. At any rate, these experts, will volunteer their vast consultative experience to deepening our understanding and resilience planning for our centerpiece savanna with its formidable ability to naturally process water into our natural aquifer.

A water sustainability plan and 'state of the Sanctuary water report' will be submitted to the organizing & transition board of the HOA, informing of the standards set forth by the Government of Belize, the best practices regarding cycling waste water for grey and irrigation and NTSB black water treatment, and futureproofing our systems to comply with the expected effluent levels for Caribbean Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife CSPAW standards. 2. Managing our waste flow is probably the single most challenging component of Forever Paradise. Nothing threatens our existence on Earth, and thereby Paradise more than management of our consumption and outputs. Whether you believe climate change is bunk, an Illuminati conspiracy or Gore should be beatified, global development has resulted in a resource burn rate that requires multiple Earths. Fact, as Johnny would stoically say. Gas solid and liquid wastes must be managed in an effective decentralized manner in order to limit the footprint of development. Low impact – no impact systems actually provide an opportunity to improve soil and water security through natural biotic cycles that return the productive nutrients and treated water back into the environment. This is not mere mimicking the natural biotic energy system but actually participating in it when living in a highly energetic ecosystem like Belize. a) Although population densities have yet to reach the level that economically support a centralized solids recycling and black waste water management, the futureproofing of Sanctuary requires we look over the horizon and explore the appropriate technologies for each. b) On the drawing board is tech'ing up the Sanctuary Caye infrastructure to accommodate more frequent visits by guests and owners. A showcase project that integrates water harvesting, solar primary/biodiesel backup energy and NTSE 40 international grade management of waste water. In essence we design and build onsite (using local professionals we've tech trained) micro waste water treatment facilities that rival municipal facilities and exceed international Class 1 water effluents. c) Could more traffic to Sanctuary Caye actually assist in developing an even more lush and sustainable micro-ecosystem? Yes. Wastes are treated and then up cycled to improve soil quality and increase plant access to invaluable fresh water. 3. Proactive investment into conservation and biodiversity and its appreciation through programs that support and promote same. Inclusion of the human hand into the landscape is something only recently realized as critical to sustainable wildlife management. This is the core of the land ethic and something the Sustainability Office is proactively inserting in all aspects of the development cycle from sales, CC&R's, HOA mission statement and a core fundamental of Adventurer's League. a) Green buffers, conservation areas, prescriptive lot clearing and landscape inputs following principles of biodiversity and permaculture. Staying abreast of best of breed development scale sustainability models, conservation and infrastructure is key. b) Currently we are producing manuals for builders and lot owners that clearly set forth the development standards as well as citations to the national and international criteria we are obliged to adhere. This manual is designed to cover the collective development as well as drill down into the discrete requirements of certain eco-lifestyle zones. ie. Riparian buffer along rivers; firebreaks along savanna; waste water discharge limitations along Class 1 and 2 waterways; density sensitive setbacks and natural flora removal regulation in the Waterway Villages. c) d) Currently we are producing a Standard Operations Manual for builders that will provide a definition to what it means to be a “Sanctuary Belize Approved Builder.” This gives the lot owner the comfort and security of knowing their builder meets a criteria that meets and adheres to the development, local and nation of Belize laws and Central Building Authority guidelines. 4. community building and cross community communion and development through relations, industry and opportunity to grow and learn from one another and together. Examples include: Lending our logistics and supply line expertise to lot owner Dr. Bayrock, a Rotarian from Canada, whose goal it is to land computers and sewing machines for the young adults at the Ladyville orphanage near Belize City. Engaging the Maya Cultural Preservation Foundation – just a few miles away- at our neighboring village Maya Center to teach and source the weave works that we will be using in the bamboo homes and architectural features we'll be building onsite. Our two bamboo models were sourced from Bamboo Living whose factory is in faraway Vietnam. Built in carbon offsets are lost due to long transportation. Preference for locally sourced materials and labor are lost. Albeit a great product, a different and evolved business model was available to make it so bamboo material was close sourced and technical skills could be transferred to the under-employed Mayan work force, and in particular women. These 'transfers of technical methods and systems (TOTEMS) have created direct and indirect jobs opportunities for a historically disenfranchised community. We'll be providing the machines and materials until the enterprise is itself sustainable. It's the kind of low risk entry into enterprise that promotes community engagement and was the signature work for PGI in India, Nepal and Arunachal. Making the SB/SRWR Office of Sustainability available and accessible to residents and guests during tours for consultation to the development, prescriptive lot assessments and to the greater community and as a good will ambassador and policy recommendations to the Govt of Belize. 5. Cross cutting is the top shelf of corporate sustainability sciences and practice. It's actually the core of the Forever Paradise brand and has already drawn international attention. Cross cutting is the ability to create business models on the principles of profit, planet and people. A really amazing thing happens when one purpose plans along these three lines... synergy. As if by some law of physics, triple bottom line enterprise models simply work better than conventional models. Recently this type of business planning has been given a name... disruptive entrepreneurship. Application of a broader definition of 'profit' is what creates the synergy that in essence 'disrupts' the conventional. The art of creating these kind of enterprises is akin to a yogic enlightenment (ok, y'all stick with me here) as you realize that businesses that participate in the biotic cycle are in essence super charged by it. In economic terminology... you can't beat my overheads and security on a fossil model. And what a great name to illustrate the point... 'my company's waste powers my factory and my workforce's community...what has your fossil model done for you lately?' Or my favorite... 'my workforce loves their job because they're community owns it.' The true blessing that embodies Sanctuary is the fact they have disrupted the norm and recognized that your investment in the land is a matter of quality. You'll hear Mr Johnny often refer to this as The Cause. The future proofed planned security for clean water – in juxtaposition to a world rife with water filter billionaires, creates value more so than the swanky amenities that adorn the waterways.

6. From the specimen tree to the no-touch zone around lots creates value. The prime disruptor, is someone whose life has been to do this type of work, and I am thankful for the carte blanche I have been given to write up a site plan guideline that defends, enhances and protects the three bottom line investment economics of Paradise Found. Again I thank Developer Eco Futures and the NGO Sittee River Wildlife Reserve, to allow my participation in such an exciting public private partnership undertaking. It's my firm belief that its authenticity will make it considered a world class three bottom line metric development, the value addition of which, will be a global showcase that demonstrates what can be achieved to protect natural resources while creating massive infrastructure efficiencies - via application of a land ethic. Mass duplication of the model is the ultimate goal. Fair Use Notice: This post contains copyrighted material that has not been authorized by the copyright owners. PGI believes this educational use on the Green Eye Web-blog constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.) If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Fair Use notwithstanding we will immediately comply with any copyright owner who wants their material removed or modified or wants us to link to their web site which we routinely do as a business practice notwithstanding.