It isn’t just a fad; sustainability is the new normal for meetings. This is great for Mother Earth, but, as this means plenty of fun and inventive activities, it’s also great for groups. Through creating a clean environment groups will also create life-long bonds. Here are some places that make it easy to be kind to the earth.
Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, New York
Guests at Farm Sanctuary will get the opportunity to help care for turkeys, chickens, cows, goats and pigs—perfect for the animal lovers in the group. On-site cabins and tiny homes are available for booking, with 346 sq. ft. and 384 sq. ft., respectively, and plenty of more traditional accommodations nearby.
Baker’s Cay Resort, West Largo, Florida
This resort offers groups multiple options for eco-friendly collaboration. With the help of local government organizations, groups can learn how to dive and help rebuild the area’s coral reefs with Coral Restoration Foundation, tour the everglades with The Everglades Foundation and get close to dolphins with the Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Rescue.
The Moorings Village, Islamorada, Florida
The property reopened in January 2018, following the destruction of Hurricane Irma. This 18-villa resort lost a majestic stand of coconut trees and is still in the process of rebuilding. Groups interested in giving back can rebuild the plantation by picking a spot and planting a seed, or they can retrieve fallen coconuts and replant those as well.
Crocodile Bay Resort, Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
Visitors to this property will have the chance to interact with exotic rainforest creatures, such as two- and three-toe sloths, spider and howler monkeys, toucans and macaws. They also offer a Sea Turtle Rescue Tour, in which guests spend an entire day helping researchers gather and analyze data, by swimming with, holding and examining them in their natural habitat.
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, Florida
With the use of kayaks equipped with cleaning equipment, groups are invited to participate in cleaning up Cape Coral’s 400 miles of canals and waterways a little bit at a time.
Panama Jack Resorts Cancun
In preparation for turtle hatching season, which begins in May, the property forms the “Turtle Protection Committee,” to ensure beaches are in mint condition for nesting; the committee leads group activities, such as beach cleaning. At the start of the season, the committee begins building nests at the resort’s on-site turtle farm, and when the time comes, guests can watch the hatchings and baby turtles arrive on the beach for the first time.
Club Med Cancun Yucatan
Groups can participate in various beach and lagoon cleanups at Cancun’s only resort with three private beachfront spaces. In addition to the practice, guests also get a chance to learn about the theory: In meetings led by a Club Med employee—also a certified turtle-handler by the local ecological department—guests can learn about local nesting turtles and local biodiversity. The resort also offers sessions to view nesting sea turtles and learn about the ways this impacts the environment.
Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, Florida
In collaboration with the Museum of Discovery & Science, groups are taught about the nesting and conservation of sea turtles. Indulge and donate when you purchase a Tipsy Turtle at Sea Level Bar, $1 of each sold is donated to Sea Turtle Conservancy. Through this, the resort has donated almost $13,000.
