Is Spirit Tree Farms An Ecolodge? No, But …

Ecolodges are, as Forbes Magazine says, “having a moment”. As I excitedly read about this new travel trend, I wondered if our Nature refuge at Spirit Tree Farms could qualify as an ecolodge.

To be honest, I think the answer is, sadly, no. But maybe that’s a non-sequitor, macht’s nichts, question. Even with our environmental focus, and everything we are trying to do to promote Nature observation and creativity, we wouldn’t qualify as an ecolodge. Here’s why not:

• Spirit Tree Farms is not some remote, exotic destination
• We are not yet 100% sustainable or off-the-grid
• Our six acres — even though it’s next to the 5600 acre Chickamauga National Battlefield — is probably not big enough (especially since it’s surrounded on three sides by farms)
• Our classes and experiences don’t give any great insights into the local culture…
• nor do they contribute to the local, native economy in any significant way

What Can We Offer Without Being An Ecolodge?

As I temper my ecolodge enthusiasm with practical reality, I understand that, although we don’t “qualify” as an ecolodge, what we do at Spirit Tree Farms is really not a contest. Can we offer environmental experiences? Of course! We’re not better or worse, we’re just different. Here’s what we can offer in a different way than ecolodges:

• Access to Nature observation and creativity locally (we are 2 hours away from Atlanta and Nashville, and 20 minutes away from Chattanooga)
• Learn what biodiversity is and how it impacts you locally
• Practical environmental and Nature observation lessons you can take home (Sure, seeing rare tropical alplants and how they are used by natives in the rain forest is amazing. But when you go home to Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, Columbus, or elsewhere, what can you do with that knowledge?)
• Have Nature experiences that don’t cost you an arm and a leg, and several weeks of your time
• The ability to learn how to “lift where you stand”, and do what you can to help heal the Earth where you are

Environmentalism, Eco-Tourism, and Earth Partnership: Not a Contest

Bottom line is, because we are human, we tend to be competitive. At least I do. But a big lesson I’m learning from Nature is the concept of symbiotic relationships. Just like in Nature, we can build true ecosystems, where how we connect to — and learn about — Nature is cooperative, not a competition.

Would Marnie (CreationGirl) and I love to go to ecolodges throughout the world? Of course! Would we love to be a trendy ecolodge? Sure! And maybe there will be a phrase that’s invented to label what we are: Sort of a forest bathing, Nature connecting, ecolodge type of place that is still trying to pick up our microgarbage and clear out invasive, non-native plants. But meanwhile, we can teach Nature observation and creativity classes, be “On The Map!” as part of the Homegrown National Park, promote biodiversity, and help people connect and partner with Nature on a local, practical level.